One of the country’s premier championship tests is also rooted in deep history as one of the USGA’s founding five members. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club stands as one of the finest golf courses in the world thanks to its sublime setting in Southampton and stellar William Flynn design. Shinnecock’s rumpled, sandy land that sits high on a ridge above the Peconic Bay presents a course that is overrun with natural advantages. An ever-present wind, firm turf, and outstanding land allowed William Flynn to create a punishing golf course, one where sound second shots and restraint are rewarded.
The club was founded in 1891 by a group of wealthy New Yorkers. The original Willie Davis course was 12 holes and the iconic Stanford White clubhouse was constructed a year later in 1892. It’s believed to be the first purpose-built clubhouse in America and remains today as an iconic landmark in the world of golf. The course underwent a great deal of change through the years, first at the hands of Willie Dunn, who expanded the golf course to 18 holes in 1894.
Following the construction of its neighbor, National Golf Links of America, Shinnecock felt the need to modernize its course. They hired a familiar pair, C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, who together built the National a few years earlier. Macdonald, a member of Shinnecock, brought his ideal holes to Shinnecock, and the Macdonald/Raynor golf course stood until Route 27 was planned to cut through a number of the holes. The club purchased an additional parcel of land and brought in William Flynn to do a complete redesign of the course. Just two of the Macdonald/Raynor holes remain today, Nos. 3 and 7 in the northwest corner of the property.
Flynn was a wonderful hire by Shinnecock Hills. At that point in his career, he had a lengthy resume of building golf courses that thrived on using natural topography. Flynn’s layout used the land to create groups of holes that moved in triangles to maximize the impact of the changing winds in Southampton. A master at getting the most out of a property, Shinnecock Hills is Flynn’s magnum opus.
In 2026, Shinnecock will add to its rich championship history and host its sixth U.S. Open.
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