The golf world will make its way to the East End beginning June 15, the Monday of U.S. Open week at Shinnecock Hills. As most Long Islanders know, heading to the East End, even on a normal June Monday, means traffic, merges, and a slow crawl through the South Fork. Now add tens of thousands of golf fans to the mix.
How to navigate the trek east and all the other important details involved in watching a U.S. Open played live on an American classic? Check out GOLI’s Spectator Guide below.
Getting to Shinnecock Hills during Open week
You have your tickets, but that’s only a small part of the battle. Now you have to get them to the opening gate at Shinnecock. That’s the hard part.
The USGA is urging spectators to arrive by train. As usual, a temporary Long Island Rail Road station will be located directly across Route 27 from Shinnecock Hills. The other main transportation option is a shuttle bus from the general parking area in Calverton.
Train: The LIRR is offering expanded service in both directions along the Montauk Branch. Fans coming from New York City, the East End (east of Shinnecock) and points on the south shore along the Babylon Branch will be able to take trains from their local stations. (Fans from other parts of the Island will have to connect to the Montauk Branch.) The number of trains into and out of the Shinnecock station will increase as the week progresses. For timetable info, see the LIRR’s U.S. Open pamphlet or use the MTA’s TrainTime app.
See below under Daily Schedule for eastbound departure times.
**Pay careful attention to special U.S. Open/Montauk Branch timetables, as only a few trains will be available to get spectators to the course for early-morning tee times or to accommodate fans who stay until the conclusion of play in the evenings, especially Monday to Friday**
Drive/Bus: Fans will not be able to drive and park legally in or around Southampton for the event. Those who prefer to drive can park at the General Parking Blue Lot at Calverton Airfield, approximately 25 miles west of the course. From there, complimentary shuttle buses will transport spectators to the course. A special bus lane will be in use on westbound Sunrise Highway to help fans avoid heavy eastbound traffic. Fans east of Shinnecock Hills can park at the Hampton Classic Horse Show facility and take buses from there.
Rideshare: Fans using rideshare options can get dropped off and picked up at Calverton Airfield’s Blue Lot and take shuttle buses to the course. There is no rideshare access at or near Shinnecock.
Other options: For specialized travel options like bicycle, water taxi, Hampton Jitney and air access, consult the USGA fan guide.
Daily schedule
Gates will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. According to the USGA, players typically begin practice rounds from early morning until around 3:00 p.m., from either #1 or #10 tee.
Eastbound train times – Monday to Wednesday (from Babylon LIRR station):
3:05 a.m., 7:56, 8:57, 9:23, 12:20 p.m.
Westbound train times – Monday to Wednesday (from Shinnecock Hills):
12:16 p.m., 1:51*, 3:38, 4:43, 5:40*, 6:36, 7:36, 9:00
(Trains with an asterisk * end westbound service at Speonk.)
Tournament play on Thursday and Friday tees off at 6:35 a.m. Last tee time is 2:42 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 a.m. and close following conclusion of play. Note that #1 and #10 are starting holes for the first two rounds.
Eastbound train times – Thursday and Friday (from Babylon LIRR station):
4:42 a.m., 7:34, 7:56, 8:17, 8:57, 9:23, 10:11, 11:04
Westbound train times – Thursday and Friday (from Shinnecock Hills):
12:16 p.m., 1:28, 2:11, 3:34*, 4:01, 4:48, 5:43, 6:50, 8:01, 9:30
(Train with an asterisk * makes no westbound stops between Patchogue and Jamaica.)
Weekend rounds begin between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. depending on the size of the field. Last tee time on Saturday is around 3:00 p.m.; on Sunday it’s around 2:30 p.m. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. and close following conclusion of play.
Eastbound train times – Saturday and Sunday (from Babylon LIRR station):
4:07 a.m., 4:49, 5:40, 6:46, 7:50, 8:27, 8:52, 9:06, 9:40, 10:23, 11:05, 12:54 p.m., 4:02
Westbound train times – Saturday and Sunday (from Shinnecock Hills):
2:36** p.m., 3:30**, 4:04*, 4:27, 5:06*, 5:36, 6:07, 6:40, 7:10**, 8:00, 8:47, 9:30
(Trains with an asterisk * make no westbound stops between Patchogue and Jamaica.)
(Trains with asterisks ** make no westbound stops between Speonk and Jamaica.)
The Merchandise Pavilion will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday, June 15 through the final day of play on Sunday, June 21. Before the tournament, it will be open June 11–14 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Getting around Shinnecock
Tuckahoe Road will serve as the main spectator corridor connecting the transportation area to the golf course. The course grounds are moderately to severely hilly — the clubhouse sits at its highest point, and the bulk of the course is located far below. Several walking paths lead spectators around different sections of the course, including a path along #10, a path through the center of the course along #16, and another on the west side of the course passing #2 and #3. Tuckahoe Road also provides walking access to parts of the back nine.
Expect heavy walks uphill near the clubhouse, especially if using fairway walking paths near #9 green.
What’s close to the clubhouse? The elevated clubhouse area offers a sweeping view of the grounds, and with the USGA’s goal this year to move tents and pavilions toward the perimeter areas of the course, the view from up there might be better than any past Opens. For specific holes, #9 green is located right next to the clubhouse and #18 green sits just below. #1 tee is directly in front of the clubhouse; #10 is behind. Also nearby are #13 green and #14 tee. Walking paths lead downhill along #1 and #10, providing nearby access to early holes on each nine.
What’s farthest from the clubhouse? Front-nine views of #3 green, #5 green, all of hole #6 and #7 tee require the longest walks. The 15th green and #16 tee are far walks on the back.
Several holes converge in a compact area in the middle of the property. #5 and #18 tee off next to each other, and #8 fairway and greens for holes #4 and #17 (par-3) are nearby.
Fan Zones and Experiences: There are two designated fan zones on the grounds — Fan Central near the main entrance gate is the site of the Merchandise Pavilion and various swing, bunker and putting challenges; and Fan Zone on 16 is centrally located near the 16th fairway. The USGA Experience pavilion is next to #3 fairway.
*Check back before and during the U.S. Open for added spectator information*