The 10 Most Scenic Opening Holes in American Golf

Cypress Point

There are opening holes that ease you into a round, and then there are opening holes that make you stop and take a picture before you even put the tee in the ground.

The best opening holes in golf do more than begin a scorecard. They introduce a course's personality, establish a sense of place and, sometimes, provide a view you'll remember long after the round is over.

From the Pacific coastline to the sandhills of Nebraska and the rugged terrain of the Northeast, these 10 opening holes offer some of the most spectacular first-tee views in American golf.

1. Cypress Point Club – Pebble Beach, California

Few places in golf can match the beauty of the Monterey Peninsula, and Cypress Point wastes little time showing it off.

The first hole is a relatively gentle par 4, but the setting is anything but ordinary. Cypress trees, rolling terrain and the Pacific Ocean establish the visual character of the course immediately. It's an understated beginning to one of America's most spectacular golf experiences.

The real drama comes later at Cypress Point, but the first tee provides an elegant introduction to what's ahead.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California

It seems almost unfair that a course with one of golf's most famous closing stretches also has such a spectacular beginning.

The first hole at Pebble Beach is a relatively straightforward par 4, but the surrounding Monterey Peninsula scenery immediately lets you know you're somewhere special. The Pacific Ocean is already part of the landscape, while the opening fairway begins the journey toward some of the most famous holes in golf.

For many golfers, simply standing on the first tee at Pebble Beach is an experience.

3. Sand Hills Golf Club – Mullen, Nebraska

Sand Hills

The first hole at Sand Hills is a wonderful example of how spectacular golf scenery doesn't require an ocean or mountain range.

Here, it's all about the Nebraska Sandhills.

The opening hole is a par 5 that winds through enormous grass-covered dunes. From the first tee, the golfer gets an immediate sense of the scale and isolation that make Sand Hills one of America's great golf courses.

There's something almost cinematic about looking across the rolling dunes and realizing there isn't a building, road or development in sight.

4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Bandon, Oregon

The opening hole of Bandon Dunes provides an immediate introduction to the rugged beauty of the Oregon coast.

The wide fairway invites the golfer to get the round started, but it's difficult not to look beyond the golf and take in the dunes, native vegetation and Pacific coastline.

Bandon Dunes is one of those places where the landscape feels bigger than the golf course. The first tee makes that clear from the beginning.

5. Old Macdonald – Bandon, Oregon

If the first hole at Bandon Dunes introduces golfers to the Oregon coast, the opening hole at Old Macdonald introduces them to a very different kind of beauty.

The course occupies dramatic coastal terrain, with massive dunes and wide-open views creating an almost links-like environment.

The first hole doesn't overwhelm you with manufactured spectacle. Instead, it gives you room to appreciate the land. That's part of the genius of the Bandon experience.

6. Whistling Straits – Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits looks like it was dropped onto the Lake Michigan shoreline from somewhere across the Atlantic.

The opening hole immediately establishes that character. Rugged fescue, dramatic bunkering, expansive views and the presence of Lake Michigan create a memorable first impression.

The course's visual presentation can make the first tee feel more like the beginning of a championship than an ordinary round of golf.

And that's fitting. Whistling Straits has hosted major championships, including the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup.

7. The Honors Course – Ooltewah, Tennessee

The Honors Course offers a different kind of scenic opening.

Rather than ocean views or endless dunes, the course is tucked into the rolling hills of southeastern Tennessee. The first hole introduces golfers to a heavily wooded, natural setting with elevation changes that immediately establish the character of the course.

It's a reminder that some of America's most beautiful golf scenery is found away from the country's traditional golf destinations.

8. Streamsong Red – Bowling Green, Florida

Streamsong Red

Florida golf doesn't have to mean palm trees and flat terrain.

Streamsong Red is proof.

Built across a dramatic former phosphate-mining landscape, the course features enormous sandy expanses, rolling terrain and elevation changes that seem almost impossible for central Florida.

