Golf on Long Island: Flyover: Poxabogue Golf Center

Between Manorville and Montauk, there's a stretch of private golf clubs thoroughly documented in history books and prominently positioned in world rankings. One of them -- Shinnecock Hills -- is preparing to host the 2018 U.S. Open, and its neighbors, places like National Golf Links and Sebonack Golf Club, are bucket-list types far out of reach for most of the golfing public. As the road runs east to Montauk and its renowned state-park course, however, there is one low-key setting known for old-fashioned, family-friendly golf.

Poxabogue Golf Center is easy to miss on the north side of Route 27 in Sagaponack, but it's worth looking out for. Its centerpiece is a pleasant par-30 suitable for senior and junior players, yet enjoyable for everyone in between. The facility is ideal for beginners, features an expansive driving range and is as focused on junior golf as any course on Long Island. Steve Feder, head pro at Poxabogue as well as Suffolk County's municipal Indian Island Country Club, has overseen upgrades to the course and an expansion of its junior program since his management company took over operations in 2016. The nine-hole layout itself is kid-friendly -- its longest hole is 304 yards, and two of its par-3s are actually mid-length pitches. Off the course, Poxabogue offers a popular grill on site, complete with an open-air patio overlooking the practice green and ninth hole.

The course celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. Alfred Tull, whose courses include Bethpage Yellow, Sunken Meadow's three nines and several private clubs, designed Poxabogue in the midst of the 1960s course-building boom. Poxabogue is unique, especially among Long Island publics, in that it attracts a wide variety of golf-playing celebrities venturing over from across the Hamptons. Justin Timberlake, reportedly a repeat visitor to Poxabogue, was spotted on the range this past Memorial Day weekend.

LAYOUT:
Two of Poxabogue's three par-4s come at you early in the round. At 304 yards, #1 is the course's lengthiest hole, and it's a straight shot to a small, flat green. The 292-yard third bends a touch to the left as it makes its way to an elevated putting surface. This green features a pronounced left-to-right slope and is surrounded by some potentially awkward mounding. Poxabogue's only other par-4 is ahead at #8, a 302-yard dogleg right with a green that's hidden from view off the tee. Aim a drive over the right treeline to set up a short pitch and putt for birdie.

The course's standard par-3s range from 121 to 155 yards, with bunkers placed off to the sides. Players who miss to the right of the 124-yard second will have to putt or chip down a steep slope, and on #6, the green runs from back to front. The 151-yard closer hides two sand traps behind the surface.

As mentioned earlier, two of Poxabogue's par-3s seem more at home on a pitch-and-putt course, but if you let your guard down, they have the ability to bite. The 62-yard fifth is the sandiest hole on the course, with a total of five bunkers, four of which leave the front half of the green well protected. Put a little too much finesse on your pitch and you could be reaching for the sand wedge. Slightly longer at 72 yards, #7 relies more on mounding to defend itself against low scores. Waves of rough set the stage for tricky lies and stances on shots that miss the green.

CONDITIONS:
Some of the cosmetic improvements under the course's new management include growing out the rough between holes. Long fescue now provides definition between fairways, most noticeable in spots like the right side of #3. There are no water hazards on the course.

Greens are small and typically on the slow side. There is enough slope on a couple of greens to put some doubt in your mind on long downhillers, but nobody really needs to worry about putts flying off into the rough.

The course's bunkers -- about 25 in total -- are in good shape, if a little ragged around the edges.

HOLE(S) TO REMEMBER:
Adult athletes rarely get to play sports like their professional counterparts. That's the beauty of the 8-foot rim in basketball, the 200-foot fence on the softball field, and the 62-yard par-3. Where else can someone step to the tee with a sand wedge like Dustin Johnson? Well, you can still get rejected by the rim on that tomahawk dunk attempt just like you can skull that wedge under the lip of a bunker. Outside of a standard-issue par or bogey on #5 at Poxabogue, chances are you'll remember a near-ace that settles six inches from the cup or, of course, the worst triple bogey of your life.

AREA(S) TO AVOID:
The fairway veers to the left on the par-4 third, and you'll want to keep tee shots on the outside of the turn, since the left side is one of the few spots on the course where you can lose a ball. Not only can perimeter growth suck up bounders in the left rough, but a depression about halfway to the hole can tack on a few feet of elevation to an already uphill second shot.

NEARBY COURSES:
Sag Harbor State Golf Course (6 miles)

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE AND A BEER:
Stick around at the end of your Poxabogue nine -- the course features a popular local cafe, Fairway Restaurant, that offers all-day breakfast and a patio beside the practice green. Neighbors Townline BBQ (Texas-style meats and beer) and Old Stove Pub (historic Greek) are alternate options. For a more chic Hamptons experience, go up the road to Wolffer Estate and sip wine while overlooking the vines.

CONTACT:
3556 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton 11932
(631) 537-0025
www.poxgolf.com

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