News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Charlie Goerges

  • Karma: +0/-0
Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« on: November 02, 2023, 11:01:13 AM »
I'm curious how many examples of the first hole being the best hole on a course there are. If you know any examples, feel free to post them.


Additionally, you don't see lots of first holes on greatest holes lists and I'm curious why that might be. You'd expect the first hole to be the best hole about 1/18th of the time, but it seems like less. Or am I wrong and just missing something.


As an example, on the course I grew up on (Whitebirch course at Breezy Point Resort), a case could be made that the first hole is the best, at least strategically/architecturally.
Severally on the occasion of everything that thou doest, pause and ask thyself, if death is a dreadful thing because it deprives thee of this. - Marcus Aurelius

mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2023, 11:20:54 AM »
A difficulty for many courses is changed routings where 1 wasn’t 1. Based on present routings I suggest Jeffersonville and Concord in Philly area are two that could be the best hole.


Springfield CC which is also here converted the 10th to 1 and is the best hole.
« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 11:22:50 AM by mike_malone »
AKA Mayday

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2023, 11:30:44 AM »
I live at Bryce Resort. It is a small member-owned golf/ski resort in the VA mountains. Like many courses in the DC area, our course was designed by Ed Ault. The course itself isn't much, but the first hole is a long par five that runs along a creek on the right that curves in front of the green.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Ira Fishman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2023, 12:06:10 PM »
Old White.

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2023, 12:16:18 PM »
The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.

"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"

https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/
« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 12:45:26 PM by David_Tepper »

Matthew Lloyd

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2023, 12:20:59 PM »
Spyglass? It was my favorite hole on the course - though that might be different than best.

BCrosby

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2023, 12:32:05 PM »
Peachtree.

Rob Marshall

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2023, 02:18:01 PM »
Spyglass? It was my favorite hole on the course - though that might be different than best.


The view is spectacular..........
If life gives you limes, make margaritas.” Jimmy Buffett

MClutterbuck

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2023, 02:21:16 PM »
The original #1 at ANGC is not too bad.


The 1st hole at San Andres Golf Club is arguably its best. Best green for sure.

JohnVDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2023, 02:46:16 PM »
Machrihanish’s first is often picked as the best first hole in golf and it is great.  The rest of the course is very good, but 1 is probably the best hole there.

JLahrman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2023, 03:04:17 PM »
After playing Kirtland CC during the recent Midwest Mashie (thanks to everyone who attended, great to meet you all!)...its first hole was one of my favorites on the course. I'd have to think a bit before calling it my favorite, but it was definitely up there.

Ally Mcintosh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2023, 03:18:03 PM »
The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.

"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"

https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/


Yes - it is a dramatic tee shot but there are better holes at Portstewart. Still, a good choice.


The 1st at Doonbeg is often singled out as its best hole.


There’s an argument for St. Patrick’s.

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2023, 04:04:36 PM »
The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.
"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"
https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/
Sorry. Magnificent view, bland hole, maybe even the blandest hole on the course.
Atb

Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2023, 04:48:25 PM »
Machrihanish’s first is often picked as the best first hole in golf and it is great.  The rest of the course is very good, but 1 is probably the best hole there.


John


It was the one I thought of simply because of the best 1st hole in Scotland tag, however I'm really not sure it is any more. With the advent of big headed drivers the drive isn't the fearsome test it used to be. That being the case I tend to think there are better holes at Machrihanish.


Niall

Charlie Goerges

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2023, 10:41:35 PM »
Thanks for all the examples everyone! Hopefully we can find some more.


So, do we think the first hole ends up being the best anywhere near 1/18th of the time?
Severally on the occasion of everything that thou doest, pause and ask thyself, if death is a dreadful thing because it deprives thee of this. - Marcus Aurelius

Mike Hendren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #15 on: November 02, 2023, 11:04:47 PM »
Sand Hills
Golf Club of Tennessee

Two Corinthians walk into a bar ....

Jeff Schley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #16 on: November 03, 2023, 01:23:34 AM »
Riviera I'd rhey switched the 9s.
"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice your gifts."
- Steve Prefontaine

Mark Pearce

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #17 on: November 03, 2023, 06:10:30 AM »
The first hole on the Strand Course at Portstewart (NI) is very, very good.
"Possibly the finest opening hole in Irish golf"
https://www.facebook.com/portstewartgolfclub/videos/1st-hole-flyover-the-strand-course/1547698671923046/
Sorry. Magnificent view, bland hole, maybe even the blandest hole on the course.
Atb
Yup, my take too.  Great view but "meh" hole
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Luke Sutton

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #18 on: November 03, 2023, 07:53:30 AM »
Hooper

Jim_Coleman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #19 on: November 03, 2023, 09:28:27 AM »
    In his 1960’s SI article (which probably launched the rating boom), Dan Jenkins called Merion’s first hole the best first hole in America. No, it’s not the best hole on the course (maybe 11, 16 or 18?), but Jenkins’ opinion is worth something.

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #20 on: November 03, 2023, 09:36:23 AM »
It's certainly easier when the course is only nine holes. Dunes Club (MI) has a great opening hole.

I don't believe that the best at Kirtland is #1, but I'm just one thinker.

Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #21 on: November 03, 2023, 11:58:13 AM »
It's certainly easier when the course is only nine holes. Dunes Club (MI) has a great opening hole.

I don't believe that the best at Kirtland is #1, but I'm just one thinker.
Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #22 on: November 03, 2023, 12:23:26 PM »
Machrihanish’s first is often picked as the best first hole in golf and it is great.  The rest of the course is very good, but 1 is probably the best hole there.


I wondered if someone would say that! Machrihanish is my favourite course in the world (I don't say it is the best, but it is my favourite) but I think the first hole is rather over-rated. The drive is obviously epic, but the approach is a bit dull, and there's no strategic advantage for playing your tee shot close to the beach. And the terrain, compared to the rest of the course, is quite flat. IMO Machrihanish really starts when you cross the burn on the second hole.
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Steve Wilson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2023, 01:15:53 PM »
Preston Country Club, also an Ault course, when I first played it had the nines reversed and what is now the tenth is a par five that swings in an arc from right to left with the third usually being a short iron over a creek ten yards in front of the green.  Has always been my favorite hole there and I would think it's one of the best.

So, I guess I've modified this to include holes that used be the first...

Anybody ever want to play there, I'll be available until July.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2023, 01:28:49 PM by Steve Wilson »
Some days you play golf, some days you find things.

I'm not really registered, but I couldn't find a symbol for certifiable.

"Every good drive by a high handicapper will be punished..."  Garland Bailey at the BUDA in sharing with me what the better player should always remember.

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Courses where the best hole is the 1st
« Reply #24 on: November 03, 2023, 05:17:36 PM »
My two eye-opener opener suggestions are Tobacco Road and Kingsley Club

Tags:
Tags:

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()
Back