Hole 3 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Par 4 • 456 Yards • Southampton, New York

Enhanced Content

Tough

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club hole 3 unfolds as a relentless test of nerve and precision, stretching 456.0 yards through the windswept Long Island terrain that has humbled U.S. Open champions for generations. This par 4 demands a committed tee shot into a landing area guarded by the coastal breezes that can turn a routine drive into a genuine adventure. The approach shot presents its own reckoning, with sand guarding both sides of the green complex, punishing anything short or off-line. Straight but never simple, this hole rewards disciplined golf strategy over raw power—those who respect its demands and find the fairway earn a fighting chance at par, while wayward shots invite the bunkers' unforgiving embrace.

Tees:

456y422y395y

Green:29y × 32y

Fairway @250y:49y wide

9 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: 4
Yardage: 456 yds
Green: 5852 sq ft
Bunkers: 9
Course Slope: 140
Course Rating: 74.5

Navigate

Back to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

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

Shop Wedges →

Strategy Tips

tee shot

The fairway pinches from 60 yards wide at the 200-yard mark down to just 49 yards at 250 yards, so longer hitters should favor the left-center of the fairway to maximize landing area and avoid the tightening right side as the hole plays out to 456 yards.

hazard warning

Three fairway bunkers lurk in the landing zone at 397.3, 416.7, and 453.8 yards - big hitters need to club down or aim away from the 453.8-yard bunker, which sits almost at the edge of a well-struck drive on this 456-yard par 4.

tee shot

Given the 456-yard length, most players will need a driver or 3-wood to reach a reasonable approach distance, but should account for the narrowing fairway (49 yards at 250) when selecting shot shape off the tee.

approach

With a medium-sized green measuring 29 by 32 yards (5,852 sq ft), approach shots demand precise distance control - favor the center of the green to leave manageable putts rather than pressing for tucked pin positions.

hazard warning

The cluster of bunkers between 397 and 417 yards will catch players who overcommit off the tee in calm conditions; laying back with a controlled fairway wood can be the smarter play to stay short of this trio and set up a clean approach into the medium green.

train this shot at home

This 456-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.

See launch monitors & simulators

Scoring Tip

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

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

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 456-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 3?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 3?

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

How big is the green on hole 3?

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 3?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

Can I practice hole 3 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 456-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 →