Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

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Shinnecock Hills G.C.
Shinnecock Hills GC 01.jpg
Clubhouse at the 2018 U.S. Open
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Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Club information
Coordinates 40°53′38″N72°26′24″W / 40.894°N 72.440°W / 40.894; -72.440
Location Southampton, New York, U.S.
Elevation20–90 feet (6–27 m)
Established1891;134 years ago (1891)
TypePrivate Club
Total holes18
Events hosted U.S. Open (5), Walker Cup, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women's Amateur
Website shinnecockhillsgolfclub.org
Designed by William Flynn (golfer) (1931)
C. B. MacDonald (1901)
Willie Dunn (1894)
Willie Davis (1891)
Par 70
Length6,940 yards (6,346 m) (red) [1]
7,440 yards (6,800 m)
(2018 U.S. Open)
Course rating 74.7
Slope rating 145 [1] [2]
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Nearest city Southampton, New York
Area259 acres (105 ha)
Built1892
ArchitectMcKim, Mead & White; et al.
Architectural style Shingle style architecture
NRHP reference No. 00001211 [3]
Added to NRHPSeptember 29, 2000

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a links-style golf club located in an unincorporated area of the Town of Southampton on Long Island, New York, situated between the Peconic Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. [4] Founded in 1891, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in the United States and was among the five charter clubs that formed the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1894. Shinnecock Hills also built what is often cited as the first golf clubhouse in the U.S., designed by McKim, Mead & White and opened in 1892. From its inception, the club notably admitted women members—one of the first American golf clubs to do so.

Contents

Renowned for its William Flynn–designed course (1931) and subsequent restorations, Shinnecock Hills has hosted numerous major championships, including five U.S. Opens (most recently the 2018 event won by Brooks Koepka), and is scheduled to host a sixth in 2026 and seventh in 2036. In 2000, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. [5] [6] It is routinely ranked as one of the greatest golf courses in the world. [7]

History

Founding and early years (1891–1900)

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club was established in 1891 by a group of wealthy New Yorkers led by William K. Vanderbilt, Edward Meade, and Duncan Cryder, who purchased an 80 acres (32 ha) parcel for $2,500. [8] The club is widely believed to be the oldest incorporated golf club in the United States; it also claims to have the oldest golf clubhouse in the U.S. (1892). From day one, Shinnecock admitted women members—a rare stance in the 19th century—and even built a separate nine-hole ladies’ course. [9]

Willie Davis, a professional from the Royal Montreal Club, designed the original 12-hole layout in 1891, aided by over 100 members of the local Shinnecock Indian Nation who helped clear the sandy terrain. In 1892, a Stanford White–designed clubhouse was constructed, often cited as the first purpose-built golf clubhouse in America. [10]

By 1894, Scottish professional Willie Dunn Jr. expanded the course to 18 holes. In the same year, Shinnecock became one of the five founding member clubs of the USGA. The club hosted the second U.S. Open on a then–5,000 yards (4,572 m) course. That championship was notable for including John Shippen (the first African-American golf professional) and Oscar Bunn (a Shinnecock Indian), breaking racial barriers despite an attempted boycott by some British professionals. [11] Shinnecock also hosted the 1900 U.S. Women’s Amateur, reflecting its early commitment to women’s golf.

Early redesigns (1901–1916)

In 1901, Charles B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor redesigned and lengthened the course, integrating some of Dunn’s original holes while introducing strategic principles that were popular in the early 20th century. Their version brought features such as “template holes” (e.g., Redan, Eden, Short) inspired by British links. However, portions of this Macdonald–Raynor layout would eventually be supplanted when the club expanded its property and enlisted William Flynn in the late 1920s.

William Flynn's major redesign (1931)

By 1930, Shinnecock faced a highway extension (later Route 27) that would have bisected its course. The club acquired new land to the north and commissioned William S. Flynn to design a completely new 18-hole routing, which opened in 1931. [12] Flynn is considered the principal architect of the modern Shinnecock Hills course. He preserved a few ideas from the prior Macdonald layout but largely created a new routing that took full advantage of the rolling, sandy terrain.

Flynn’s design emphasized strategic options, wind exposure (with holes oriented in multiple directions), and natural landforms. The course measured over 6,900 yards at a time when that was unusually long. Except for minor lengthening and periodic updates, the 1931 Flynn routing is effectively the same layout played today.

Modern era and restoration

Shinnecock underwent typical mid-century changes—some tree plantings, narrower fairways, and new turf grasses. Controversy arose at the 2004 U.S. Open when extremely dry conditions and firm greens (notably the par-3 7th) caused portions of the course to become “unplayable.” [13]

In the 2010s, Shinnecock commenced an extensive restoration, led by architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, aiming to return the course closer to Flynn’s original vision. This project involved removing many trees, widening fairways, restoring fescue roughs, and expanding certain greens to recapture lost pin positions. [14] By the 2018 U.S. Open, the course played firm and fast, though the USGA did slightly narrow some fairway edges before the event. Brooks Koepka repeated as U.S. Open champion that year, highlighting Shinnecock’s enduring challenge for modern pros.

Today, Shinnecock Hills is celebrated for its seamless blend of historic character and strategic design. It has hosted five U.S. Opens (1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018) and is scheduled to host again in 2026 and 2036.

