Hole 1 at Pinehurst Resort #2

Par 4 • 405 Yards • Pinehurst, North Carolina

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Challenging

The opening hole at Pinehurst Golf & Country Club (#2 Course) sets the tone for one of golf's most revered championship venues, where legends like Payne Stewart claimed major victories. This straightforward par 4 stretches 405.0 yards down a classic Carolina corridor framed by towering pines and sandy waste areas that define Donald Ross's architectural genius.

With no significant water hazards or bunkers threatening the tee shot, players can swing freely off the first tee, though the legendary turtle-back greens that make Pinehurst No. 2 famous await. The small, crowned putting surface demands precision on the approach shot, as balls hitting the edges will funnel away into collection areas. This deceptively simple opener introduces golfers to Ross's philosophy: rewarding accuracy over power while testing short game skills that will prove crucial throughout the round.

Tees:

405y391y375y360y320y

Green:25y × 39y

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Pinehurst Resort #2

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 405 yds
Green: 5485 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 137
Course Rating: 76

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 472y

Back to Pinehurst Resort #2 View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

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

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Strategy Tips

hazard warning

This hole presents a significant challenge with no fairway landing area - the fairway width measures 0 yards at both 200 and 250 yards from the tee, indicating either a forced carry or extremely narrow playing corridor.

tee shot

With bunkers positioned at 258 yards from the tee, longer hitters must carefully consider club selection to avoid running into trouble - consider hitting a controlled 3-wood or hybrid to stay short of the hazards.

approach

The approach shot to this 405-yard par 4 will likely be from an awkward distance given the layout constraints - focus on accuracy over distance to find the putting surface.

green

The green measures 25 yards by 39 yards (5,485 square feet), providing a reasonably sized target - aim for the center of the green given the challenging approach you'll likely face.

tee shot

With a landing zone of 0 yards from the tee, this hole requires either a forced carry over hazards or threading an extremely narrow gap - course management and precision are more important than distance here.

train this shot at home

This 405-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 405-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.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

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 Pinehurst Resort #2. You can play this exact 405-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 →