Hole 4 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 409 yds
- Hazards
- 7 bunkers
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 29 yds deep × 27 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Pro tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Pro tees · Par 4 · 409 yards
The plan for No. 4
The 4th at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a 409.0-yard par 4 that plays straightaway.
Off the tee
The tee shot here is about angle, not just distance. Recent course restoration has opened up width on the left side of the fairway, but don't be fooled into thinking left is the safe play — the farther left you drift, the more difficult and awkward your angle becomes into the green. The smarter target line challenges the right side of the fairway, working toward or near the right-side bunkers without finding them. This sets up a much more direct approach angle. Depending on wind and hole location, a driver or 3-wood off the tee makes sense for most players, though longer hitters may consider strategic club-down options to control the landing area precisely. Avoid overcooking a draw that drifts too far left — it will complicate your second shot far more than a slight fade toward the right edge.
Approach & recovery
This is where course management separates good scores from great ones. With four bunkers surrounding the green, precision trumps power on the approach. Depending on the hole location, players may need to shape the ball intentionally — a cut or fade for right-side pins is often preferred over a standard draw, as it allows the ball to hold its line into a green that can reject shots approached from the wrong angle. Club selection will range from mid-iron to long-iron depending on how far back the tee is playing and how much the wind is affecting ball flight. Favor the center of the green when in doubt; the bunkers on all sides mean a shot that misses your target by even a small margin can lead to a difficult up-and-down.
On the green
While specific green contours aren't detailed here, players should expect subtle breaks typical of Shinnecock's classic putting surfaces — patience and careful reading are essential. Pin positions tucked toward the right side of the green demand extra precision on the approach, as described by players who've studied this hole for championship setups. Lag putting becomes especially important on longer approach putts, given the difficulty of getting close with the green well-defended by sand on multiple sides.
Watch for
- Greenside bunker (greenside)
- Fairway bunker crossing the landing zone
Hole 4 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 4,857 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 4 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Pro tees · 409 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 409-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 4?
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This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.
How big is the green on hole 4?
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The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.