A Stone's Throw Away from the City
- Mackenzie Puryear
- Nov 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 30
“Legend has it that Bobby Jones felt these final three holes made it one of the greatest match-play courses in America.” - Golf Digest
I still remember this round like it was yesterday. I stepped up to the tee, a shiver coursing through my body from the cool September breeze that seemed constant throughout the day. I tried my best to forget about the fear I had for the hole ahead of me; it had been a rough day, to say the least.
Remember my metaphor about the horse and the golf course?
Well, that day, the horse was bucking, showing its dominance over me as I tried to mask my fear with strength. I tried to take in the pure beauty around me instead of focusing on the daunting dangers that lay ahead for my golf ball. That poor ball had already been through the wringer—and we still had the entire back nine to play.
As we waited for the group ahead of us to clear the hitting area, my playing partner joined me on the tee with a hot dog for the two of us to split. I remember taking the half from her tentatively, as she assured me that it was worth it.
For those of you who know me, a hot dog wouldn’t be my first choice—or even my second or third—but I digress.
I took a bite and, to my surprise, it was one of the best things I had ever tasted. The kind of goodness where you just know that particular food is ruined for the rest of your life because nothing will ever compare. Perhaps my grumbling stomach biased my taste buds, but still, to this day, I haven’t had another hot dog.
So, have you guessed where I am yet? The place that singlehandedly ruined hot dogs for me with breathtaking views and the difficulty of a US Open golf course on a Sunday?
Maidstone Club in East Hampton, NY.
Maidstone Club defines exclusivity. No, really, they might as well have a picture of the clubhouse next to the word in the dictionary. I mean, they even turned down Donald Trump! Okay, I realize how that may not be the best example, but you get the point—they don’t just let anyone with a checkbook into this place.
And there I found myself, standing on the tee, eating a hot dog.
Okay, so here’s the story. I ended up at Maidstone for a Pro-Am that I was invited to. I was playing as one of the pros (even though it was hard to tell at the time) and we played one round at Maidstone and one round at the Atlantic Club. It was an incredible experience, and I would go back in a heartbeat even if I thought I wouldn’t have a chance at breaking 80.
The club was founded in 1891, yet the course didn’t open until 1924. It has remained ranked in Golf Digest’s top 100 greatest courses since 1969 and just received the 52nd spot for 2023-2024. In addition, it was ranked within the top 10 best courses in New York from 1983-2007 and has remained in the top 15 since 2009.
Designed by Willie Park Jr. and Jack Park, the links-style course features ocean views, fescue grass, and numerous bunkers. Oh yeah, and Bobby Jones thinks the last three holes are pretty great, and I stand with Mr. Jones on that.
The 16th hole is a par-4 that plays long as it is usually straight into the wind off the Atlantic. The tee shot seems daunting until you get to the approach shot, which makes you wish you were back on the tee (life is all about perspective, right?). The landing area from the tee seems small as a pond and dunes line each side of the fairway, yet the elevated green is guarded by bunkers. Precision is key if you want to leave yourself a good chance at a two-putt.
The 17th hole is a par-3 often affected by crosswinds off of the Atlantic (are you seeing the theme yet?) which can make club selection difficult. Golf Digest claims this green is one of the tightest greensites in America, sitting just in front of a major street intersection with the roads only about 12 paces off of each collar. However, the ocean views are absolutely beautiful on this hole.
Finally, the 18th hole is another par-4 which heads back towards the clubhouse. Aside from the beauty of the clubhouse against the setting sun, I remember this hole playing very long as the elevated green sloped back to front with the wind blowing straight into.
As for my round, it was rough from the start. I had a shank early on that plagued my mind for the rest of the day, and that’s not really a course where you want to start out fearful. It’s long, but the never-ceasing wind makes it feel much longer. The fescue invites your ball to a place to hide from the numerous bunkers that litter each hole. And when it finally makes it to the green, a whole new set of challenges awaits.
Yet, this course was incredible.
It was breathtaking, and the difficulty of it left me wanting another shot at it. It’s the type of course that enables an addiction to the game. I also met some pretty awesome people during my round, including basketball coach Larry Brown. The only coach in history to win an NCAA Championship and an NBA title (although he would never tell you that himself) left me with some simple, yet very wise words:
“Don’t forget, kid, believing in yourself helps.”
Golf Course Details
Par 72
Gold Tees Course/Slope Rating: 74/140, Length: 6,742 yds.
White Tees Course/Slope Rating (Women): 76.2/142, Length: 6,004 yds.
Course Designer: Willie Park Jr. & Jack Park
Opened in 1924
Grass Type: Bent
Course Type: Private