How To Navigate And Beat Harbor Links
By Sam McPherson
On the North Shore of Long Island lies a little hamlet named Port Washington, and if you're in the area with a need to play golf, the Harbor Links Championship Golf Course might do the trick for you. Designed by Golf World magazine's 1997 Architect of the Year, Dr. Michael Hurdzan, the course opened in 1998 and is open to the public. A links-style course that gives New Yorkers a taste of the United Kingdom, Harbor Links plays 6,503 yards from the white tees and is a par-72 circuit.
Layout & green fees
Golfers can only play the green (championship) tees with permission, and at 6,938 yards, it would be tough for most to handle. However, there are also yellow tees (5,676 yards) for women and juniors to play. No matter which tees you choose to play, Harbor Links is very affordable for visitors. Greens fees range from $46 Monday—Thursday for local residents to $130 on early weekend mornings for non-resident golfers. If you plan ahead, you can play the course for a very reasonable fee at almost any time during the week—if you're a fast swinger, you can play on the weekends after 6:30 p.m. as a non-resident for just $35, for example.
The par-3 holes average 180 yards, and the par-5 holes average 493 yards. Thus, there's something here for everyone who comes to play Harbor Links. The first hole (nicknamed "Bon Voyage") challenges golfers right away: A par-5, 493-yard straight hole with no water hazards that will make you wish you had warmed up first on the available practice range adjacent to the clubhouse.
Hardest hole
This course isn't easy. Most golfers interested in Harbor Links want a challenge, anyway. Take the par-5 sixth hole, which offers 496 yards (white tees) of fun—it's the hardest hole on the course, nicknamed "Risk Reward." One of three holes on the circuit with multiple fairways, the sixth is a par-5 treat that just begs you to make a mistake. If you're long with the irons, stay on the right fairway; if you're better off laying up, you'll want to go to the left fairway. That's your risk-reward proposition.
Easiest hole
For every nasty hole, there must be an opposite, and the par-4, 335-yard 11th hole ("Nature's Way") is just that. Sure, there is some water you must hit your drive over, but assuming you can lift the ball for 150 yards or so, you will find yourself with an easy approach to the green. This is a good chance to get back a stroke for any golfer. If you can't get it back on the 11th, then the 12th ("Arizona") is another very accessible hole: A 157-yard, par-3 treat. Everyone can go for the hole-in-one swing on this one.
Craziest hole
"Turning Point" is the nickname of the fourth hole (360 yards, par 4), and you need to drive over two patches of water to hit a long, narrow fairway along the right side of the hole—with a third body of water on the left of the fairway. If you're too short off the tee, you'll end up in the middle drink. If you're long but left, say goodbye to your ball. If you're long and right, there are sand traps to snare you. If your tee shot is just barely past the middle water, your approach shot will have to go over a lot of water, too. Choices, choices, choices!
Sneakiest hole
The 10th hole looks simple enough: It's 416 yards from the white tees, and the par-4 layout is relatively straight. However, there's a bit of water on the approach to the green that can mess with your head; hence the nickname "Deception." The course designer conveniently provided a "bailout" fairway to the left of the water, but aggressive players will ignore that and go for the green. You just have to make sure you use enough club, or you will find yourself deep in the drink with a penalty. Keep an eye on the crosswind here and stay dry!
Sam McPherson is a freelance writer covering baseball, football, basketball, golf, hockey and fantasy sports for CBS, AXS and Examiner. He also is an Ironman triathlete and certified triathlon coach.
