Last year it was Savannah 17 – without question the toughest hole in the game and perhaps the toughest hole of all-time. While Heather Pointe fans may have a bone to pick with that, there’s plenty of holes in GT history that have become famous with the challenges they present.

Flash back once again to ’09, which sounds odd but you know what I’m getting at. It seemed like no matter what I tried, including a 4-hybrid chip and all sorts of horrendous cut shots, I got wet on Savannah 17. Usually my next shot would go in the hazard as well, and suddenly that potential –23 turned into a –16. Just like that.

Tilt. Say it with me, fellas… TILT.

While these challenging looks can be frustrating, they are also what make the game great. They forever go down in GT lore as the true round busters, but when you play them perfectly it makes it all worthwhile. They also force us to be creative. Who would imagine using a 4-iron on a 75-yard shot? I mean really?

A perfect example of this is Monument Valley 17, which leads off this mini-series as my fifth hardest hole in 2010. It gives players an amazing look, but it can be a black eye on the ol’ scorecard if the ball doesn’t roll your way.

17 is a par-3 that has tee boxes surrounding the hole on pretty much all sides. The distance can range anywhere from 95 to 160 yards.

The green, which might be one of, if not the toughest in the game, has a ten slope that can vary in direction depending on which tee box you are placed. There is a bunker surrounding the back, front, or side of the green, (once again depending on placement).

This hole provides a true challenge because the green is really tough to stick at all angles. And even when you do stick it, there’s the possibility that you’ll still have a very missable putt for birdie. The potential to really blowup is there as well. End up in the water and you’ll have a drop that is far from easy. Well, maybe not for you pros out there, but certainly for us donks.

If you have a good club with a nice out or cross wind then the birdie opportunity is very possible – but this easy opportunity won’t be there often. I highlighted 12 games I played on the hole and I got exactly 36 strokes, for an average of 3 strokes per time played. Not bad, especially with a few doubles in there.

Everyone out there has probably played and seen all the new courses and holes in 2010, so I put the question to you. Is Monument Valley 17 one of the top five hardest holes in the game?

Comments as always are welcome and appreciated. What do you think?

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