SOUTHAMPTON, NY. When the words “Shinnecock Hills” are mentioned, the emphasis usually centers on the first word and little on the second.
The present-day 18-hole configuration for the six-time US Open venue is the product of architect William Flynn. Flynn was born in Milton, Massachusetts on Christmas Day 1890. Little would have been known at that time that the Christmas presents he would later create would serve as brilliant tests of golf with Shinnecock Hills being his ultimate masterpiece.
The three-hole stretch of holes 9, 10 and 11 are situated on engaging hills. Players must carefully weigh the strategic options faced. Success on these three holes can serve as the springboard in building momentum for the escalating rigors found on the remaining holes on the inward half.
During the USGA’s pre-event press conference, the Chief Championship Office John Bodenhamer alluded to the trio during his remarks —
“I believe that holes 9, 10, and 11 will define and be pivotal in this US Open. I really believe that Brooks Koepka won here in 2018, not because of birdies and pars that he made, but because he got it up-and-down from the bunker for a bogey on No. 11. I believe that’s where his march to victory started.”
Hole 9 — “Ben Nevis” — Par-4 — 482 Yards
The concluding hole on the outward side is aptly named for the highest peak in Scotland and all of the United Kingdom.
When arriving at the teeing area players are confronted with a blind landing area. The terrain of the hole comes into play immediately with its heaving fairway that resembles a stormy day on the ocean.
The hole turns gently to the left and it behooves players to slot their tee shots accordingly.
As the players walk to their tee shots, the view in the distance is striking as the Stanford White clubhouse beckons on the high hill to the right of the putting surface.
The approach rises over 40 feet to a green pitching from right-to-left. Club selection is critical as the prevailing wind is generally from the right and helping.
Any approach shot not sufficient enough in length can easily get pulled off the front of the green and suffer the consequences as interfering fescue grasses can quickly envelope one’s golf ball.
Even those who successfully navigate the trek to the green must pay specific attention to the internal movements encountered. Those finishing above the pin need to show a deft touch as balls played too aggressively can easily come off the front of the green.
Hole 10 — “Eastward Ho” — Par-4 — 415 Yards
The start of the back nine at Shinnecock Hills begins in a splendid manner. The 10th is situated on the eastern side of the entrance road to the club — Tuckahoe Road.
The tee shot presents clear options.
Once again, the terrain commands a central focal point. Players can hit to the upper section of the fairway – to a max of 240-250 yards. After that point, the fairway descends rapidly into a saddle collection area.
Two fairway bunkers are on the high hillside to the left.
The main question for players to decide is whether to play cautiously and layback or attempt to secure the benefit of the plunging fairway and leave themselves a short pitch to the green.
Generally, the prevailing wind is helping players from the southwest direction. On this hole in 1986 Jack Nicklaus lost his first golf ball in competition when no one could find his stray tee shot that ventured too far right.
The green encountered presents a formidable challenge. Situated on a precipice high above, the golfers face a strict requirement akin to a final examination – no wrong execution goes unpunished.
The putting surface has three distinct landing areas: back left, back right and a frontal center section. Players must gauge trajectory with total certainty. Those coming up short — even by as little as a few inches can easily watch in terror as one’s golf ball is impacted by a massive false front that can propel a golf ball back down the fairway as much as 70 yards.
Those who play too aggressively can easily go off the back section of the green and then face a daunting pitch back to a green sloping devilishly away.
Hole 10 requires a surgeon’s touch. Keeping one’s momentum going is fraught with clear risks and can place a golfer in the intensive care unit with little hope in walking away unscathed.
The rollercoaster 10th is one thrill ride golfers will savor long after the round concludes.
Hole 11 — “Hill Head” — Par-3 — 157 Yards
Lee Trevino defined the fiendish hole as “the shortest par-5 in the world.” The comments from the six-time major winner are hardly overstated.
Players face an uphill blind approach — roughly 40-feet to a skylight small green set on a perilous tabletop. The need for total precision is paramount. The equivalent in landing a fighter jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier. The air of mystery only adds to the uncomfortable feeling in not being able to see the actual landing area.
The wind plays a pivotal role and is often from the left and helping.
The 4,700 square foot green is 38 yards in length but the available safe landing area is much smaller in actuality. The greens pitches to the right with a series of bunkers on that side that are quite deep and can quickly snare a timid shot that fails to find the putting surface. For those who hit an approach in the far bunker right, the situation that follows can only be be described as harrowing for what lies ahead.
During the 2018 US Open Brooks Koepka was seeking to keep himself in contention when his approach was pulled to the left and his ball caromed off the downward slope to the left of the green. Koepka’s golf ball found itself wedged between prepared rough grass and even higher fescue grasses.
Koepka, realizing his predicament, played a running chip shot that scampered onto the green and then fell into one of the bunkers on the far side. From that position he played a quality bunker shot, leaving himself 15-feet for bogey. Koepka made the putt and the bogey rates among the finest ever made in a final round of a US Open championship as he skillfully avoided a most certain scorecard train wreck and ultimately resulted in him defending his title from the year prior.
Rest assured the critical nature of hole 11 will play a central defining role in whoever seeks to hoist the US Open trophy this year.
One final fact to keep in mind — the nines at Shinnecock Hills were actually reversed initially. That was changed not long after the course opened but keep in mind the totality of what Flynn created on the “hills” of Shinnecock are among the finest golf holes ever created.
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”