Best Opening Tee Shot in Golf

[Steve_Roths]

I was asked this the other day and I think the first two are set but maybe a surprise for third:


1. Machrihanish
2. Sheep Ranch
3. WBYC
4. Pasa
5. ?

[Matt Schoolfield]

For me, and there is a lot of nostalgia here, it will always be the opening hole at Lions Muni on a busy day. It's not a beautiful hole, it's not the most technical (you won't even be hitting a driver), but the way the practice greens are stacked on top of the tee box means you'll have to deal with real nerves -- even for an fairly straightforward shot. I think the first at TOC during high season is a good parallel to that feeling.

[Scott Weersing]

Here is a previous thread about best opening shot:


Let's discuss opening holes - what are the best and are they important?

[Tommy Williamsen]

I wouldn't call it the best opening tee shot, but the most exciting and fun tee shot is the first at The Sanctuary. I am playing it again in two weeks and will post a picture.

[Mark Mammel]

Sadly I haven't played Sheep Ranch, but I'd put the opener at Sand Hills high on the list!

[Tommy Williamsen]

Sadly I haven't played Sheep Ranch, but I'd put the opener at Sand Hills high on the list!

What's fun about the shot at Sheep Ranch is trying to use the speed slot. I'll second the one at Sand Hills.

[David Wuthrich]

Tobacco Road might be the scariest, through the chute.


I like all the ones mentioned.

[Tim Gallant]

Prestwick will always have a special place in my heart. It's the only opening tee where I've contemplated taking putter off the tee to keep it below the wall line 

[Tim Gallant]

Also, shout out to Hoylake's 1st (for members). Clubhouse patio left? Internal OB right? It's so mad it just might work

[Mike Wagner]

I was asked this the other day and I think the first two are set but maybe a surprise for third:


1. Machrihanish
2. Sheep Ranch
3. WBYC
4. Pasa
5. ?

Trails

[Mark Mammel]

I also like the first at Ballybunion. Have to like a cemetery in play for the bad shot! Playing there a few years ago there was a funeral going on. The club determined it was not disrespectful to play on.

[Jim_Coleman]

   Dan Jenkins declared Merion the best first hole in the US back in the ‘60’s. A lot has changed

[Thomas Dai]

TOC.
The anticipation. The aura. The nerves. The memory.
Atb

[Ronald Montesano]

Some folks like a well-heeled crowd within bad-breath distance. For them, Merion

Some folks like a football field in front, that you can still miss, in the cradel of golf. For them, St. Andrews Old

Some folks like their home club and they never leave it. For them, their home club

Some folks like a resort where they spent a wonderful week with their besties. For them, that place

Some folks like a course where they learned the game with a departed ancestor. For them, Nostalgia National

For a nor'easter, playing a desert course for the first time will leave them agape. For a sou'wester, same for a verdant mountain course. For a midAmerica flatlander, hitting a links along the coast is frighteningly fun; for a coastal snob, finding a brilliant opener is Iowa, or the Dakotas, or Indiana, is unexpected.

There is no best opening shot, and it's high time that we stop naming threads in that manner. Instead, how about "Which opening tee shot do you love/leave you gobsmacked and why?"