Hole 1 at Riviera Country Club, The

Par 5 • 503 Yards • Pacific Palisades, California

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Welcome to one of golf's most iconic opening tee shots at "Hogan's Alley," where Riviera Country Club immediately announces its Golden Age pedigree. This par-5 opener demands accuracy from the very first swing, setting the tone for a round that has challenged golf's greatest champions for decades.

Tees:

503y497y459y450y

Green:34y × 42y

Fairway @250y:36y wide

3 Bunkers dogleg

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Riviera Country Club, The

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 503 yds
Green: 7094 sq ft
Bunkers: 3
Course Slope: 141
Course Rating: 73.9

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 463y

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Recommended Gear

A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This iconic opening hole demands precision off the tee. With the fairway measuring 34 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, focus on accuracy over distance. A controlled driver or 3-wood to the 200-yard area sets up the ideal angle for your second shot.

approach

Your second shot strategy depends on pin position on this generous 7,094 square foot green. The large putting surface (34 yards by 42 yards) allows for aggressive play when the pin is accessible, but respect tough pin positions by aiming for the center.

tee shot

Longer hitters can challenge the 250-yard carry where the fairway opens slightly to 36 yards wide. This aggressive line shortens the hole significantly but requires precise execution - any miss here can lead to trouble and a difficult recovery.

hazard warning

Be aware of the bunker complex positioned at 435 yards from the tee. While most players won't reach this distance in two shots, longer hitters attempting to get home in two must account for this hazard in their approach strategy.

approach

At 503 yards, this par-5 is reachable in two for longer players, but the risk-reward calculation is crucial. The massive green dimensions (42 yards deep) provide a large target, but missing the putting surface can leave difficult up-and-downs around Riviera's challenging surrounds.

train this shot at home

This 503-yard par 5 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

Scoring on par 5s starts with a smart second shot. Laying up to your favorite wedge distance gives you the best birdie chance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 503 yards, Reachable in two for longer hitters. Consider laying up short of hazards if going for it is risky.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: large green requiring good lag putting.

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 fairly large with multiple pin positions. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a solid birdie opportunity with smart layup strategy. Most golfers can reach in three. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Riviera Country Club, The. You can play this exact par 5 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 →