[Mark Pearce]

As people on here know I love Cruden Bay dearly , but I detest the first hole .

I cant think of another opening hole that sits so awkward with me .

I can never wait to get it out of the way .

Having taken a 10 there in the open competition a number of us played before BUDA this year and that from a drive straight down the niddle, that's a position I can wholly support.

  Brain and Mark,

  Shame on you. How could enyone not love everything about Cruden Bay.

  Anthony

Anthony,

Don't get me started on the 15th.  A truly rubbish golf hole on a great golf course.  Someone mentioned that the club may be planning to change the 16th (which I think is a great par 3).. If they do that and leave the monstrosity that is 15 in place then they need shooting.

[Greg Tallman]

Jim Lipe has come up with what could well be one of the more compelling 3 hole starts in golf. We shall have to wait and see if he is properly credited for the work as the course may be a few years in the offing.

[Ian Andrew]

Nearly two pages in and not one mention of the 1st hole at Pine Valley?

Jamie,

It's my choice as the best I've seen so far.

Ronald,

Canada's best:

Banff's (Alberta) original opener (now 15) would be my choice.

-Cataraqui's (Kingston) is another great one
-Summit's (Ont)is quite good
-Pine Ridge (Winnipeg) is fantastic with its wild opening green
-Rosedale's (Tor) is quite good
-St. George's (Tor) is strong
-Twin Rivers (Nfld) has a great one although was intended to be the 9th hole

[Rob Rigg]

That's two for Summit (and Ian actually knows what he is talking about) - Richmond Hill, representin' - Yippee!!!!

I'll give a sort of second nod to Rosedale since it has the same feel as Summit - just not quite as good - Ha!

[Matt_Ward]

For pure adrenaline rush I would recommend two by Mike DeVries ...

1st at Kingsley

1st at Greywalls (Marquette GC)

I don't want to say they are the definitive best -- but I would certainly have both of them on my short list for fun and strategic thinking type holes.

Both are par-5's -- both make you believe that birdie is easy to attain -- that's the catch -- it's never easy unless the execution is present.

On the demanding side ...

1st at Oakmont (just ask a few of the folks who played in the '07 US Open)

1st at Winged Foot / West (see above comment - circa '06 US Open)

Matt MacIver:

You hit the nail on the head -- the 1st at Black Mesa is a major psyche job by architect Baxter Spann -- meant to induce the "doubt" that the hill is more of an obstacle than it is.

[jeffwarne]

   Prestwick Number 1 enyone?

  Anthony

Anthony,
Only if you have the kummel BEFORE the round.
which we of course did...

[Tomas Hannell]

Mid Ocean's opener has all the required ingredients, choices etc, with an added bonus of the prevailing wind right in your face for the approach. I haven't seen a better first anywhere, with the proviso being that it can be a tad difficult in 15+knot winds for those favoring a hole that "eases" you into the round. See Ran's picture below.

[Cristian]

medoc-chateaux

http://www.hotelgolfdumedoc.com/golf_trou.en.php?IDParcours=1&IDTrou=1

Do we like to be made thinking from the start of the round or not?

(I do)

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