Hole 1 at Pinehurst Resort #7

Par 5 • 520 Yards • Pinehurst, North Carolina

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Challenging

The opening hole at Rees Jones' 1986 design sets the tone for Pinehurst No. 7's challenging and dramatic character. This par-5 starter demands precision from the first tee, establishing the course's reputation as a demanding test that requires thoughtful strategy. While overshadowed by its famous neighbor No. 2, this layout quickly proves its own merit.

Tees:

520y493y460y420y176y

Green:28y × 26y

Fairway @250y:43y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Pinehurst Resort #7

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 520 yds
Green: 4231 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 149
Course Rating: 75.5

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 462y

Back to Pinehurst Resort #7 View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Position your tee shot between 200-250 yards to stay in the optimal fairway width zone. The fairway maintains good width here at 46 yards at 200y and 43 yards at 250y, giving you room to work with while setting up your approach to this 520-yard par 5.

hazard warning

Avoid the greenside bunkers positioned at 323 yards from the tee. These hazards guard the approach area and will complicate your second or third shot into the relatively small 4,231 square foot green.

approach

Exercise precise distance control on your approach shots to this compact green measuring just 28 yards by 26 yards. The small target area of 4,231 square feet demands accuracy over power, especially with bunkers flanking the green at 455.4 and 470.5 yards.

green

Target the center of this relatively square green (28y x 26y dimensions) rather than attacking pins. The compact size leaves little margin for error, and missing the green will likely result in difficult recovery shots from the surrounding bunkers.

approach

Be aware of the greenside bunkers at 455.4 and 470.5 yards when planning your layup strategy. These hazards are positioned to catch aggressive second shots and wayward approaches to the green on this 520-yard hole.

train this shot at home

This 520-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 520 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

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: 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. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a solid birdie opportunity with smart layup strategy. Most golfers can reach in three. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge.

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 #7. 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 →