Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews

Designer: Tyler Rae (2024)

Location: Centereach, New York

History: Built on the site of a former executive course named Heatherwood, the 9-hole Spy Ring opened in 2024 after years of hype and anticipation. It is Tyler Rae’s first solo venture after many successful renovations and is named after the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring who was active in the area. The course is owned by Heatherwood, who also operates nearby Pine Hills.

Conditions: 8/10, The course was still growing in when I played, but overall presented very nicely with well-manicured fairways, lush rough, and beautiful bunkers. The greens were on the slower side and it will be interesting to see how they keep them moving forward.

Value: 6/10, While I enjoyed the course very much, I’m intrigued to see how the public responds to a $50 9-holer. This price is fair but not amazing.

Scorecard:

Tee                     Par         Yardage         Rating          Slope

Master             36           3105                N/A               N/A

Mid                    36           2834               N/A               N/A

Forward           36           2323               N/A               N/A

Hole Descriptions: Architect Tyler Rae has made quite a name for himself over the past few years with his renovation work and I was very excited when it was announced he was going to build a public course in Long Island. In an era where it seems like courses are threatening to close left and right on such valuable property, Spy Ring is the first new public course to grace Long Island in almost two decades. I was very fortunate to play the course soon after its official opening and went into it with really no idea what to expect or preconceived notions.

After playing the course, I have only positive things to say. My first impression was that I was impressed that Rae took on such a project, as land was quite limited here and he was forced to route the course in a clockwise “ring” around a housing development. These two factors alone would have turned off many architects these days, but Rae certainly made the most of what he was given. The course should also be commended for its walkability and playability, as it plays short at just over 3100 yards with lots of options for golfers on most holes and plenty of width. Due to space constraints, the real stars of the show at Spy Ring are the greens and bunkers which are both visually attractive and very strategic. The greens in particular are quite large and varied and will provide numerous pin positions that change the way the hole plays. Overall, it is a course well-worth seeing and easily one of the most fun and memorable 9-hole courses I’ve seen.

Spy Ring starts a bit slowly before picking up the pace, beginning with two shorter par fours that run parallel to each other. The 1st hole is a 340 yard straightaway par 4 that’s a gentle opener considering there’s no range. Big misses on either side may find the taller grass but the major danger on this teeshot is a right crossbunker at about 220 yards. This diagonal green slopes subtly back-to-front defended by a deep bunker left.

The 2nd hole runs in the opposite direction as a slight dogleg right at 360 yards. Thick forest runs down the left for the first 225 yards prior to a left crossbunker and the beginning of the dogleg. Longer hitters can cut some distance off this hole, but have to carry a somewhat awkward lone tree on that line. This green is large and wavy and guarded by a bunker left.

At 520 yards, the par 5 3rd is the longest hole at Spy Ring but plays shorter than the distance, so much so it had some of my playing partners questioning the validity of the scorecard. This hole begins with an exhilarating downhill teeshot over water to a fairway that begins to rise out of a valley. A crossbunker lines the right at 215 yards while another runs down the left at 330 yards for longer hitters. This hole continues uphill the entire way after the teeshot, culminating in a very large, back-to-front sloped green sitting on a pedestal.

Spy Ring starts to get more interesting with the 370 yard 4th hole, the longest and most difficult par 4 on the course. Playing straightaway with OB left the entire way and housing down the right, this hole features a wonderfully positioned crossbunker down the left around 225 yards. This and the OB force the golfer right subconsciously but a diagonally angled green makes the approach much easier from the left. A deep bunker defends the green short while steep slopes guard it right and long.

The 5th hole is the first of two excellent par threes at Spy Ring at 185 yards. I like how this hole features two teeboxes from different angles, with the left one sloping off the 4th green beautifully. We played from the right side, making the hole play shorter. This green is elevated, undulating, and defended by a right bunker and false front.

The course continues to get better as you reach the drivable 330 yard par 4 6th. A gorgeous hole, this teeshot plays downhill to a wide fairway lined by OB on either side. Golfers who lay-up will be left an uphill, semi-blind approach to an awesome green that plays as sort of a combination of a Redan and Punchbowl. It somewhat has the look of the famous 4th at Fishers Island without the backdrop. Those who attempt to get close to the green will need to be wary of a giant left crossbunker at about 250 yards.

At 145 yards, the 7th hole is Spy Ring’s signature hole as a beautiful short par 3. This hole plays over a valley to a giant, two-tiered, back-to-front sloped green defended by four striking bunkers short. This, like 6, is another green that will benefit by playing firm and fast so better players will be able to use the slope. I don’t think it’s a stretch to call this one of the most fun and attractive one-shotters on Long Island!

The 8th hole is another shorter, straightaway par 4 at 340 yards playing along the edge of the property. This hole is technically bunkerless but the initially wide, right-to-left sloped fairway narrows quite a bit for the final 80 yards with a sandy wasteland down the left that extends to the green. This green contains a back hump and is defended by tight slopes of fairway.

Spy Ring closes with another great hole in the 515 yard par 5 9th. This teeshot presents a bit tighter than the rest of the course, with OB left the entire way and several trees down the right. This fairway runs downhill on the teeshot with a speed slot for those who can avoid a right crossbunker at 235 yards. At about 250 yards, this hole opens up and starts to climb back uphill  and to the left. Beautiful sequential crossbunkers occupy much of the lay-up area and this large, back-to-front sloped green is lined by a bunker right.

General Comments: There wasn’t any room for a range on such a small property, but there’s a large practice green and short game area near the clubhouse to hone your skills. Teetimes are allotted 12 minutes apart to improve pace of play, and this was evident as we played quickly and relaxed. The course is a very pleasant walk and there really is no need to take a cart here.

Verdict: Despite limitations from a small property and housing development, Tyler Rae’s Spy Ring is a sporty and fun 9-holer with excellent greens, beautiful bunkering, and strong variety. It is a bit far from New York City, but is an excellent course to play if in the area and makes for an awesome 27-hole day with nearby St. George’s.