How many balls find the water on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass?

How many balls find the water on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass

One of the most famous par-3s in golf consumes more than its fair share of golf balls – from tour pros and amateurs alike.

The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, otherwise known as the Island Green, is one of golf’s greatest equalizers. Whether you’re a PGA Tour pro playing for millions during the Players Championship or a weekend warrior just trying not to embarrass yourself in front of your pals, this 137-yard par-3 doesn’t care who you are. If you miss, you’re wet.

Every year, thousands of balls meet their watery demise in the pond surrounding this infamous green. But how many? Let’s dive in (pun intended).

How many balls find the water during the Players Championship?

Since 2003, when detailed records began, the 17th hole has claimed approximately 990 golf balls during The Players Championship, averaging about 49.5 per tournament.

• Worst year? 2007 was a disaster. 93 balls went into the water, including a record 50 in Round 1 alone as wind howled through the course
• Best year? 2014 was unusually kind, with just 28 water balls
• Recent history? 2023 saw 58 balls find the drink, but 2024 was slightly tamer with 36 casualties

Still, no matter the year, someone’s tournament hopes always come to a soggy end here. As Tiger Woods once put it: “There’s no bailout.”

When amateurs take the challenge… it’s a bloodbath

For everyday golfers, the Island Green presents an even steeper challenge.

• It’s said that over a million balls have been lost to the water since the hole opened in 1980
• The yearly total is estimated to be between 65,000-100,000, more than one per golfer
• Over 50% of all amateur shots miss the green

PGA Tour pro Kevin Kisner once joked: “If you’re not nervous on 17, you probably don’t have a pulse.”

The PGA Tour once recorded every amateur golfer to play the hole during a day:

The water always wins

Whether you’re Scottie Scheffler or Simon from accounting, the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass doesn’t discriminate. It’s an icon of pressure, precision, and pure terror – and the numbers prove it.

So if you’re ever lucky enough to find yourself standing on the tee at 17, just remember: you’re not alone if you hit the drink.

Want to see how the pros fared last year? Check out all 36 water balls from the 2024 Players Championship:

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