I remember the first at Bude. A bit reminiscent of the first at St Andrews in as much as you seem to have miles of room. A nice opener.
First Hole - how do you play it?
- Thread starter Imurg
- Start date
Redwood
Q-School Graduate
Homer, you're right (although never played St Andrews), and I feel a bit hard done by if I don't walk off with par. Like you've mentioned a few times, you gotta set yourself up for a good score on the first 5 at Bude.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
336 yards so short hole but has SI of 6 so I dont get one here. Heavy trees all up the right and on past the green. At about 230 theres 2 massive oak trees on the left side by side where the fairway doglegs left at about 30 degrees so you cant hit straight towards the green from the tee. They are so big that if you layed up it would have to be about 160 to green to be able to get over them with enough club to reach , however its a small green with a pronounced slope up to it and bunkers front left and right. You need to be up the right side to get a clear shot at the green but its only the longer hitters that can get far enough to see on the angle and this presents the problem where the trees are cutting in as they head for the green. Mostly you end up playing a bump and run of about 100/140 yds under the oak tree and hoping for a good roll out up and onto the green.
Tough start and have used everything from 6 iron to driver trying to find the best spot to land. Now I have given up trying to find the best place and just spank the driver straight at the big oak and let the golfing gods decide where i'm playing my 2nd from
That sounds easy peasy japanesey
Try telling that to Ian Baker-Finch.
Our 1st is a 340ish yard par 4, OOB left, narrow fairway with thick rough right. A simple enough hole if I would occasionally use an ounce of common sense and take an iron from the tee.
One day, maybe.
jammydodger
Tour Winner
336 yards so short hole but has SI of 6 so I dont get one here. Heavy trees all up the right and on past the green. At about 230 theres 2 massive oak trees on the left side by side where the fairway doglegs left at about 30 degrees so you cant hit straight towards the green from the tee. They are so big that if you layed up it would have to be about 160 to green to be able to get over them with enough club to reach , however its a small green with a pronounced slope up to it and bunkers front left and right. You need to be up the right side to get a clear shot at the green but its only the longer hitters that can get far enough to see on the angle and this presents the problem where the trees are cutting in as they head for the green. Mostly you end up playing a bump and run of about 100/140 yds under the oak tree and hoping for a good roll out up and onto the green.
Tough start and have used everything from 6 iron to driver trying to find the best spot to land. Now I have given up trying to find the best place and just spank the driver straight at the big oak and let the golfing gods decide where i'm playing my 2nd from
That sounds easy peasy japanesey
LMAO Smiffy , couldnt have put it better myself
Hard thing is , in every matchplay round singles and doubles this year i've given a stroke and lost the hole every time.
GB72
Money List Winner
The opener is one of the hardest holes on the course, long par 4 to an elevated green, trees left and right. The fairway also slopes left to right so you have to play near the trees on the left and hit the left side to ensure a second shot at the green, anything further right or with a fade/slice on it will roll down to the right, into the rough and behind trees meaning that there is no shot to the green. To be honest I am happy to walk away with a 5 every time.
Herbie
Tour Winner
1st hole appears straight but has a slight left turn down it but can be played as it is seen. 423 off whites but normally a little less depending on tee placement.It is also slight uphill that has more effect than you might give credit, two newish bunkers on the left at drive range for many golfers but this hole is an oportunity for a good whack as there are few serious risks. The run on fairway is fairly flat but the further you get its predominantly a run to the right. Green is average size, bunker to left and rear left, has a slight two teer set up .
With a good Drive on a still day I usually follow with 8 or 7 iron depending on run.
Into head wind its Driver, followed by 5 or 6 iron.
Down wind with a good drive its often easy 9 or full PW.
Sometimes its a Driver, chip out wedge, 5 iron, 9 iron chip and two putts
With a good Drive on a still day I usually follow with 8 or 7 iron depending on run.
Into head wind its Driver, followed by 5 or 6 iron.
Down wind with a good drive its often easy 9 or full PW.
Sometimes its a Driver, chip out wedge, 5 iron, 9 iron chip and two putts
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Still ended up with a 6 - dodgy 3 putt from 15 feet.......
