Hole 1 at Medinah Country Club (Course 3)

Par 4 • 433 Yards • Medinah, Illinois

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Tough

The opening hole at Medinah's storied Course No. 3 sets an immediate tone of precision and challenge that defines this historic championship venue. This straightaway par 4 demands accuracy from the first swing, introducing golfers to the tree-lined corridors and strategic demands that have tested major championship fields for decades.

Tees:

433y383y357y357y

Green:19y × 32y

Fairway @250y:33y wide

3 Bunkers dogleg

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Medinah Country Club (Course 3)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 433 yds
Green: 3818 sq ft
Bunkers: 3
Course Slope: 152
Course Rating: 78.3

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Hole 2

Par 3 • 192y

Back to Medinah Country Club (Course 3)View Full Scorecard

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Strategy Tips

hazard warning

The fairway completely disappears at the 200-yard mark, creating a critical carry requirement over Lake Kadijah. This dogleg-right par 4 demands precise distance control to clear the water hazard.

tee shot

Aim for the 250-yard landing area where the fairway opens to 33 yards wide. This requires a strong drive to carry the water and find the safe landing zone on this challenging dogleg-right.

approach

With bunkers positioned at 417-418 yards, your approach shot to this 433-yard hole will play over greenside sand. Plan for a short iron or wedge into the compact 3,818 square foot green.

green

The green measures just 19 yards by 32 yards, making it a small target for your approach. Precision is crucial on this signature hole, especially with the water carry and greenside bunkers framing your landing area.

tee shot

Conservative players should consider laying up short of the 200-yard water hazard, then playing a longer approach over the lake. The risk-reward on this 433-yard hole heavily favors accuracy over distance.

train this shot at home

This 433-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 433-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.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 1?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. 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 Medinah Country Club (Course 3). You can play this exact 433-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 →