Hole 17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Par 3 • 169 Yards • Southampton, New York

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Challenging

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club hole 17 delivers a deceptively simple test dressed in classic Long Island character. At just 169.0 yards, this par 3 demands precision over power, with four bunkers guarding the green complex from multiple angles, ready to swallow any tee shot that drifts offline. The straight layout offers no visual trickery, but the prevailing wind off the Atlantic complicates club selection and shot shape. Championship setups push the tee back, sharpening the angle and testing nerve as much as skill—a subtle strategic wrinkle that has challenged U.S. Open contenders. Surrounded by Shinnecock's windswept terrain, this hole rewards commitment and punishes hesitation, embodying the course's timeless, unforgiving elegance.

Tees:

169y149y140y

Green:44y × 25y

5 Bunkers dogleg

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Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 3
Yardage: 169 yds
Green: 6454 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Course Slope: 140
Course Rating: 74.5

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Dial in your mid-irons — accuracy is everything on a short par 3.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This 169-yard par 3 demands precise club selection to carry the trio of bunkers guarding the front of the green at 118.5, 139.3, and 155.2 yards. Take enough club to clear the 155.2-yard bunker with margin, as coming up short leaves a difficult sand shot to a green that slopes away.

hazard warning

The bunker complex at 155.2 yards sits closest to the green's front edge, leaving only about 14 yards of margin before the putting surface begins. Golfers should favor a slightly stronger club to ensure the ball carries this final hazard rather than leaving a delicate up-and-down.

green

The medium-sized green (6,454 sq ft, 44 yards long by 25 yards wide) offers a generous target for a par 3, but its elongated shape means pin position dramatically affects effective yardage—back pins can add several yards to the shot compared to front hole locations.

approach

With three bunkers strategically placed between 118.5 and 155.2 yards short of the green, players who mishit or misjudge distance have little room for error—the bunker cluster essentially guards the entire front third of the approach, making club selection and solid contact critical on this 169-yard hole.

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This par 3 is ideal for working on your mid-iron. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

Short par 3s reward precision. Pick the right club for the front-center of the green and trust your swing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What club should I use on this par 3?

At 169 yards, most golfers will need a mid-iron (7-iron to 8-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.

How difficult is hole 17?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 17?

Key hazards include: 4 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 17?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 17?

This hole is a solid par with birdie chances for precise approach shots. Making par is a good result here. Focus on hitting the green and avoiding three-putts.

Can I practice hole 17 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 3 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 →