First hole length

[SonicGuy]

Is having a super long first hole a bad thing?

I always hate starting on a long hole on a shotgun start because I am not warmed up for the big throw yet. On the other hand if the first hole is very long it will stagger out the groups playing the course from the very start.

What say you?

 

[bradharris]

I said yes it is okay, because it really doesn't bother me one way or the other. If you need to warm up for the big throw, find a field to warm up in.

 

[jcassidy1990]

"Two off one" is the key with a long first hole.
I'm ok with it. Sometimes I prefer it as long holes usually require less placement than the shorter, more technical ones.

 

[SonicGuy]

"Two off one" is the key with a long first hole.
I'm ok with it. Sometimes I prefer it as long holes usually require less placement than the shorter, more technical ones.

What does that mean?

 

[brutalbrutus]

Two drives on the first tee, some people play casual rounds with that rule.

 

[markmcc]

Sort of an automatic Mulligan on the first drive. I've seen it in a couple of places.

 

[brutalbrutus]

Mt Airy ho.1 469-489-540ft

One of my favorite and least favorite starting holes. If the arm is working good to start and I throw a good drive its fun. But if you throw a bad drive, you can get a 6 here real quick and ruin a round. That pic doesn't really do the uphill drive justice.

If you don't get a nice rip and land on top of the hill, you are left with this 2nd shot:

 

[ODRB]

I like a long first. At least something that makes you take a full pull on your driver of choice. You have to step up and calm those jitters. Good way to set the tone for the round if you make a nice clean pull.

 

[DiscinFiend]

I always hate starting on a long hole on a shotgun start because I am not warmed up for the big throw yet.

I warm up before every round. Therefore I don't care how long the hole I start on is.

 

[jeffmonty]

Sort of an automatic Mulligan on the first drive. I've seen it in a couple of places.

We call it a "breakfast shot", but if you take the breakfast shot, you have to play that shot.

As for a long first hole, it doesn't bother me one way or the other. It is a plus when it spreads groups out a little right away.

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

One thing I think about when dreaming about my own personal disc golf course with a bar on hole 1 tee, is the crowd appeal of the first drive. People sitting around after/before their own casual/tourney round watching hole 1 (and even hole 10?). I think of BRP, people unload their bag on hole 1 while the crowd oohs and ahs at the ace runs. Smashing bomber drives on an open hole may have a similar effect, but I like the appeal of smashing chains better.

 

[PWaggoner]

Im cool with it. If the course is better with a long first hole, sure.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

I'm fine with a long 1st hole, but...

IMO, it shouldn't be the longest hole on the course, that should be lurking deeper into the course.
I think it's more important to make it an interesting hole rather than adding distance for the sake of just being long.

To elaborate, if you can make it an interesting hole with existing elements already in place, do so ... but don't lengthen an already interesting hole just to make it longer if doing so makes the hole stupid (I've seen it done).

If it's a sparsely wooded hole, there's a good chance adding distance will help make it a more interesting hole.
Can't get much more boring than 270' with only a tree or two to avoid.

 

[Mr. Butlertron]

My least favorite way to start a round is with a water hazard on the first hole.

 

[GripEnemy]

Short to get things going. Warm up before a tournament? Absolutely. Warm up before a casual round? Just putting practice for me.

I'd much rather 3 an 80' hole (exaggeration) and walk away than 6 a par 4 and start off in a bad mood for casual rounds. Tournaments I never start on hole #1 so tournaments don't really apply to my answer.

 

[namar]

My favorite start to a round is a nice and easy 75% pull on a fairway driver, so I voted for short.

 

[TYVEK]

I don't think its good to have a longish hole for hole #1. the reason is because not everybody will go and warm up before playing their rounds. most casual players that I know don't do any warm up. and if the first hole is a long one, people will want to get as much distance as possible on that long hole and without being warmed up and that can deffinately leady to injury. First hole should always be a short to mid length hole to help warm people up without them realizing it.

 

[DavidSauls]

I like a long first hole. Especially one that is at least somewhat open. A chance to air out a couple of throws and get in rhythm before tackling more demanding fairways. I'm not a fan of a tight technical fairway to start off when, no matter how much I've warmed up, I'm not completely in tune.

I also like a first hole to be one I can unload a half-dozen or more warmup shots on.

 

[SonicGuy]

All right, let me flesh this out. Let's say the course is set with everything but the first hole. First hole can either be 300' field shot or 400' field shot. Which would you prefer?

 

[BrotherDave]

All right, let me flesh this out. Let's say the course is set with everything but the first hole. First hole can either be 300' field shot or 400' field shot. Which would you prefer?

Probably have a NAGS for me anyway unless I'm feeling spry so I'll take the 400'er anyway. Polecat needs practice too.