# Jack Nicklaus' Machrihanish Opening Hole

> Jack Nicklaus called Machrihanish's 1st hole the best opening hole in golf.
- Title: Jack Nicklaus' Machrihanish Opening Hole · Nationalclubgolfer
- Summary: Jack Nicklaus called Machrihanish's 1st hole the best opening hole in golf. jack nicklaus, machrihanish, 1st hole · reported by Nationalclubgolfer.
- Keywords: jack nicklaus, machrihanish, 1st hole, golf course, old tom morris, scotland, sports, Jack, Nicklaus', Opening, Hole, Nationalclubgolfer
- Source: Nationalclubgolfer — https://nationalclubgolfer.com/travel/jack-nickaus-machrihanish-opening-hole
- Author: Tom Irwin
- Published: 2026-10-01T15:49:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jack nicklaus, machrihanish, 1st hole, golf course, old tom morris, scotland, sports
## Nicklaus' praise
Jack Nicklaus called Machrihanish's 1st hole the best opening hole in golf.

> Jack Nicklaus once called Machrihanish 's 1st the best opening hole in golf
## Why it stands out
The hole offers a stunning ocean view and strategic challenges that few courses replicate.

> It's spectacular, but it's also what I consider proper golf
## The ocean challenge
Golfers face a forced carry over the beach with a choice between aggressive play or a longer second shot.

> You stand on the tee box knowing the obvious temptation is to take on as much of the ocean as possible
## Strategic dilemma
The hole creates a heart-racing decision: take the aggressive line or play within yourself for a longer second shot.

> Do you take on the aggressive line? Or do you play within yourself and accept a longer, more difficult, second shot?
## Course reputation
Machrihanish's 1st hole is a golfing pilgrimage site but the course's true strength lies in the 3rd to 8th holes.

> The more I think about my time there, the more I keep going back to the stretch from the 3rd to the 8th
## Historical design
Old Tom Morris designed the course, extending it from a community layout to an 18-hole layout in Scotland.

> This is an Old Tom Morris design. He extended it to a full 18-hole layout after it was originally put together by the local community
## Key takeaway

Jack Nicklaus called Machrihanish's 1st hole the best opening hole in golf.