Pacific Dunes · Hole 17
Blue
551
White
471
Gold
401
Red
301
The second par 5 on the back nine is a long, sweeping hole that winds through the dune landscape away from the clifftop and back toward the clubhouse. This is a three-shot par 5 for most players, and the challenge lies in managing the second shot to set up the ideal third-shot angle. The green is large but complex, with interior undulation that rewards precise second-shot positioning.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
A controlled driver to the right-center of the fairway sets up the best angle for the second shot. The left rough is penal; the right rough is thick but more playable. Aim away from trouble and accept a slightly longer second shot from the right side rather than taking on the left rough. A solid drive of 260-280 yards is ideal.
Approach
The second shot is the most strategic on the hole. From the right-center of the fairway, the ideal layup is to the 80-yard marker left of center — this leaves a full wedge to the green from the best angle. Players who lay up right of center leave a much more difficult pitch to a green that angles away from them. Avoid the bunker on the right side of the 80-yard zone, which catches second shots that over-fade.
Putting
The large green at 17 has multiple zones separated by subtle ridges. Eagle putts from the back of the green require navigating at least one ridge change — these are very difficult to control for pace. Birdie putts from the front-center of the green are the most manageable. Know where your approach shot will leave you and plan the second and third shots backward from the putt you want.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The second shot layup zone is more precise than players expect — the angle of the third shot changes significantly based on where the ball ends up.
- •The right-center layup zone features a bunker that catches over-faded second shots — aim left of center.
- •The large green is deceptive: birdie from the back section is far harder than from the front due to interior ridges.
- •Players who reach the green in two often three-putt because the large green creates long putts that cross multiple grain directions.
Wind Intelligence
The southwest wind on this hole varies between a crosswind and a slight tailwind depending on the direction of the fairway at each point. On the tee, the wind is typically from the right; on the second shot layup, it becomes more of a tailwind. The third shot approach benefits from a slight tailwind, making the green more reachable and also harder to stop the ball on. Factor the wind direction change into your layup position.
Hazard Map
- ▲Bunker on the right side of the 80-yard layup zone
- ▲Penal left rough throughout the hole
- ▲Interior ridges on the large green separating multiple putting surfaces
- ▲Crosswind on the tee that becomes a tailwind on the approach