Despite the prestige of the U.S. Open, the Hamptons rental market is not experiencing — so far — the kind of surge many homeowners anticipated.
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, but there’s often then a lull in the rental market before the Fourth of July — after Manhattan private schools wrap up the year and families decamp to Europe, avoiding the unpredictable June weather.
This year, with the 126th U.S. Open making its sixth return to the iconic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, it feels as if the rental season should tee off early. Some expected this world-class golfing event to give an early boost to the rental momentum, but it may have produced a different kind of trajectory, like a slicing drive into the rough.
“From what we are seeing, interest in June has been fairly muted in the Hamptons,” says Dana Trotter, the Managing Partner of The Agency Hamptons, based in Bridgehampton, where she focuses more on points east.
What was once considered a windfall for homeowners hoping to cash in on demand for six-figure weekly rents has become a more complicated equation of supply and demand, showing up unevenly across the Hamptons and with a wide array of pricing.
“U.S. Open rental demand tends to be much shorter-term, often one to two weeks, and, because of the Shinnecock Hills location, much of that activity is naturally concentrated farther west,” Trotter explains. “For spectators attending the event, platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, as well as local hotels, are typically better equipped for short-term stays.”
Those who need to be close to the course are the ones who booked early because they had to. Those coming for fun during the June 18-21 event may not have made arrangements yet.
The U.S. Open, expected to draw 150,000 visitors, was last held at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in 2018. This year marks the sixth return to the iconic course.Taylor K. Vecsey
So far, Brenda Giufurta of Douglas Elliman’s office in Southampton says she has seen the strongest interest from those directly involved in the Open — Golf Channel crews, players, setup teams and vendors. “Spectator demand tends to come later, so I expect more last-minute bookings from that group as the tournament approaches,” she explains.
Still, she has noted the shift from the last time the USGA event came to town. “Compared to 2018, this season has skewed more toward business-related tenants than leisure renters. The demand is there, but so far it’s being driven more by media, production, and event-related teams than by traditional summer visitors.”
Bespoke’s Hampton rental division portfolio manager Caroline Donald concurred with that sentiment. “At the ultra-high-end of the market, activity has been more measured than many anticipated,” she says.
The home at 81 Cold Spring Point Road in Southampton offers more than just proximity to the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club; it offers sweeping bay views. Jennifer Wilson at Saunders & Associates is representing the rental, still available for the U.S. Open or the month of June.Courtesy of Saunders & Associates
Courtesy of Saunders & Associates
“Pricing across June increased in anticipation of heightened demand surrounding the U.S. Open, particularly in areas closest to the course. While there has been activity, especially for select properties and corporate rentals, the luxury segment hasn’t experienced the level of surge some expected,” she says. “Overall, inventory constraints remain the bigger story this summer, with many homeowners choosing to stay in the Hamptons rather than rent their homes out.”
Mary Slattery of The Corcoran Group’s Southampton office said she has been fielding multiple requests per day to discuss pricing for the tournament dates.
Comparing the rental demand for this year’s Open to that of eight years ago may not be fair because it was almost a decade ago, she says.
“We cannot compare 2018 to 2026 if you factor in how people have changed their Hamptons rental habits since the pandemic. Pricing in 2026 is considerably higher for rentals in general and short-term rentals specifically. A big shift is that short-term rentals really have become increasingly popular over the years.”
Jennifer Wilson of Saunders & Associates was more optimistic. “Southampton Town is expecting 150,000 people for the week, and the ticket demand has been very strong. There’s a significant amount of corporate hospitality and luxury packages. Demand is high, especially with today’s wealth-driven, experience-focused buyer,” she says, adding she has seen interest, generated “a good amount of leases,” and expects to do more in the coming weeks.
Tiger Woods playing his tee shot from the first hole during the first round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.Copyright USGA/Ben Solomon
Key Driver: Proximity
It’s no surprise — staying as close to the greens as possible is in the highest demand — and the most expensive. The closer the better, says Giufurta. “For an event like this, convenience and proximity are key drivers,” says Giufurta.
Traffic is a factor in the Hamptons, where gridlock is the norm during rush hour and pretty much anytime all summer. Sometimes, even short distances can feel too far away thanks to particularly congested roads.
Donald noted that many renters are prioritizing homes north of the highway due to traffic challenges.
“As a result, demand has been concentrated in the immediate surrounding areas rather than spilling significantly farther east or west,” she explains.
Of course, that comes at a price. For instance, Wilson’s listing at 81 Cold Spring Point Road, just under three miles or an eight-minute car ride to the clubhouse, is asking $70,000 for the entire month of June or $35,000 for two weeks in June.
This luxurious 3,000-square-foot home, north of the highway, has a bonus: Sweeping views of the Peconic Bay.
Southampton Village properties are also in demand since they are close to restaurants for postgolf- day meals.
An example is Wilson’s four-bedroom, four-bath listing at 82 Powell Avenue, within walking distance to everything. The 2,400-square-foot rental has been recently renovated and also features a gourmet kitchen and a luxurious primary suite if the renters, who will spend $25,000 for the month, choose to stay in after a day on the course.
Not far from the golf course and close to Southampton Village’s Main Street, the house at 82 Powell Avenue is also available.Courtesy of Saunders & Associates
However, it can be a bit easier driving to Shinnecock from points west than further east.
Slattery reports, “I’ve heard that points west like Hampton Bays and Riverhead are very popular with vendors and spectators this year due to traffic considerations.”
