It?s only 137 yards.   A smooth 9-iron.  What could possibly go wrong" 
Yet as I address my golf ball on the fabled 17th tee box at the iconic PLAYERS Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida, a jolt of adrenaline disrupts my nervous system as I contemplate one of the most challenging shots in all of golf?a short iron onto an island green surrounded by a golfer?s worst nightmare:  water.
I assess the wind and distance to the hole, take aim at the flagstick and swing away.  As the ball leaves the clubface, a small white dot soars into the blue sky and heads towards the green.  My heart soars.  But then the wind picks up and the ball begins to drift to the left.  And drift some more.  And then some more.  As it begins its decent out of the sky, landing on terra firma looks more and more in doubt.  But the ball touches down on the perfect green grass for a moment and then, like a cruel joke of the Golf gods, it takes a hard bounce and ultimately joins the other 120,000 balls that land in the watery grave each year.  I take my penalty stroke and head to the drop zone, finding some solace in knowing that many of the top pros in the world have shared my pain. 
The infamous 17th hole at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course
The ?Fifth Major?
Even if you do not play golf, you can relish the true drama of the 17th green at this year?s THE PLAYERS Championship which returns to Sawgrass March 12-17, just...