Set against the Atlantic Ocean in the posh town of East Hampton N Y the Maidstone is one of the oldest and most exclusive golf clubs in the United States The course features several holes that play over and around a tidal marsh but the main attraction are holes 7 14 which play through and over sand dunes next to the ocean The 7th demands that players hit a 145 yard shot to a green that is partially hidden by a massive dune a small stake on the top of the dune provides a line of attack Depending on the wind direction it is often into the players faces golfers could need anything from a 9 iron to a 3 iron in order to find the green The 9th is perhaps the greatest links hole in America with waves from the Atlantic washing onto the beach beside the tee box The tee shot demands a controlled drive through the wind and between large dunes and the approach shot is uphill to a large green that is heavily sloped and protected by pot bunkers and a severe drop off on the right The par 3 13th may be the prettiest hole on the course with players hitting back into the wind from an elevated tee to a large green The Atlantic Ocean in the background provides a beautiful backdrop Maidstone also offers members and guests a nine hole course