Hole by Hole Guide to Shinnecock Hills

Shinnecock Hills - hole by hole guide

1st, 399 yards, par four
Expect to see one or two players very close to this green although th fairway narrows considerably from 275 yards, meaning players may decide to lay up short of the fairway bunkers.

2nd, 252 yards, par three
The longest par three on the course after being lengthened by 26 yards since the 2004 US Open. The prevailing wind should offer assistance to a shot played to a green which is open in front, although there is a small upslope short of the putting surface.

3rd, 500 yards, par four
Extended by 22 yards since 2004, with the tee moved left to exaggerate the angle on the dogleg, although the fairway is still more than 30 yards wide at the 300-yard mark.

4th, 475 yards, par four
A difficult hole made harder by the addition of 40 yards in length and usually played into the wind. The best angle of approach to an elevated green is from the right side of the fairway.

5th, 589 yards, par five
This hole has been extended by 52 yards, although the prevailing wind does offer assistance and most players will reach it in two. Great birdie chance.

6th, 491 yards, par four
A dogleg right which features a blind tee shot and the only water hazard on the course short of the green, although it should not come into play for these guys. An accurate approach is needed to a green which slopes from back to front.

7th, 189 yards, par three
A representation of the famous Redan hole at North Berwick features a green that slopes from front right to back left, meaning the back-left bunker could see a lot of action. Missing the green long will lead a tricky recovery shot up the slope.

8th, 439 yards, par four
Extended by 41 yards since 2004 and played into the prevailing wind, with the left side of a generous fairway offering the best angle of approach to the green.

9th, 485 yards, par four
A difficult finish to the front nine thanks to a blind tee shot to a sloping fairway that could produce some uneven lies. An uphill approach means players are likely to only see the top of the pin and going too far will leave a testing downhill chip.

10th, 415 yards, par four
A tee shot of around 250 yards will find a level lie on a plateau in the fairway or big hitters can drive over the hill to get closer to the hilltop green, which will demand an accurate approach.

11th, 159 yards, par three
The shortest hole played to a small green surrounded by bunkers which slopes from the back left to the front right. Going over the green leaves a difficult pitch shot down the slope.

12th, 469 yards, par four
The key here is accuracy from the tee, to a narrow fairway to set up the approach to a large green. No bunkers protect the green, but several ridges in the putting surface add to the difficulty.

13th, 374 yards, par four
The shortest par four on the course is a birdie opportunity, although the fairway is just 16 yards wide at the 300-yard mark. An undulating green is guarded by bunkers to the left and right.

14th, 519 yards, par four
The longest par four after being lengthened by 77 yards, although the tee shot plays downhill to a fairway which slopes from right to left. The approach shot plays slightly uphill to a green which slopes from back to front.

15th, 409 yards, par four
Another hole which features a significant drop in elevation from the tee to the fairway, providing another good birdie opportunity even though the green is protected by six bunkers.

16th, 616 yards, par five
Even for the likes of Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson, this is a genuine three-shot par five as it is normally played into the wind and is made even tougher by a twisting fairway flanked by numerous bunkers and a narrow green protected by more sand. A great hole.

17th, 180 yards, par three
The green has been enlarged and rebuilt but an accurate shot is required due to a crosswind from the left and bunkers on either side of the green.

18th, 485 yards, par four
A new tee adds 35 yards to the closing hole and creates more of a partially blind tee shot. The right-hand side of the fairway offers the best angle of approach to a green which slopes from back to front.