Let's Review: Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course

The Skinny

Montauk Downs is a public gem in an area flushed with some of the nicest country clubs in the world, but the summer tee-sheets reflect its popularity.

The Course

‘The Downs’ in Montauk is a course that you’ll find in the same ‘Top Muni’ lists as Bethpage and Torrey Pines, and deservedly so. The uninitiated might expect views of the Atlantic their first time, but the course shows off Montauk’s lesser known deep woods, natural ponds, and heavy brush.

It might not reach Bethpage-levels of difficulty, but there are some stretches that can feel like a U.S. Open if you’re off your game. Once your driver starts misbehaving, the course can feel like a bowling alley, and if you elect anything shorter off the tee, it becomes a behemoth. Conditions would be iffy if you were paying a $200k initiation fee, but for a muni, they’re totally forgivable.

Bunkers are deep, greens are elevated and protected - thinking you can stroll out to Montauk after your $500 Surf Lodge night and dominate this course is a mistake. That said, it’s an absolute blast to play, it’s super walkable (if you bring a water), and you can probably trick yourself into thinking you’re at Shinnecock if you squint hard enough.

The Price

Naturally, the place is a bargain for those with in-state IDs (~$50). It can balloon up to around $100 for visitors, but even so, you won’t regret the price to come out and play here.

The drawback at Montauk Downs (and anywhere else in Montauk at this point) is the demand. With people from all over coming out in droves to this area for the summer, the tee-sheet is a nightmare on weekends. Don’t bank on a walk-in or same-day booking; Log on at weird hours of the day, go out alone, sneak out on a weekday.

Signature Hole

It’ll either be the infuriating and gorgeous 170 yard par-3 12th that’s protected by deep brush and two laughably deep bunkers in front, or the par-5 7th that features a blind tee shot and some serious risk-reward consideration on your second shot. You can lay up right and leave yourself an easy chip in, or wait 10 minutes for the green to clear before duffing a 5-hybrid into the pond that protects the green.

Grabbing a Bite 

If you’re staying in Montauk, there are approximately 8,000 places to eat. If you’re driving from elsewhere, the Clam Bar or Lunch on Mtk Hwy are two great places to throw out your scorecard and have some fried food and a beer.

Nice to Know

The bar inside gives out coolers if you buy more than a few beers, which is a nice perk. The driving range is mats only and you’ll pay a little for a token, and the carts are fairly souped up with distances and bluetooth.

How many sleeves: 3+

The brush out here eats golf balls. Tons of forced carries, thin fairways lined with woods, and lots of opportunities to lose the branded Pro V1s that you got at your corporate golf outing last week.