
Shinnecock Hills Course
Shinnecock Hills Golf Course

About this course
Shinnecock Hills isn’t merely a golf course; it’s a living museum of American golf, its rumpled fairways whispering tales of hickory shafts and guttie balls. Carved into the windswept, sandy loam of Long Island's South Fork, the links-style terrain evokes a sense of timeless challenge. Heather, fescue, and wispy grasses frame each hole, punishing errant shots with a ferocity that demands both strategy and strength. Willie Davis laid out the original course, but subsequent revisions by William Flynn and, more recently, Coore & Crenshaw, have burnished Shinnecock’s reputation for strategic brilliance. This is not a layout that favors any particular style; rather, it tests every facet of a golfer’s game, demanding creativity and resilience in equal measure. The undulating greens, notoriously difficult to read, can turn a solid round into a humbling experience in a heartbeat. Five U.S. Opens have graced Shinnecock's hallowed grounds, each adding another layer to its storied legacy. The club's deep-rooted connections to the New York elite are legendary. Shinnecock’s understated elegance and commitment to tradition ensures its place amongst the giants of the game.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in NY
Quick facts
- Location
- Southampton, NY, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1891
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Willie Dunn Jr.
- Par
- 70
- Length
- 6,932 yards
- Difficulty
- 76.3/140
- Course Vaults score
- 9.6
Getting there
Most visitors arrive via Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip, roughly forty miles west, though many members and guests fly into the private terminals at East Hampton or Francis S. Gabreski in Westhampton Beach, both a short drive from the club. The journey east along Sunrise Highway gradually sheds the density of suburban Long Island, giving way to the open farmland and hedgerows of the South Fork before turning toward the Atlantic. Shinnecock Hills reveals itself quietly - set back from Sebonac Road on a windswept plateau above Peconic Bay, its understated entrance belying one of the most hallowed grounds in American golf.

FAQ
Common questions about Shinnecock Hills
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Shinnecock Hills has a Course Vaults score of 9.6 out of 10 based on 151 logged golfers.
Shinnecock Hills was designed by Willie Dunn Jr..
Shinnecock Hills is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Shinnecock Hills is 70.
Shinnecock Hills plays 6,932 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Shinnecock Hills is 140.





