Our Favorite Public Golf Courses on the East End
Well-known for some of the country’s most renowned private golf courses, Long Island is also home to a wide array of beautiful public courses as well, many of which are located right here on the East End. With a variety of public courses for guests to enjoy, the East End offers the perfect getaway for all golf lovers from avid golfers to those just in it for the fun. Check out some of our favorite local courses below for a wonderful Long Island golf experience.
North Fork
Hidden away in wine country on the North Fork, Cedars Golf Club in Cutchogue is the perfect course for a quick round and provides fun for golfers of all ages. Tucked away in the trees, this simple course offers nine holes of par-3 play for a carefree experience and will take you back in time with its rustic charm. A round of golf on this par-27 course won’t take long either, leaving time for a winery stop (or two) on your way home.
Further east, Island’s End Golf Club in Greenport features a beautiful par-72 course, playable for all skill levels. This picturesque course provides flat and forgiving fairways as well as a beautiful view from the 16th hole on a bluff overlooking the Long Island Sound. The Island’s End Club also offers a driving range and restaurant and bar for members and guests to enjoy. While in Greenport, be sure to take a stroll through the village with a lovely location on the Peconic Bay.
*Also located on the North Fork, the Laurel Links Country Club is a private course, however, guests staying at The Quogue Club are offered special privileges to enjoy a round of golf at this premier East End club.
Riverhead
The largest number of public golf courses on the East End can be found in Riverhead with a wide array of golf experiences for guests to enjoy. The popular Indian Island Country Club, nestled alongside the Peconic River, offers beautiful water views and a relaxing environment for an easygoing 18 holes. With large, fast greens, Indian Island is all about the short game.
Riverhead is also home to the Cherry Creek Links Course with the only par-6 hole in the area, a 644-yard 18th. This course provides the perfect playground for those who enjoy an aerial game with elevated greens and large bunkers.
For a fun and quick round, visit Sandy Pond Golf Course, a 9-hole course hidden away on the north side of Riverhead. With holes ranging from 85 to 160 yards, Sandy Pond is fun for all ages and skill levels.
Additional public courses in the area include the semi-private Vineyards Golf Club with nearly 100 sand traps and the Woods Course at Cherry Creek lined by trees on all sides, both neighboring the Cherry Creek Links Course in the scenic rural area of Riverhead.
Hamptons
Well-known for its private golf courses including Shinnecock Hills, home to the 2018 US Open, the Hamptons do offer a couple of public courses for visitors to enjoy as well. The 9-hole, par-30 Poxabogue Golf Center in Bridgehampton is perfect for a family-friendly round of golf with easy play for golf lovers of all ages and skill levels. Located in the heart of the Hamptons, this course is also known for the occasional celebrity sighting.
Considered a hidden gem by many in the golf world, Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course is a must visit for those golfing on the East End. While it is quite a drive to “The End” of Long Island, Montauk Downs is worth the trip for those looking for a challenging but fun experience on a beautiful course. With long fairways and tough greens, this course has been compared to Bethpage Black as one of the best public courses on the island.
If you want to get some practice in without playing a full course, check out the Southampton Golf Range, along the main highway in Southampton. This facility offers everything you need for a fun afternoon of golf including a driving range, several bays with Top Tracer Range technology, and an 18-hole mini golf course. The Golf Range also offers an indoor golf simulator for practice or regular round play.
Bethpage State Park
Finally, for avid golfers visiting Long Island, we recommend planning some time for a round at the legendary Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, about an hour’s drive west of Quogue. One of the most famed courses on Long Island, if not in the country, and home to the 2019 PGA Championship, Bethpage Black is sure to provide an amazing golf experience. Bethpage Black is not for the faint of heart, though, as many of the world’s top golfers have struggled with the course’s long, narrow fairways, large bunkers and challenging greens. Fortunately, Bethpage State Park also offers four additional courses for guests who are looking for less difficulty and a more laid back experience.