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Let the 16th stand alone

The 16th hole can test the nerves of the best golfers © Getty Images

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Golf is a sport not often associated with amphitheatres, but the 16th at Scottsdale is fast approaching such status.

Aside from the occasional heckle and 'get in the hole' at the Ryder Cup, players are afforded polite, occasionally boisterous, support from galleries the world over. But it cranks up a level at the Phoenix Open and its famous 16th hole.

Walking off the 15th green, players make their way through a tunnel to the 16th tee and are greeted with a hole completely surrounded by stands rammed with spectators desperate for anything but average. A little like warriors entering the arena if you will. A great shot is met with the kind of ovation reserved for the winning goal in an FA Cup final, but woe betide those who fail to make the putting surface.

The vast majority of players seemed to relish the occasion, Ian Poulter in particular was seen playing to the crowd during the four rounds. He appeared to be caught on camera flicking a hand gesture the way of the baying masses after a missed putt, but he brushed it off. "To address the 16th: Great hole, great atmosphere, but I was getting something off of my face," he said. "Will I play next year? Hell yes, loved it."

Poulter's attitude is mirrored by many of the pros, some took to the spectators to such an extent that souvenirs in the form of hats, towels, balls and the occasional offering of food were tossed into the stands. Some would class it as bribery, but it made for interesting viewing.

On his Twitter musings, Poulter added: "So much fun every event should have that hole." That would be a step too far. A bit like your fourth helping of Christmas pudding, you can have too much of a good thing. If Wentworth, St Andrews, Augusta, Winged Foot and any number of courses you care to mention brought in a similar hole the impact would be diluted.

And I can say with certainty that players would soon become tired and probably angry, if every week they were getting heckled and pelted with half-eaten ham sandwiches.

The 16th is a huge revenue generator for Scottsdale and other tournaments could well be casting admiring glances the way of Arizona, but it should be treated as a special occasion and left to stand alone as golf's amphitheatre.

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