A golfer’s summer in the Hamptons

Summer in the Hamptons is often shorthand for sandbar parties and waterfront dinners, but it’s also one of the most appealing summer destinations on the East Coast for golfers. That is especially the case with Shinnecock Hills Golf Club hosting the 2026 U.S. Open week in Southampton from June 15 to 21. But you don’t need a championship tee time or a private club connection to make the most of it. Across the South Fork are public courses offering scenic, challenging play. And when you’re fresh off an 18-hole afternoon, you’ll be able to unwind in some of the Northeast’s most scenic and satisfying seafood restaurants and hotels. Whether you’re a scratch golfer looking for a championship-level course, or an amateur who just wants a round with scenic, ocean-edged play, the Hamptons should be on every golfer’s summer travel list.

A Hamptons golf trip works best when you allow for at least three days of play, beginning with a mellow round on the west end and finishing on one of the Hamptons’ most iconic courses. Start at Indian Island Golf Course in Riverhead, where an accessible opening round immediately grounds you in the landscape. This course is defined by scenic views of the Peconic River, with many holes featuring water elements like ponds and tidal creeks. And once you’re done, the Long Island Aquarium is just five minutes down the road for a natural stop if you’re traveling with family or want to extend the day on the water.

Afterward, settle into the rhythm of the trip. Cowfish in Hampton Bays makes for an easy post-round stop, where you can watch boats pass through the canal over oysters or a steak, and nearby Canoe Place Inn adds a sense of history to the first night. The inn traces its roots back centuries, and while the rooms are modern, the setting still feels tied to an earlier version of the Hamptons, back when things were slower and a little more understated. Before you head out east, make sure to stop by The Big Duck, an iconic Long Island landmark.

As you move farther east, the pace shifts. Sag Harbor State Golf Course offers something different from the larger layouts: a 9-hole course set within a protected natural area, surrounded by woods and wetlands. It’s the kind of place where you can play a relaxed round, double back for 18, and still have most of the day ahead of you. Opened in 1926, this course is an historic affair that allows for quicker, more accessible play – ideal for a half-day outing. Unlike the private country clubs, it’s open year-round and can be played rather affordably. The nearby bay-front town of Sag Harbor is known for its beaches and waterfront dining; it’s the perfect place to relax after a satisfying day of smooth strokes (or a disappointing day of hitting hazards).

There’s no shortage of ways to use that extra half a day. Sag Harbor is as much about what happens off the course as on it. Here, lingering lunches tend to transition into time by the water on unhurried afternoons. If you’re looking for a refuge from fine dining and prefer a casual seafood shack experience, it doesn’t get more classic than the Clam Bar in Amagansett. This decades-old staple on the Montauk Highway is known for its iconic yellow umbrellas, laid-back vibes, and, of course, the fried clams and lobster rolls. Since it’s just a block from the beach, their lobster rolls make the perfect beach picnic snack.

Save the famous Montauk Downs for the final round. The Robert Trent Jones-designed course is the most demanding of the public options, with rolling fairways and steady ocean breezes highlighting a layout that feels properly championship-level. By the time you reach it, you’ll be settled into your groove, which is imperative on a course that asks a lot of you, both in play and in focus.

Montauk itself makes for a fitting endpoint. Inlet Seafood, owned by local fishermen, pairs wide water views with a menu built around the day’s catch, and Montauk Yacht Club, just down the road from Montauk Downs, makes a natural base for the final stretch of the trip.

That’s what makes the Hamptons such a strong golf destination. It’s not just about proximity to Shinnecock or playing elite courses, but it’s also about how naturally golf fits into everything else here. You can start your trip easing into a round near the Peconic, spend a day playing a shorter course and lingering in Sag Harbor, and finish with a more demanding round in Montauk, all while moving through some of the East End’s best scenery.

The South Fork’s hotels lean into history and quiet luxury, with boutique inns and resorts that double as part of the trip rather than just a place to sleep. Montauk Yacht Club combines old money luxury with modern amenities. Tennis courts and a marina-side pool keep the days easy, while a private beach and paddleboards put the lake within reach. Evenings turn toward live music on the dock or an Italian restaurant on the water. Five historic 1928 cottages anchor the property, each with original architectural details and private patios, set near the racquet courts for guests who want to play between rounds. Downtown Montauk is only minutes away when you want to swap the resort for a walk along the harbor or dinner in town.

While much of the Hamptons claims to be historic, it’s tough to top the historic bona fides of the Canoe Place Inn. This inn traces its roots back to 1697, claiming to sit on the site of the oldest inn in the country. Although today’s guest rooms are appointed with modern amenities, you’ll still find historic touches like original wood-burning fireplaces and clawfoot bathtubs. Located between Peconic and Shinnecock Bay, it’s the perfect gateway to the Hamptons, as well as just 15 minutes to Indian Island Golf Course.

By the time you’re sitting at Inlet, the Hamptons may feel like a single long round played slowly across the South Fork: Peconic to Sag Harbor to Montauk, with a lobster roll somewhere in between.