The opening hole provides an immediate glimpse of that unusual landscape. Instead of the stereotypical Florida golf experience, golfers encounter something closer to an inland links.

9. Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Kiawah Island, South Carolina

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is famous for its spectacular coastal setting, and the first hole provides an appropriate introduction.

The course sits directly along the Atlantic, with dunes, sea breezes and native coastal vegetation shaping the experience.

The scenery can be especially dramatic when the wind is blowing. That's when you realize you're not simply playing a course near the ocean. You're playing a course that feels completely connected to it.

10. TPC Sawgrass – Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

The first hole at TPC Sawgrass isn't necessarily the most dramatic opening hole on this list, but it earns its place because of the experience it creates.

Golfers begin their rounds at one of America's most recognizable courses, surrounded by the distinctive landscape and water hazards of the Stadium Course.

And there's something psychologically appealing about standing on the first tee knowing that, eventually, you'll have to face the 17th hole.

The first tee isn't just the beginning of a round at TPC Sawgrass. It's the beginning of the journey toward one of golf's most famous holes.

The First Tee Is Part of the Experience

A great opening hole doesn't necessarily need to be difficult. It doesn't even need to be architecturally spectacular.

Sometimes, it simply needs to make you want to hit the first shot.

That's what these 10 holes have in common. Whether you're looking at the Pacific Ocean, rolling sandhills, Lake Michigan, coastal dunes or the hills of Tennessee, each provides something golfers can't get from a scorecard.

The best opening holes tell you something about the course before you've even hit your first shot.

And these might be the most beautiful introductions in American golf.

Heritage Golf Group Acquires Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tennessee

(Franklin, TN) – Heritage Golf Group, one of the fastest-growing owners and operators of golf and country clubs in the United States, has announced the acquisition of Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tennessee. The acquisition expands Heritage’s presence in Tennessee and establishes the company in the greater Nashville market.

Located in Williamson County between Franklin and Brentwood, Old Natchez Country Club has served the Middle Tennessee community for more than a century and is recognized as the area’s oldest country club in continual existence. The private club combines golf, racquet sports, aquatics, fitness, dining, and an active social calendar for its Members and families.

“We are excited to welcome Old Natchez Country Club to our family of clubs,” said Mark Burnett, CEO of Heritage Golf Group. “The greater Nashville area is a natural fit for Heritage and an important addition to our growing presence in Tennessee. Entering the market with a Club that brings together Old Natchez’s history, location, and welcoming membership is an honor. We look forward to investing in the Club and building on its long-standing role in the Franklin community.”

The Club’s 18-hole golf course plays through the rolling terrain of Middle Tennessee and is complemented by practice facilities and a full-service golf shop. Old Natchez also features six clay tennis courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool with a slide and covered pavilion, fitness facilities, and a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse.

The clubhouse serves as a central gathering place for Members, with casual and formal dining, banquet and event space, an event lawn, and a spacious veranda overlooking the Club grounds. A year-round calendar of social and family activities provides Members with opportunities to use the Club throughout the seasons.

Early capital improvement plans will be developed with input from Members and the Old Natchez team. Heritage will evaluate opportunities across the golf course, clubhouse, and lifestyle amenities, with investments focused on areas that have the greatest impact on the Member experience and the Club’s long-term position in the Franklin and greater Nashville market.

The acquisition continues Heritage Golf Group’s growth in Tennessee and across the Southeast. Old Natchez becomes Heritage’s 49th club nationwide and joins Colonial Country Club in Memphis and The Club at Gettysvue in Knoxville within the company’s Tennessee portfolio.

Heritage’s growing network also provides additional value to golf Members through the Heritage Plus Network, a reciprocal travel benefit providing access to participating Heritage clubs and an expanded network of private and daily-fee clubs across the country.

