Hole 1 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 391 yds
- Hazards
- 6 bunkers
Hole 1 map
26 yd wide × 36 yd deep · 3 ft total elevation range
Light = gentler slope · Red = steeper slope
White lines: 1 foot of elevation. Arrows: downhill. General terrain, not a pin read.
Approach from bottom
Contour source
USGS 1 Meter 18 x71y454 NY_LongIsland_A24 · collection 2024
Map source & reference
Mapbox Satellite composite · capture date not provided. Green at the top; the labeled map reference is below.
Scorecard yardage is for Pro tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Pro tees · Par 4 · 391 yards
The plan for No. 1
The 1st at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a 391.0-yard par 4 that plays straightaway.
Off the tee
Playing from an elevated tee just left of the clubhouse, golfers get a downhill look that adds a bit of extra roll to well-struck drives. The target line should favor the left-center portion of the fairway, as the hole drifts gently to the right and fescue rough awaits anything pushed too far that direction. Hospitality and media structures line the left side during championship setups, but under normal play, the left side offers a safer miss than the thick fescue right. Club selection here doesn't require driver for every player — a controlled 3-wood or long-iron that finds the fairway is often the smarter play, since positioning for the approach angle matters more than raw distance. Avoid the temptation to overswing on this "modest, unassuming" opener; the real test comes with the next shot.
Approach & recovery
This is where Hole #1 shows its teeth. The green complex is guarded by two greenside bunkers and surrounded by slopes that will feed mishit shots well away from the putting surface. The approach club will typically be a short-to-mid iron depending on tee shot distance, but precision trumps power here. Above all, avoid going long — Tiger Woods' infamous 2018 seven came from a shot that sailed over the green into a treacherous runoff area, leading to an almost unrecoverable position. Favor a approach shot that stays below the hole when possible, and when in doubt, err on the side of short rather than long. The bunkers flank the green at key positions, so understanding pin placement before committing to a target line is essential for smart course management.
On the green
With green size and shape unknown, players should rely on visual cues from the plot and any practice-round information to read the surface. The dramatic slopes surrounding the green often extend subtly onto the putting surface itself, meaning breaks can be more pronounced than they first appear. Speed control is paramount — leave uphill putts whenever the pin position allows, and be wary of quick, downhill putts that can easily run several feet past the hole given the green's contouring.
Watch for
- Greenside bunker (greenside)
- Fairway bunker crossing the landing zone
Hole 1 Green Complex & Slope
USGS 3DEP terrain analysis
Green size: 5,931 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 1 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Pro tees · 391 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 391-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 1?
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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 1?
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The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.
What's a good score on hole 1?
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This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.