17th as First Playoff Hole: Joke or Just Fine?

[TheGolfingDetective]

Works fine for me. We wouldn't have been discussing this if Goydos closed out Sergio in regulation. These guys are pros and the player able to hit a clutch wedge under pressure deserves to win.

[JaY_B]

The same gust of wind could of plugged Goydos in a bunker on 18, but that would be ok because its not surrounded by water? It could of happened to anyone, I think the hole is fine for a play off, in fact it adds extra drama. Ok Goydos hit a good shot and got unlucky but maybe he should of hit a different club and allowed for the wind that had been gusting all day.

[iacas]

The same gust of wind could of plugged Goydos in a bunker on 18, but that would be ok because its not surrounded by water? It could of happened to anyone, I think the hole is fine for a play off, in fact it adds extra drama. Ok Goydos hit a good shot and got unlucky but maybe he should of hit a different club and allowed for the wind that had been gusting all day.

You can't "allow" for gusts. And a ball in the bunker is still an opportunity to get up and down. It's not an automatic bogey or double bogey.

I think your arguments have done more to convince people that it was a joke than what you believe (that it's fine).

[JaY_B]

How can any play off hole chosen possibly be a joke if its a hole used in regulation play?

[JKilgore44]

I believe that it's a completely fair hole. People think it's a joke because it has an intimidating appearance. I agree that it can be a tough hole when the wind blows, but in all reality, it's not as tough as it seems.

My biggest supporting fact is the 17th at Sawgrass is rated the 13th toughest hole on the course. I think this alone makes it a fair playoff hole. It's not the #1 most difficult and it's also not the easiest. It seems like replaying #18 would be more of a joke considering it's rated the most difficult. the 17th is a good test of nerves, and to be honest, you need to have nerves of steel to win at that level.

[Ian]

Joke: I realise the players are pros and the wind should not matter, but having it all decided in one shot, seems unfair, maybe they should have let the players talk it out and decide?

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

I've already made my points regarding this topic and there are some good arguments for both sides. But I do find it quite interesting that they did decide to start on 17. I've watched enough golf to know that generally (and I realize this is a generalized statement) they replay 18 for the first playoff hole in most PGA tour events. By starting on 17, it tells me they wanted the drama (which also tells me they are not ready to be mentioned in the same sentence as majors) rather than starting on 18, which IMO is a perfect playoff hole. Good TV, well, for at least a few seconds.

[JaY_B]

Its not really decided by that one shot, its decided after 72 holes + play off holes.

Regardless of how gimmicky the 17th is, it is still the same for both golfers, it may be unfair if a gust of wind hits your ball..... but golf is not a fair sport, we all know that.

People can whine and complain about the hole as much as they want, it won't change anything...... at the end of the day its just an excuse and a chance to blame anything else but themselves.

[iacas]

Its not really decided by that one shot, its decided after 72 holes + play off holes.

No, the playoff was pretty much decided on that hole.

It's not like someone else that didn't tie for the lead after 72 holes got into it somehow and won.