Hole 16 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Par 5 • 542 Yards • Southampton, New York

Enhanced Content

Challenging

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club hole 16 unfolds as a par 5 of 542 yards that plays every inch of that distance when the prevailing wind turns dead into the golfer's face. This straight par 5 demands a strategic tee shot into a fairway framed by native grasses, setting up a layup decision complicated by a gauntlet of bunkers guarding both sides of the corridor. A cluster of sand traps encircles the green complex, including a notorious pit short-right that has swallowed countless "safe" third shots. Precise carry-and-roll calculations become essential here, especially in the wind, making this closing-stretch par 5 one of the most demanding risk-reward tests in championship golf.

Tees:

542y464y406y

Green:24y × 33y

Fairway @250y:64y wide

16 Bunkers dogleg

Loading map...

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Play This Course at Home

Practice Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Year-Round

Launch monitors from $600 and simulators from $2,500 include real course data. Play every hole without leaving home.

Browse Launch Monitors & Simulators

Amazon · Top brands compared · Free returns on most items

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 542 yds
Green: 4829 sq ft
Bunkers: 16
Course Slope: 140
Course Rating: 74.5

Navigate

Back to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

Shop Fairway Woods →

Strategy Tips

tee shot

Favor the left-center of the fairway off the tee; at 200 yards the fairway is a generous 78 yards wide, giving players room to work around the bunkers that guard both sides on this winding par 5.

tee shot

Don't get complacent with distance—by 250 yards the fairway pinches to just 64 yards wide, so longer hitters need to pick a precise line rather than simply bombing driver into the narrowing corridor.

hazard warning

Beware the bunker roughly 60 yards short-right of the green on this 542-yard par 5—historically one of the most punishing layup traps in golf, especially when the hole plays into a headwind and shot margins shrink.

approach

Given the small 4,829 sq ft green (24 x 33 yards), precise distance control is essential on the layup or third shot—bunker-to-bunker carry lines demand a confirmed number before committing to club selection, particularly in wind.

green

With the green measuring only 24 yards deep, aim for the pin's front-to-back position carefully; short-siding yourself here brings the surrounding bunkers into play on a green with little margin for long or short misses.

train this shot at home

This 542-yard par 5 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

See launch monitors & simulators

Scoring Tip

Scoring on par 5s starts with a smart second shot. Laying up to your favorite wedge distance gives you the best birdie chance.

Play Shinnecock Hills Golf Club from Your Living Room

Launch monitors and simulators now include real course data. Practice your strategy on every hole before your round — or just for fun.

Compare Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 542 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 16?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 16?

Key hazards include: 9 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 16?

The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 16?

This hole is a true three-shot hole where birdie requires execution. This longer par 5 demands patience. Two good shots set up the scoring opportunity.

Can I practice hole 16 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 par 5 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 →