Hole 13 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Par 4 • 372 Yards • Southampton, New York

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Moderate

Deception lurks in brevity at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club hole 13, a par 4 measuring just 372.0 yards yet capable of humbling the game's best. The straight, tight landing area often tempts players toward conservative iron play off the tee rather than driver, prioritizing precision over distance. Two greenside bunkers guard the target, squeezing the approach shot into a demanding window. This hole carries historical weight—it's where Phil Mickelson's infamous moving-ball incident unfolded during the 2018 U.S. Open, a moment of controversy still discussed today. The undulating green complex punishes even well-struck approaches, rewarding golfers who respect its subtlety over those who attack blindly. Short in yardage, long on consequence.

Tees:

372y354y325y

Green:34y × 22y

Fairway @250y:63y wide

6 Bunkers dogleg

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Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 372 yds
Green: 4613 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 140
Course Rating: 74.5

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

At just 372 yards, this par 4 tempts big hitters, but the smart play is often a long iron or hybrid to stay short of the fairway bunker cluster at 300.1y, 336.4y, and 356.7y. Since the fairway is a generous 67 yards wide at 200y, positioning for a clean look at the green is more valuable than chasing distance.

hazard warning

Bombers who carry it past 250y will find the fairway squeezing down to 63 yards wide, with three bunkers (300.1y, 336.4y, 356.7y) lurking exactly where longer drives tend to land. Club down to avoid this trouble zone.

approach

With a small green measuring only 4,612 sq ft (34y x 22y), precision trumps power on the approach. Favor a controlled wedge or short iron that can hold this compact target rather than a longer club fighting the tight dimensions.

green

The green's small 4,612 sq ft footprint combined with its notorious undulation (as seen in the 2018 U.S. Open drama) demands landing the ball in the correct quadrant—missing the wrong section can leave a nearly impossible two-putt.

tee shot

History shows even elite pros favor irons off this tee to avoid the bunker complex beginning at 300.1y—a strategy worth mimicking for mid-to-high handicappers who can't consistently avoid trouble with a driver.

train this shot at home

This 372-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 372-yard par 4, most players will hit 3-wood or driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 13?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 13?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 13?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 13?

This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.

Can I practice hole 13 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. You can play this exact 372-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →