Detailed description of Montauk Downs State Park
Montauk Downs State Park, is a Public, 18-hole golf course located in Montauk, New York.
If you have a public course like Bethpage in your state, it's going to be tough to beat them out as #1 best public course in the state. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Gardeners Bay, many think that Montauk Downs comes in as a close "second best public course for the money in New York" just behind the Black track at Bethpage. "Golf Digest" rated this course as the 3rd "Best Public Course" in the state for 1996. In addition, "Golf Digest" rated this course 38th best under the category of "America's Top 75 Affordable Courses" in their 1996 list of "America's Best Golf Courses Everyone Can Play." In 1990, they ranked it 44th among the "Top 75 Public Courses."
The golf course traces its history back to a private course originally developed in 1927, designed by Captain H.C. Tippett.
The course was redesigned in 1968. Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his son Rees to took advantage of rolling, tree-studded terrain punctuated by ponds and lakes and buffeted by strong winds. This state-owned course often requires difficult approach shots. All the tees and greens are elevated. Today the course stretches close to 7,000 yards. You'll feel every bit of it at holes like the uphill, 452-yard 9th and, with its forced carry, the 213-yard 12th. And more improvements are in the pipeline thanks to a recently initiated private fund-raising effort and Rees Jones, who has agreed to work on the course pro bono.
Par for the course is 72. The course plays to 6,762 yards from the blue tees, 6,289 yards from the white tees and 5,797 yards from the red tees. The number 1 handicap hole on the course is the aforementioned, uphill, 452-yard 9th hole.
(cart included), played on Saturday, January 2013 at 6am
This 1927 municipal course must be one of the too five in the world. Every hole has unique challenges and the course condition is better than Private course in the area. Montaukdowns has a higher slope/rating than Shinnecock. Awesome experience.
$41 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, August 2011 at noon
If you are looking for a challenging course and don't want the hassel of trying to get a tee time on Bethpage Black Montauk Downs is it. Well worth the drive and the price. The course is very walkable.
$46 (cart not included), played on Saturday, June 2011 at 10am
The course was very wet from prior day rains had to walk back nine. The course is very enjoyable and a good challenge. worth the trip great value for the money. I enjoyed playing Montauk Downs as much as playing Bethpage Black. It was our first time at the course played some shots to the wrong place but it was a fair and good test of the game. Great views and play was fast given the conditions.
$26 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, August 2009 at noon
a round at Montauk Downs is a special thing !!! Be prepared to score a little higher than normal ... but it's worth the add'l strokes :):):)
$61 (cart included), played on Friday, September 2008 at 8am
Fine, no additional comments.
$76 (cart included), played on Monday, August 2008 at 8am
Was worth the hassle of their registration system and trying to get a tee- time. Very challenging especially in the prevailing wind. A tough walk but doable. The Pro-shop staff was especially friendly and helpful, the starter was not so much. Worth the long drive. This course was almost if not more challenging than Bethpage Black.
(cart included), played on Monday, June 2008 at noon
This is my favorite course to play. Nice layout, great views, challenging breezes. In fantastic shape considering the number of rounds played here.
$46 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2007 at 6am
This is a jewel in the New York State golf crown.
It is very comparable to Bethpage and easier to get on and get reservations.
Robert Trent Jones son Reese, who worked on prepping Bethpage black for the open in 2002, is working gratis on Montauk Downs.
The course is maintained in great condition by the best grounds keeper and staff in New York State.
$31 (cart not included), played on Saturday, August 2007 at 10am
This is the course that plays as well as all the elite private courses in the area.
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$66 (cart included), played on Saturday, September 2013 at 8am
We had a great round as the course was in wonderful shape. The greens were quick and rolling true. The layout is challanging but fair.