Hole 10 at National Golf Links of America
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 450 yds
- Hazards
- 13 bunkers
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 62 yds deep × 32 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Pro tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Pro tees · Par 4 · 450 yards
The plan for No. 10
The tenth hole at National Golf Links of America, aptly named "Shinnecock," marks a pivotal moment in the round as it turns players northward toward the clubhouse with views of neighboring Shinnecock Hills. This straight par 4 stretches 450 yards across C.B. Macdonald's masterfully crafted landscape, demanding both precision and power from the championship tees. The tee shot must find the generous fairway to set up an approach to a small, subtly contoured green that reflects the course's Golden Age architecture. Without significant hazards to navigate, success depends on course management and accurate iron play. As part of this historically significant layout—often called the "Blair's Best" of early 20th century design—the hole embodies the strategic principles that make National Golf Links a timeless test of golf.
Off the tee
Your tee shot strategy should focus on finding the optimal position for your approach to the small green. With the hole playing 450 yards, most players will need a solid drive to leave a manageable approach shot. Aim for the center-left portion of the fairway to give yourself the best angle into the green. A driver is typically the right choice here, but players who struggle with accuracy might consider a 3-wood or hybrid to ensure they stay in play. The key is avoiding any trouble that could complicate your approach to an already challenging small green.
Approach & recovery
The approach shot to this small green is where the hole reveals its true character. Depending on your tee shot, you'll likely face a mid-iron to long-iron for your second shot. Club selection is critical - it's better to be slightly long than short, as missing the green will leave you with a delicate chip or pitch to a small target. Focus on the center of the green regardless of pin position, as the small surface doesn't offer much room for aggressive pin-seeking. Take one extra club if conditions are firm or if there's any doubt about your yardage.
On the green
The small green at "Shinnecock" demands respect with your putting. With limited surface area, even seemingly short putts can be tricky due to subtle breaks and the premium on precision. Focus on speed control above all else, as the small green means less room for error on longer comeback putts. Study the surrounding terrain to understand how putts might break, and don't be afraid to aim for the fat part of the hole on longer putts to ensure you don't leave yourself a challenging second putt. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers a classic risk/reward scenario in club selection rather than target selection. The reward for an aggressive tee shot is a shorter iron into the green, but the risk is finding trouble that makes par much more difficult. Similarly, on the approach, the temptation to attack pins on the small green must be weighed against the safety of aiming for the center and accepting a longer putt. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should prioritize keeping the ball in play off the tee, even if it means hitting 3-wood or hybrid for position. On the approach, aim for the center of the green regardless of pin position and focus on two-putting for par. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive off the tee with driver, but should still respect the small green on approach shots. Better players might attack certain pin positions, but only when they have a comfortable yardage and good lie. The key for all skill levels is recognizing that this hole rewards patience and precision over power and aggression.
Watch for
- Course conditioning and mapped hazards may affect line selection; confirm from the aerial.
Hole 10 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 12,265 sq ft
Course coverage
Tournament and creator videos about National Golf Links of America — shared course coverage, not hole-specific clips.
Official & tour
Tour & network videos
Official coverage mentioning National Golf Links of America.
Inside Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg | 3 Key Holes
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Creator videos about this course
YouTube creators who filmed or featured National Golf Links of America. · Stats as of Oct 12, 2026 · 6d ago
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How did Hole 10 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Pro tees · 450 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 450-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 10?
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This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: large green requiring good lag putting.
How big is the green on hole 10?
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The green is large and can play quite long. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.
What's a good score on hole 10?
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This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.