Fifteen of the Nation’s Best College Golf Programs to Play Beau Rivage's Fallen Oak in Mid-October

(BILOXI, Miss.) – With college back in session, golf programs are announcing their 2026-2027 schedules, and 15 of the nation’s top teams have made the field for
the prestigious Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational, set for Oct. 16-19, 2026, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Board of Directors of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic Foundation, Inc., are proud to present the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational for its fourth year. Mississippi’s three universities - Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Southern Miss  - will once again host the NCAA event. Participating teams include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, LSU, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin.

“We are honored to host some of the top teams in the country,” said SEC Coach of the Year and Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational Co-Host Chris Malloy. “This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see what's ahead.”

Nine of the teams in the field are ranked in the Golf Channel’s Top 30 preseason ranking – six in the Top 20. In addition, Seven players were named preseason All-America and three others were named to the preseason All Freshmen team.

MGRCF Board Chairman, Billy Thornton, said, “We are pleased to showcase our Gulf Coast to visitors, while also bringing in some of America’s future golf pros to an extraordinary, free event that also gives back to our community. It’s a win for all!”

The competition will take place on the Tom Fazio-designed Fallen Oak, which hosted the world’s best golfers and a PGA TOUR Champions event for more than a decade, and now the next generation of champions will compete on what is consistently ranked by Golf Digest and The Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational will offer a family-friendly College Game Day atmosphere with tailgating on the finishing hole. Spectators are encouraged to wear school colors and cheer on their favorite team. The event is free and open to the public. For more info, visit fallonoakinvitational.com.

Whistler Golf Club to Reopen in July 2027 After $10 Million Renovation

Whistler Golf Club is getting a major makeover.

The iconic Arnold Palmer-designed golf course in Whistler, British Columbia, has announced plans to reopen in July 2027 following a $10 million transformation designed to improve playability, safety, aesthetics and the overall guest experience.

Originally opened in 1983, Whistler Golf Club has welcomed golfers from around the world for more than four decades. The course sits in the heart of Whistler, one of Canada's premier mountain destinations, where golf and outdoor adventure have become major parts of the tourism experience.

The renovation is being led by golf course architect Thad Layton, formerly of Arnold Palmer Course Design.

Among the biggest changes will be redesigned tee complexes, giving golfers of different skill levels more enjoyable and engaging options from the tee. The course will also receive updated bunkers designed to improve both appearance and playability.

Two greens will receive particularly significant attention. The greens on holes 3 and 12 will be realigned to improve sightlines and player safety.

The renovation also includes resurfacing of the fairways and greens, along with updated cart paths designed to improve traffic flow and movement throughout the course.

“We want golfers to discover a course that feels distinctly Whistler while offering a more contemporary and welcoming experience,” said Alan Kristmanson, general manager of Whistler Golf Club.

But the changes won't stop at the golf course.

Palmers Restaurant will receive a complete renovation, while the clubhouse patio will also be upgraded. A new snack shack next to the first hole will provide golfers with convenient grab-and-go food and beverages.

Whistler Golf Club and Palmers Restaurant will remain closed during construction. However, golfers visiting the area will still be able to use the Whistler Driving Range and Whistler Golf Club Retail Shop, which will continue operating on their regular seasonal schedules.

The reopening is expected to be an important moment for golf tourism in Whistler.

“Whistler Golf Club remains a premium, playable course capable of attracting and inspiring golfers from around the world for decades to come,” said Barrett Fisher, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler.

And Whistler offers plenty of options for golfers planning a golf trip.

The destination features four championship courses: Whistler Golf Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North Golf Course and Big Sky Golf Club.

Add in Whistler's mountain scenery, accommodations, restaurants and extensive outdoor activities, and the destination has plenty to offer beyond the golf course.

For golfers who have played Whistler Golf Club before, the July 2027 reopening should provide a very different experience while maintaining the character of the Arnold Palmer original.

For golfers who haven't played it yet, the reopening could be a good reason to put Whistler on the golf-trip list.

