Shinnecock Hills returns as a brutal US Open test in 2026, with a fast, firm, wind‑lashed layout that demands absolute control from tee to green. Here’s a full hole‑by‑hole look at how the course will play.
Set up at about 7,440 yards, William Flynn’s classic design will play as a wide‑looking but ruthlessly exacting course on Long Island in New York.
With fescue‑framed fairways, elevated push‑up greens, run‑offs and ever‑present wind, scoring is extremely tough at Shinnecock – just as it was in 2016 when Brooks Koepka was crowned champion.
2026 US Open Hole-by-Hole at Shinnecock Hills Golf Course
Here is a full hole‑by‑hole guide to Shinnecock Hills for the 2026 US Open and the test that awaits the leading US Open contenders.
Hole 1 – Par 4, 394 yards
A relatively gentle start by US Open standards, the first plays from an elevated tee by the clubhouse down to a fairway that tightens significantly around the 300‑yard mark.
Many players will favour fairway metal or less than driver to find the short grass, especially if the prevailing breeze is helping.
The approach is to a green that sits slightly above the fairway with short grass run‑offs, so anything marginally offline can roll away into tightly mown surrounds.
It’s an early chance to settle the nerves, but careless aggression can still lead to a quick bogey.
Hole 2 – Par 3, 252 yards
The second is the longest par 3 on the course and a brute early in the round. The hole can be stretched anywhere from roughly 200 to 260 yards, with a big, receptive green that is open at the front but guarded by a small false front and bunkers to the right.
Into the prevailing wind, players will often be hitting hybrids or fairway woods, trying simply to find the middle of the putting surface.
Par here will feel like a gain on the field, and anything short can roll back into collection areas or sand.
Hole 3 – Par 4, 501 yards
At over 500 yards, the third is a long, demanding par 4 that introduces the full severity of Shinnecock.
The fairway is relatively generous, but the right side slopes toward a fairway bunker positioned between roughly 275 and 300 yards, which can catch drives that leak in that direction.
Players must pick a line that carries the corner of the dogleg without bringing the bunker or fescue too much into play.
The approach is a long iron or fairway metal into a firm, elevated green, and merely finding the putting surface in two blows is a genuine achievement.
Hole 4 – Par 4, 476 yards
The fourth starts the first of Shinnecock’s wind‑testing “triangles” of holes going in different directions. It typically plays into the wind, with two bunkers guarding the right side of the fairway between about 270 and 335 yards.
From the fairway the second shot climbs into an elevated green with pronounced run‑offs, a hallmark of Flynn’s design that punishes any approach that is even slightly mis‑struck.
Short game imagination is crucial here, as balls that miss the green can roll well away, leaving awkward, uphill recoveries.
Hole 5 – Par 5, 592 yards
The first par 5 is a long, sweeping three‑shot hole for most of the field, especially into any kind of headwind.
Fairway bunkers and natural undulations divide the landing areas for both tee shot and lay‑up, forcing players to choose preferred sides rather than simply blast away.
The green is slightly raised and tightly bunkered, making wedge distance control vital if players hope to turn this into a birdie chance.
With modern distance, a few of the very longest hitters might eye it in two downwind, but for most, it will be about positioning and patience.
Hole 6 – Par 4, 495 yards
Six is a long par 4 that plays over rolling terrain with subtle cambers that can kick drives into less‑than‑ideal spots.
The fairway is generous but not flat, and any miss into the native rough or fescue usually forces a more conservative recovery.
The second shot is a mid‑ to long‑iron into another elevated green with shaved surrounds, meaning that even shots that land on the edges can roll away into collection areas. Managing trajectory and spin will be vital to keep the ball on the right plateau.
Hole 7 – Par 3, 187 yards
The seventh is Shinnecock’s famous Redan‑style par 3 and one of the most iconic holes on the course.
Playing around 185-190 yards, it features a small, angled green that tilts from right to left, encouraging players to land the ball on the high, right side and feed it down toward the hole.
Deep bunkers to the left and short right are ready to catch anything mis‑judged, and the compact putting surface makes it one of the toughest Redans in golf.
Wind direction is crucial; a mis‑club here can quickly lead to big numbers in a US Open setup.
Hole 8 – Par 4, 440 yards
Eight, known as “Lowlands”, is a relatively shorter par 4 that many see as one of the few realistic birdie chances on the front nine.
The tee shot plays into a generous fairway, though players must still avoid strategic bunkers and encroaching fescue.
A solid drive leaves a short iron or wedge into a green that is less severe than some others, but still quick and closely mown around the edges.
With firm conditions, approach shots must land precisely to avoid skipping through the back or spinning off the front.
Hole 9 – Par 4, 482 yards
The ninth, “Ben Nevis”, is a classic uphill two‑shot hole that plays back toward the imposing clubhouse. The hole bends slightly left, but the fairway slopes from right to left, making it difficult to hold the ideal line off the tee.
