Sebonack GC- hole 3 & clubhouseSebonack GC- hole 3 & clubhouse 

Sebonack Golf Club is located in Southampton on Long Island, adjacent to National Golf Links of America, and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

The course opened in 2006 and was designed by Tom Doak in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus.

Owner Mike Pascucci initially gave the job to his neighbour Nicklaus, but after inspecting Doak's work at Pacific Dunes, decided to bring him into the project as well.

Doak's initial routing plan needed very little tweaking and became the blueprint for an exceptional course.

 

The land at Sebonack is sand based, with  lots of movement, and sea views.

When Tom Doak produced that initial routing however it was a jungle out there...

Doak and his Renaissance men set about shaping the greens and bunkers with their usual flair, and Nicklaus contributed by effectively adding further options for the thinking golfer on how to approach greens, lengthening the course, and reducing the size of greens.

Jack made the course harder!

 

There are a few holes with muddled personalities, but overall this is a quality course in a magnificent setting.

 

I had the pleasure of playing with Tom Doak on my first outing and at his suggestion we played off a forward tee.

It was a joy to play!

 

Sebonack GC- hole 18 with Tom DoakSebonack GC- hole 18 with Tom Doak 

I can imagine playing off a longer tee, hitting longer shots in to those creative greens, and being frustrated.

But not for us- we had a great day.

As you might imagine, a combination of 'The Golden Bear' and Tom Doak has produced a fairly strategic course, with striking bunkering throughout.

I liked the greens- some of which were a little wild in places, but generally not as big as Doak would normally produce.

I like the architect to tell me what he wants me to do off the tee as well, and for the most part Sebonack was well behaved, but there were a couple of ocassions where I really needed to be told where to go!!

 

Notable holes include:

 

- the short downhill par 3 first hole with Peconic Bay as a backdrop

 

Sebonack GC-  hole 1Sebonack GC- hole 1

 

the longer par 4 third hole with it's Big Bertha type bunker on the low side, and clubhouse to the rear

- the short strategic par 4 fourth hole

 

Sebonack GC- hole 3Sebonack GC- hole 3

Sebonack GC- hole 4Sebonack GC- hole 4

 

 

- the picture postcard par 3 eighth hole fronting the lake

 

Sebonack GC- hole 8Sebonack GC- hole 8

 

 

 

the long par 4 eleventh hole with bay as a backdrop- perhaps inspired by Ballybunion 11?

 

Sebonack GC- hole 11 Sebonack GC- hole 11

 

- the par 3 twelfth hole with its bay backdrop

- the downhill par 4 fourteenth

  

Sebonack GC- hole 12Sebonack GC- hole 12 

Sebonack GC- hole 14Sebonack GC- hole 14

 

-the par 3 seventeenth

 

 

-and of course the majestic par 5 closing hole- running right along the cliffs (see pic mid page).

 

And just for good measure there is a betting hole located near the 1st tee.

It's a short iron to a lovely green, and a great finish to a good day's golf.

 

The clubhouse at Sebonack is also impressive.

Sebonack is an exclusive private club, which is well located for the well heeled.

And I believe that despite the not inconsiderable entrance fees the membership is full.

That says something in itself.

 

It is just a pity that not many will ever get to see just how good Sebonack is.

But if you do get the chance to play there just make sure you play off the appropriate tee!

 

Championship Venue

Despite it's relative youth Sebonack hosted the Women's U.S. Open in 2013, however limited access to the site may preclude other significant events being hosted there.

 

Golf Tours

The Travelling Golfer offers group tours to the great golfing destinations of the world.

For further information see Golf Tours USA

 

Enquiries

Please enquire here:

images