Opening hole - hardest?

[Chris Mavros]

The Jeffersonville selection is an interesting one, and like many of these conversations, perhaps says more about the player than the hole. There's a line to take from the appropriate tee that cuts off significant distance. It's never been the most difficult hole there to me (8, 11, 13, 17 are all better candidates) though a golfer can make it difficult.

And that's sort of the crux, to me, of this conversation. Stroke allocation is as much about where the bogey golfer needs TWO strokes against the scratch, if not more, than where the 1-handicap needs a stroke against the scratch. The first situation likely involves a penalty stroke while the second situation likely involves a difficult putting green.

Difficulty tends to boil down to two things: Possibility of a HUGE number v. difficulty in making par or better.

Let's call that the "Tobacco Road Assumption."

Now that I've stalled for more than enough words I'll nominate my candidate:

I mean, the First hole is the No. 2 handicapped hole, so I take a bit of an issue that this is more the golfer than anything else.  As for the line from the tee, I guess you mean cutting off to the left, over all the trees.  That is any where from a 285 - 325 yard tee shot, uphill.  A tee shot to the bunkers on the right side is about 250 uphill, leaving you with about  leaving you about 170 - 180 into the green.  They shaved and made a lot of the hillside before and to the right of the green, so it's possible to utilize the ground a bit more on the approach.


Also, the Seventeenth is a lot more subject to taking a line off the tee to the right in making the approach much more comfortable.  And you don't need nearly as much length off the tee as you at the First.   


I see the First as fairly difficult in making par while I see your point there may be other holes here where the possibility of a huge number is greater, where OB and/or water is a lot more in play.  Yet that possibility is still there if any shot moves off to the left down the hillside too much. 


But I don't think I'm coming out of left field saying the First is the toughest!   

[Sean_A]

The first hole at Crystal Downs is probably the second hardest hole on the course [behind the 13th].  It's a beast; I'm rarely trying to hit the green with my second shot, instead playing short and left so I leave myself a chance to get up and down for 4.


Generally, though, even if the first hole is the hardest it won't be handicapped that way.  My rule of thumb is that the finishing hole shouldn't be one of the main stroke holes because matches might not get to the 18th, and that everyone is subject to a shaky start so the opening hole shouldn't be a stroke hole that often, either.

A seriously deceptive green! It's a difficult opener, but in the way which won't involve lost balls. Perfect.

Ciao

[jim_lewis]

In its early years the first hope at Elk River by Nicklaus, in Banner Elk, NC was the #1 handicapped hole, a very tough long par 4. Fortunately, I think they have since flipped the nines.


But the toughest opening hole I have ever played is at Oakmont.

[David Kelly]

I'll go with # 1 at Chicago Golf Club.  Not a gentle handshake at all! 

#1 is definitely not an easy opener but #2 seems to me to be just as difficult.  The whole front 9 is tough though.

[Ben Stephens]

Stoke Rockford near Grantham has a pretty hard opening hole. The Fairway is slopes down left to right and very large trees pinch point the access to the green at around 100 yards away. The green is raised with steep fall at the front and falls at the sides. Its quite a severe slope. It has been know to have plenty of double bogeys or worse in pro-ams or Midland Youths Championships

[Ian Mackenzie]

I'll go with # 1 at Chicago Golf Club.  Not a gentle handshake at all! 

100% agree.


It's not that it's that long (450 yds) as the tee shot heads downhill and right to left. it's the "inhospitable" green that gives fits.
When it's firm, i've had 120 yards into the green and that brings the cross-bunker into play.


160-190 is typical approach yardage and if pin is on left side, you have to go to the right side of the green leaving a 35-50' putt on greens that are 12-13 in the summer with 3 to 10 foot breaks on every hole unless you are below the hole.


Then the 2nd "Road" hole is even harder.


Then the 3rd hole Biarritz comes in at 225.


Then you can breathe easy the rest of the way...;-)