Hole 1 at Cypress Point Club

Par 4 • 421 Yards • Pebble Beach, California

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Tough

Cypress Point Club's opening hole sets an elegant tone for one of golf's most revered courses, offering a deceptively strategic par 4 that demands precision from the first swing. At 421 yards, this straight layout appears straightforward but rewards thoughtful course management over pure distance. The tee shot plays to a generous fairway framed by the dramatic Monterey Peninsula landscape, where towering cypress trees and coastal vegetation create a stunning natural amphitheater. The approach shot to the small green requires careful club selection and accurate distance control, as the putting surface offers little margin for error. Without significant hazards to intimidate, Cypress Point Club hole 1 relies on subtle undulations and strategic positioning to challenge players, making it a perfect introduction to Alister MacKenzie's masterful design that has captivated golfers for nearly a century.

Tees:

421y409y409y

Green:30y × 22y

Fairway @250y:12y wide

3 Bunkers dogleg

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Cypress Point Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 421 yds
Green: 4172 sq ft
Bunkers: 3
Course Slope: 139
Course Rating: 74.1

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Hole 2

Par 5 • 548y

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With the fairway measuring just 12 yards wide at both 200 and 250 yards, accuracy is paramount off the tee. Consider hitting a controlled 3-wood or long iron to stay in the short grass rather than risking driver into the narrow landing area.

approach

From a good drive position around 200-250 yards out, you'll face a mid to long iron approach into a compact green measuring just 30 yards deep by 22 yards wide. Club selection and distance control are critical on this smaller target.

hazard warning

Bunkers positioned at 385.9 yards from the tee guard the green complex. These greenside hazards will catch any approach shots that are slightly long or offline, making precise yardage calculations essential.

green

The green's modest 4,172 square feet of putting surface demands accuracy over distance. With limited real estate to work with, focus on hitting to the center of the green rather than attacking tight pin positions.

tee shot

At 421 yards, this par 4 requires two quality shots to reach the green in regulation. The narrow fairway combined with the total distance means course management and smart club selection are more important than pure distance.

train this shot at home

This 421-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 421-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: small green.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a demanding hole where bogey is not unusual. This longer par 4 will test most golfers. Focus on position over distance.

Can I practice hole 1 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Cypress Point Club. You can play this exact 421-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →