Courses where the best hole is the 1st

[Charlie Goerges]

I'm curious how many examples of the first hole being the best hole on a course there are. If you know any examples, feel free to post them.


Additionally, you don't see lots of first holes on greatest holes lists and I'm curious why that might be. You'd expect the first hole to be the best hole about 1/18th of the time, but it seems like less. Or am I wrong and just missing something.


As an example, on the course I grew up on (Whitebirch course at Breezy Point Resort), a case could be made that the first hole is the best, at least strategically/architecturally.

[mike_malone]

A difficulty for many courses is changed routings where 1 wasn’t 1. Based on present routings I suggest Jeffersonville and Concord in Philly area are two that could be the best hole.


Springfield CC which is also here converted the 10th to 1 and is the best hole.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I live at Bryce Resort. It is a small member-owned golf/ski resort in the VA mountains. Like many courses in the DC area, our course was designed by Ed Ault. The course itself isn't much, but the first hole is a long par five that runs along a creek on the right that curves in front of the green.

[Ira Fishman]

Old White.

[David_Tepper]

The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.

"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"

https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/

[Matthew Lloyd]

Spyglass? It was my favorite hole on the course - though that might be different than best.

[BCrosby]

Peachtree.

[Rob Marshall]

Spyglass? It was my favorite hole on the course - though that might be different than best.

The view is spectacular..........

[MClutterbuck]

The original #1 at ANGC is not too bad.


The 1st hole at San Andres Golf Club is arguably its best. Best green for sure.

[JohnVDB]

Machrihanish’s first is often picked as the best first hole in golf and it is great.  The rest of the course is very good, but 1 is probably the best hole there.

[JLahrman]

After playing Kirtland CC during the recent Midwest Mashie (thanks to everyone who attended, great to meet you all!)...its first hole was one of my favorites on the course. I'd have to think a bit before calling it my favorite, but it was definitely up there.

[Ally Mcintosh]

The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.

"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"

https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/

Yes - it is a dramatic tee shot but there are better holes at Portstewart. Still, a good choice.


The 1st at Doonbeg is often singled out as its best hole.


There’s an argument for St. Patrick’s.

[Thomas Dai]

The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.
"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"
https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/

Sorry. Magnificent view, bland hole, maybe even the blandest hole on the course.
Atb

[Niall C]

Machrihanish’s first is often picked as the best first hole in golf and it is great.  The rest of the course is very good, but 1 is probably the best hole there.

John


It was the one I thought of simply because of the best 1st hole in Scotland tag, however I'm really not sure it is any more. With the advent of big headed drivers the drive isn't the fearsome test it used to be. That being the case I tend to think there are better holes at Machrihanish.


Niall

[Charlie Goerges]

Thanks for all the examples everyone! Hopefully we can find some more.


So, do we think the first hole ends up being the best anywhere near 1/18th of the time?

[Mike Hendren]

Sand Hills
Golf Club of Tennessee

[Jeff Schley]

Riviera I'd rhey switched the 9s.

[Mark Pearce]

The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.
"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"
https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/

Sorry. Magnificent view, bland hole, maybe even the blandest hole on the course.
Atb

Yup, my take too.  Great view but "meh" hole

[Luke Sutton]

Hooper

[Jim_Coleman]

    In his 1960’s SI article (which probably launched the rating boom), Dan Jenkins called Merion’s first hole the best first hole in America. No, it’s not the best hole on the course (maybe 11, 16 or 18?), but Jenkins’ opinion is worth something.

[Ronald Montesano]

It's certainly easier when the course is only nine holes. Dunes Club (MI) has a great opening hole.

I don't believe that the best at Kirtland is #1, but I'm just one thinker.

[Ronald Montesano]

It's certainly easier when the course is only nine holes. Dunes Club (MI) has a great opening hole.

I don't believe that the best at Kirtland is #1, but I'm just one thinker.

[Adam Lawrence]

Machrihanish’s first is often picked as the best first hole in golf and it is great.  The rest of the course is very good, but 1 is probably the best hole there.

I wondered if someone would say that! Machrihanish is my favourite course in the world (I don't say it is the best, but it is my favourite) but I think the first hole is rather over-rated. The drive is obviously epic, but the approach is a bit dull, and there's no strategic advantage for playing your tee shot close to the beach. And the terrain, compared to the rest of the course, is quite flat. IMO Machrihanish really starts when you cross the burn on the second hole.

[Steve Wilson]

Preston Country Club, also an Ault course, when I first played it had the nines reversed and what is now the tenth is a par five that swings in an arc from right to left with the third usually being a short iron over a creek ten yards in front of the green.  Has always been my favorite hole there and I would think it's one of the best.

So, I guess I've modified this to include holes that used be the first...

Anybody ever want to play there, I'll be available until July.

[Pete_Pittock]

My two eye-opener opener suggestions are Tobacco Road and Kingsley Club