Another 1st hole question.

[louise_a]

What do you prefer for a starter hole a par 3 or a 4 or 5?

Ours is a par 3, it sets a good tone for the round if I get my drive on the green, however a longer hole would be a bit more forgiving of a less than good first hit.

 

[GreiginFife]

Depends on which course you start on at mine. Par 3 or one of two Par 4's, although I prefer the one going up the hill which is a 292yd Par4 so a nice easy start.
The par 3 start is a 165 yarder to a raised green with a massive drop off to the left and is quite tricky.

 

[muttleee]

For some reason I never call a tee shot on a par 3 a 'drive'. Maybe that's just me.

Personally I prefer a par 4 to start. A par 3 at the start just seems odd to me but I'm not quite sure why.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I don't really like par 3 starts I much prefer the par 3s to add some variety through the round. First tee I want to smack the driver!

 

[louise_a]

For some reason I never call a tee shot on a par 3 a 'drive'. Maybe that's just me.

Personally I prefer a par 4 to start. A par 3 at the start just seems odd to me but I'm not quite sure why.

To be honest neither do I, I thought it looked wrong as soon as I had posted it.

 

[Slab]

I tend to like a short par 4 to kick off but in hindsight the first tee nerves/rust often wastes what should be one of the easier holes to score well on. I hate 5's so maybe that should be my preference for a first hole!

 

[swanny32]

I hate par 3 starts, very little room for error and when you're a bit stuff there is nothing worse than making double bogey on a hole you'd probably do better on we're it a few holes into the round.

We start on a fairly short par 5 which I didn't like at first but it's grown on me, gives you a chance to use driver, long iron and wedge straight away.

 

[Region3]

I think par 3's are tricky. There's usually more trouble around the green as you're always in a perfect position for your approach shot.
Par 5's are usually a good birdie chance so I'd rather have them when I'm a bit looser.

Nice gentle <400 par 4 for me please.
Drive, short iron, 2 putts, no fuss, move on.

 

[Crawfy]

Ours is a Par5 which I like. It gives you a chance to dust down a variety of shots early in the round (Drive, hybrid and short iron) Also no chance of me getting on in 2 so no real pressure to try and rip it, although good opp for a birdie depending on approach shot.

Trying to maintain, 3 solid shots, 2 putts - par. Move onto the 2nd & 3rd holes which are better scoring opportunuties

 

[DaveM]

We start with a mid length par4. Only trouble is the tee shot is over water. Plus OOB all down the left, the fairway also slops to the left. Many a round ruined before it starts.

 

[Liverbirdie]

There is a very hilly course in Shropshire (highest in England) called Church Stretton, I believe it starts with 3 x par 3's!!!

 

[Deleted member 3432]

I think the key to playing the first hole on any course is to give yourself a chance by taking the time to have a decent loosen up/stretch and hitting a few balls before your round. I find even hitting a dozen balls can make a difference and at the very least give you a bit more confidence stepping onto the first tee knowing you have a chance of hitting the ball cleanly!

We have all done it but walking from the car park to the first tee is not the best preparation for hitting a good shot irrespective of the hole being a par 3,4 or 5

 

[Jay1]

Not a fan of par 3 starts at all. Even the first course I was a member at, which was a 9 hole with 6 par 3's, started with a par 4.

My new course is a tough start. Par 4 462yards. I'd rather a bit of a softer opener, but I do always seem to play the hole well so wont moan too much. Our place only has 3 par 3's, which I'm not a fan of really either, much prefer the classic 4 3's and 4 5's layout.

 

[Foxholer]

Par 5 every time for me.

Not fussed on Par 3 starts - though ply a couple of courses that have them.

I don't warm up much - except on 1st hole - so that rather influences my choice.

 

[USER1999]

I'm with Region3 on this, a par 4 of less than 400 yards. Ours is exactly that, stroke index 15. Perfect.

 

[Andy808]

Our first hole is a 200 yard par 3 over a ditch that runs diagonally across the hole and down the left hand side. The "fairway" in front of the green runs down to the ditch with a greenside bunker on the left and a pot bunker 30 yards short in front. OOB all down the right hand side with the Tee on the right hand side with it.
It's a pig of a hole for a first especially now the fairways are rock hard and you have to run everything up onto the greens. Par on this hole always feels like a birdie.

 

[GreiginFife]

There is a very hilly course in Shropshire (highest in England) called Church Stretton, I believe it starts with 3 x par 3's!!!

Not quite as extreme but my old club Aberdour starts with 2 par 3's. One downhill into a tight corner and the other over a river inlet/bay, very tricky from an elevated tee to a similarly elevated green.

 

[GB72]

I prefer comps that start on the 10th which is a nice par 5. even if I hit a howler of a drive, it is still reachable in 3. Compare that to the 1st which is not a long par 4 but requires a drive down an alley of trees. Would rather not have to hit one relatively straight on the 1st. Hardest start was at my old course. Long par 4 with a fairway that slopes left to right. You have to aim at the trees on the left if you wanted to stay on the fairway, anything else or anything with a fade/slice would roll behind trees and block of a shot to the green. Oh, and the green was raised and undulating and not that receptive to a well struck shot. Happy with a bogey on that hole.