Shinnecock Indian Nation and the club

Shinnecock Hills derives its name from the Shinnecock Indian Nation, who lived on these lands long before European settlement. Tribe members built the early holes in 1891, and local teenagers Oscar Bunn and John Shippen both became part of golf history at the 1896 U.S. Open. In subsequent generations, however, disputes arose over land rights. The tribe has challenged the 1859 sale of its territory, alleging it was taken illegally. While federal courts dismissed the lawsuit, tensions have persisted regarding ancestral burial grounds and use of tribal lands. [8]

Despite these complexities, recent efforts by the club and the USGA have aimed to recognize the tribe’s role. The USGA established the “Oscar Bunn Golf Facility” to introduce golf to Shinnecock youth, and there is ongoing dialogue over the cultural significance of the region. [15]

Architecture and notable holes

Shinnecock Hills is often described as a true “links-style” course, built on sandy, rolling terrain with few trees. The design includes several celebrated holes:

The overall routing by Flynn showcases multiple wind directions, offset angles from tee to green, and natural bunkering. Wide fairways encourage strategic angles, while firm, undulating greens demand precise approaches.

Notable events hosted

The Stanford White-designed clubhouse, as viewed from the 16th hole. Shinnecock Hills GC 04.jpg
The Stanford White–designed clubhouse, as viewed from the 16th hole.
YearEventWinnerTotalTo parMargin
of victory
Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)
2018 U.S. Open (5) Flag of the United States.svg Brooks Koepka 281+11 stroke Flag of England.svg Tommy Fleetwood 2,160,000
2004 U.S. Open (4) Flag of South Africa.svg Retief Goosen 276−42 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Phil Mickelson 1,125,000
1995 U.S. Open (3) Flag of the United States.svg Corey Pavin 280E2 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman 350,000
1986 U.S. Open (2) Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd 279−12 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck
Flag of the United States.svg Lanny Wadkins
115,000
1977 Walker Cup Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 24 matches16 to 8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
1967 U.S. Senior Amateur Flag of the United States.svg Ray Palmermatch play3 & 2 Flag of the United States.svg Walter D. Bronson
1900 U.S. Women's Amateur Flag of the United States.svg Frances Griscom match play6 & 5 Flag of the United States.svg Margaret Curtis
1896 U.S. Open Flag of Scotland.svg James Foulis 1523 strokes Flag of England.svg Horace Rawlins 150
 1896  U.S. Amateur Flag of Scotland.svg H. J. Whigham match play8 & 7 Flag of the United States.svg Joseph G. Thorp

Future majors

Scorecard

HoleNameYardsParHoleNameYardsPar
1Westward Ho399410Eastward Ho4154
2Plateau252311Hill Head1593
3 Peconic 500412 Tuckahoe 4694
4Pump House475413Road Side3744
5 Montauk 589514Thom's Elbow5194
6Pond491415Sebonac4094
7 Redan 189316Shinnecock6165
8Lowlands439417Eden1753
9Ben Nevis485418Home4854
Out3,81935In3,62135
Total7,44070
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Tee Rating/Slope 123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
2018 U.S. Open76.9 / 1463992525004755894911894394853,8194151594693745194096161754853,6217,440
Red74.7 / 1453992204694095374531893944353,5054151594693744634095401804263,4356,940
Green72.5 / 1403881974403785004181783544103,2634061504273604454005121674003,2676,530
BlueM:70.8 / 135
W:76.9 / 145
3871874103674883751663203793,0794001443993504363554641423723,0626,141
WhiteM:67.4 / 128
W:72.8 / 135
3731593903034153621362853072,73034012139632536128840614028926665,396
Par434454344354344445343570

Sources: [1] [2] [18]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Course ratings". Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Course Rating and Slope Database™ - Shinnecock Hills Golf Club". USGA. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. 9 July 2010.
  4. Grimsley, Will (12 June 1986). "U.S. Open course was once closed to the pros". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. C1.
  5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. 13 March 2009.
  6. Alison Cornish (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation . Retrieved 20 February 2010.See also: "Accompanying seven photos".and: "Additional documentation".
  7. "Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Southampton, N.Y. / 7,450 yards, Par 70 / Points: 69.2301" Golf Digest. January 4, 2017.
  8. 1 2 "History and Controversy at Shinnecock Hills". calgolfnews.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  9. "Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Then and Now: A Century of U.S. Open Play". DansPapers.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  10. World Atlas of Golf: The Greatest Courses and How They Are Played by N. Hamlyn, Herbert Warren Wind, Charles Price, Peter Thomson, Mark Rowlinson – Octopus Publishing Group – 2006 ISBN   978-0-600-61375-6
  11. "About John Shippen". thejohnshippen.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  12. "Shinnecock Hills Golf Club - Our History". shinnecockhillsgolfclub.org. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  13. "Shinnecock Hills Golf Club: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". heavy.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  14. "Wider but narrower Shinnecock greets US Open contenders". golfcoursearchitecture.net. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  15. "Oscar Bunn Facility Brings Pride to Shinnecock Nation". USGA.org. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  16. "United States Open: Future Sites" . Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  17. "Shinnecock Hills to Host U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open in 2036". USGA. March 2, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  18. "Course Ratings".