Tee-time information and reopening updates will be available through Whistler Golf Club as the July 2027 opening approaches.

Sun Mountain Introduces TQR Waxed Canvas Stand Bag

New carry bag pairs traditional waxed canvas with modern stand bag design

(MISSOULA, Montana) — Sun Mountain Sports has introduced the TQR Waxed Canvas Stand Bag, a carry bag that combines a traditional waxed-canvas exterior with the organization and carrying features of a modern stand bag.

TQR stands for Trust, Quality and Reliability, a standard that has been part of Sun Mountain’s product philosophy since the company was founded in 1981. Waxed canvas was also used for Sun Mountain’s limited-edition Hometown USA Stand Bag, released earlier this year to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The bag is constructed from 12-ounce, 100% cotton canvas that develops a patina with use. Its waxed finish provides natural water resistance.

“We’ve had a great response to the waxed-canvas construction in Hometown USA, and TQR brings that concept into our core lineup,” said Grant Lordan, senior director of marketing and brand strategy for Sun Mountain Sports. “No two waxed-canvas bags develop the same way. Each takes on its own character over time while offering the functionality golfers expect from a Sun Mountain stand bag.”

The TQR has seven pockets, including an apparel pocket, a magnetic Snow Fur-lined rangefinder pocket, a Snow Fur-lined valuables pocket and an insulated cooler pouch. It also has four full-length club dividers and an internal compression bottom.

Sun Mountain’s Dual Strap System is designed to distribute the bag’s weight evenly across both shoulders. For those who prefer, single strap options are available for purchase. A removable ball pocket can also be customized.

Key features of the TQR Waxed Canvas Stand Bag include:
· 12-ounce waxed canvas construction made from 100% cotton for natural water resistance and a patina that develops with use
· Seven pockets, including a spacious apparel pocket, magnetic snow fur-lined rangefinder pocket, snow fur-lined valuables pocket and insulated cooler pouch
· Four full-length dividers for club separation, protection and easy access
· Dual Strap System engineered for balanced weight distribution and carrying comfort
· Internal compression bottom for added stability and durability
· Removable, customizable ball pocket for personalization

Specifications
· Top: 8”, 4-way
· Pockets: 7
· Strap: Dual Strap System
· Capacity: 21.3L
· Weight: 5.8 lbs.
· Materials: 12 oz waxed canvas, 100% cotton (as a natural fiber, the canvas develops a patina over time; variations in color are to be expected)

MSRP: [$450]

The Sun Mountain TQR Waxed Canvas Stand Bag is available at SunMountain.com and select retailers.

The Glen Club Celebrates 25 Years of Championship Golf, Community, and Unforgettable Experiences

Landmark Tom Fazio design celebrates a quarter-century as one of the Chicago area’s premier golf and hospitality destinations

(Northbrook, Ill.) — The Glen Club, one of the Chicago area’s premier golf and hospitality destinations, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, marking a quarter-century of championship golf, exceptional hospitality and meaningful connections shared by members, guests and the surrounding community.

Developed, owned, and operated by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports, The Glen Club opened in 2001 and has since established itself as one of the Midwest’s most distinctive golf experiences. Designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, the 18-hole championship course sits on the historic grounds of the former site of Glenview Naval Air Station, transforming the site into a nationally recognized premier destination while preserving a meaningful connection to the lands past.

“Building The Glen Club was one of my first projects at KemperSports when I started with the company more than 28 years ago. It will always hold a special place in my heart,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We set out to continue the tradition of great golf and clubs on Chicago’s North Shore. Looking back, I think the team has exceeded our expectations.”

Championship golf has always been at the center of The Glen Club legacy. The course has been an 11-time host of the Illinois Open and 8-time host of the Evans Scholars Invitational (formerly NV5 Invitational) on the Korn Ferry Tour. The Glen Club experience, however, extends beyond the fairways. Its clubhouse, dining and event spaces have welcomed weddings, celebrations, corporate meetings and community gatherings, making the Club a place where people come together for far more than golf.

