Trevor Ng
The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes in golf, specifically holes 15, 16, and 17, that is notorious for being extremely challenging. Named after Jack Nicklaus, who redesigned the course, it requires a great deal of precision and mental fortitude to navigate successfully. The stretch is known for its water hazards and bunkers, which can quickly increase a golfer's score if they make even a single mistake. The Bear Trap is considered one of the toughest stretches of holes in golf, striking fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned players.
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What You'll Learn
- The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes at the PGA National Resort
- It includes the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, which are some of the hardest holes on the course
- The 15th hole requires a full carry over water and is around 180 yards from the tee
- The 16th hole is the easiest part of the Bear Trap but still plays over par on average
- The 17th hole is very risky, especially with the Sunday pin location
The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes at the PGA National Resort
The Bear Trap is a notoriously treacherous stretch of holes at the PGA National Resort. It is nicknamed after Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, who redesigned the course in 1990. The Bear Trap comprises holes 15, 16, and 17, each presenting unique challenges that test even the most skilled golfers.
The first hole of The Bear Trap is a par-3, with water guarding the front, right, and long sides, and a bunker on the left. This hole demands precision, requiring a full carry over water to the green. The wind direction adds another layer of complexity, making it a mental challenge for golfers.
The second hole, a par-4, is no less daunting. Players face a similar carry over water to the green, and even pros may need to use a hybrid or long iron. The two-tiered putting surface is notoriously difficult to read, and golfers must exercise caution to avoid falling into a trap of false confidence.
The final hole of The Bear Trap is a par-3 again, but it offers no respite. Coming up short risks finding the water, while going long and left leads to a tricky bunker shot. The pin placement on Sundays further elevates the challenge, demanding commitment and precision from golfers.
The Bear Trap is not just about the holes' design but also the gladiatorial setting, with grandstands surrounding each hole, creating a high-pressure environment. It is a stretch that golfers anticipate with a mix of excitement and trepidation, knowing that a single mistake can quickly unravel their game.
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It includes the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, which are some of the hardest holes on the course
The Bear Trap is a treacherous trio of holes on the golf course, comprising the 15th, 16th and 17th holes. It is a notoriously challenging stretch of the game, often deciding the winner. The holes are known for their difficulty, with a combination of water hazards, bunkers, and precision shots required to navigate them successfully.
The 15th hole, a par-3, is the first of the Bear Trap. It demands a full carry over a water hazard to the green, requiring both courage and accuracy. The pin placement on Sundays further increases the challenge, tucked away between the hazard and a greenside bunker. This hole has earned its reputation for being one of the toughest on the course.
The 16th hole, a par-4, offers little respite from the preceding hole. While it is considered the easiest of the three, it still plays over par on average. Players face a similar carry over the water hazard, and the two-tiered putting surface adds another layer of complexity, making it notoriously difficult to read.
The 17th hole, a par-3, completes the Bear Trap. This hole is notorious for its potential to damage players' scorecards. The Sunday pin position adds to the challenge, as any shot that falls short risks landing in the water, while a long and left shot will result in a tricky bunker shot. The wind direction also plays a significant role in the difficulty of this hole, making it a true test of players' skills and nerve.
The Bear Trap is aptly named, reflecting the formidable nature of these holes. With water hazards and bunkers strategically placed, it takes precision, courage, and commitment to navigate these holes successfully. It is a true test of skill and mental fortitude for even the most experienced golfers.
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The 15th hole requires a full carry over water and is around 180 yards from the tee
The 15th hole is the start of the Bear Trap, a treacherous trio of holes at the PGA National Champion Course, nicknamed after Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, who redesigned the course. The 15th hole is a par-3, measuring around 180 yards from the tee, and is particularly challenging as it requires a full carry over a water hazard to the green.
A full carry means that the golfer must hit the ball over the water hazard, which in this case, is between the tee and the green. The golfer must clear the water with their shot and avoid landing in it, as this would incur a penalty. The water hazard on the 15th hole is likely marked with red stakes or a red line, indicating a lateral hazard. If a golfer hits the ball over the hazard but it bounces back into the water, they would typically drop the ball on the side that the green is on, as long as the ball crossed the red line before landing in the water.
