Most difficult opening shot in golf

[jim_lewis]

The first at TOC would be one of the easiest opening shots in the world, if it were located somewhere else. It's all about the circumstances of standing on that tee for the first time. All I wanted to do was make contact.

As Chis said, the first at ANGC is very difficult it its own right. The circumstances make it terrifying, at least the first time.

It seems to me that the toughest shot on the first at Oakmont is the second shot, or maybe the third putt.

A rediculosly tough shot is at Tallemore. You never know whether it was a good shot or a bad one until you find it. Also one of the worst opening holes I've seen.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Last time this came up, I think Merion and its dining patio just left of the tee came in first for pure fear.......I think that was one of Barker's signature design traits.  Or was it MacDonald's? (insert smiley)

[Ed Oden]

What about the first hole at TPC Sawgrass?  The fairway can't be any wider than 25 yards.  And it feels even narrower since it is set at a slightly odd angle that accentuates the lack of width.  Add in jail left and the long bunker guarding the right side and the tee shot is incredibly claustrophobic.  At least for me, it looked from the tee like you needed to land your ball on a table top.

Ed

[Kalen Braley]

While I've never played it, Kingsley certaintly seems like it would grab your attention in a hurry!! 

[mark chalfant]

The first at  Yale

[David_Madison]

Tobacco Road is as visually intimidating as any opening shot. You hit through a narrow slot with massive dunes covered in tall grass on either side, and a miss likely means a lost ball. I've seen many rounds started with two or three shots into the hills and then a drop somewhere out in the fairway.

[Jeff_Mingay]

It's a little like hitting into a blind void, hoping Heaven really does wait on the other side, and then finding that what you believed all that time was really true after all.

Mike,

I like this.

The opening tee shot a CPC is kinda like hitting through a door, blind, just to get you through onto the course!

[Scott Warren]

When I was falling in love with golf as a teen, many weekends were spend shitting myself on the first tee of Cypress Lakes in NSW. 150m carry with no bail out on an uphill 436m par five.

Hole map here: http://www.cypresslakes.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=47571. I don't have a pic, sorry. It was followed by a 180m par three over a gorge to a green on a narrow plateau cut into the side of a hill/cliff face.

I imagine there was a fair opposition to it being the opening hole, because it's now the 14th.

[D_Malley]

scott
i worked at cypress lakes for about six weeks back in the early 90's while i was on a working visa.  the routing was different then, with a temp clubhouse.  i lived with the super Merv, who was a retired rugby league player.  when did you live in that area?  how is the club making out today.

[TEPaul]

"Last time this came up, I think Merion and its dining patio just left of the tee came in first for pure fear.......I think that was one of Barker's signature design traits.  Or was it MacDonald's? (insert smiley)"

Mr. Jeffrey:

One thing we're pretty sure of is the famous opening tee shot immediately next to the dining porch at Merion was done by Flynn some years later. Originally the tee was on the other side of the clubhouse near where the driveway now is. I realize those facts may not stop a couple of guys who've never been to Merion from claiming that the design of the present first tee was somehow H.H. Barker's, the man they claim was the second best architect in America in the early days. 

However, it has always seemed odd to me that a man who was considered to be the second best architect in America at that time would go home to England and never return claiming he was highly disrespected over here. Wouldn't you say that seems a rather odd career decision? I mean I do understand that incredible sentimentality and longing of Englishmen for what they call "A little piece of ground that is forever England", but REALLY?!

[JMEvensky]

Ballybunion.How many other opening tee shots are there when right is really,truly dead?

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

The first at Royal Birkdale is rather daunting.
It was the second most missed fairway at The Open last year, and the penatlty for missing either side is rather severe.
Shouls one miss the fairway, hitting the green with your second becomes almost impossible...one of my favourite openings in golf.

[Scott Warren]

scott
i worked at cypress lakes for about six weeks back in the early 90's while i was on a working visa.  the routing was different then, with a temp clubhouse.  i lived with the super Merv, who was a retired rugby league player.  when did you live in that area?  how is the club making out today.

