
Gardiner's Bay Course
Gardiner's Bay Country Club



About this course
Gardiner's Bay Country Club occupies a scenic location on Shelter Island, positioned between the North and South Forks of Long Island's East End. The course was originally designed by William F. Mitchell in the early 1920s, with subsequent work by Seth Raynor, who brought his characteristic template-hole approach to several features on the property. The club sits in a quiet residential area of Shelter Island Heights, offering views across Gardiner's Bay toward the surrounding waters that define this small island community. The routing takes advantage of the gently rolling terrain typical of this part of Long Island, with fairways moving through mature trees and modest elevation changes. Raynor's involvement suggests the presence of his signature design elements—strategic bunkering, bold green contours, and possibly template holes inspired by classic British links courses. The layout is relatively compact, fitting the scale of Shelter Island's landscape and the intimate character of the club itself. Gardiner's Bay Country Club serves primarily as a summer retreat for members, reflecting the seasonal nature of Shelter Island's population. The club maintains a low-key, traditional atmosphere consistent with the island's understated character. Access to Shelter Island requires a short ferry ride from either Greenport or North Haven, which contributes to the course's sense of seclusion and its appeal as a quiet getaway from the busier resort areas of the Hamptons and North Fork wine country.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in NY
Quick facts
- Location
- Shelter Island Heights, NY, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1896
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- William F. Mitchell, Seth Raynor
- Par
- 70
- Length
- 6,584 yards
- Difficulty
- 77.4/137
- Course Vaults score
- 8.2
Getting there
The journey to Gardiner's Bay Country Club begins at either LaGuardia (LGA) or MacArthur (ISP) on Long Island, each roughly ninety minutes from Shelter Island Heights by car and ferry. The route itself becomes the prelude: a drive eastward through the North Fork's quiet farmland and vineyard country, where the landscape gradually softens from suburban sprawl into windswept potato fields and salt-air vistas, before reaching the North Ferry terminal in Shelter Island. A brief, contemplative crossing of Shelter Island Sound delivers you to the island's quiet north shore, where tree-lined lanes and glimpses of Gardiner's Bay announce your arrival at this discreet enclave. For those traveling by private aviation, East Hampton Airport (HTO) lies just across the water and offers a more expedited alternative, with ground transportation arranged directly to the club's waterfront setting.

FAQ
Common questions about Gardiner's Bay
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Gardiner's Bay has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 13 logged golfers.
Gardiner's Bay was designed by William F. Mitchell and Seth Raynor.
Gardiner's Bay is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Gardiner's Bay is 70.
Gardiner's Bay plays 6,584 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Gardiner's Bay is 137.



