This post is part of an ongoing series where I build the most iconic public golf course in the world—one hole at a time. Each hole is taken from a real public or resort-accessible course, and each one corresponds to the same number from its original layout. If you missed the introduction to the project, you can check it out here.
A great first hole sets the stage for the entire round. It’s the handshake, the wake-up call, the first challenge in what should be an unforgettable journey. Some opening holes ease you in gently, while others demand your best from the first swing. For Hole 1 on our Ultimate Public Golf Course, we’re looking for a tee shot that delivers history, strategy, public accessibility, and maybe just a little bit of fear.
The Contenders
1. Bethpage Black (New York) – Par 4, 430 Yards
If you want an opening hole that announces, “Welcome to the gauntlet,” Bethpage Black is it. A long, slightly uphill par-4 with one of the most intimidating signs in golf looming nearby: “Warning: The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.”
- Why it belongs: It sets the tone for one of the hardest rounds in public golf. If you stripe a drive down the fairway here, you’ve earned the right to feel cocky.
- Notable moments: Tiger Woods won the 2002 U.S. Open here, and the 2019 PGA Championship started with pros sweating over this tee shot.
- Public Access: Open to all, but bring your A-game—and probably a caddie.
2. TPC Harding Park (California) – Par 4, 393 Yards
A classic municipal course with major championship pedigree, Harding Park’s opening hole is a fair but stern handshake. It’s not designed to destroy you—but it’s not letting you coast either.
- Why it belongs: A strong start with major history that the average golfer can walk in the footsteps of.
- Notable moments: Collin Morikawa started his PGA Championship-winning week here in 2020.
- Public Access: San Francisco muni rates make it approachable, especially for locals.
3. Torrey Pines (South Course, California) – Par 4, 450 Yards
An opening hole with views of the Pacific Ocean and the start of a U.S. Open-worthy grind. Elevated tee shot, coastal winds, and fairway bunkers make this far more than just scenic.
- Why it belongs: Torrey Pines is one of the most iconic public courses in America, and this hole puts you in the arena immediately.
- Notable moments: Tiger Woods’ 2008 U.S. Open victory started right here.
- Public Access: San Diego residents get a crazy discount, but even tourists can get on with the right planning.
4. The Old Course at St. Andrews (Scotland) – Par 4, 376 Yards
It might not be stateside, but if we’re talking global public courses, it deserves its spot. The first tee at St. Andrews isn’t just a golf shot—it’s a pilgrimage. Wide fairway? Sure. But with hundreds of years of history staring back at you, it’s still one of the most nerve-wracking openers in the game.
- Why it belongs: The birthplace of golf, an iconic view, and arguably the most famous tee shot in history.
- Notable moments: Too many to name—every Open Championship played here adds another layer of legacy.
- Public Access: Yep, anyone can play it… if you’re lucky with the ballot or persistent with the booking.
5. Wolf Creek Golf Club (Mesquite, Nevada) – Par 5, 579 Yards
Think you’ve seen dramatic? Wolf Creek’s opener drops you from a soaring desert perch onto a ribbon of fairway that twists between red-rock cliffs and emerald turf. The yardage says par 5, but your eyes keep insisting you’re playing golf inside a video game—every turn is pure sensory overload. One well-struck tee shot here and you’re convinced gravity is your personal caddie; one miss and you’re canyon-hunting for that shiny new Pro V1. Either way, the adrenaline spike is worth the price of admission.
- Why it belongs: A jaw-dropping, downhill launch pad that screams “bucket list” and sets the tone for one of golf’s most photographed courses.
- Notable moments: While no major championships roll through Mesquite, the hole’s viral drone flyovers and video-game cameos (hello, EA Sports) have made it an internet legend all the same.
- Public Access: Absolutely—bookable online, though prime-season tee times vanish faster than your breath on that first-tee lookout.
The Verdict – Hole 1: Bethpage Black
It had to be. It’s the perfect “this ain’t a warm-up” hole for our dream course. The warning sign, the pedigree, the grind—Bethpage Black doesn’t ease you into anything. It drags you into the fire. And that’s exactly how this round should start.
You want a welcome mat? Go to Disney. You want a statement? Step up to the first tee at Bethpage Black.
Next up: Hole 2 (and it doesn’t get easier).
