From Racetrack to Tee Box
The Bridge sits on hallowed racing ground—once roaring with engines, now whisper-quiet greens. Its very soul is interwoven with the legends and lore of motorsport, a uniqueness no other top US course can claim.
The verdict
Elite Hamptons club with modern bite
The Bridge delivers a demanding, visually stunning experience atop the rolling hills of a former race circuit. Its challenging layout, impeccable conditioning, and sleek modern vibe set it apart as one of New York's elite private courses—distinctive for its setting and bravado rather than historic tournament lore or national travel traffic.
Course DNA
Difficulty
87
Scenery83
Conditioning92
Shot Variety81
Walkability72
Green Complexity80
Wow Factor85
Design Quality84
At a glance
Quick facts
Clubhouse Style
Post-modern, minimalist design
Signature Heritage
Built on old Bridgehampton Race Circuit
Slope Rating
146 (Checkered tees)
Short Course
Five-hole par-3 design by Brian Schneider (2016)
Membership
Highly exclusive, Hamptons elite
Bunker Renovation
Major bunker rebuild in 2014
Views
Peconic Bay, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor panoramas
Caddie Culture
Caddies highly rated by guests
The design
The architecture
The Bridge’s design is a compelling fusion of bold modern golf ambition and respectful nods to its racetrack past. Rees Jones used the site's undulating, elevated land to craft routing that delivers sweeping Hamptons views, wide playing corridors, and heroic shot challenges. The former race circuit’s legacy is reflected in lines, bunkers, and visual cues—every hole etched with a sense of speed, risk, and spectacle. The anti-traditional, minimalist clubhouse and native restoration reinforce a club that prizes originality and exclusivity, standing apart from older Hamptons icons.
Rees Jones blended championship rigor with the racetrack’s freewheeling spirit, delivering a bold, modern statement in Long Island golf that doesn’t apologize for breaking the Hamptons mold.
Defining features
- Elevated tees and rolling fairways with expansive vistas
- Strategically placed bunkers demanding precision placement
- Fast, firm greens with challenging contours
- Remnants and motifs from the historic race circuit
- Native-area and tree thinning restoration for views and playability
- Modernist clubhouse as visual and cultural anchor
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
The Opener
PAR
4
YARDAGE
460 yds
A stern introduction—long, slightly uphill, and lined by penal bunkers. The fairway looks broad but it’s an illusion; positioning is everything for a manageable approach.
Play it smart
Play smart to the widest landing area, avoiding the left bunkers; a safe tee shot is more valuable than distance.
Where it bites
Stray left off the tee and face tough recovery over daunting bunkers to a green well-guarded on three sides.
Course management
Shots to think about
Challenging first drive with angled bunkers
Aim for the broadest section and avoid left bunkers at all costs; club down for accuracy if needed.
Long approach into uphill 3rd hole
Take enough club; favor the right side and don’t chase a tucked pin.
Attacking par 5s (9 or 18) in two
Only attempt if you have perfect stance and angle—otherwise, lay up right, then wedge in.
Putting on quick, sloping greens
Stay below the hole whenever possible; lag putts can easily race six feet past if misjudged.
Approach shots with wind
Trust yardage, but select more club than usual when wind is in your face—elevation and exposure make a difference.
Chipping from tight lies around greens
Use a low, running option where possible—firm surrounds penalize heavy-handed shots.
Fairway bunkers guarding ideal landing zones
Don’t challenge every bunker—sacrifice a few extra yards for angle and a clear next shot.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superb maintenance, fast greens, firm fairways year round.
Pace
Very fast, unhurried, with minimal crowding or delays.
Vibe
Exclusive, modern, understated luxury; private but not stuffy.
Dress code
Traditional private-club standards: collared shirts, no denim, tailored attire.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial In Your Tee Ball
The Bridge rewards accurate drives; spend extra time on the range finding your best shot shape and yardage.
02
Practice Uphill and Sidehill Lies
Bring your A-game for uneven stances—elevation changes create tricky setups throughout.
03
Greenside Speed Control
Fast, undulating greens will punish casual lag putts; practice speed on quick surfaces before your round.
04
Study Wind Patterns
Open, elevated holes mean wind is a real factor—check local conditions and adjust your club selection accordingly.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1957
Bridgehampton Race Circuit opens; future club site hosts international auto racing.
- 1998
Racetrack closes after 41 years; land transitions toward golf development.
- 2002
The Bridge golf course officially opens, designed by Rees Jones.
- 2014
Rees Jones completes major bunker and fairway renovation.
- 2016
Brian Schneider of Renaissance Golf Design adds a five-hole par-3 short course.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Clubhouse Like No Other
By breaking with Hamptons tradition, The Bridge’s starkly modernist clubhouse redefines the private club experience. It stands as a sleek centerpiece—a statement of innovation and taste, not nostalgia.
Bunker Rebirth, Strategy Reimagined
The 2014 overhaul of fairway and greenside bunkers elevated the course’s strategic bite. With key angles and sightlines tweaked, every hazard now dares you to take or play safe.
Short Course, Big Fun
Brian Schneider’s five-hole par-3 short course, added in 2016, is a hidden gem. It’s the perfect change-up for members and guests—quick, challenging, and endlessly replayable.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Built atop the old Bridgehampton Race Circuit—motorsport ghosts linger
2
The clubhouse’s postmodern design stirs debate and admiration alike
3
Stunning property views sweep to the Shelter Island and Peconic Bay
4
Added a five-hole par-3 short course in 2016
5
One of the highest slope ratings on Long Island at 146
Build the trip
If you’re making a Hamptons golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Private
Historic US Open venue and a masterpiece of American golf.
National Golf Links of America
Private
Iconic golden age design and rich lore.
Sebonack Golf Club
Private
Modern, dramatic, and immaculately maintained.
Montauk Downs State Park
Public
Legendary public access with classic design.
Poxabogue Golf Center
Public
Practice, warm-up, and relaxed play for all.
Southampton or Sag Harbor for best access to the region’s top private and public courses.
Course DNA
If You Like The Bridge
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Adios Golf Club
Coconut Creek, FloridaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Adios Golf Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to The Bridge.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Whispering Pines Golf Club
Trinity, TexasConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Whispering Pines Golf Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Fort Collins Country Club
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Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Fort Collins Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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