The greatest opening hole in the world!

[rhobbs]

To way in on the Shinnecock starting off on what is now the #10 tee.  I made an easy birdie on this hole.  I played a three iron off the tee and my ball did not travel far enough to end up down in the valley.  From the top of the hill I just had an easy 7 iron in and I made my putt.  

My score on the next two holes was not nearly as pretty.  But, starting off on #10 instead of one would have been fun.  I am also trying to think what is so difficult about #14.  I thought it was a beutiful hole.  I played down the left side off the tee and had a long iron in that ended just short and right.  I chipped on and sank a gimme putt.  

[Sebonac]

No one has really mentioned what they would like to see from a world class opening hole....One thing that I feel is important is a downhill...very clear shot from the tee.  I think it is important to set your round off with a very clear view of your first shot.  I also don't think that your first shot should have to be particularly hard.....unless you want it to be....This is why #1 at NGLA works so well....if you want hit a nice satisfying shot to the wide open fairway straight right....but this leaves you that blind shot to a small landing area on that devilish first green....but if you are feeling confident....or are playing it as #19 in a tight match....you might go for the throat on the left....this is the longer carry....there is also the danger of the driveway pavement on the left....but then you have an open shot into the pin.....Being on the left side in the throat in almost imperative if the pin is way back right....

#1 at Shinnecock works well for the reasons that I describe above...but I agree that it is not world class...you simply decide how much you want to bite off on the opening shot....but it does work much better than 10 which is somewhat of a blind shot...

[Patrick_Mucci]

Sebonic,

There is something very, very special about # 1 at NGLA !

[ET]

My favorite opening is Phila. Country's # 1 on the SpringMill course. Ironically, it was built by Flynn as # 16 in the original rotation. Short par 4, wide fairway, not too severe ( you can find ball and keep moving), small tight green so it's not too easy, 11 bunkers of the escapable variety and a top priorty - a beautiful look. A good getaway.
A fascinating start is first at Royal Dornoch. An almost blind, reachable in one, par 4. Not very practical as bushes and trouble and the reachable factor can slow things. Still fun to play and makes one wonder what can be next.
My least favorite - 1 at Aronimink. Everything a start shouldn't be. Very long, OB, trees, bunkers close to grab tee shot. Not nice for the poor player hitting his first shot in a couple of weeks or so.

[Roger]

Why don't you call this category "the best opening hole in America, with special guests..."

[Roger]

The first at Portstewart is very good. Best I've played, but I haven't played in America.

[GeoffreyC]

While I must say that #1 at Sand Hills still must reign supreme and I love #1 at Plainfield, the opening hole at Prairie Dunes MUST be factored into any discussion of great(est) opening holes.

Its a 430 yard par 4 into a prevailing wind (and you can count on WIND) with a dogleg left (I hate dogleg lefts   ) that allows you to cut off wat you will from the left side but you had better make the carry over the significant rough and far enough to see the green surface.  Once on the green or near it, the fun begins.  Its one of the best greens on a set of 18 greens that rank among the best in the game.  Oh- the bunkering is outstanding as well.  Don't pass up a chance to play this one.

[wdaspin]

I don't know if it's the greatest, but the most visually intimidating opening hole I've ever seen is #1 at the Prince course Princeville, Kauai.

[ADX]

Sort of the same feeling you get at Pebble. I remember playing it on computer a zillion times thinking wow this tee shot isn't that hard. When I stood on the tee irl it seemed to be much more narrow.

If I remember correctly, several years ago Arnold Palmer in an article in Sports Illustrated,picked the first hold at Merion as the best starting hole. Standing in front of the patio and hitting your opening drive certainly sets that hole apart. The hole is such a perfect start for the course.

[mike_beene]

Prestwick

[RJ_Daley]

I haven't seen PV, but I'd have to go along with a forming consensus about Sand Hills, followed fairly closely by Crystal Downs.  

In the new category, #1 at Kingsley Club is a pretty big concept - ambitious idea on DeVries part.  I think time will have to pass and a greater number of players will have to experience it and love it to put it in the great category yet.  But, it has great potential.

In the new and wild category, #1 Tobacco Road is an impressive starter...

[TEPaul]

ET:

I so much agree with you about Philly C.C's #1. It's a wonderful undictating personal choice hole and being as short as it is, all that's only enhanced.

As basically a driveable par 4 it also doubles for all kinds of overtime possibilities. To drive it and have that option payoff though is commensurately complex with a lot to pay that's not at all apparent!

