TPC Sawgrass - No. 16 and 17
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TPC Sawgrass - No. 16 and 17
The par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is a major piece in the dramatic finishing holes at TPC Sawgrass. Fred Vuich/Getty Images
LakeRidge Golf Course - No. 15
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LakeRidge Golf Course - No. 15
The 15th hole at LakeRidge Golf Course in Reno, Nev., is the ultimate in island greens. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Bali Hai golf course - 16th green
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Bali Hai golf course - 16th green
The island 16th green at Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas sits near the South Pacific-styled clubhouse. Courtesy of Bali Hai G.C.
Mission Inn Resort - El Campeon golf course - 16th hole
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Mission Inn Resort - El Campeon golf course - 16th hole
The island green on no. 16 is one of many highlights on the highly rated El Campeon golf course at Mission Inn near Orlando, Fla. Courtesy of Mission Inn Resort & Club
Coeur d'Alene Resort golf course - 14th hole
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Coeur d'Alene Resort golf course - 14th hole
No. 14 on the golf course at Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho features the world's only movable green. Golfers ride out to the green in an electric boat. Courtesy of The Coeur d'Alene Resort
PGA West - Stadium Course - 17th green
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PGA West - Stadium Course - 17th green
No. 17 on the Stadium Course at PGA West is either a memorable beauty or a definitive beast. Brian Oar/Fairways Photography
Pacifico Golf Course at Punta Mita - hole 3b
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Pacifico Golf Course at Punta Mita - hole 3b
Hole no. 3b - the "Tail of the Whale" - is the reason the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pacifico Course at Punta Mita course boasts 19 holes. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
True Blue golf course - no. 3 green
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True Blue golf course - no. 3 green
Designed by Mike Strantz, the challenging True Blue course in Pawleys Island, S.C. featured an island green on no. 3. Courtesy of True Blue
Grand National G.C. - Lake Course - 15th green
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Grand National G.C. - Lake Course - 15th green
The Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed Lake golf course at Grand National in Opelika, Alabama features an island green on no. 15. Courtesy of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
TPC Scottsdale - Stadium golf course - 15th green
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TPC Scottsdale - Stadium golf course - 15th green
Pros at the Waste Management Phoenix Open have their work cut out for them on the 15th green of the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale. Courtesy of TPC Scottsdale
King's North at Myrtle Beach National Photo Gallery
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King's North at Myrtle Beach National Photo Gallery
The 11th hole at King's North in Myrtle Beach National is an island green with two bunkers spelling out the "S.C." initials for South Carolina. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Apple Tree Golf Course - hole 17
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Apple Tree Golf Course - hole 17
Everybody gets excited about hitting the signature 17th green at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Washington. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Wolf - no. 15
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Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Wolf - no. 15
The 15th hole at Las Vegas Paiute, designed by Pete Dye, is a very close replica of the Sawgrass island green. Courtesy of Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort
LakeRidge Golf Course - No. 15
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LakeRidge Golf Course - No. 15
The 15th hole at LakeRidge Golf Course in Reno, Nev., is the ultimate in island greens. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Top of the Rock - No. 6
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Top of the Rock - No. 6
It's little surprise that one of America's most spectacular par 3 courses, Top of the Rock, has an island green among the nine holes. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Le Golf National Paris - Island green
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Le Golf National Paris - Island green
The 15th and 18th holes on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National outside Paris, the annual host of the French Open and the 2018 Ryder Cup, both end at island greens. Le Golf National / Millereau KMSP
English Turn Golf & Country Club - Island green
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English Turn Golf & Country Club - Island green
One of the most notorious holes in New Orleans: The island green on the par-5 15th at English Turn. Brandon Tucker/GolfPass
Poston Butte Golf Club - hole 17
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Poston Butte Golf Club - hole 17
No. 17 -- the par-3 signature hole at Poston Butte Golf Club -- is reminiscent of the island green at TPC Sawgrass. Courtesy of Poston Butte G.C.
Grand Cypress Resort - East Course - hole 5
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Grand Cypress Resort - East Course - hole 5
An island green at the 134-yard fifth hole on the East Course at Grand Cypress gives the hole plenty of intrigue. Courtesy of Grand Cypress Resort
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The best island greens you can experience in destination golf

No golfer is an island, and the golf swing has nowhere to hide when standing on the tee of a hole with an island green.

There are no thin shots that scoot along the ground and settle luckily onto the green. There is no chance for an up-and-down par after a fat shot or left or right miss.

The island green was famously perfected by Pete and Alice Dye on the PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. And over the last several decades, golf course architects around the world have emulated this iconic hole.

We've sorted out some of the great island greens in publicly accessible, destination golf. From Orlando to Las Vegas and the Phoenix-Scottsdale desert and Mexico, golfers have a chance to take on an island green. Many attempt to mimic the 17th at Sawgrass, while others shoot for a unique green shape. Some even require a boat for access.

In any case, many of the golf courses with an island green end up becoming one of the destination's must-play tracks. Golfers simply love island greens, especially on vacation.

What are your favorite island greens you've come across in your golf travels?

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Best Island greens in destination golf

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The best island greens you can experience in destination golf