Let's Review: Harbor Links Championship Golf Course

The Skinny

Harbor Links in scenic Port Washington, NY is one of those courses that you’ve either played or been told to play. If neither is true; now you are being told to play there. You are welcome.

The Course

Designed by Michael Hurdzan, whoever the heck that is, Harbor Links is about an hour trip out from Manhattan.

What better way to start your round than a nice, straight, WIDE, par 5. A nice drive can set you up with about a 250 yard shot to the pin. After the hole, you are going to call the pro shop asking what the course record is, but it can go downhill fast after that - I’ve been there. My personal favorite stretch on the course is hole 5 and hole 6 with the dual fairways. It’s very tough to miss the fairway on those holes, but like I said before - I’ve been there.

The back 9 is the opposite of the front as you start with a skinny Par 4 with kind of a blind second shot. Ranked the number 1 handicap, just hope you are stroking on this hole. After this the hole, the course really eases up and the fairways widen. A little insider tip for the back: on hole 16, there’s a tee box elevated above the whites that sets up a picturesque tee shot.

This course is a lot of fun, but be prepared to put your driver in the bag if you’re sporting that big slice.

The Price

For non-residents the price on weekends vary depending on the time you play.

For the quality of course you get, there aren’t many in Long Island that are this close to the city where you can get out (with a cart) at these rates.

Signature Hole

120-130 yard par 3 peninsula green. You either hit a terrific tee shot and feel like Tiger on Sunday or you are holding the flag for your partner.

Grabbing a Bite 

Where do you go if you leave yourself some extra time?

Easy Answer: Hincks Delicatessen. Whether it’s a bacon egg and cheese or you want a big lunch, they do it all.

My personal go to is the Boulevard with Firecracker sauce (Spicy Cajun Mayo). The Boulevard has thinly sliced breaded chicken cutlet, bacon, lettuce, tomato, American cheese and the Firecracker sauce brings it all together.

Harbor Links also has a grill in the clubhouse and a halfway house, so if you don’t have time to stop before or want something after; you will be taken care of.

Nice to Know

Golf carts have GPS/screens, but bring a range finder just in case because a decent amount of time, it’s cart path only.

Peak days may warrant a slow round; so tell your significant other you might be late to dinner.

The (turf) driving range is usually open unless there was heavy rain a few days prior. Very reasonable prices for buckets.

They also have a 9 hole, Par 3 course, that if you can’t get a tee time at the Championship Course and just want to get outside and swing a club you can play at.

How many sleeves: 2

Overall it’s fairly open with only a few holes with a water hazard. As mentioned earlier the only way you will lose a lot of balls is if you really slice your driver. Swing loose and let it rip.