Hole 1 at Gamble Sands Golf and Inn

Par 4 • 506 Yards • Brewster, Washington

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The opening hole at Gamble Sands sets the tone for David McLay Kidd's acclaimed links design, where Scottish architectural principles meet the dramatic landscape of Central Washington. This challenging starter demands precision from the first tee, introducing golfers to the strategic complexity that has made "Sands" a must-visit destination for serious players.

Tees:

506y397y397y364y315y296y

Green:42y × 52y

Fairway @250y:63y wide

dogleg

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Gamble Sands Golf and Inn

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 506 yds
Green: 10943 sq ft
Course Slope: 120
Course Rating: 73.4

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 340y

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Recommended Gear

This long par 4 demands distance off the tee — the right driver matters.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Exercise extreme caution off the tee as the fairway is only 7 yards wide at the 200-yard mark. Consider laying up with a mid-iron or hybrid to stay short of this severe bottleneck and maintain position for your approach shot.

tee shot

If you're a long hitter who can carry 250+ yards consistently, the fairway opens dramatically to 62 yards wide at the 250-yard mark, providing a much more generous landing area for aggressive drivers.

approach

At 506 yards, this par-4 demands precision on your second shot. After navigating the tight fairway, you'll likely face a mid to long iron into a massive green measuring 10,943 square feet - use the extra green space to your advantage by aiming for the center.

green

The enormous green spans 42 yards by 52 yards, so pin position will be crucial for your approach strategy. With this much putting surface, focus on getting your approach shot on the correct tier rather than attacking tight pins.

hazard warning

With no bunkers protecting this hole, the primary defense is the severely pinched fairway at 200 yards. The penalty for missing this narrow corridor will likely be thick rough or worse, making recovery extremely difficult on this long par-4.

train this shot at home

This 506-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

Long par 4s are scoring holes only if you keep the ball in play off the tee. Accuracy over distance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 506-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, large green requiring good lag putting.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is large and can play quite long. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Gamble Sands Golf and Inn. You can play this exact 506-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 →