Equipment

Grinding it out: U.S. Open at Shinnecock offers unique short-game situations

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 17, 2026

The U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club for the sixth time, and with the host venue comes a unique test – links golf.

With that, it also begs the question, which wedge grind should be picked to battle the fescue-style grass approaches and their coarse sand bunkers?

“As you would expect, it’s a U.S. Open, so it’s going to be difficult, but there’s a uniqueness to Shinnecock,” Aaron Dill, Vokey Wedge tour director, told GolfWRX. “It is a lot like links-type golf where you go to The Open. And so the strategy really is very similar to that, right? You have a golf course that’s set near the water. You got a lot of coastal breeze. You have firm fescue conditions, you have deep bunkers with a lot of sand. It’s very coarse sand. So I think the strategy is very similar in the sense of, okay, well how do I build some wedges for the setup that fit what’s going on here?”

(Photo courtesy of USGA)

So what is the strategy? Well, Dill believes there are plenty of options for players to choose from, depending on their primary focus.

“So I probably sound like a broken record because the four models that we see most often on tour are the four models I have here, T, L, K Stars, and there’s usually one offshoot that could be an M or an A plus. But typically, players are going to want to lean towards something more versatile in a higher loft because it gives you more versatility around a green.”

Dill believes that the narrow-soled, low-bounce grinds of the T and L grind have been popular for Shinnecock thanks to the thinner sole and help players open up the face on the tighter approach areas around the greens.

“You want to create height; you want to get under the ball,” Dill said. “… When they set up a golf course like this, they’re going to cut it tight and firm. And that forces you to pick something that’s a little bit less bounce or thinner … I think when you look at what players are going to start thinking about when they’re approaching the strategy of this golf course, is what are the key things I need to focus on.

“Some players are going to focus on rough,” Dill went on to add. “Some players are going to focus on the grass type or how tight the grass is, and some players are going to be focused on bunkering, right? The rough is really the rough. It’s going to be long, it’s going to be tough. You want to avoid it as much as possible. And I don’t think any wedge is going to make a real big difference in that space. Once you start getting on the grass. It’s firm, it’s tight green, it’s lush, it’s got a little bit of sponge to it, but it’s not rock hard like you might see at a St. Andrew’s setup or something like that, but players are going to still value opening up a wedge and seeing it sit close.”

The next big factor for the U.S. Open this year is the bunkering. Approximately 150 bunkers defend the course, and with the location on the far eastern end of Long Island, with hardly a barrier to the Atlantic coastline, the grounds staff at Shinnecock use larger-than-average sand particles to defend against the strong winds that hit the golf club year-round.

“There’s some pebbles in it, and that usually means that you’re going to get less spin,” Dill said. “So players are going to up their speeds. They’re going to try and swing a little faster to create that easy height and that spin.”

(Photo courtesy of the USGA)

With that, Dill believes that players will target certain wedges to certain locations on the course.

“Most guys, they’re going to strategize and say, okay, ‘I’m going to gear this wedge towards the grass that we’re on, so I’m going to go low and thin, bounce so I can do anything I want off there,'” Dill said. “And then once you go into the bunkers, this a decision you have to make where it’s, ‘do I play the 60 with low bounce and just hope that it doesn’t dig as much, or do I really make the smart decision, which is gearing towards the sand wedge, opening up the face, increasing the bounce naturally, and then using the less loft and the more bounce to my advantage.’ And I think when you talk to most players out here, that’s the strategy that they’re going to do.”

What’s nice for Dill and other wedge experts on the PGA Tour is that with the added pressure this week, it makes for a slightly easier summer down the road.

With the addition of a links course on the schedule for the U.S. Open, “it’s a nice early test to what players are going to see next month as they get ready for The Open overseas,” Dill added.

Equipment

Golf bags and headcovers of the 2026 U.S. Open

Published

1 hour ago

Jun 17, 2026

Brian Knudson

Major championships are when golf equipment manufacturers get the chance to show off their creativity with custom staff bags, headcovers, and accessories. Each year, the gear created for golf’s biggest events draws inspiration from the host course, local culture, or the history of the championship venue. In 2026, the U.S. Open heads to the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, one of the most iconic and challenging venues in championship golf. As you would expect, many of the custom designs pay tribute to the club’s rich heritage, the coastal setting of Long Island, and the unique character that has made Shinnecock Hills a favorite stop for the U.S. Open.

Here are some of the standout pieces of custom gear we’ve come across for the U.S. Open.

Scotty Cameron

As the national golf championship heads to Long Island, Scotty Cameron is leaning into the coastal theme with a fun, patriotic-themed headcover release. The design features sailboats over an Atlantic blue base with a Dog Wave pattern. Nautical pennants and little details like seersucker piping, signal flags, a captain’s wheel, and map accents keep it feeling like a Hamptons yacht club. A light nod to summertime sailing on the water and on the course.

Callaway

Nautical colors and seaside details are featured throughout, reflecting the club’s location on Long Island and its connection to the Atlantic Ocean. Other subtle touches include the coordinates 40.8940-72.4397, marking the location of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Premium materials, detailed embroidery, and custom accents complete a design that celebrates both the history of the club and the character of the surrounding area.

TaylorMade

For the third major of the year, TaylorMade’s Sailor’s Point Collection draws inspiration from the maritime history of the Northeast coast. The standout piece is the staff bag, featuring navy and white sailor stripes, a detailed crab graphic, and a lighthouse-inspired handle as a nod to nearby Montauk Point. One of the cooler details can be found on the side panels, where colorful nautical signal flags are used to spell out T-A-Y-L-O-R-M-A-D-E.

