Hole 1 at Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course)

Par 5 • 478 Yards • Springfield, New Jersey

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Moderate

The opening hole at Baltusrol's legendary Lower Course, designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1922, sets the tone for one of America's most storied championship venues. This strategic par-5 demands precision from the first tee, embodying the thoughtful design principles that have challenged golf's greatest players for over a century.

Tees:

478y470y456y453y

Green:32y × 27y

Fairway @250y:42y wide

10 Bunkers dogleg

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Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 478 yds
Green: 5305 sq ft
Bunkers: 10
Course Slope: 139
Course Rating: 73.9

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 371y

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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 478-yard par-5 offers a generous landing area with the fairway widening from 35 yards at 200 yards to 42 yards at 250 yards. Longer hitters can take advantage of this expansion by carrying their drive past the 200-yard mark for better positioning.

hazard warning

Be aware of the bunker positioned at 233 yards from the tee - this hazard sits right in the prime landing zone for most drives. Club selection should account for either laying up short or carrying well past this sand trap.

approach

Two greenside bunkers guard the approach at 465 and 467 yards from the tee, making second shot placement critical. The relatively compact green measuring 32 by 27 yards demands precision on your approach to avoid these well-positioned hazards.

green

With only 5,305 square feet of putting surface, this green is smaller than average for a par-5, requiring accurate approach shots. The compact target rewards strategic play over pure distance, especially given the flanking bunkers.

tee shot

At 478 yards, this par-5 is reachable in two for longer players, but the strategic bunker at 233 yards and tight green complex make course management more important than raw distance. Consider position over power off the tee.

train this shot at home

This 478-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 478 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: heavily bunkered.

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 medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a reachable par 5 with eagle chances for longer hitters. Birdie is very much in play here if you can set up a good approach.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course). 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 →