When an Old U.S. Open Course Meets a New Generation of Golfers

A group of golfers, including Jim Furyk (orange shirt), practicing on the 11th green of Shinnecock Hills on Wednesday.SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, the host of the United States Open this week, is 127 years old and widely considered among North America’s best. But in the ways that matter for an elite player — the feel of a layout and the understanding of its nuances — the Shinnecock Hills course is largely a stranger to the young golfers who have overtaken most of the top spots in the world rankings.

In the 14 years since the U.S. Open was last contested here, a new wave of talent has reshaped the way the game is played at the highest levels. The modern game, boosted by…