A Quick Nine: What's the scariest shot in golf?

It's a spooky time of year, isn't it? Halloween is just around the corner. For some of us, it's a haunting thought because it means our golf season is winding down. Boo!

While the children get their costumes prepared to trick or treat, we want you to sit back, close your eyes for a minute or so, and think of the scariest shot in golf. Got it?

Now that you've opened your eyes, if you dare, check out the top answers we received for this week's, "A Quick Nine," feature, when we asked our readers the same thing we just asked you: "What is the scariest shot in golf?"

9. The putt you need to make to record your best score. Tough one, isn't it? To just about everyone else, it means nothing. To you, it means everything.

Facebook fan quotes:

"The final shot on 18, when you know it might be your best round ever." -- Dave Morgan

"18th with my dad when he tells me I need to make the 3-footer to break 80 for the first time. Shot 81." -- Jim Lamb

8. Tee shot on the par-3 16th at Port Royal. Having just been there last week for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and spending a significant amount of time on this particular hole let me say this -- you'll get no argument from me! Just last week, I watched two of 2011's four major champions make a triple bogey there!

Facebook fan quote:

"Actually No. 16 at Port Royal in Bermuda looked scary." -- Stephen MacLeod

7. The deep bunker shot. Very frustrating, isn't it? As you carefully climb down into one of these suckers, you're wondering how the heck -- out of all the land surrounding you on that hole -- you managed to find the one jail spot that's going to make you look like a fool. And then, you have to deal with it. Not fun at all, my friends.

Facebook fan quote:

"In a bunker 6 inches above your head... and you are 6 feet tall and have to go 100 yards... on any course." -- Jim Cassells

6. The, "go ahead and play through," shot. I think we've all experienced this one, haven't we? You know, that group in front of that FINALLY waves you through. It's not that you're in a hurry, but you're just sick of waiting. The people in front of you think, "this person must be pretty good. He or she has been on top of us all day. Let's wave them through and see what they've got." So, you address the ball, everyone's watching and... hopefully you don't make a fool out of yourself.

It reminds me of every time I play a par-5 that I'm 50-50 I can reach in two. If I wait until the group in front gets off the green, I top that second shot 99 times out of 100. If I hit it when they're on the green, 99 times out of a 100 the ball goes right into them and I get yelled at. Never fails. OK, so 99 out of 100 on that second part of that statement is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point.

Facebook fan quote:

"Without a doubt, the scariest shot for weekend warriors is the tee shot in front of the group that just allowed you to play through." -- Craig Ward

5. First-tee nerves, part 1. How about playing a world-famous course for the first time?

Facebook fan quote:

"First tee at Bethpage Black if you think you are good enough to play it from the Championship tee! Better find the fairway kid." -- Eric Gunn

4. First-tee nerves, part 2. Interesting entry from our next reader... and, in case you were wondering, Keith made out just fine. We did a little research on PGA.com. Turns out or friend Keith here is a PGA Head Professional in Denver these days. Well done, Keith!

Facebook fan quote:

"First tee shot at a Playing Ability Test for the PGA of America." -- Keith Soriano

3. First-tee nerves, part 3. What is it about that stupid opening tee shot?!

Facebook fan quotes:

"The very first one. First hole tee box anywhere." -- Greg White

"First tee shot with a crowd watching." -- Tom Possley

2. First-tee nerves, part 4. As you've seen, there are a variety of first-tee nerve answers we received this week that just couldn't be paired together. The reason they've been split up, if nothing else, is to prove to the hacker out there that is doesn't matter what level you're at, there's always something a little unsettling about that opening tee shot.

Facebook fan quote:

"The first shot of golf tryouts for your high school team and the coach and the whole varsity team is watching." -- Brett Hartstein

1. The tee shot on the par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. This, my friends, was the overwhelming favorite in this week's feature. Everything about the hole is intimidating. Arguably, you could say there's not a tee shot in golf someone would like to hit more than this one just because of the, "cool," factor. However, if there's any pressure at all, there's not a shot you'd like less than this one.

Facebook fan quotes:

"17th at TPC Sawgrass. One shot lead on a Sunday." -- Colby Dean

"Scariest shot? Gotta be from the tee at TPC Sawgrass #17." -- Henry Douglas

"TPC Sawgrass #17. Period." -- Stephen MacLeod

"No. 17 Players Championship... after hitting it in the water... drop area on Sunday afternoon." -- Juan Jose Valentino Padilla

"No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass left right into the wind with a 1-shot lead on a Sunday after your playing partner, who's one behind, has put it to three feet and is sure to make birdie." -- Taylor Mcginnigle

"Interesting... I've hit at No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass in a simulator probably 150 times... It's 109, for Chrissake. Have I ever hit it? no." -- Charles Williams

"17th at the Stadium Course TPC Sawgrass. The sweat breaks out on my palms as soon as I step away from the 16th green." -- Jim Larkin