Hole 1 at Harding Park Golf Course (18)

Par 4 • 395 Yards • San Francisco, California

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Challenging

The opening hole at TPC Harding Park sets the tone for Willie Watson and Sam Whiting's classic 1925 design, welcoming golfers to this storied municipal gem that has hosted PGA Tour legends. This straightforward par 4 demands accuracy from the first tee, establishing the strategic themes that define this championship course along Lake Merced's shores.

Tees:

395y375y345y305y

Green:25y × 30y

Fairway @250y:50y wide

1 Bunker dogleg

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Harding Park Golf Course (18)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 395 yds
Green: 4431 sq ft
Bunkers: 1
Course Slope: 126
Course Rating: 72.8

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 430y

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With the fairway maintaining good width at both 200 yards (52 yards wide) and 250 yards (50 yards wide), this 395-yard par 4 rewards an aggressive tee shot. Position your drive between 200-250 yards to set up the optimal approach angle to the green.

approach

The green measures a generous 4,431 square feet with dimensions of 25 yards by 30 yards, providing a relatively large target for your approach shot. This size allows for aggressive pin-hunting, especially from shorter approach distances.

hazard warning

Be aware of bunkers positioned at 382.3 yards from the tee. While these shouldn't come into play off the tee for most golfers on this 395-yard hole, they could catch errant approach shots or affect longer hitters who drive it past the ideal landing zone.

tee shot

The consistent fairway width from 200 to 250 yards (52 to 50 yards) means there's no significant narrowing in the landing zone. This allows you to swing confidently with driver or 3-wood, focusing on distance rather than precision off the tee.

approach

With the hole playing 395 yards total and hazards at 382.3 yards, most approach shots will be played from inside 150 yards to the sizeable green. Take advantage of this shorter iron opportunity to attack pins and set up birdie chances on this scoring hole.

train this shot at home

This 395-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

Focus on getting your approach inside 20 feet. Two putts from there and you walk away with par.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 395-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 1?

Key hazards include: 1 greenside bunker. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Harding Park Golf Course (18). You can play this exact 395-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 →