Carlos Amoedo
Stephen Szurlej
](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2015/08/19/55d4e2fdb91019d74c990b0b_courses-2013-02-cosl11_national_golf_links_618.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.914.suffix/1573514189309.jpeg)
Photo by Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
National Golf Links of America
Southampton, NY • Private
National Golf Links of America
149 Sebonac Inlet Rd
Southampton, NY 11968
United States
Overview
This is where golf architect Seth Raynor got his start. A civil engineer by training, he surveyed holes for architect C.B. Macdonald, who scientifically designed National Golf Links as a fusion of his favorite features from grand old British golf holes. National Golf Links is a true links containing a marvelous collection of holes. As the 2013 Walker Cup reminded us, Macdonald’s versions are actually superior in strategy to the originals, which is why National’s design is still studied by golf architects today, its holes now replicated elsewhere. Hard to fathom that National Golf Links of America was not ranked among America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses from 1969 until 1985. Theories involve possible hazy, rough around the edges conditions during the 1970s that dulled the architcture (something that didn't impact over-the-fence Shinnecock Hills), the course's relatively short length that didn't meet the era's "championship course" standards, or simply that the unique Macdonald shapes and concepts were too quirky for the prevailing tastes of the era. No matter now. National is rightly positioned as one of America's most original and influential expressions of golf course architecture.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked 1967-1968 & since 1985.
Previous ranking: 7th.
2025-'26 ranking: 7th (highest).
Best in State: Ranked Top 5 in New York in 1989 & since 1993; Top 10 from 1983-1987 & 1991.
2025-'26 ranking: 2nd (since 2015).
Watch our exclusive drone tour
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“There are no low scores for any category for National, only varying degrees of high marks. I thought character of CB Macdonalds gem was best in class and one of the very top courses I've seen. Options and design variety also receive very high marks as there are seemingly endless risk/reward opportunities on almost every hole, allowing each golfer to essentially choose their own adventure based on their own strengths and weaknesses, and no two holes felt alike. Aesthetics were also really high with the peconic bay and windmill looming and the way the tides play into some of the holes on the back nine. Challenge is slightly constrained by length, as a good player will have many opportunities for birdie. Fun was just outside of a top 30 score, because i envision the green complexes could be maddening for an average or higher handicapper."
Read More2026
Review
“If Charles Blair MacDonald is the evangelist of golf, then The National represents his foundational scripture. Players and developers alike are proving today that golden age strategic golf design is relevant for the modern game, and it’s remarkable that The National has stood up to the skill and technological advancements of the last 116 years. These fairways and greens that have spawned countless ideas about how to engage and challenge golfers, but nothing compares to the reference material."
Read More2025
Review
“There's little I can say about The National that hasn't already been said, but this truly is one of the best courses in the World and really excels in pretty much every scoring category. The only area where NGLA is not truly elite is with regard to challenge, but despite the course being on the shorter side with wide fairways, the greenside bunkering and putting surfaces themselves provide quite the defense of par and the course usually is fairly windy playing on Peconic Bay. What NGLA may lack in elite challenge, it makes up for in fun, as this is one of the most interesting and unique courses in America. The scale here is dramatic and each of these 18 holes is a unique template and quite memorable in their own way. The conditioning is superb, with firm and fast fairways and greens that were much quicker than expected but rolled incredibly true without any ballmarks. Aesthetically, NGLA is somewhat overwhelming, with views of the rest of the course from many holes, Shinnecock and Peconic Bay in the background, and tremendously pretty bunkering throughout. This is a true bucket list course and the kind of place you should drop everything to play if lucky enough to get a chance. A morning round at NGLA with an afternoon proper lobster lunch with Southsides is about as good as it gets in the game of golf."
Read More2025
Review
“NGLA is officially my second favorite course in America following closely to my #1 (Cypress Point) on the West Coast near Pebble Beach. After having my hat handed to me at NGLA's next-door neighbor (Shinnecock Hills) the day before, this was a joy to walk, play, putt and score. It made me feel like I could actually play this game! This McDonald/Raynor masterpiece is very challenging but very playable thanks to a layout that is world class."
Read More2025
Review
“McDonald/Raynor, what more is there to say! Challenging but very playable."
Read More2025
Review
“Serene feeling from the second that you get on property. The clubhouse is an amazing old school spot, and the formal lobster lunch is not to be missed before a round. The golf course is both challenging and fair while rewarding good shots and not putting undue stress upon a player. However, given the thought in design of green complexes, poor shots or misses on the wrong sides of greens will lead to bogeys or worse."
Read More2025
Review
“NGLA is a masterpiece of golf architecture. Its layout is beautiful, challenging and quirky. Those who will have played a few Macdonald/Raynor designs prior to experiencing NGLA will quickly realize why this layout is considered their best. A true gem that encapsulates the essence of Golden Age architecture."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the most important courses in the history of US golf architecture. An incredible variety of holes, with many different ways to play most holes. It pulls off the incredible feat of being a place where one can score well, but unwise or errant shots can also produce big numbers! If you have the opportunity to play here, move heaven and earth to get here."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the best course in the world. A must play for fans of CB Macdonald. The setting, the course routing, the challenge and the penultimate and finishing hole are spectacular and embodies everything great about golf!"
Read More2024
Review
“NGLA is one of the truly great golf courses in the country. The highlights for my rating are: great layout variety (such a wide range of holes from short par 4s to a stretch of long par 4s to start the back 9 that truly test your game), conditioning (all playing surfaces are firm and fast and true), shot options (many ways to play most all of the holes), character (an iconic course from one of the greatest architects and a true "hall of fame" design). It is also a very fun and fair course to play!"
Read More2024