I never lived in that particular region. I was an hour and a half or so away in the Hawkesbury, north west of Sydney, but my old man and his mates loved that course and drank plenty of wine, so we ended up there at least monthly from Spring through to Autumn each year.

The resort is doing well, with prices to match that. The clubhouse is of epic proportions, and it's a massive corporate day favourite, with the beauty spa also drawing in couples looking for a leisurely weekend (golf, pampering and wine - how could you not have fun?!).

Many people I know aren't that fond of the course, but I always found it was an interesting layout (forced carries, split fairways, elevation changes etc) with some great holes, namely 1, 4, 7, 14 and 15 as you would know them (14, 17, 11, 5 and 6 now).]

[Mark Woodger]

if you have a slice as bad as mine the first at Deal is pretty scary. Particularly if there are a few members enjoying a drink on the balcony! 

[Mark_Rowlinson]

First at Royal Liverpool with the OOB on the right and clubhouse on the left, and usually into the wind, is certainly daunting. I'd agree with the suggestions of Prestwick and Yale.

[Steve Salmen]

For some reason, I find the opening tee shot at Pacific Dunes (back tees) as nerve wracking as the first at Prestwick.  All 4 times I played Pacific it was dead into wind so that I went something like 3 iron 4 iron.  Both shots are long irons down a very narrow corridor.

[Mitchell Schneringer]

For me, it was the 1st at TOC.  I chunked a hybrid about 150 yards....and had a 5 iron into the green.  But, I did get on the green in regulation.  I was the first in our group to tee off, so everyone else felt better after my bad tee ball!

[Ed Oden]

Just curious, was the hedge at CPC #1 put in to protect cars from being hit or to obscure golfers from the view of passing riffraff?

[Curt Coulter]

I agree w/Cary but will go into more detail since I have been playing
there for over 30 years. The opening tee shot at Oakmont is very difficult as there is OB right and pot bunkers down both sides of this 23 yard wide fairway.

I have not yet played overseas but would take my chances by saying that the first at Oakmont is also the hardest opening hole in the world as the second shot is also dicey and then the fun is only beginning on this treacherous green that slopes back and to the left.

[Philippe Binette]

Haven't played it but having to hit a 220 yards shot to a green surrounded by pot bunkers on the 1st at Lytham and St.Annes must be pretty tough...

The 1 st at Crystal Downs, from an elevated tee into the wind is pretty hard too.

[Ash Towe]

I agree with Muirfield.  It is very difficult.  In Australia the opening shot on the par 5 first at The National Golf Clubs Ocean course is hard.  The shot is dominated by a very large and deep bunker.  You have to make a choice of which side to go.  If you hit the bunker you are looking at bogey or worse.

[Mike Wagner]

I still haven't figured out how to birdie #1 at Pac Dunes.  It's a tough mind set being the first hole since it's driveable, but good luck making a two.  So easy, but sooo tempting.  Trails is pretty difficult if you don't remember how wide the fairway is.

[Kirk Stewart]

Ballybunion.How many other opening tee shots are there when right is really,truly dead?

I saw a guy hit one right, bounce off a headstone, and come to rest perfectly in the middle of the fairway. The starter replied, " You just hit the Lazarus shot, it rose from the dead".

Surely he never said that before 


I would nominate Butler National and Prestwick as two of the toughest.

[Matt Day]

Just curious, was the hedge at CPC #1 put in to protect cars from being hit or to obscure golfers from the view of passing riffraff?

don't think its too keep the riffraff out, the entrance (no gates or security guards) and clubhouse are very low key and many people would drive by without it giving the place a second glance

[Ed Oden]

Just curious, was the hedge at CPC #1 put in to protect cars from being hit or to obscure golfers from the view of passing riffraff?

don't think its too keep the riffraff out, the entrance (no gates or security guards) and clubhouse are very low key and many people would drive by without it giving the place a second glance

Matt, my question wasn't about keeping anyone out.  Rather, what I was really getting at is whether the hedge was added as a safety measure to protect passing cars (and presumably limit the club's liability) or was it more to provide a sense of isolation to those teeing off?

Ed