I was reading another thread which dealt with identifying a hole and it turns out that the consensus is that the photograph was of Columbia CC.  I played Columbia a number of years ago and my recollection is that when you come out of the golf shop you have to walk to the right to get to the first tee and you tee off back in the direction you came from.  So everyone standing outside the golf shop and the bag room can really be concerned when someone is going off number one, especially a lefthander.  What other unusual first holes have you experienced?

For unusual, the first at Elie (Scotland) should be mentioned.

The tee shot on the straight, short par 4 is blind, up and over a steep hill.  The starter peers through a submarine periscope to see when the fairway (directly up and over the hill) is clear for you to tee off the first.

Bass Rocks Golf Club.  Par 4.  About 360.

A blind tee shot over a hill, and the landing area is filled with several large rock outcroppings and is crossed by a public road.  It is not a long hole, but a driver is needed to have a chance to carry all the rocks/roads involved.  A layup with a long iron or fairway wood (or a driver shot for the average player) puts the ball right in the thick of things, so to say.  A local rule recently instituted gives one clublength off of rocks between blue stakes that pretty much encompass the rough area.  A good idea, but not in effect during tournaments, like this year's Mass. Amateur qualifier.  

I used to think the hole was impossible before I gained some driver accuracy, but it can be conquered with a 230-yd carry.

I have heard of shots that have hit the rocks in the middle of the fairway and bounded OB, which, by the way, is on both sides of the hole corridor.  Of course, all of this you cannot see from the tee, which is about 50 feet down in front of the hillside.

--Brad

"At Redtail, here in Ontario, Canada, you cross the 18th fairway (about 100 yards short of the green) en route to the 1st tee.
It's kind of unusual, but neat. I like it."

Jeff;

Do you know the real reason they insisted the 18th at Redtail be the way it is? That's a bit more unusual and frankly nothing like I've heard before in golf and architecture.

#1 at Plainfield is similar to what Jerry described in the original post, the tee is set back and the tee shot goes by the side of the clubhouse.  A hoselrocket by a righty or a toejob by a lefty dents it.

No 1 at Capilano in Vancouver, BC is a bit unusual-- The back tee is behind the practice putting green and directly in front of the grill (within 2 1/5 club lengths)-- Before hitting you have to clear the practice putting green to hit over it, and if the grill windows are open try to quiet the diners.

Carnoustie's No 1 I find strange (mounds etc).

Prestwick and North Berwick.

Portnoo-Ireland
You tee off accross #18 green-from a nonelevated tee
We played down the 18th fairway backwards by accident(it looked more logical)and it wasn't over a green
We were the only people there-including staff(It was the ungodly hour of 9:30 am)
First hole and a half(and last 2 holes) are populated by grazing cows(and their residue)-you cross through a gate (please close it !) to play the other 15 and 1/2 holes
awesome course-5-14 are a mini Ballybunion-

I have to agree with James Keever, #1 at Ardsley C.C. in the NYC area is the most unusual starting hole I have ever played.

8-iron, 8-iron.


Jeff F.

Royal Aberdeens opener with the tee , hard back against the clubhouse windows , on a busy day .

Scary !

Oakhurst in WVA.  About as different as it gets, especially since you are playing with hickory shafts and a rubber ball.  Drive around alarge tree to a sloping fairway.  Next shot is over a road to 1000 s.f. green with a large trench on the near side of the road (no run-up).  Watch out for the sheep, if you hit one it is a penalty.

LG

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the first at Merion East. It's not an unusual hole but the tee is next to the dining patio and it becomes quiet when a golfer is about to tee off. No mulligans either.

I think it is the 8th hole at Goose Run on the Sub Base in Groton, CT that plays 90 degrees directly across the 1st fairway.  I have never quite figured that one out.