SOUTHAMPTON, NY. Yes, this year’s US Open is being staged at the renowned Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. However, the sheer depth of superior courses calling Long Island home is beyond amazing.
The largest island off the east coast of the United States stretches 118 miles from Kings and Queens County in New York City all the way to the twin forks jutting out into the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean respectively.
If Long Island alone were a State, it would trail only behind New York overall and Pennsylvania for the depth of key golf facilities. Much of that was helped by the migration of architectural talent that first stepped into the area after coming from across the pond. Recent additions have also been created that have clearly propelled themselves into the discussion.
Golf construction was helped in having engrossing terrain with enough internal movement to provide for natural holes working in tandem with what Mother Nature provided.
No less important was the fact that crucial deep-pocketed benefactors took a great interest in golf in the early part of the 20th century and put their considerable bankrolls into motion for those on the private side of the ledger.
While Shinnecock Hills will get the lion’s share of attention this week at the 126th US Open, the overall golf product emanating from Long Island is nothing short of extraordinary quality.
*
Long Island’s Top 25(in alphabetical order) |
|
First Five |
Second Five |
| Friar’s Head Baiting Hollow |
Bethpage / Black Farmingdale |
| Maidstone East Hampton |
Creek Club Locust Valley |
| National Golf Links of America Southampton |
Garden City Golf Club
Garden City |
| Sebonack Southampton |
Piping Rock Locust Valley |
| Shinnecock Hills Southampton |
St. George’s East Setauket |
Third Five |
Fourth Five |
| Atlantic Club Bridgehampton |
Engineers Roslyn |
| The Bridge Bridgehampton |
Laurel Links Laurel |
| Deepdale Manhasset |
Sands Point Sands Point |
| Meadowbrook Club Jericho |
Southampton Southampton |
| Nassau Glen Cove |
Westhampton
Westhampton Beach |
Fifth Five |
|
East Hampton
East Hampton |
|
Garden City CC
Garden City |
| Inwood Inwood |
|
Rockaway Hunting Club
Lawrence |
| Seawane Hewlett Harbor |
Related: Scotty Cameron Adds Phantom 3.2 to 2026 Phantom Lineup
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”