What makes a good/great first hole?

I think a first hole should be an invitation, sort of like a genuine handshake.  Not too firm, but certainly not limp.

Maybe it's coincidence, but the #1's on the 2 Muirhead courses I have played were patent warmups.  The sentiment is agreeable, but given that a course offers but 18 opportunities, why chuck away one?

Where does a first hole fit in the overall scheme of the course, and how much importance should be attatched to it?  Do architects give their opening holes maybe a smidgen more thought?

First holes rarely, if ever, "define" a course, but should they not offer signals as to what lies ahead?  

What are the best ones, and why?

1st tee at Shinnecock.
Perfection.

-Ted

Ted -- call me crazy, but something gives me the feeling that you kind of like Shinnecock.  

The first hole should not be too penal.

It should reflect the general character of the course, should be a little coy, inviting, generous on the driving area, should even allow you to sometimes score with your B game.

But it should punish wild shots.

The green should be tough, giving you a warning that  rest of the course is no pushover.

A nice, not-too-long par 4 (like the one at Shinny!) is perfect.

I got my hopes high after parring it, and the rest of the course clobbered me into submission.

And that's how it should be.

I think quality should start right from the beginning, but am convinced that the first 4 or 5 routed holes are inexorably linked and supremely important.  

For that reason I find "reachable par 5's" as a first hole are often disappointing and slow play especially public access.  A very hard par 3 in the first 3 holes is absolutely guaranteed to slow play as well.

A "lousy first" has lots of water in play, plays right to left and is narrow and tree-lined. The weak slicer's nightmare, five hours here we come!

That said, Shinnecock's first is hard to argue against. I like to see progression of difficulty over the first few holes with a less lengthy/difficult/penal hole or two to start.  Even Pine Valley moves fairly well with two medium par 4's to start.  Pac Dunes starts well using this model. Pinehurst #2 gets it done with medium, long then short fours and a reasonable par 5.

It's more than just the opener.

What makes a good/great first hole?...

First holes rarely, if ever, "define" a course, but should they not offer signals as to what lies ahead?

Like you I believe it should be an "invitation" as to what to expect for the rest of the round. I'm not into opening holes that are either the hardest nor the easiest on the course as their main aim should be to get the field away.

For this reason I'm also not really into P3 openers (I am yet to see a really good one ?) or those that are heavily penal or blind. I do have a liking those with an elevated tee as to give somewhat of a panoramic vista of what lies ahead.

Also, I like to see a subtle strategic interest of some sort - not over the top but something that 'tests' the ability of the player first up.

In the UK - the 1st at St. Andrews is one of my favourites. A wide fairway with OOB not really in play but it's visually there and the burn to test the player especially with the pin at the front

I also enjoyed Ballybunion (Old), Saunton (East), Rye, St George's Hill, Royal Porthcawl for their elevated tee positions and Prestwick and North Berwick for their subtle strategic tests.

In Australia - some of my favourites include - The Lakes, Portsea, New South Wales, Horsham, Victor Harbour for most of the reasons aforementioned.

My own favourite is at The Berkshire Red, if this sight doesn't promise, then you're already deceased.


A downhill Tee shot for the first of the day can bring a sense of overconfidence.  The landing area has quite fierce slope from r to l and a strong draw will find the Heather.  Treated with respect it’s a good par 5 and an ideal way to ease yourself into the game.

I like wise thought the first hole at Birkshire Red was a good one.  It is a nice way to get the round started.  It is reachable in two and is wide enough to get players off to a quick start.  My only problem with it is that you run out of room on the drive.

A hole like the first at Oakmont is too tough.  While the first at Muirfiled Village is an invitaion with a chance to make birdie.

My personal favorite is the opening hole at Spyglass.  It starts in the forest and gradually winds its way down to the ocean.  The views are stunning and it serves as a preview for what lies ahead.

I also like that fact that the hole is not reachable in two for most golfers.  I grew up playing a course in Virginia that opened with a reachable par-5 and it had a very negative impact on pace of play.

Here is my favorite from last year's trip to Ireland.  I have always liked a par 5 first hole, seems to get the groups flowing and eases you into the round as you can recover from a weak early shot.  Like the 1st at Shinny this one introduces you to the character of the course and challenge ahead.  

From the tee.


From from the fairway looking back at the first tee.