Hole 1 at Pinehurst Resort #4

Par 4 • 402 Yards • Pinehurst, North Carolina

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Challenging

Gil Hanse's bold redesign of Pinehurst No. 4's opening hole immediately establishes the course's dramatic character, featuring the architect's signature undulating greens that contrast sharply with the flatter surfaces of the pre-renovation layout. This strategic opener showcases the natural land movement that has always distinguished No. 4 from its famous sibling, setting the tone for a round through the Carolina Sandhills.

Tees:

402y368y337y315y294y

Green:29y × 37y

Fairway @250y:40y wide

2 Bunkers dogleg

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Pinehurst Resort #4

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 402 yds
Green: 6563 sq ft
Bunkers: 2
Course Slope: 135
Course Rating: 74.2

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Hole 2

Par 5 • 495y

Back to Pinehurst Resort #4 View Full Scorecard

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A rangefinder takes the guesswork out of your approach into the green.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Position your tee shot carefully to avoid the fairway bunker at 295 yards. The fairway widens from 34 yards at the 200-yard mark to 40 yards at 250 yards, so laying back to the 250-yard area gives you more room and a better angle for your approach.

approach

With the green measuring 28 yards by 37 yards (6,563 square feet), you have a generous target for your approach shot. Focus on club selection and distance control rather than precision, as Gil Hanse's redesign features bold slopes and ridges that will funnel shots toward pin positions.

hazard warning

Be aware of the greenside bunker positioned just 90 yards from the tee, which sits close to the putting surface. This hazard can catch short approach shots, so ensure you take enough club to clear it comfortably on your second shot.

tee shot

At 402 yards, this par-4 requires strategic positioning off the tee. Consider laying up to the 250-yard mark where the fairway is at its widest (40 yards) rather than challenging the bunker at 295 yards, leaving yourself a manageable mid-iron approach.

green

The green's dimensions of 28 by 37 yards provide ample landing area, but remember this is part of Hanse's bold redesign featuring strong slopes and mounds. Study the pin position and aim for the center of the green to let the contours work the ball toward the hole.

train this shot at home

This 402-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

Focus on getting your approach inside 20 feet. Two putts from there and you walk away with par.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 402-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 fairly large with multiple pin positions. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

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 #4. You can play this exact 402-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 →