Hole #17: GolfScout's Take
Wilmette's penultimate hole is a 512 yard par-5 filled with intrigue. Only longer hitters need to be concerned about the fairway bunker from the back tees. It's 290 to front of the trap. Otherwise, your main enemy is the trees and rough in the first leg of 17.
Tension builds in the second act of this play. If you were fortunate enough to land your driver in the fairway short of the bunker, it's decision time. It's now ~220 to the front, and fairway wood is aggressive, but possible. And real risky. There's lots of water and trouble left, and the short grass gets real narrow. Laying up is of course an option, but maintain vigilance and beware the fairway bunker on your right.
Playing the 17th is like playing Minesweeper. You're walking a narrow path and trying to avoid danger everywhere.
The green is no picnic either. It runs uphill and diagonally to the left. The rough is thick around here, and a deep greenside bunker stands sentry in front of the upper part of the dance floor. 17 is truly a shotmaker's hole. Good luck and Godspeed.
