When it comes to golf and golf courses in the entire United States, Shinnecock Hills is a club with many firsts, no doubt. Shinnecock, which is located in Southampton New York, was the first full eighteen hole golf courses to be incorporated. Always on the leading edge even in the pioneering golf days in the USA Shinnecock Hills golf course was the first in the American golfing scene to build and host a golf course clubhouse. Yet again at the forefront was one of the initial pioneering clubs of United States Golf Assoc – the U.S.G.A. Its no surprise as a result that the New York club was the first to have a waiting list for membership and not surprising that many experienced and recreational duffers find it to be one of the best tests of golf in the U.S.

Shinnecock Hills golf course was built in 1891 for no less personalities and upper crust society than the Vandebilts. Willie Dunn came from the Scottish Isles for the sole purpose of creating a course for the Southampton playground of the wealthy of the time. Amazingly his construction crew consisted of 150 first nations aboriginal “Indians” none of whom had ever seen or had any concept what so ever of what the leisure game of golf entailed and how a golf course was laid out and appeared. Never the less – look at the results. A course was laid out – remarkable and highly challenging to this day, initially 12 holes, largely by hand labor. The following year saw the course expanded to its full 18 whole play.

The second U.S.G.A. championship was held a Shinnecock in 1896, and the course was humbled by many of the players. The membership did fully appreciate the low scores and they began renovations, which lasted too many years, to make the layout and play of the course much, much tougher.

In 1921, William Flynn along with Howard Toomey made some major changes to the course and its layout. The end result was the reputation that it enjoys today as definitely one of the strongest in the U.S. as well as its championship status.

You may well have seen Shinnecock Hills on your large screen plasma or LCD TV one weekend or on the “Golf Channel” marveled at the layout and condition of the course without fully noting that the history of this Southampton course as the playground and domain of the rich and powerful of early years of the US. One can only imagine how many deals and dynasties were created while play was on, and how much untold influence has been created and emanated from these grounds that has changed and affected the world.

While not a true “links” golf course, Shinnecock has the feels of a true Scottish course. The ocean, wind and seaside grasses as well as the overall challenge of the round, added to the rolling terrain is reminiscent of golfing courses that true duffers appreciate “across the pond”.

In conclusion it can be summarized the beauty of Shinnecock Hills of the Southampton New York region is the downright fact that it offers such a tremendous variety of holes. Expert and tried golfers will note to you that is very easy to use every club in your golf bag as well as “every trick” in the book to bring in a good score. Shinnecock may be one of the oldest and tried courses around the US but no doubt it has well earned it reputation.