Hole 1 at Detroit Golf Club (North)

Par 4 • 343 Yards • Highland Park, Michigan

Enhanced Content

Moderate

Detroit Golf Club's opening hole serves as the original first hole from the course's historic routing, setting an immediate strategic tone with three well-positioned fairway bunkers that demand precise placement off the tee. Playing into the prevailing wind, this hole rewards accuracy over distance, offering players a manageable short iron approach to a well-guarded, undulating green.

Tees:

343y343y329y314y314y294y

Green:25y × 25y

Fairway @250y:40y wide

6 Bunkers dogleg

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Detroit Golf Club (North)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 343 yds
Green: 3518 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 137
Course Rating: 75

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Hole 2

Par 5 • 557y

Back to Detroit Golf Club (North)View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

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

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With three bunkers clustered around 320-340 yards from the tee, position your drive in the 200-250 yard range where the fairway widens from 33 to 40 yards. This strategic layup avoids the bunker complex and sets up an optimal approach angle.

approach

From a well-positioned drive at 200-225 yards, you'll have a short iron into the green (120-140 yards remaining). The compact 25x25 yard green demands precision, so focus on center-pin strategy rather than aggressive pin-hunting.

hazard warning

Long hitters attempting to drive the green face a gauntlet of bunkers at 320.6, 327.6, and 339.9 yards. With the hole playing into prevailing wind, even a well-struck drive risks finding sand just short of the putting surface.

tee shot

At only 343 yards total length, club selection is crucial off the tee. Consider a 3-wood or hybrid to stay short of the bunker cluster while still reaching the wider 40-yard fairway section at 250 yards.

green

The relatively small 3,518 square foot green requires precise distance control on your approach. With an undulating surface mentioned in course descriptions, prioritize hitting the correct tier to avoid difficult two-putts.

train this shot at home

This 343-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 343-yard par 4, most players will hit 3-wood or driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered, small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 1?

Key hazards include: 3 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. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a birdie opportunity if you find the fairway. This shorter par 4 rewards accuracy off the tee with a short iron approach.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Detroit Golf Club (North). You can play this exact 343-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 →