From a sloping lie, players face a demanding uphill approach to a well‑bunkered green that sits high above the fairway and sheds balls off its shoulders.
It’s a demanding finish to the outward nine and traditionally one of the hardest holes on the course under US Open conditions.
Hole 10 – Par 4, 415 yards
The 10th begins the inward nine with a mid‑length par 4 that can play quite differently depending on wind.
The fairway is framed by rough and bunkers, and the ideal tee shot finds the flatter portion of the landing area to avoid awkward stances.
The approach is into a green with typical Shinnecock tilt and run‑offs, so missing in the wrong spot guarantees a delicate pitch or chip.
It’s not the longest hole, but like many here, its defence lies in firmness, angles and the green complex.
Hole 11 – Par 3, 157 yards
Short on the card but full of menace, the 11th is an uphill one‑shotter that many consider one of the finest short par 3s in the world.
The tee shot plays all the way uphill to a narrow, deep green guarded by treacherous bunkers front right and front left.
The putting surface slopes from back left to front right, funnelling errant shots toward the front bunkers and making recovery from left or long‑left extremely difficult.
Club selection is critical. Being a little short in the sand is often better than bailing out long and facing an almost impossible up‑and‑down.
Hole 12 – Par 4, 469 yards
The 12th is a strong par 4 that typically plays into or across the prevailing wind, with a fairway that twists around sandy contours and native areas.
Players must shape their tee shot into a corridor that looks wide but punishes misses into the rough or fescue.
The green is elevated and contoured, requiring a well‑struck mid to long‑iron to hold its surface, and anything offline can roll into closely mown run‑offs. Par here will feel hard‑earned, particularly in windy conditions.
Hole 13 – Par 4, 371 yards
Thirteen offers a rare dose of risk‑reward on the back nine as a short par 4 with options from the tee. Long hitters may consider taking on more of the trouble to get close to the green, while most will lay back with a fairway metal or iron to a preferred yardage.
The green is small and well‑defended, with bunkers and short‑grass run‑offs waiting for any wedge that is less than precise.
It’s a scoring opportunity on paper, but US Open pressure and firm conditions can quickly turn it into a card‑wrecker.
Hole 14 – Par 4, 520 yards
Fourteen plays in the opposite direction to 13 and is one of the brutes of the inward half. From the tee, players face a blind or semi‑blind shot over Shinnecock’s rolling hills, needing around a 245‑yard carry to reach the right side of the fairway.
The landing area is hard to visualise, adding psychological pressure to an already long two‑shotter.
The second is a long iron or fairway metal into a green protected by bunkers and tightly mown surrounds, making par here an outstanding score.
Hole 15 – Par 4, 409 yards
The 15th is a mid‑length par 4 that offers a slight breather in yardage but still demands precision. The tee shot plays over rolling ground to a fairway that can kick balls in different directions depending on the bounce.
From there, players must hit a controlled iron into another elevated green complex where short‑siding yourself is a recipe for bogey or worse.
With the long 16th and tough 17th to come, many will be targeting this hole as one they cannot afford to waste.
Hole 16 – Par 5, 614 yards
The 16th, “Shinnecock”, is the course’s namesake hole and a spectacular, bruising par 5 with a triple‑dogleg character.
At over 610 yards, it winds through rolling terrain with some 20 bunkers in total, including five clustered on one dogleg corner and ten more around the green complex.
Reaching in two is extremely difficult and even the longest players will think carefully before attempting it given the sheer amount of sand and trouble.
Most will play it as a true three‑shot hole, where smart lay‑up placement and precise wedge play are essential to create a realistic birdie look.
Hole 17 – Par 3, 176 yards
Seventeen is a mid‑length par 3 that can play with or against the wind, dramatically changing its character day to day.
The tee shot is played over a natural dip to a narrow green guarded by bunkers and closely mown banks that repel anything less than precise.
With the championship on the line, this hole has the potential to decide everything, as slight mis‑hits can find sand, fescue or wicked lies in collection areas.
A well‑struck shot to the middle of the green will be the conservative play for many on Sunday.
Hole 18 – Par 4, 490 yards
The finishing hole is a big, uphill par 4 that plays back toward the iconic clubhouse and grandstands.
The fairway looks wide but is pinched by bunkers and bordered by native rough, demanding a committed drive on a line that suits the prevailing wind.
The second shot climbs to a large, elevated green where slopes and tiers can create devilish final‑round pin positions.
Under US Open pressure, 18 at Shinnecock can yield heroic birdies or heartbreaking bogeys, making it a fitting stage for the 2026 champion to be crowned.
James is an avid golfer and reviews golf equipment and new gear for GolfReviewsGuide.com as well as providing the latest golf news. You will find him on a golf course wherever possible.