[Mike Erdmann]

Can't agree more with Phil and Chris.  Machrihanish is the best opening tee shot I've ever played, without question.

Tide was out when I took the photo, and the camera lens tends to make the fairway appear closer than it really is.  The hole is 428 yards from the middle tee, and plays quite a bit longer when the wind is in your face on the approach shot.  You can see players on the green to the left side of the photo.  The more you're willing to challenge the ocean, the shorter your approach.

[Jay Flemma]

On the southern hills choice...only if the fire is burning at the refinery...that was cool.

I'll say tobacco road...also garden city...I'll try to think of some more later...

I think the look towards the Tulsa Skyline is pretty, I get a lot of strange looks but I think Tulsa is a nice city and I love standing on the hill overlooking the course

Sam, I can understand where you're coming from.  It's a cool sight.  Do you know what I mean when I talk about the refinery going off?

I'm still kicking myself that I missed that picture last year.

[Ken McGlynn]

The Railway Hole, the first at Prestwick. No options either left (heather and gorse) or right (train tracks). Is there a first hole that you've ever had to hit straighter? This is certainly not a hole to head directly from the car park to the first tee. Hole 1 gets your attention in a hurry!

[Sam Morrow]

On the southern hills choice...only if the fire is burning at the refinery...that was cool.

I'll say tobacco road...also garden city...I'll try to think of some more later...

I think the look towards the Tulsa Skyline is pretty, I get a lot of strange looks but I think Tulsa is a nice city and I love standing on the hill overlooking the course

Sam, I can understand where you're coming from.  It's a cool sight.  Do you know what I mean when I talk about the refinery going off?

I'm still kicking myself that I missed that picture last year.

I think I missed the refinery explosion, it doesn't ring a bell. I nominate Tulsa as one of the more surprising cool cities in America.

[Michael Mimran]

From a pure intimidation standpoint...

[Cliff Hamm]

Two come to mind.  Tobacco Road has been mentioned.....My personal favorite is Belgrade Lakes in Maine.  To arrive at the course you drive up a road that feels like you're going up a mountain.  The clubhouse sits on top.  The view from the first tee is quite possibly the best in golf.  The Belgrade Lakes and 'hills' of Maine in the distance.  Absolutely outstanding.  Maybe not a great hole but to me the the most memorable view from first tee.

Here are links to some pix, which frankly don't do the view justice:

http://www.belgradelakesgolf.com/BLhole01.jpg

http://www.belgradelakesgolf.com/Belgrade1above.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/5387/1196101666557/660/z/9584/gse_multipart59074.jpg

[Gerry B]

there are so many but here are a few to consider:

intimidating / spectators

Merion East when the porch is full
Bethpage Black - tough crowd
Riviera - the grill is right behind the 1st tee

setting  / vibe

sand hills
shinnecock
bel air
capilano
cypress point


tough opening hole

aronomink
oak hill east - Ben Hogan called it the toughest opening hole in golf
oakmont - out of bounds on the right / death bunkers on the left - ask aaron baddeley
chicago golf club - the 1st of one of the toughest opening 4 holes in golf for the short or medium length hitter

quirky

myopia hunt club - uphill blind shot  short par 4
atlantic city cc - the1st tee is also the practice putting green
NGLA

[Dan Boerger]

Gerry -- Good call on Aronimink for being a tough opening hole. The tee shot is goes from an elevated tee over a steep valley to a rising fairway. It's a magnificent backdrop when you hit a good tee ball. It's the 3rd handicap, but most of the caddies there will tell you it's the hole everyone -- members or guests -- consistently score worst on.

[Bill Shotzbarger]

Manufacturers' Golf and Country Club

People may forget the name of the club but never the opening tee ball. The hill is so large they keep the carts at the bottom.

[Mike_Cirba]

Sand Hills
Merion
Riviera
The old Castle Harbour, Bermuda (not sure how much is left these days)
Mid Ocean
Garden City
NGLA
Prairie Dunes
Kingsley
Philadelphia Country Club
St. Andrews
Crystal Downs
Plainfield

[Jon Spaulding]

To Jon Spaulding:

You sir, oh legend of lesser Bronco days gone by than us oldsters, hit the ball longer than anyone with whom I have ever played this game.  

Thus I am curious... I am quite familiar with Stanford #1 - and that is a great opening tee shot, btw.

Where did you/would you get it out to?

And where would Tiger?

If he's THAT much by you, well... I just can't imagine it.  And please no modesty.  I can handle the truth even if Jack Nicholson says otherwise.

TH

ps to Tony - great call re Sand Hills - that is a doozy.

I love the opener at Stanford. Great way to start the round. But should we expect anything less from GCTJ?

To answer the question......Tiger, plus 75 yards. Those were the good ol' days when he used to get after it. Sure, some of it was angle, but most of it was talent. He basically hit it around the corner. Something like a 7 iron into the green. Even more impressive was driver/3 iron into 16; and all of this in the rain.

[RJ_Daley]

One of my favorites
Tee shot

first LZ

2ndLZ

[Gerry B]

Mike Cirba:

Good call on #1 at Castle Harbour - used to live there - and the opening hole at Port Royal in Bermuda is also a good opener

[Phil McDade]

Richard:

That is one impressive tee shot.

(Are you at Italia Fest this weekend? It's closer to your home than this course...)

[David Stamm]

The 1st at Riviera

The 1st at Spyglass Hill

The 1st at Colonial (the wall of champions is really why I say this)

[John Mayhugh]

The 1st at Riviera

The 1st at Spyglass Hill

The 1st at Colonial (the wall of champions is really why I say this)

I agree that the first at Spyglass is a great one.

[Ash Towe]

Cypress Point
The Old Course..
The anticipation was overwhelming

Brookwater, Queensland
Ocean Course, National, Australia

[Tony Ristola]

The most exciting opening tee shot on a good golf course?
?

How about any course?

[Jason McNamara]

there are so many but here are a few to consider:

intimidating / spectators

Merion East when the porch is full
Bethpage Black - tough crowd
Riviera - the grill is right behind the 1st tee

You can file Columbia here as well.

[Tom_Doak]

Besides Machrihanish?  I guess I'd vote for Sand Hills next in line.

My homer pick would be the first at Stone Eagle.  It's not an INTERESTING tee shot by our standards, you're just trying to hit straight away, but watching your shot sail off against that mountain backdrop is a pretty incredible first look at the course.

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