Mahopac

There are many classic golf courses in the area north of New York City, but few can claim beachfront property. The Mahopac Golf and Beach Club was founded very early in American golf history, when Tom Bendelow laid out just six holes for the club during 1893. More than 20 years later, another architect with significant New York history — Devereux Emmet — came and created a full 18 for the club. The course remains rooted in history more than 100 years after Emmet left, playing a touch over 6,500 yards from the back tees.

The majority of the holes play north or south, but one of the most notable holes is also one of the exceptions: No. 4, a 375-yard par four, plays east-to-west to offer the best views of the title lake’s waterfront down below. This is also one of just two holes that plays south of the clubhouse.

No. 9 features some of Emmet’s signature bunkering, featuring three small, irregular bunkers, surrounded by second cut. Not so strange a setup, it seems, until you consider that this collection is sitting in the middle of the fairway at the elbow of a dogleg left.