Nestled in Locust Valley, New York, The Creek Golf Course stands as a testament to Charles Blair Macdonald's architectural genius from 1923. This 6,459-yard, par-70 layout carries a rating of 72.0 with a slope of 136, offering golfers a challenging yet fair test of their skills.
The course features seven of Macdonald's famous template holes scattered throughout the routing. The 4th presents an Eden template, while the 7th showcases the Long design. The 8th hole utilizes the Redan concept, and the 11th features the course's signature island Biarritz. The back nine continues with Cape at the 13th, Double Plateau at the 15th, and Short at the 17th.
Without question, the 11th hole draws the most attention and camera clicks. This island Biarritz measures 200 yards on the scorecard but stretches nearly 80 yards deep. The hole typically plays downwind from the right, and despite the added length, golfers often prefer back pin positions for the most dramatic shots.
However, the course's non-template holes may actually represent its finest work. The 6th hole serves as a masterful transition point, moving players from the upper portion of the property to the lower section. This 450-yard par-4 plays significantly shorter due to its dramatic downhill nature, often requiring just a driver and mid-iron despite its length.
The opening stretch receives mixed reviews, with the first five holes playing across flatter terrain in a back-and-forth routing pattern. Yet the first hole proves more subtle and dangerous than initially apparent, featuring blind driving zones and strategic bunkering that rewards bold lines.
The par-4 second hole offers plenty of width but demands precision, as the narrow green shows best access from the left side of the fairway. The green's limited square footage creates almost overwhelming contour that challenges even well-struck approaches.
Macdonald's 174-yard Eden at the 4th demonstrates excellent template execution. The green's substantial back-to-front tilt makes the dreaded Strath bunker a genuine concern, though missing long proves even more penal.
The 5th hole presents the fourth short par-4 of the opening stretch, playing uphill throughout its length. An unremarkable tee shot leads to an intriguing sunken green positioned at a 45-degree angle to the fairway, creating unique approach angles.
After the somewhat mundane opening sequence, golfers encounter one of Long Island's premier views at the 6th. The downhill nature and fairway contours create opportunities to use ground game tactics, particularly with a feeder slope short-left of the green that can access back-right pin positions.
The 185-yard Redan 8th provides excellent template execution, though the short-right bunkering appears less intimidating than other versions. Firm conditions and the green's natural slopes ensure proper template function regardless of visual intimidation.
The 9th, dubbed "Inferno," exemplifies the course's strong original design work. Stretching over 400 yards, it demands golfers take bold lines over fairway bunkers to reach the narrow preferred landing area. Conservative plays right result in completely blind approaches over dunes.
Approaching the Beach House and Long Island Sound, the 10th hole presents risk-reward decisions about cutting corners. Anything bailed left risks blind approaches or balls running through fairways into dunes.
The 12th offers brief respite as a simple, short par-4 before the challenging stretch continues. The Cape 13th extends 473 yards into prevailing winds, creating a true monster that tests every aspect of a golfer's game.
The Creek demonstrates Macdonald's evolution as an architect, blending his famous templates with original designs that may actually surpass them. The course's proximity to Long Island Sound creates natural beauty and wind challenges that enhance the strategic elements.
While the island Biarritz generates headlines and photographs, serious students of golf architecture will find equal fascination in the original holes that showcase Macdonald's creativity beyond his template concepts. The course rewards strategic thinking and shot-making precision while punishing careless play.