Welcome to Earl's Golf Blog
June12, 2026
Let Shinnecock be Shinnecock
Shinnecock Hills Golf Course is one of America's greatest golf courses and an ideal setting for a US Open. Located on the east end of Long Island the course more resembles a Scottish links course than the traditional American design with many trees and water hazards. Because of the sparsity of trees and proximity to the ocean, the course is susceptible to ever changing wind conditions that can change by the hour. Winning at Shinnecock will be a mental challenge as much as a test of ball striking ability.
The last two U.S. Opens at Shinnecock in 2004 and 2018, became less about who won and more about whether the USGA had crossed the line between "challenging" and "unfair." In 04, the first controversy centered on the seventh green, which became so dry and fast that players could not keep balls on the putting surface. Kevin Stadler barely touched a fifteen-foot putt that rolled off the green into a bunker. Well-struck shots were rolling off the green, and course officials were forced to water the green during play. The entire course conditions were widely criticized as unplayable, and the USGA later acknowledged it had lost control of the setup. In 2018, history repeated itself during the third round. As winds increased and greens dried out, afternoon players faced dramatically different conditions than the morning groups. Balls would not hold on certain greens, some pin positions became nearly impossible, and players openly questioned the fairness of the setup. USGA Executive Director Mike Davis publicly admitted that "well-executed shots" were being punished and apologized for the conditions.
I was fortunate to play Shinnecock in 2000. At that time, I had the length and game to properly test a US Open course. Playing from the back tees, Shinnecock was everything you would want for a national championship and in my opinion, nothing was needed to prepare it for the Championship in four years. I was also able to attend the Open in 2004 and witnessed first-hand the best players at times being humiliated with impossible pin and green circumstances. Unfortunately, the USGA didn't learn from 2004 and in 2018 similar criticisms occurred. The most public display of frustration occurred when Phil Mickleson putted and then swatted at and hit his moving ball on the 13th green that was headed well off the green. I hope nothing like that will occur this next week.
I have faith in the USGA. They rarely make mistakes and if so, they don't repeat them. Shinnecock is in my top ten courses that I have played. It doesn't need to be tricked up. I have read that the USGA will "let Shinnecock be Shinnecock". That's great news. Greens will be between 11 and 11 ½ on the Stimp reading, which is very fair. Previously putting there was "defensive". At 11 Stimp speed the players can be a bit more aggressive. The USGA can't regulate "Mother Nature" and it can be the determining factor in deciding a winner. Here's hoping "let Shinnecock be Shinnecock" will be the rule of the week and if so, we should have a great tournament and worthy champion.
