Can You Play Shinnecock Hills on E6 Connect? Here's How

Shinnecock Hills is the oldest golf club in America, founded in 1891. The current course is a William Flynn redesign from 1931, and it remains one of the most respected tests of golf in the world.

Shinnecock has hosted five US Opens, most recently in 2018 when Brooks Koepka won on a course that destroyed the field. The greens were borderline unfair in the final round. The course was fast, firm, and ruthless. That is Shinnecock.

On E6 Connect, the officially licensed version captures the coastal terrain, the wind, and the green complexes that make this course a true examination.

What Tier You Need

Shinnecock Hills is in the Expanded tier ($600/year). It requires the full library subscription. It is not available as a premium add-on.

For a full breakdown of every tier, read the Best Courses on E6 Connect guide.

Why Shinnecock Works on E6

Shinnecock Hills is an open, coastal course that sits on a bluff overlooking Shinnecock Bay. The terrain is rolling, the wind is constant, and the greens are the most difficult on any US Open rotation.

The E6 version uses professional LIDAR data that captures the movement of the land. The course plays firm and fast. The fairways tilt and run. The greens are the main event.

Shinnecock’s greens are William Flynn’s masterpiece. They are contoured, crowned, and surrounded by collection areas that feed balls away from the putting surface. The 2018 US Open showed the world what happens when these greens get firm. Pin positions that looked reasonable on Thursday became unplayable on Sunday.

On E6, the green slopes are accurate. The 1st green runs off on three sides. The 7th green is a crowned tabletop that repels anything short. The 15th green is a two-tiered monster that punishes approach shots that land above the hole.

How to Access It

Open E6 Connect. Navigate to the course library. Search for “Shinnecock Hills.” Select the course and load it. Play from the US Open tees for the full test.

The Holes That Shine

The 7th Hole — The Crowned Green: A 190-yard par 3 that plays uphill to one of the most famous greens in golf. The putting surface is crowned and repels anything that lands short or off line. On E6, this hole is a pure test of shotmaking. Hit the perfect shot or three-putt from 30 feet.

The 11th Hole — The Par 4 with the View: A 360-yard par 4 that plays downhill to a fairway that runs toward the bay. The approach is to a green that sits below the level of the fairway. On E6, the view of the bay in the background makes this one of the most visually rewarding holes on the platform.

The 14th Hole — The Short Par 4: A 340-yard par 4 that requires a precise drive between bunkers. The green is elevated and protected by bunkers on both sides. On E6, the approach shot requires a full commitment to the target.

The 18th Hole — The Finisher: A 480-yard par 4 that plays uphill to a green set against the clubhouse. The fairway tilts right to left. The approach is long and demanding. On E6, the uphill shot plays a full club longer than the yardage.

How It Compares to Other Versions

GSPro has community builds of Shinnecock Hills that capture the coastal terrain well. The open landscape makes for good LIDAR data. E6’s version is professionally licensed with higher resolution green data.

The greens are the difference. Shinnecock’s greens are the most complex in American golf, and the E6 version captures the internal contours with the precision that the course deserves. If you are playing Shinnecock to understand the course, the E6 version is the one to use.

The Value

Shinnecock Hills is included in the Expanded tier. It is a bucket-list course that most people will never play in real life. The E6 version is the next best thing.

For the full list of courses worth playing on E6, read the Best Courses on E6 Connect guide. For the complete breakdown of the software, check the E6 Connect Software Review.