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Golf CultureCourse Management All clubs Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 4 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Gary Player Road, Hole at St. Andrews: Playing the 17th

The 17th hole at St. Andrews—the Road Hole—is, for Gary Player, the greatest hole in golf and the most difficult par-4 he has ever played. As he walks the hole, he explains each hazard and how he would play it if he were competing in the Open.

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Gary Player
Gary Player · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

10 minSame problemJean Van de Velde Carnoustie putter: A Rematch on the 18thJean Van de Velde · Intermediate18 minSame problemRory McIlroy's Best Shots on the PGA TourRory McIlroy21 minFrom the same proGary Player's Backswing: Left Arm, Hip and PuttingGary Player · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Gary Player says that when he was starting out, you had to play from the tee above a former railroad shed; today, we’re aiming for the “O” at the Old Course Hotel. The second shot lands on a green about ten yards wide, defended in front by a bunker taller than him, from which you sometimes have to play back or to the side. Behind the green, there’s a tricky area, then a paved road and a wall: Sometimes you have to bounce the ball off the wall to get it back onto the green.

His strategy is clear: If you're smart and leading the tournament, you'll aim for the front right of the green. and don't aim for the flag, which is placed very close to the edge. A perfect shot might roll past it and end up on the road. He also points out that on links courses, Distance doesn't mean anything: 150 yards—an 8-iron one day, a 3-wood the next. For him, the Open is a tournament where you’re constantly facing adversity.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. To start, aim for a specific spot: the “O” in the Gary Player Hotel.
  2. Before your second shot, watch out for the hazards: a bunker in front, and a road and a wall behind.
  3. If the flag is at the edge of the green, don't try to hit it.
  4. Aim for the front right of the green, away from the bunker and the road.
  5. Choose your club based on the wind and conditions, not just on distance.

Key Takeaways

The tee shot is played over the “O” in the Old Course Hotel.
The green is narrow and guarded by a very deep bunker.
Behind the green, there is a paved road and a wall.
Leading the tournament, Gary Player plays the front right of the green.
In golf, distance alone isn't enough to determine which club to use.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Aim for a flag placed very close to the edge of the green.
  • Hit it too hard and end up on the road or against the wall.
  • Ending up in the front bunker, from which you can't aim at the green.
  • Choosing a club based solely on distance on a links course.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Identifying traps before every second move during a game
  2. Choosing a safe area on the green rather than the flag
  3. Shots to the same spot with different clubs, depending on the wind

Your Questions

Why does Gary Player say the Road Hole is so difficult?

The green is narrow, with a very deep bunker in front of it, and behind it are a paved road and a wall. Gary Player considers it the most difficult par-4 he has ever played.

How would Gary Player play this hole if he were leading the Open?

It would land just past the front right edge of the green without hitting the flag. A perfect shot toward a flag on the edge could roll past the green and end up on the road.

What should you do if the ball hits the wall?

Gary Player explains that you can't take a backswing in this situation: you hit the ball against the wall to make it bounce toward the green.

Why does distance matter less on links?

Because of the weather. According to Gary Player, for the same distance, you might hit an 8-iron one day and need a 3-wood the next.

Learn More

All “Golf Culture” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Course Management” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you 5 Pro Tips from Tommy Fleetwood: From the Drive to the GreenFive habits from the Tour: placing the tee in front of the ball when using a driver, no calling out shots with irons, planning chip shots in advance, keeping a distance log, and reviewing the round afterward. How Rory McIlroy Hits His Irons: Technique and AimRory contrasts irons and driver: more tilted, ball toward the middle, he covers the ball with his chest and aims at the widest side of the green. Tiger Woods' Course Management: Starting from the GreenTiger designs each hole starting from the green, refuses to allow himself any mental errors, and advises amateurs to aim for zero three-putts first. Gary PlayerAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Gary Player). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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