If you’re in the Hamptons, you already know that Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is hosting the US Open this week. But, did you know: the much-loved and often overlooked Long Island Railroad is one of the easiest ways to travel from the Hamptons to the US Open Golf Championship.
For those of us who live in the Hamptons, expanded train service is something we all have dreamed of, like winning the lottery, buying South of the Highway, or hitting a hole in one. This week, for the US Open, we are getting a rare look at what public transportation on the East End can offer when real resources, planning, and coordination are involved.
The LIRR could be the move if you have been on the fence about going to the U.S. Open because of the logistics – it’s easier and faster than you can imagine. Seriously, the train from Bridgehampton to Shinnecock Hill Station felt like I was moving at the speed of light.
Dedicated Train Station at Shinnecock Hills
Fans can take the LIRR directly to the temporary Shinnecock Hills station. It is a serious Hamptons luxury: arrive by train (which are in fantastic condition, BTW), move through admission and security, and into the full-scale spectacle that is the US Open. Service starts super early and runs from the first tee-off to the last putt.
Expanded Train Service
The LIRR has added service throughout U.S. Open week, with trains serving Shinnecock Hills from both New York City and points east. For locals, this is especially welcome. The Montauk Line is not exactly known for abundant daily service, so the expanded schedule offers a meaningful glimpse of what better East End rail service could look like.
New Pedestrian Bridge
The new pedestrian bridge over County 39 is a wonder of engineering, obviously Union work. A red carpet of load-bearing scaffolding and steel. Seeing how much effort and energy went into making the arrival safe and civilized is really impressive and gets you from the train to the green in less than 5 minutes.
No Need to Park at the Course
There is no general fan parking at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, which makes the train even more crucial. There are remote parking and shuttle options, but they are usually farther west than the golf course, which defeats the point.
Skip the Worst of the Traffic
The Hamptons Summer is already gearing up, so when you add in the additional estimated 100,000 visitors for the US Open, it’s fair to say that Highway 27 may not be built for that capacity of roving Range Rovers.
A Surprisingly Affordable Ride
For local riders, one-way LIRR fares to Shinnecock Hills start at just $3.75. For an event of this scale, that is more than reasonable. Whether you are heading in from Westhampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, or farther east, check the LIRR schedule and TrainTime app before you go.
Click here for the full train schedule.
The U.S. Open is already one of the biggest sporting events ever to land in the Hamptons. This week, getting there by train may be the smartest play of all.
And remember, every person you see on the train is one less vehicle on Highway 27.
