Mike Malone-
My love affair with Merion is no secret to you. I'm on record as saying Merion is my favorite golf course on the planet, so much so that in my personal rankings I have it in a class by itself before dropping down to the next group of Shinnecock, PV, Sand Hills, Cypress, and Oakmont. With that disclaimer out of the way, here's why I think Merion's 1st hole is in a class by itself:
First, it may be the most unique setting for a first hole in all of golf. You're literally teeing off 5-10 feet from the club's patio, where members can often be found having breakfast or lunch as you're teeing off. There is a tradition of no mulligans at Merion, and it's one of the most intimidating tee shots you could ever face given that the buzz from the patio and the clinging of glassware and silverware come to a dead quiet as you address the ball. You can just feel everybody staring at you and it's probably as close to what it feels like playing in front of spectators as most of us mortals will ever experience.
Second, you can't help but think of the history as you stand on that tee. Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino. It was on that very tee that Trevino pulled the rubber snake from his bag and tossed it to Jack Nicklaus moments before teeing off in the playoff for the 1971 U.S. Open. As the famous golf writer Dan Jenkins once said "Standing on the first tee, you have to feel a moving sehse of privilege. You are exactly where just about every great in the game of golf has been before starting a major championship."
Thirdy, at 362 yards, it eases you into the round with a relatively easy par unless you aren't precise with either your drive or your approach, in which case bogey our even worse comes into play very quickly. You're also immediately introduced to two of Merion's greatest qualities from a golf architecture standpoint - world class bunkering and excellent use of playing angles. The bunkers are one of the first things that catch your eye as you look down the fairway. As to playing angles, the 1st is a case study - the best line from the tee requires the player to challenge the bunkers on the left in order to be rewarded with the best angle to the green. From the left side, your second shot plays into the width of the green. If your drive happens to go up the right side (the most common miss for ordinary players), you are left with a tough angle over a greenside bunker.
For me, the 1st at Merion is like a great starter course at a fine restaurant - it whets your appetite for what follows and gives you a sense for the possibilities that lie ahead.
Jim