Sag Harbor State Golf Course, Sag Harbor, NY

Playing Sag Harbor Golf Course has its pros and cons, but overall it is a good experience at an affordable price, especially considering the area.

The municipal golf course is located in East Hampton on Long Island, more specifically in the Barcelona Neck Natural Resources Management Area. If you love nature, this course might be the one for you because it is surrounded by woodlands, bluffs and wetlands and it's not uncommon to see wildlife like wild turkeys and deer stroll across the fairways.

Sag Harbor is located on a peninsula and while the course is well maintained overall, the drainage is not good. Play after a storm or in a wet period and the course will definitely be soggy. Only soft spikes are permitted which makes sense given the wet conditions.

The nine-hole course has been open for nearly 100 years and comes with a charm that you won't find on some of the pricier, polished courses in the area. It remains a favorite among locals who sometimes prefer a more laid-back day of golf as opposed to strict rules and overcrowding found at the neighboring country clubs.

There is a putting green and snack bar on site, as well as a teaching pro who is happy to help you with your swing. You won't find a driving range or fancy restaurant, but that suits the regulars just fine.

The course features rye grass that is well maintained. The most distinguishing feature – and also the biggest golf challenge – is the small size of the greens. Every green requires pinpoint accurate approach shots for a chance to shoot par. The greens tend to run fast as well, so sticking your shot close to the pin is no easy task.

The seventh hole is the only par-5 on the course. It's a straight shot from tee to green and under 400 yards so beginning golfers have a good chance of reaching par while more experienced golfers might be putting for birdie or even eagle.

Prices are very reasonable and you can play the course twice for just $22 on weekdays. The use of an electric golf cart is also $22 for 18 holes.

Depending on who you talk to, the staff is pleasant and accommodating or short and impersonal. We have no reason to think they are anything but friendly.

Sag Harbor is worth checking out as long as your expectations are reasonable.

This course is a beginners dream and if there's a better value anywhere in the USA I'd like to know about it. Currently the yearly membership is only $400 and you can play 365 days a year, 18 holes, everyday. The greens are silly small which makes the scoring more difficult. Fairways can feel like rough and be burnt out in summer but the recently installed irrigation and some new blades should lead to a big change. Still, if you want to learn or work on your game Sag Harbor Golf is the best place I can suggest.