The 15th hole is considered one of the hardest on the course, requiring precision and guts, as Jack Nicklaus himself described. The hole has claimed many victims, with 76% of golfers hitting at least one ball in the water on the Bear Trap's three holes. The water hazard adds a layer of difficulty and pressure to the hole, demanding a well-calculated and committed shot to successfully carry over the water and reach the green.
The Bear Trap is known for its ability to challenge even the best players, with its treacherous layout and demanding shots. The 15th hole, with its full carry over water, sets the tone for the entire stretch, requiring golfers to demonstrate both skill and mental fortitude to navigate it successfully.
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The 16th hole is the easiest part of the Bear Trap but still plays over par on average
The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes in golf, specifically holes 15, 16, and 17, at the PGA National's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It is nicknamed after Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, who redesigned the course. The 15th hole is a 179-yard par-3, followed by the 16th, a 434-yard par-4, and the 17th, a 175-yard par-3. While the 16th hole is considered the easiest of the three, it still presents challenges that contribute to its above-par average.
The 16th hole, at 430 to 434 yards, is not an easy proposition for golfers. It demands a similar carry over the water hazard as the 15th hole, requiring precision and guts. As the tournament progresses, birdie opportunities become scarce, and players may feel pressured to force the issue on this hole. The two-tiered putting surface is notoriously difficult to read, even for experienced golfers.
The wind direction on the 16th hole adds another layer of complexity. According to golfer Padraig Harrington, "you're never 100 percent sure how much you've changed direction, how much it's across or down." This uncertainty can introduce doubt and make the already difficult shots even more challenging, with no room for error.
The 16th hole is a strategic test for golfers, especially when it comes to the tee shot. It plays into a tight fairway, where an iron is typically required off the tee. A well-executed tee shot is crucial to positioning oneself for the next shot and avoiding additional complications.
While the 16th hole may be the easiest of the Bear Trap trio, it still demands a high level of skill and strategic thinking from players. It is a testament to the overall challenging nature of this stretch of holes, where even the "easiest" hole can significantly impact a golfer's score and performance.
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The 17th hole is very risky, especially with the Sunday pin location
The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes near the finish of the Champion Course at PGA National. It includes the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, each presenting unique challenges that test the precision and mental fortitude of even the most skilled golfers.
The 17th hole, in particular, can be extremely risky, especially with the Sunday pin location. While it plays shorter than the other holes at about 140-145 yards, the pin location on Sundays makes it a daunting task. The pin is positioned just on the other side of the carry, leaving golfers with very little room for error. A shot that comes up short will find the water, while a long shot can result in a tricky bunker shot or a ball lost to the wind.
The 17th hole demands precision and strategic play. Golfers must carefully consider their approach, taking into account wind direction and the potential hazards. The surrounding water and bunkers add to the mental challenge, knowing that a single mistake can significantly impact their score.
The difficulty of the 17th hole is further amplified by its position within the Bear Trap. By this point in the course, players have already navigated the demanding 15th and 16th holes, both of which require a full carry over water hazards. The mental and physical exhaustion from these preceding holes can affect a golfer's performance and decision-making on the 17th.
Additionally, the gladiatorial setting of the Honda Classic, with grandstands surrounding the 17th hole, can intensify the pressure and nerves experienced by golfers. The combination of the challenging hole design, environmental conditions, and the high-stakes atmosphere makes the 17th hole at the Bear Trap one of the riskiest and most memorable holes in golf.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes at the end of the Champion Course at PGA National, nicknamed after Jack Nicklaus, who redesigned the course. It includes the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, which are known for their difficulty and have a significant impact on players' scores.
The Bear Trap presents a series of risks and challenges for golfers. The 15th hole requires a full carry over water, while the 16th hole has a similar carry and plays over par on average. The 17th hole, though shorter, is risky due to the pin location on Sundays, and any mistake can result in a splash ball or a tricky bunker shot. These holes demand precision, guts, and the ability to manage wind direction and course conditions.
The Bear Trap is notorious for its impact on golfers' scores and mental fortitude. Out of 543 golfers at the Honda Classic, 76% hit at least one ball into the water on these holes. Only 6.4% played the holes cumulatively under par during their careers. The Bear Trap can quickly increase scores, and golfers must commit to precise shots to avoid costly mistakes.
![Bear Trap [1963]; 1963](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617UvshKOLL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