Cobra

The inspiration for the design centers around one of America’s most recognizable landmarks, the Statue of Liberty. Standing watch over New York Harbor for more than a century, Lady Liberty serves as the focal point of the bag and is featured throughout the design with nods to her iconic oxidized copper appearance. Additional textures and subtle details are incorporated throughout, creating a design that celebrates both New York’s history and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Srixon

Just in time for major championship season, Srixon has unveiled its new All-American Collection. The limited-edition lineup features patriotic red, white, and blue styling across headcovers, towels, hats, and golf bags, along with a special set of ZXi7/ZXi5 combo irons. Designed to celebrate summer golf in America, the collection combines Srixon’s premium performance with plenty of stars-and-stripes flair.

Bettinardi

New York is well known for baseball, and the Yankees are the most popular team in the sport. Bettinardi went with that inspiration in order to create a very fun logo that blends golf into the look. A red, white, and blue cover contains a pinstripe hexagon with a putter and Bettinardi’s wizard hat embroidered onto the top.

L.A.B. Golf

A stroll along the windswept fairways of Long Island sounds pretty relaxing unless you’re trying to survive U.S. Open week. This limited edition headcover celebrates the 126th playing of our national championship, with plenty of nods to the host venue and of course, the L.A.B. Rat! LAB has quietly made some really creative and fun covers for this year’s major championships.

Bridgestone

To celebrate 250 years of American history, Bridgestone Golf has unveiled its USA 250 Capsule just in time for U.S. Open week. The limited-edition release combines patriotic styling with the company’s Tour-proven golf ball technology, creating a commemorative package inspired by both American heritage and one of golf’s biggest championships.

Whats in the Bag

Tyrrell Hatton WITB 2026 (June)

Published

4 hours ago

Jun 17, 2026

Will Schube

Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana TB 60 TX

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana TB 70 TX

7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana TB 80 TX

Irons: Ping iDi (3), Ping i240 (4-6), Ping Blueprint S (7-PW)
Shaft: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X

Wedges: Ping S159 4.0 (50-12S, 54-12S, 60-12S)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (54, 60)

Putter: Ping PLD Oslo 400 Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Check out more in-hand photos of Tyrrell Hatton’s clubs here.

Equipment

In the GolfWRX forums — Thoughts on heavier putter head trend?

Published

4 hours ago

Jun 17, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is looking for insight on the prevalent trend of heavier putter heads, inviting both low and high handicappers to offer their insight.

@LUMA posted a poll and asked:

1. What are your thoughts on the current heavier putter weights?

Under 10 HC: Hate it

Under 10 HC: Love it

Over 10 HC: Hate it

Over 10 HC: Love it

Under 5 HC: Hate it

Under 5 HC: Love it

I just wanted to start a discussion about this. I’m a big Scotty fan, but I love anything really. The trend toward heavier putters seems a bit odd to me. I recently purchased a newer model Newport to replace my OG Studio Select. Here’s how it went.

Made putts in the store. Took it home. Putted a ton in the living room and although it wasn’t the greatest thing ever, the heavier weight was OK.

On course: WHOLE other ball game. I lost all feel with these heavier weights and I have dropped the weights in the new SC down closer to the older models. 33 inch putter cut down 1/2 inch with 40g weights and I have settled on 30g weights. Probably 25-30g lighter total. I tried a Phantom 5.5 and dropped weight in that one as well.

Is this a trend catered toward more average golfers out there with more focus on forgiveness? Is there some science behind it? I will say that the heavier weight helps stabilize the face a bit but on course in the real world, I lose all feel and speed control on a real green. The practice green on the course is not the same as the putt during your round to make birdie. I put in time on the practice greens as well and again, during the round, it’s a different deal and a bit lighter was always a better result. I also think length plays a bit part. I would imagine that if you played a longer length, you would want some extra weight vs a short and light putter.

If you love the heavier feel, what is it about it that you think improves your putting?

How is everyone else feeling about these heavier weights?

Our members in the forum voted on the poll and offered up their reasoning. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

MattM97: “I bring this up a lot in several threads but the beautiful thing about golf is how what you like others may not and what others like you may not. There’s no standard it’s just what works.As for the heavy putter trend, weight adds to MOI, MOI is stability and a lot of amateurs need that extra stability.For my personal tastes I’m pretty sure I’ve tested everything from 325g to 380g blades and I’ve landed at 345-355g as my “sweet spot” and now using 350g for the most part. This was also confirmed when I did my PLD fitting which put me into the 340-360g range. I don’t own any putter under 345g but if I get an adjustable custom I might order extra weights. But I probably won’t go above 355g on a putter for a while unless it’s an experiment.”
gioguy21: “i have 30g weights in my scotty – extended to 36.5″…and i have the jailbird ai-one cruiser — both are heavy af now and i love both of them — they roll stable and true to line every time.”
TonyRo: “I prefer heavier weighted putters for sure. I think there’s also a general thought that head weight changes tempo. I think it’s safe to say the stimps on greens have gotten faster and faster, and so there could be something there as well in matching that up with slower tempi. The CB/armlock/broomstick crazes are also contributing to a larger number of heads in the 380-520g range, and perhaps some of that is bleeding off into standard length putters too, I dunno.”

Entire Thread: “Thoughts On Heavier Putter Head Trend? *Low and High HC’s Chime In*”