Hole 1 at Torrey Pines Golf Club ' South Course '

Par 4 • 450 Yards • La Jolla, California

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Tough

The opening hole at Torrey Pines South Course sets the tone for one of golf's most prestigious venues, home to the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open and multiple U.S. Open Championships. This William Bell, Sr. design demands precision from the start, requiring golfers to favor the left side of the fairway to set up the optimal approach angle.

Tees:

450y445y419y373y364y

Green:35y × 25y

Fairway @250y:37y wide

6 Bunkers dogleg

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Torrey Pines Golf Club ' South Course '

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 450 yds
Green: 5132 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 143
Course Rating: 78.1

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 389y

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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

Favor the left side of the fairway on your tee shot to set up the best angle to the green. The fairway widens from 31 yards at 200 yards to 37 yards at 250 yards, giving longer hitters more room to work with.

approach

From the ideal landing zone around 200-250 yards, you'll face a mid to long iron approach into a compact green measuring just 35 yards by 25 yards - precision is crucial on this 450-yard par 4.

green

The green is relatively small at only 5,132 square feet, making club selection and distance control critical. Don't go long on your approach as it will leave a difficult up-and-down.

hazard warning

Be aware of greenside bunkers protecting the putting surface. With bunkers positioned at 449 yards from the tee, they're strategically placed to catch errant approach shots on this championship layout.

tee shot

For shorter hitters, laying up to the 200-yard mark leaves you in the narrower part of the fairway at 31 yards wide, but ensures a manageable approach distance to this demanding green complex.

train this shot at home

This 450-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 450-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.

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 medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Torrey Pines Golf Club ' South Course '. You can play this exact 450-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 →