Starting with a 3, a 4, a 5

[azazel]

We start with a par 4:

423 yards, driving over a pretty big beach (or the Atlantic if the tide is high), often straight into the wind. Second shot can be anything from a 3 wood to a wedge depending on the line you take with the tee shot, the wind direction and obviously how well you hit it. The green's pretty big so depending on pin position you can have a tricky first putt as well.

I'd rather something a bit easier but a par on the first is a great start and not too many people walk off unhappy with a five in competition play.

 

[duncan mackie]

So what would you rather?

A relatively flat and fair green is the only relevant factor for me.

 

[garyinderry]

ive played par 3 starts but as I say never been a member of a course with this.


does it really hold up play that badly. I would imagine that it sets people away with a good gap so they don't bunch later on. granted, those making a pigs ear of the 1st will seem to hold the rest back.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Ours starts;

1; 521 par 5, SI 11
2; 553 par 5, SI 7
3; 442 par 4, SI 3

Total length of 6,614 and 1,516 of them in the first 3 holes! Tempered slightly by the 1st & 3rd being slightly tempered by being downhill, but the payback is that 18 is 420 yards uphill. As others have said, they've all got to be played at some point, but I'd wager this start has been responsible for more than a few early NR's.