Hole 16 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
- Par
- 5
- Yardage
- 542 yds
- Hazards
- 16 bunkers
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 34 yds deep × 23 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Pro tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Pro tees · Par 5 · 542 yards
The plan for No. 16
The 16th at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a 542.0-yard par 5 that plays straightaway.
Off the tee
The tee shot here requires a driver or 3-wood depending on wind conditions, with the target line favoring the center of the fairway to avoid the bunkers guarding both sides of the landing area. Because the hole plays straight, there's no need to shape the ball dramatically off the tee—the priority is finding the short grass and setting up a favorable angle for the layup or approach. Playing into a headwind, club selection becomes critical; golfers may need to take an extra club and commit to a smooth swing rather than overpowering the shot, since errant tee shots into the fairway bunkers can quickly turn a potential birdie into a bogey.
Approach & recovery
This is where Hole 16 truly separates the prepared from the unprepared. The layup or second shot must account for a particularly troublesome bunker located short-right of the green—described by seasoned observers as "one of the most mean-spirited bunkers in golf" because it catches shots that appear safely short of trouble. Golfers should favor the left-center portion of the fairway when reachable in two, as this angle offers a cleaner look at the green while avoiding the bunker cluster on the right. When laying up, precision trumps distance; the goal is finding a comfortable yardage that avoids all bunkers rather than simply advancing the ball as far as possible. In a strong headwind, even a short approach shot becomes a high-risk decision, as bunker-to-bunker carry lines demand exact club selection and full commitment to the shot.
On the green
With green size and shape unknown, golfers should rely on visual cues from the course and any local knowledge of subtle breaks. Given the exposed, links-style character of Shinnecock, expect firm, fast putting surfaces that can be influenced by wind even after the ball is on the green. Approach putts should be lagged with care, particularly on longer birdie putts, since three-putts are a real threat on a green surrounded by so much sand-related trouble leading into it. Reading the putt with attention to any subtle slopes near the bunker-guarded edges is essential for two-putt pars.
Watch for
- Greenside bunker (greenside)
- Fairway bunker crossing the landing zone
Hole 16 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 4,829 sq ft
Course coverage
Tournament and creator videos about Shinnecock Hills Golf Club — shared course coverage, not hole-specific clips.
Featured by these creators
Creator videos about this course
YouTube creators who filmed or featured Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. · Stats as of Oct 5, 2026 · 7d ago
Maintaining the 2026 U.S. Open Venue: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | All Grass Is Local pres. by Toro
How did Hole 16 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Pro tees · 542 yards.
Can this par 5 be reached in two?
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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?
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This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.
How big is the green on hole 16?
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The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.