Hole 1 at PGA West (TPC Stadium course)

Par 4 • 445 Yards • La Quinta, California

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Tough

The opening hole at PGA West's legendary Stadium Course sets the tone for one of golf's most challenging and scenic tests. This demanding par 4 welcomes players with stunning desert mountain views while immediately establishing the precision and strategy required to conquer Pete Dye's masterpiece.

Tees:

445y382y358y334y304y

Green:24y × 22y

Fairway @250y:52y wide

5 Bunkers dogleg

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PGA West (TPC Stadium course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 445 yds
Green: 3007 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Course Slope: 150
Course Rating: 76.1

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 371y

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Target the wider landing zone at 250 yards where the fairway opens to 52 yards wide, giving you maximum room for error on this 445-yard par 4. This strategic positioning sets up the best angle for your approach shot.

hazard warning

Be aware of bunkers positioned at 211 yards from the tee - shorter hitters can safely lay up short of these hazards, while longer players should carry them to reach the generous 52-yard wide section of fairway.

approach

With the green measuring 24 yards by 22 yards (3,007 sq ft), you have a generous target for your approach shot. Focus on club selection and distance control rather than precision placement on this relatively large putting surface.

tee shot

Avoid the narrower section of fairway at 200 yards (only 34 yards wide) by either laying up short or carrying well past this pinch point to the more forgiving landing area beyond.

green

The generous green dimensions of 24 by 22 yards allow for aggressive pin hunting, especially when approaching from the optimal fairway position. Take advantage of this large target to attack pins and set up birdie opportunities.

train this shot at home

This 445-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 445-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. 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 PGA West (TPC Stadium course). You can play this exact 445-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 →