RGDave
Money List Winner
Short par 3. If I'm not putting for birdie, you might catch me self-harming in between the green and 2nd tee.
At my old course it was a killer.....always played for a 5.....3 wood, 7 iron, wedge.
Often made 6, but it was S.I. 1 and trying for a four could produce an 8 easy.
At my old course it was a killer.....always played for a 5.....3 wood, 7 iron, wedge.
Often made 6, but it was S.I. 1 and trying for a four could produce an 8 easy.
RGDave
Money List Winner
Yes, in a medal or s-ford I'd go nowhere near the green and hope for a chip and putt.
My home club starts with a 175 yard par 3 slighty uphill, 6 iron. Two bunker short and right of the green, out of bounds left. Tricky off the medal tees but only 135 off the yellow
stevek1969
Money List Winner
Badly
Ken_A
Tour Rookie
Par 4 SI 5, tho it should be a bogey at worst.
Elevated tee (~10m above fairway) guite a wide fairway, trees right and left, pond right (stream and pond for the ladies), Stream goes down LHS.
Ideal shot is left to open up the green, then simple shot to a large raised green. Beware bunkers and ridge in front of green and boundry wall behind.
The pic gives no real height aspect.
Elevated tee (~10m above fairway) guite a wide fairway, trees right and left, pond right (stream and pond for the ladies), Stream goes down LHS.
Ideal shot is left to open up the green, then simple shot to a large raised green. Beware bunkers and ridge in front of green and boundry wall behind.
The pic gives no real height aspect.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Ours - par 3, 236. Downhill, with green sloping down from front to back.
In dry conditions almost impossible to hold the green so you play short & hope for run. But in wet, the run aint there. A three is a <u>very</u> good score (even though its only SI 11)
In dry conditions almost impossible to hold the green so you play short & hope for run. But in wet, the run aint there. A three is a <u>very</u> good score (even though its only SI 11)
viscount17
Money List Winner
the opener is a 481 yard, par 5 (SI.6) - a dogleg right, around a lake. the straight line to the bend is 220+, though it is possible to cut the corner. if you cut it too far you have to negotiate some fairly tall trees fringing the back of the lake.
this shot is a favourite with societies, however many a ball ends up in the lake.
recent changes include the addition of two trees which, when grown, will make it far more difficult to cxut the corner.
this shot is a favourite with societies, however many a ball ends up in the lake.
recent changes include the addition of two trees which, when grown, will make it far more difficult to cxut the corner.
Canfordhacker
Q-School Graduate
440 yard stroke 7. Small pond in front of tee to get in your head, OOB left, trees right. Even if you kill your drive it's a tough iron in. I've only had 4 pars on it this year, and am always happy with a 5.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
I get a shot on that one too.
My mindset on your first tee????
It's a short par 4 where I'm not shotting.
So if I get my tee shot anywhere near and chip on for two, I still have two putts for a two pointer.
Don't put yourself under pressure of having to make 3 points. They are nice when they come, but walking off with two points will do me on most first holes
Managed a par 3 today!!! Hit the green and a routine 2 putt. That hasn't happened in a while
cbetofop
Medal Winner
http://www.theworcestershiregolfclub.co.uk/hole-1.aspx
Take a 5 iron, avoid the bunker and trees and then a second 5 iron usually leaves you in good shape.... seen a few attempt to drive the hole come unstuck
Take a 5 iron, avoid the bunker and trees and then a second 5 iron usually leaves you in good shape.... seen a few attempt to drive the hole come unstuck
owalker
Medal Winner
Badly. Somehow it usually ends up all right, though. Okay, here's how it goes... I hit a rubbish drive - I don't know why, whether it's lack of warm up, too much expectation or just nerves, but I rarely ever hit a good first drive. However, it usually annoys me so much that my second shot is right on the money, helping me to save par or sometimes even make birdie.
The thing is that, despite the often good result, I'd trade that great second shot for a solid, confidence-inspiring drive. Golf really is a silly game.
The thing is that, despite the often good result, I'd trade that great second shot for a solid, confidence-inspiring drive. Golf really is a silly game.
