Southampton, New York
Sebonack immediately entered the conversation among elite modern American courses with its rare Nicklaus-Doak collaboration and dramatic coastal land. This is a thinking player’s challenge—wide fairways demand precision under wind, with massive, wild greens overlooking Peconic Bay. A round here is a privileged walk in the shadow of legends.
If the match isn’t settled after 18, take it to the 19th — Sebonack has a 182-yard “bye” hole built specifically in the old British tradition for settling unresolved bets.
Sebonack is a rare confluence of vision—Nicklaus’s bold, strategic bunkering and Doak’s natural ground-game inspiration fused into rolling fairways, vast sand features, and some of the wildest green contours on the East Coast. The routing weaves along Peconic Bay, twisting across exposed bluff and meadow, making every shot shape and wind angle meaningful. The course never feels over-orchestrated or artificial; instead, it draws energy from the subtle movement of the land and the ever-present wind off the bay.
Nicklaus and Doak’s unusual partnership yielded a course with both strategic bite and natural beauty—the design highlights the best of both architects’ philosophies with seamless unity.
Frequently cited as Sebonack’s finest par 4, the second hole sweeps along tumbling ground, forcing an exacting tee shot to hold the ideal angle into a treacherous green complex. The views open to Peconic Bay as you approach, and the hole perfectly captures the course’s demand for strategy and execution.
Play for position off the tee—distance alone will not yield a clean look. Smart players will pick a side and avoid flirting with the aggressive bunkers guarding the fairway’s aggressive shoulders.
Heavy crosswinds and deep rough-edged bunkers lurk, making misses costly and recovery shots daunting.
Immaculate tees, fairways, and ultra-smooth wild greens—always tournament-ready.
Deliberate, caddie-assisted rounds; time to enjoy every shot.
High-end private club with polished but understated service and exclusivity.
Traditional upscale club attire—collared shirts, slacks/shorts; no denim.
Coastal wind and firm greens demand flighted approaches and fade/draw skills.
Practice chipping from tight turf and rugged bunkers—recovery skills are vital.
Prepare for a long, undulating walk—comfortable shoes and stamina help, even with a caddie.
Charles B. Macdonald considered the land for National Golf Links but passed on it
Michael Pascucci buys site for $46 million
Sebonack Golf Club opens, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak
Hosts U.S. Women's Open, won by Inbee Park
Course receives global spotlight for its architecture and setting
Developer Michael Pascucci personally persuaded two of the game's most distinct designers—Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak—to create Sebonack together. Their blend is visible everywhere: Doak's naturalistic routing and Nicklaus's strategic hazards make every hole a tense, thoughtful challenge.
In 1906, Charles Blair Macdonald mulled buying this waterfront land for National Golf Links but ultimately passed. Decades later, its rolling dunes and bayfront edges became Sebonack, adding a new chapter to Long Island’s elite golf corridor.
Barely seven years after it opened, Sebonack hosted the 2013 U.S. Women's Open, drawing world-class players and showcasing the challenge of firm turf, wild wind, and treacherous green complexes to a global audience.
The land cost a reported $46 million before construction began.
Sebonack sits directly between Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links, two of America’s top five courses.
Its founders insisted on a closing par five, uncommon for a course of this pedigree.
Built with no shortcuts—developer Pascucci personally insisted on the Nicklaus-Doak team.
Was considered in the early 1900s for National Golf Links but left untouched for a century.
Affordable, historic, and the must-play public round in the Hamptons—challenging and accessible to all.
Hall-of-fame U.S. Open host and architecture icon—peerless pedigree if you can score an invite.
Golden Age masterpiece; essential for strategy and tradition seekers.
Dramatic modern test with imposing vistas and prestige near Southampton.
Southampton Village or Water Mill for convenient access to Sebonack, Shinnecock, and local dining.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: Augusta National Golf Club is a natural next stop after Sebonack Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: Bel-Air Country Club is a natural next stop after Sebonack Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: If Sebonack Golf Club is your kind of course, Sherwood Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
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