At the heart of that experience are the people who have shaped The Glen Club throughout its first 25 years, including the team members, members, guests, partners and community supporters who have helped establish its culture.

“Twenty-five years is a remarkable milestone, and this celebration belongs to everyone who has been part of The Glen Club,” said General Manager Joe Titus. “From our team members and members to our guests and community partners, so many people have contributed to making this a truly special place.”

As The Glen Club looks ahead to its next 25 years, KemperSports remains proudly committed to building upon the foundation that has made the club a standout destination: delivering exceptional golf, genuine hospitality, and experiences that will bring people together for many years to come.

For more information about The Glen Club and its 25th anniversary celebration, visit www.theglenclub.com.

Caledonia, True Blue Invest in the Future While Preserving Mike Strantz’s Vision

(PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C.) — More than three decades after Mike Strantz burst onto the golf course architecture scene with the opening of Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and followed it with the equally stunning True Blue Golf Club, the two Pawleys Island layouts remain among America’s most acclaimed public courses.

Strantz’s architectural genius is at the heart of their continuing appeal, complemented by the commitment of the sister courses to preserve what he created while addressing the inevitable toll time takes on every course.

That dedication is most obvious in the ongoing relationship Caledonia and True Blue have with Maverick Golf Design, whose team worked alongside Strantz building and shaping all seven of the legendary architect’s courses.

“We have a comfort level with them that they will do things right and keep Caledonia like it was designed,” Caledonia superintendent Jackson Clemmons said. “They shaped a lot of, if not all, Mike’s courses, so we know they’re not going to do anything to change his design intent.”

Maverick’s Mike Jones has been involved with the two courses from the beginning, providing an intimate understanding of Strantz’s vision. In recent years, Maverick’s work has focused on the seemingly small details that have an outsized impact on the golfer experience.

At Caledonia, the 2026 work has included renovating and laser-leveling select tee boxes and improving drainage. Decades of divot repair and topdressing can gradually create crowns and uneven surfaces, particularly on par 3s, highlighting the importance of the tee box work.

Maverick has also helped Caledonia battle one of the challenges created by the property’s most recognizable feature: its magnificent trees.

Tree roots can extend into rough and playing areas, competing for water and nutrients while making it difficult to maintain healthy turf. Maverick has excavated troublesome roots in numerous locations, replaced soil and prepared areas for new sod.

Clemmons said Caledonia has also increasingly used TifGrand Bermuda – a shade-tolerant strand of grass – on teeing grounds and has worked with Maverick to enlarge its practice putting area.

The projects complement extensive tree pruning designed to improve sunlight, airflow and sightlines while preserving Caledonia’s signature live oaks.

True Blue has followed a similar approach.

Jones has enlarged and leveled teeing grounds, including work at the par-3 seventh hole, where additional teeing space helps the maintenance team spread traffic and divot wear. True Blue superintendent Kevin Thompkins has also embraced incremental improvements to enhance playability without materially changing the Strantz design.

One more subtle and non-architectural change undertaken by True Blue was switching the color designation of the forward tees from red to green, which has encouraged some players to move forward, improving pace of play.

For Thompkins, that willingness to continually improve is vital.

“It’s not necessarily changing the golf course, but enhancing things that can make the facility better,” he said. “It’s improving the golf course and the experience for players.”

For Jones, returning to Caledonia and True Blue carries added significance. He helped build the courses, and he takes great pride in helping ensure the success of two of America’s top 100 public courses.

“I’m very happy that Caledonia and True Blue want to keep doing little things like this to keep the golf courses like they were when we built them,” Jones said. “That’s very important.”

It’s an approach built around maintaining two unforgettable golf courses while remaining faithful to Strantz’s vision.

For more information on either course, visit CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com.