Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Larry Lambrecht
Larry Lambrecht
Larry Lambrecht
Larry Lambrecht
Larry Lambrecht
Rockaway Hunting Club
Lawrence, NY•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Rockaway Hunting Club
615 Ocean Ave
Lawrence, NY 11559-2814
United States
Overview
Rockaway Hunting Club’s charming use of Reynolds Channel makes for some spectacular golf holes, highlighted by the three-hole stretch from #7 through to #9 that’s as good as it gets on Long Island. The club was founded in 1878 and boasts being the oldest country club in the United States, and it boasts a strong American golf lineage. First Scotsman John Reid, who was the president of St. Andrews Golf Club in New York and was known as one of the most important individuals bringing golf to America, laid out nine holes for the club, and as golf continued to take off, the club hired Tom Bendelow to bring the layout to 18 holes. Devereux Emmet did significant work from 1917 through 1920 to extend the holes around the channel on the current-day holes seven through 14. And A.W. Tillinghast also enhanced the course in the next decade. Perry Maxwell is also thought to have reworking the putting surface on the 15th hole and redesigning the 16th hole. Once horse-racing stopped at the club in the late 1930s, the club incorporated that land around the clubhouse—the current first, second, 17th and 18th holes, which is referred to as the steeplechase holes—to be included in the layout. The most recent work came by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner in the late 2000s, removing trees and expanding waste areas to reestablish the natural beauty and natural grasses that brought back this seaside course back to its glory.
About
Golf Digest 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
“Rockaway Hunting Club is a charming bayfront golf club on the southern shore of Long Island. The course offers inspiring bay views on the majority of holes and plays truly links-y with very firm/fast approach areas and greens calling for creativity and variety on approach shots and short game. Wind plays a major factor in many of the wonderful holes along the bay. Rockaway Hunting Club is a delightful golf course!"
Read More2026
Review
“A hidden gem on Long Island. The opening and finishing holes, along with the holes on the peninsula are special, especially the several Cape holes. However, the holes that get the golfer to and from the peninsula are lacking and really disrupt the feel of the round. Also, while the conditioning is acceptable, it isn't to the level of many of the great courses on Long Island."
Read More2025
Review
“The Rockaway Hunting Club in Lawrence, New York was founded in 1876. The golf course was originally designed by Tom Bendelow and over time a number of other designers have contributed to the course, most recently Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. The course is relatively short, ranging from the Blue tees at 6,450 yards to the Red tees at 5,386 yards. In general, the tee shots are to fairly wide, well maintained fairways. The second shots are to subtly fast undulating greens. While the golfer can either carry shots to the greens or run them up, there are numerous strategically placed bunkers. The course weaves through marshes and the Windemere channel. High tide can bring some of the tidal flats into play. Further, wind off of the Atlantic can make the course significantly more difficult. Overall, this very enjoyable layout is a shot makers challenge. It provides wonderful views of the nearby sound and marshlands. It is a good test for all levels of play and will reward the consistent golfer."
Read More2025
Review
“Played it years ago before the Hanse restoration. Almost all of the trees are gone, which gives it a very links type feel, which opened up the views and gave the place a great look. The bunkering is very strategic as well as aesthetically pleasing. The bunkers look the way you would expect them to look when the course was built over 100 years ago. There are some very good "Cape" holes that challenge you to take on as much carry as you dare, with bunkers strategically placed for shots that are too cautious. I played it on calm day, but I would think it could be very challenging when the wind blows."
Read More2025
Review
“There is a lot to love about Rockaway. There are some great golf holes, especially on the peninsula out by the water. However, the connecting holes that get you out to the peninsula and back from the peninsula are lacking and interrupt the naturalness of the routing. So, what could be the real hidden gem among clubs on Long Island is like many other very nice clubs. Make no mistake, Rockaway is a hidden gem on Long Island and well worth a visit. There are many holes that provide real excitement during the round, including the multiple Cape holes tempting the golfer to take on the water. I just would have loved to see it without the "holes through the homes"."
Read More2024
Review
“1904 Tom Bendelow, 1919 Devereux Emmet, 1925 AW Tillinghast , 2014 Gil Hanse Located in Lawrence, New York, 5 miles SE from JFK airport. This old school design is short, but still fun, especially when the wind blows."
Read More2023
Review
“Rockaway Hunting is an old-school club tucked away in Southern Long Island. Extremely private, this course has some real character with a really unique layout winding through neighborhoods and then out on the water. The holes on the water are very interesting and memorable and the course is fantastic fun for all levels with firm, fast conditions and not too much length. I highly recommend playing if given the chance."
Read More2022
Review
“Has some really excellent holes, especially out by the water. Also has two bizarre holes through the neighborhood. The journey in and out is fun and worth the visit."
Read More2018