[Lou_Duran]

I like SH #1 because it reveals the character of the course at the outset.  It is not overly difficult, but you have to be awake, sober, and hit all the shots.  It sets the stage for a string of 3 really hard holes (from the back tees), but that's another story.  As a contrast, Crooked Stick, a fairly masculine course, starts you out with a rather plain, short first hole (long iron, wedge).

One of my favorites is the #1 hole at OSU Scarlet.  Over 400 yds. from the back, it gives you a choice off the tee.  If the driver is used, it must be shaped left-to-right, though the boomers may be able to hit a hook over the trees at the inside of the dogleg.  The second shot is to a well bunkered, raised green with considerable movement in a couple directions.  Like SH #1, OSU's announces from the beginning that it is not a course to be trifled with.

[ChipOat]

The first hole at Merion was actually the choice of Dan Jenkins who wrote a multi-part article for Sports Illustrated in 1964(??) that became a book titled "The Greatest 18 Holes in Golf".

While you can argue with a lot of his choices, we can all only wish we got paid to research and write that kind of book!

[Scott_Burroughs]

I agree with wdaspin, the first at Princeville's Prince course is the most visually intimdating I've ever played.  

#1 at Tobacco Road is the other most demanding tee shot, as it has to thread the needle through the faux mountains.

[Gene Greco]

Chipoat:

    Dan Jenkins has since updated and revived that list. This newer list has the first hole at Sand Hills as his starter.

[Gene Greco]

I'm sorry. I'm reading this thread from last post back.

Roger:

   Indeed, the first hole at Portstewart is a stunner and a beautiful introduction to the one of the greatest opening nines or any nine for that matter in the world.

Loved watching the kids "sleigh-riding" down the giant dunes bordering the shoreline!  

[Evan Fleisher]

Darn!  Many of my picks were already taken (Prestwick, Princeville, Tobacco Road), and since I have yet to play any of the "big name" courses everyone has mentioned here my thunder has been taken.

Maybe one day I'll get the chance to experience these holes you all are speaking of.

[THuckaby2]

Hmmm.. whilst I have said many times the tee shot on #1 at TOC (Ed Baker, please note the acronym -   ) is one of the great ass tightners in golf, that's due to where you are and who's watching.  Outside that I can't put the hole in any list of great openers.  It is a decent introduction, but it also presents the only forced carry on the golf course (2nd shot over the burn) so kinda gives the wrong impression of what's ahead... it's also pancake flat, again giving wrong impression... Shoot me Mr. Naccarato but this hole does not compare with the others mentioned in this thread, particularly Sand Hills and NGLA.

TH

[ChipOat]

Dave Schmidt:

I have to agree with Tom Huckaby (as usual) - #1 at TOC is a yawner architecturally.  If it was on the New or Jubilee courses, who would care about it?

[Chris_Clouser]

The best 3 I've seen are Prairie Dunes, Southern Hills and Crystal Downs.  Each has different merits with Crystal Downs getting the slight nod due to the view of the lakes.  Though not in the same class a solid one or two I've played are also the 1st at Oakland Hills and the 1st at the Purgatory Club in my home town.  A pretty good course with the exception of a couple of holes.  

[Paul Richards]

Chris:

Crystal Downs does have a very spectacular opening hole.

[Scott_C]

Ben:

I wholeheartedly agree.  Spyglass has to be on anyone's shortlist.  Although I haven't played many of others'  first picks, I have played Spyglass twice, and the first hole is magnificent.    

Scott

How is Spyglass not even mentioned.  A solid long par five that is not particularly easy to reach.  Some do not favour a par five opener (especially pro's), but this had to be one of the best long holes that RTJ did.

What is wrong with Pasa's first hole?  Not mind-blowing, but a solid opener.

I know we have done these lists before, but courses that ease you into the round, are wonderful (as Redanman states), some great openers of that flavour are Cataraqui, Rosedale and Sagamore.

[JakaB]

Chris,

Why do you like the first at Purgatory...I thought it would be a great middle of the round hole but don't like the fact that driver is really not an option and the hole does nothing to reflect the rest of the nature of the course.  I would have loved to have seen the hole after one of the monster long par fours as a relief much like the 11th which is my favorite hole with the Diddle bumb in front of the green.   On a side note did Kern ever tell you why he got so pissed and quit coming to this site.

[Paul Richards]

JakaB:

Why leave us hanging?  Why did Kern get so pissed off he quit coming to this site?