Dom Furore
Copyright USGA/John Mummert
Dom Furore
Joe Raynor/Courtesy of Shinnecock Hills GC
Photo by Dom Furore
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
200 Tuckahoe Rd
Southampton, NY 11968-3732
United States
Overview
Generally considered to be the earliest links in America, heavily remodeled by C.B. Macdonald, then replaced (except for three holes) by William S. Flynn in the early 1930s, it’s so sublime that its architecture hasn’t really been altered for nearly 60 years. Stands of trees that once framed many holes have been removed, and in 2012, the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw did make a few changes, mostly greens and fairways expansions and new mowing patterns, though those were modified in preparation for the 2018 U.S. Open, won by Brooks Koepka. Shinnecock will again host the U.S. Open in 2026.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1967.
Highest ranking: 2nd, 2007-2008.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 4th.
Best in State: Ranked Top 5 in New York since 1977.
2025-'26 ranking: 1st since 1991.
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Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Among the highest Shot Values of any course in the world, what is most surprising about Shinnecock is that while is is not the worlds most difficult course off the tee, on approach it is among the most intimidating anywhere. Every approach gives the feeling that it must be executed with the utmost precision, from distance, to trajectory, to spin, and that the penalty for mis-execution is severe. However, despite this, Shinnecock still offers more than one way to approach every hole, which adds to Shot Values, Challenge, and Layout Variety. The 9th hole, in my opinion, is one of the most fantastic holes in the country and the 11th is among the best short holes on the planet in terms of the demand for execution and the differential between reward for that execution and the penalty for the miss."
Read More2025
Review
“Shinnecock Hills is one of those courses that you should drop everything at a moments notice for the chance to play. I have had the good fortune to play over 90 of the top 100 US courses, SH is definitely in my top five in the US, a true championship course and experience. There are so many distinctive holes with outstanding green complexes and bunker locations. The redan par three 7th is the most difficult redan I have ever played. Players rightfully refer to 11 as the easiest par five on the course (even though its a par three). Add in the fact that the wind is typically blowing at this end of the island and you have a difficult course that can host the best golfers in the world and still offer them a challenge. The number of uphill approach shots enhance the quality and difficulty of the course."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the 5 founding members of the USGA and host of numerous U.S. Opens, Shinnecock is a near perfect golf course and one that excels in numerous categories. The course is all right in front of you and totally fair but is one of the toughest in America with a constant wind presence, thick fescue, and perhaps the best and most difficult set of par threes I've come across. While not extremely long, this group contains 2 of the stoutest short par threes in America with the Redan 7th and iconic uphill 11th. It also plays extremely firm and fast, with domed greens that are tough to hold unless you can control your spin. In terms of character, Shinnecock is one of the most important designs in American golf and has somewhat of a timeless feel, bolstered by its prominent and gorgeous clubhouse on top of the hill. The variety and shotmaking here is extremely strong. The routing is phenomenal and the course is easily walkable but sprawling, with no two holes facing the same direction in a row. The land movement is also incredible, especially on holes 9-11, which play up and down steep hills that give the course its name. New York is arguably the strongest golf state in America and Shinnecock rightfully stands atop its rankings."
Read More2024
Review
“A true test of golf Iconic framing of shot views and clubhouse from various vantage points"
Read More2024
Review
“A big boy course that has been there forever and continues to get better with wide fast fairways, quick receptive greens, outstanding routing. Add wind which is there almost all the time and this course can bring a player to their knees."
Read More2023
Review
“Possibly the perfect golf course; with zero boring holes, perfect scenery, and incredible conditions. A true major championship test, where every shot demands your full attention."
Read More2022
Review
“Everything about the course is right in front of you from the first tee. There is nothing to hide, it simply asks you to hit good golf shots and be smart around the greens. The presence of wind easily can be a 5+ shot swing, but on a calm, sunny day a stroll around Shinnecock is a treat and what good golf is all about."
Read More2022
Review
“I have Shinnecock ranked especially high for shot options and character. It felt as though every hole had multiple angles or options off the tee with appropriate degrees of risk reward. Nowhere is this better represented than the 10th hole, where depending on distance and angle you could be left 100 yard difference in approach shot. Coming into the uphill approach, the option is a bit of pick your poison: challenge the front half of the green and risk coming back down the hill, or add a little extra club and risk going off the back. These options and decisions are persistent throughout the round. From a character standpoint, there are very few golf courses in America as unique and profound, not only for its era but for any era. Each hole stands out yet blends naturally into the surrounding terrain/fescue. The fairways were perfectly firm and the course was perfectly maintained. The greens were extremely true—not as fast as other top courses with the possibility of high wind—but a challenging test nonetheless."
Read More2022
Review
“Excellence in its simplicity. It's big, brawny and in your face. It shows its beauty from the first tee and the expanse of the property that the routing will take you. My favorite hole was the infamous 11th par 3; brilliant in how a short par 3 can be so devilish and require shotmaking and luck at the same time. Along with the 6th, 11th, #9, #17, #18 to name a few. The tee shot into the setting sun on 17 was memorable. Conditioning is exceptional but not over the top, which fits perfectly with the venue."
Read More2022
Review
“Basically a perfect course. Not a weak hole out there, with quite a few world class ones. Iconic clubhouse with a special feel."
Read More2018