Curious where the top golfers will be staying?
“A few standout opportunities include exceptional south-of-the-highway estates, classic Hamptons homes with updated interiors, and well-located north-of-the-highway properties that offer convenient access to Shinnecock Hills and the broader Southampton market,” Donald says.
“Most high-end rental deals happen off market,” Slattery says. “ ‘If you know you know’ — or at least you need to know who to ask.
Whether it’s for the U.S. Open or the whole summer, Dana Trotter of The Agency Hampton has plenty of high-end rentals, like this one on Hook Pond in East Hampton Village, asking $500,000-plus for the season.Courtesy of The Agency Hamptons
Where Demand Concentrates
A strong value that Giufurta pointed out is 112 McGregor Drive, a gated three-bedroom home with a pool just under two miles from the course.
Newly renovated and decorated, the cedar-shingled residence is exactly what renters want: private and well located. It’s listed at $30,000 for one week in June or $50,000 for two weeks.
“At the high end, I have a special off-market opportunity in Southampton Village that is exactly the kind of turnkey, resort-style home renters are seeking around major events like the U.S. Open,” she notes.
Slattery says she has some “terrific” U.S. Open rentals available this year and “options at every price point.”
She pointed to 94 Corrigan Street in Southampton Village, which offers 6,000 square feet of space in the newly built home, less than 2.5 miles or a seven-minute drive from the first tee. The lower level also offers a gym, while the outside provides a place to grill. The asking price for the U.S. Open week is $65,000, negotiable.
Trotter feels most renters directly tied to the U.S. Open are looking farther west from Shinnecock all the way to Quogue, but as the golf championship nears, there are standout seasonal rentals she is representing further east that high-end clients should note.
“One of the standout seasonal rentals we are representing is an exceptional Hook Pond rental in East Hampton Village, asking $500,000-plus for the season. It is a very special property in one of the Hamptons’ most coveted settings,” she says.
“We also have another quintessential Hamptons rental in Bridgehampton North, in the center of the Hamptons,” she says of 6 Shady Path in Bridgehampton. The shingled traditional with a pool and gracious living spaces is asking $100,000 for June.
The newly completed home at 94 Corrigan Street in Southampton Village is available for the U.S. Open next month. Mary Slattery of The Corcoran Group has the listing.Courtesy of Corcoran
Rules, Restrictions, and Rental Flexibility
Short-term rental regulations imposed by East Hampton and Southampton Towns had been a concern, but there has been some loosening for the golf championship.
“The towns and villages were very proactive in allowing weekly rentals during that period, which was a smart approach. It created structure while still giving flexibility, and overall it’s supported the market rather than limiting activity,” says Giufurta.
For example, in Southampton Town, the minimum rental requirement was temporarily reduced from 14 days to three days, which created additional flexibility for event-related stays and increased available inventory near the course, according to Donald.
“They did this just for the US Open and will revert back to their current rental policy,” Wilson explains.
In East Hampton Town, short-term rentals — considered 14 days or less — are permitted. Southampton Village recently adopted a two-week minimum rental period, but an owner can rent for a one-week term twice in a calendar year.
The 4,000-square-foot residence at 94 Corrigan Street includes a heated gunite pool and a grassy backyard, perfect for grilling after a day of golf.Courtesy of Corcoran
“These ordinances vary by municipality, so it is incumbent on the owners and their agents to be well-versed about what is allowed for the location,” Slattery notes. “Sagaponack and Sag Harbor Village have their own rules, but it’s important to note that a rental permit or rental registry is required in most, if not all, East End locations. There are a lot of regulations, but they are crucial to abide by to avoid big problems.”
While regulations shape how rentals operate, agents say they are not the primary factor limiting demand this year. Instead, geography, timing, and, in some cases, the rise of platform-based short-term stays appear to have a stronger influence on the market.
Airbnb and VRBO are well-positioned for a short, large-scale event in the Hamptons, where many spectators are just coming in for a few nights or, at most, the week.
“They do create competition in that category. But at the higher end, many owners still prefer to work through a local agency,” says Trotter. “There is a level of discretion, vetting, service, and market knowledge that becomes very important when you are dealing with significant homes and significant rental numbers.”
Donald agreed with that sentiment as “many luxury rentals continue to transact privately through trusted brokerage relationships, where clients benefit from a higher level of discretion, service, and oversight throughout the process.”
But, overall, rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are much more prevalent all year long and made a big jump from the last time the U.S. Open was in town.
“The homes listed on platforms like these still should follow the rental permit or registry requirements,” Slattery notes. “In many ways, it’s like the Wild, Wild West when it comes to short-term rental owner platforms because those sites do not have the oversight that a brokerage platform has. For example, brokerage sites require posting rental permit information if required. This indicates that a house has been inspected and meets all applicable code requirements.”
“The short-term rental restrictions certainly shape the market, particularly in the Hamptons, where the rules make very brief stays more difficult to accommodate,” says Trotter. “That said, I do not think they are the primary reason we are not seeing a surge tied to the U.S. Open. The geography of Shinnecock, the event’s short duration, and the availability of hotel- and platform-based options farther west are likely the bigger factors. For high-end rentals, owners are still much more comfortable with local real estate agency representation.”
This article appears in the Memorial Day 2026 issue of Behind The Hedges in Dan’s Papers. Tap here to read the full edition.