Shinnecock Hills Readies for U.S. Open: Fans Brace for Traffic, Course Secrets Unveiled

The U.S. Open, renowned as golf’s most challenging test, is once again hosted at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton. This prestigious event demands meticulous preparation, both on the course and in managing the influx of thousands of spectators. Darin Bevard, the 56-year-old senior director of championship agronomy for the United States Golf Association (USGA), is a key figure in ensuring the course is ready. Bevard, who describes himself as a “go-between” for the USGA setup team and the course maintenance team, works closely with Shinnecock Hills superintendent Jon Jennings to interpret course preparation memos and achieve daily standards for a “tough but fair test.”

Bevard, now in his 30th year with the USGA, has been preparing for this U.S. Open for approximately three-and-a-half years, with roots tracing back over a decade to the 2018 Open also held at Shinnecock Hills. He emphasizes that course setup is a blend of extensive data collection and intuitive “art” or “feel,” revealing that the depth of information shared and utilized for decision-making would surprise the average golf fan. Shinnecock Hills is characterized by its massive wind gusts, unique greens, and natural layout. The course features Poa annua putting greens, which, despite their excellent putting characteristics, are susceptible to environmental stress, necessitating strategies like syringing. This year, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will boast the widest fairways in 75 years, according to John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer. Following past controversies, such as complaints during the 2018 Open when Brooks Koepka won at 1-over par and Zach Johnson famously stated they had “lost the golf course,” the USGA is committed to maintaining a consistent course. Bodenhamer has made it clear that drastic changes based on early scoring are not planned, with adjustments being incremental to ensure playability even if wind speeds reach low-20s mph and gust into the 30s.

Beyond the greens and fairways, orchestrating the U.S. Open involves significant logistical planning for the thousands descending on Southampton. Commuters and golf enthusiasts experienced preliminary traffic and transit challenges on Monday as practice rounds commenced. Drivers faced delays, particularly on Sunrise Highway, while the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) reported some early delays due to equipment issues. Recognizing the scale of attendance, the LIRR has increased its fleet nearly twofold compared to the 2018 Open, running extra trains with special schedules and stops at a temporary platform near Shinnecock. Officials have urged spectators to utilize the LIRR, especially for the championship rounds later in the week.

To mitigate congestion, Southampton Town, Suffolk County, and state officials, alongside USGA-hired traffic engineers, implemented several measures. These included an express lane on Sunrise Highway, approved by the Shinnecock Nation, specifically for over 125 shuttle buses bound for the Open. Free parking and shuttle services are also available from locations like the Calverton Enterprise Park, approximately 25 miles east, and the Hampton Classic fairgrounds in Bridgehampton for local fans. Although Monday saw initial delays, these efforts generally led to a smoother experience compared to the 2018 event, where traffic jams extended over 10 miles on the first day. Volunteers and attendees, like Robert Bracken and Paul Saulnier, opted for a combination of driving and LIRR to navigate the expected heavy traffic, highlighting the LIRR’s efficiency for shorter distances around Shinnecock Hills. Real-time U.S. Open traffic advisories are also available to assist visitors. For those involved in the event’s preparation, the U.S. Open remains a pinnacle, an “awesome” experience representing one of the biggest golf events in the world.