National of America Course
Southampton, NY, USA

National Golf Links of America isn't merely inspired by the great links of the British Isles; it's a deliberate and celebrated transplant to the bluffs overlooking Peconic Bay. This early 20th-century masterpiece, conceived by Charles Blair Macdonald and his protege Seth Raynor, meticulously recreates iconic holes from Scotland and England, offering an unparalleled homage to links golf on American soil. The course unfolds across windswept, coastal terrain, demanding strategic shot-making and an appreciation for the ground game. Its cleverly contoured greens, deep bunkers, and exposure to the elements mean the course rewards creativity and thoughtful club selection over brute force. Famed for its strategic doglegs and deceptive bunkers, the challenge is as cerebral as it is athletic. Beyond the course, National Golf Links of America cultivates a deeply rooted sense of tradition and camaraderie. Its membership, drawn from the upper echelons of business and society, value the club's understated elegance and commitment to preserving the game's rich history. Known for its private and exclusive nature, the club's influence extends far beyond the fairways, shaping the landscape of American golf for over a century. Members traditionally dine on the clubhouse's famous lobster bisque.
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
All courses
Best in USA
All courses
Best in NY
All courses
Golfers consistently describe this course as an exceptional and near-perfect experience, with reviewers calling it among the best rounds they've ever played. Most praise the brilliant routing, memorable design elements, and stunning setting that builds to a satisfying crescendo throughout the round. The walking experience earns particular acclaim for enhancing the overall enjoyment of the day. One reviewer notes that the practice facility is lacking and finds the clubhouse staff somewhat cold to guests, though this doesn't diminish their enthusiasm for the course itself. Overall, golfers view a round here as a sublime, bucket-list experience that fully delivers on its elite reputation.
9.7
154 players
great
Greatest golf course ever built
Absolutely perfect
Brilliance at every turn.
National is the funnest on course day I believe in golf. Design elements, exceptional walk,Setting, the crescendo. All of it completely satisfies. I don’t get wrapped up in the absence of a decent practice facility and a clubhouse wait staff that revels in being surly and cold to guests regardless of if you’re with a member. National is a sublime experience
One of the best days of golf you can have. Period.
In the top 10 and still possibly underrated. If I only have one more round to play I want it to be here.
As close to a perfect golf course as I've seen. My only 10 to this point
What a day!
Public courses closest to National of America at National Golf Links of America.
The journey to National Golf Links of America begins at either New York's JFK or LaGuardia, followed by a two-hour drive east along the Long Island Expressway as suburban sprawl gradually yields to the open farmland and coastal light of the Hamptons. Private aviation finds its natural terminus at East Hampton Airport, a discreet gateway just fifteen minutes from the club's gates. The final approach threads through Southampton's quiet lanes before arriving at Sebonac Neck, where the entrance to one of golf's most hallowed grounds reveals itself with studied understatement - a simple gate opening onto windswept dunes and the shimmering expanse of Peconic Bay beyond.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
National of America at National Golf Links of America has a Course Vaults score of 9.7 out of 10 based on 103 explicit golfer ratings.
National of America was designed by Charles Macdonald, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Seth Raynor, and Perry Maxwell.
National of America at National Golf Links of America is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at National of America is 72.
National of America plays 6,935 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at National of America is 144.