The HARDEST Hole In Golf | 17th At St Andrews - Road | Open Moments

It is arguably the most challenging hole at St Andrews. Road - the 17th hole on the Old Course is known worldwide as one of golf's toughest tests.

For generations, players have battled against the complexities that the hole brings. The wall of the hotel blocks the view down the fairway. The menacing bunker guarding the green and the tarmac off the back is there to catch players who are too aggressive in their approach.

There are many ways in which a player can approach this hole in the pursuit of the Claret Jug, but one thing is for sure, you cannot win the Open Championship on the 17th, but you can certainly lose it.

We invite you to remember and learn about the hardest hole in golf as the Open returns to St Andrews in 2022.

Keep in touch with us!

[sirgalahad]

I went to St. Andrews on a college trip from the US as a 19 year old in 1982 and played the Old Course. On 17, I hit driver - 4 iron onto the green and 2-putted for par. That was 40 years ago, and still is the fondest memory of my golfing life.

[jonathan]

I played this hole back in 1994. I was 23. I sculled a driver and barely cleared the walls but landed in a grassy area. Hit driver off the semi rough and drew it to within 20 yards of the green. Then punched a 7 iron to 3 feet and made the putt for par. Then my playing partner pinched my arm and I woke up from falling asleep in my golf cart sitting at the #12 tee box at my local country club in Kentucky as we waited for the group in front of us to move along. It is one of my greatest accomplishments, I mean memories of my life.

[MrMuttley]

The voice of Peter Allis…golf poetry at its finest. Legend.

[jc]

Apart from the 461yds, the side of the hotel, deep rough, narrow undulating green, pit of a green side bunker, the road and the wall it’s a pretty easy par 4. Unless the wind is blowing off the sea then it’s tricky!

[matthewdudley]

In March 1995 on a post-college European sojourn I found myself in St. Andrews. The course had been shut down from play in advance of The Open that summer, but you could walk it as long as you stayed off the greens. I walked out 1-2-3 and back 16-17-18. I stood on the tee box at 17 and thought there's "no effing way" I could ever hit that tee shot. Somewhere I have a picture of me on the bridge on 18 that Arnold Palmer would take that summer. It always amazes me that no one ever mentions the winds coming off the North Sea there though. It's a constant 15-20 mph and definitely a factor!

[airflowwww]

Lipped out for a 3 on my birthday 2 weeks ago with the grand stands out, did exactly the same on 18 with a crowd of 100, best 30 mins of my life 😁

[nickjlyons]

I’ve been lucky to have played their many times. 4 was my very best score on 17. Felt like a birdie…formidable hole.

[golfcoursephotography]

I remember raking the pot bunker at the 17th for my St Andrews Course Photos
You Tube video and thinking this is the most beautifully placed bunker I have ever seen. Shows how quality can outdo quantity

[SadMarinersFan]

Everyone smashing Driver off the tee and Tiger is there vibin with what looks like a 2 Iron. Prime Tiger will always be the best golfer I've ever gotten the chance to see.

[chrisworthington]

I was at St Andrews in 2010 and watched Jimenez hit that magic shot off the wall at 17. 👍

[arch]

I dream of playing there someday. Number one on my bucket list.

[mran]

I absolutely love this golf course and particularly the road hole. My niece was attending the university there for a year and I just had to visit her several times!

[logansmith]

Great video! Can we acknowledge that the narrator called the green side bunker the “hole’s only bunker” just 5 seconds after flying over the other two bunkers on the whole

[martinberry]

played it once the week after Tiger won there, had an 8 but did not go in the hotel which was a positive.

[petterisutinen]

I played the course for my 30th birthday this year, exactly 3 months after the 150th Open. Even today I can't believe I did it and watching this video gives me such chills.

It brings me enormous joy to be able to play this wonderful game ❤

[vanhalo]

Got to play this in October this year. Played a shorter yardage from the blue tees but came out with a par. Teed off with a 3 wood that gave me a 205 yard shot with a hybrid on the left side of the fairway. Nailed the front of the green and avoided that bunker. Missed the birdie putt by 3 feet. What a hole!

[Makybhoy]

Played it once, got up and down from the path for par. 😎 highlight of my round 👌🏼

[morgan]

When you have the power slice that has plagued my game forever just happens to be the perfect shot for this hole.

[jamiecapes]

7 years away from the Old Course is too long and the 17th has always been the quintessential par 4 in the game.

[thomashumphrey]

Man, a golf course and golf, in general, can humble you fast.