Hole 1 at Merion Golf Club (East Course)

Par 4 • 362 Yards • Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Enhanced Content

Moderate

Merion Golf Club (East Course) hole 1 opens this legendary championship venue with deceptive simplicity that belies the precision required throughout this historic Pennsylvania layout. At 362 yards, this straightforward par 4 presents a welcoming yet demanding introduction to one of America's most revered golf courses. The tee shot plays to a generous fairway that encourages confident swinging, though the approach demands accuracy to a small, subtly contoured green that punishes wayward iron shots. With minimal hazards protecting the hole, success depends purely on execution and course management. This opening statement perfectly establishes Merion's philosophy: strategic thinking and precise shotmaking matter more than raw power, setting the tone for the championship test ahead.

Tees:

362y333y318y

Green:37y × 28y

Fairway @250y:41y wide

1 Bunkerright dogleg

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Merion Golf Club (East Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 362 yds
Green: 5274 sq ft
Bunkers: 1
Course Slope: 144
Course Rating: 72.9

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Hole 2

Par 5 • 536y

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Keep your tee shot conservative and aim for the 200-yard mark where the fairway is at its widest at 36 yards - this gives you maximum room for error and sets up the best approach angle.

hazard warning

Be aware of bunkers positioned at 203.5 yards from the tee - a well-struck driver could easily find these hazards, making a 3-wood or hybrid the smarter play off the tee.

approach

From a 200-yard tee shot position, you'll have approximately 162 yards remaining to a generous green measuring 37 yards deep and 28 yards wide - perfect for a mid-iron approach.

green

The large 5,274 square foot green provides plenty of target area, so focus on hitting the center of the green rather than attacking tight pin positions on this shorter par 4.

tee shot

Avoid the temptation to bomb driver on this 362-yard par 4 - the fairway narrows significantly to just 24 yards at the 250-yard mark, making accuracy more important than distance.

train this shot at home

This 362-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 362-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 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 wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Merion Golf Club (East Course). You can play this exact 362-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 →