In terms of which state has the most prestige golf courses, New York stands out. And the most interesting thing is that most of these golf courses are located within New York City.
But when looking for public golf courses, New York is not a strong contender. With that said, there are a number of excellent public golfing facilities within New York City.
The only issue is that they are not as popular as the private courses, so some people may assume that there aren’t good public courses in the city.
That is why we have compiled this list of the best public golf courses New York City. We will highlight the best things about each course and later recommend only a few of them.
List of the Best Public Golf Courses New York City
- Silver Lake Golf Course: Best Overall
- Bethpage State Park: 1st Runners Up
- Pelham Bay/Split Rock Golf Course: 2nd Runners Up
- Dyker Beach Golf Course
- Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point
- Van Cortlandt Golf Course
- Patriots Hills
- Marine Park
- Mosholu Golf Course
- Forest Park Golf Course
The Best Public Golf Courses New York City
1. Silver Lake Golf Course
- Location: Staten Island
- Length: 6,050 yards
- Par: 70
- Designers: John Van Kleek
- Year Established: 1929
- Championships: The 2015 men’s SA Amateur Championship
This is another fantastic golf course that is accessible from all parts of the city.
We ranked it among the top public golf courses New York due to its immaculate landscape as well as well-manicured fairways, improving the experience for all players.
In addition to this, the course offers a diverse food option, including a top-notch bar and grills.
2. Bethpage State Park
- Location: Farmingdale
- Length: 7,468 yards
- Par: 71
- Designer: A. W. Tillinghast
- Year Established: 1934
- Championships: the US Open in 2002 and 2009; the Barclays in 2012 and 2016; the 2019 PGA Championship; the 2024 Ryder Cup.
This public golf course features five 18-hole regulation golf courses that include the world-renowned Black Course, which hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, among other top championship tournaments.
Other famous courses at Bethpage State Park include the Blue, Green, and Yellow Courses. What is interesting about this course is that each year, about 300,000 rounds are played on the five courses.
3. Pelham Bay/Split Rock Golf Course
- Location: Bronx
- Length: 6,480 yards
- Par: 70
- Designer: John Van Kleek
- Year Established: 1901
- Championships: the New York City Mayor’s Cup and the World Police and Fire Games in 2011; the 2020 Spring Championship
Pelham Bay Golf Course is located in the picturesque Bronx and has a lot of positives, starting with its expansive layout, added convenience of a cart girl, and longer than average course.
What’s more, Pelham Bay offers two excellent courses that vary for different levels of challenge. Additionally, transportation to the course is a breeze.
There are direct rides downtown and ferries available from Wall Street, the Upper East Side, and Midtown, making it easy for players from different parts of the city.
4. Dyker Beach Golf Course
- Location: Brooklyn
- Length: 6,438 yards
- Par: 71
- Designers: Tom Bendelow in 1897, then redesigned by Jon Van Kleek in 1935.
- Year Established: 1898
- Championships: Fort Hamilton Commander’s Cup in 2021
Located a few minutes away from Manhattan, Dyker Beach Golf Course is the most convenient if you reside downtown.
Unlike other courses in the area, Dyker Beach is famous for rarely experiencing backups, letting golfers enjoy a smooth and unhurried game.
Besides this, players will experience some breathtaking views of the Verrazano Bridge within the golf course.
5. Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point
- Location: Bronx
- Length: 6,868 yards
- Par: 72
- Designers: Jack Nicklaus
- Year Established: 2015
- Championships: Aramco Team Series women’s event and LIV Golf Tour in 2022
This is another fantastic golf course within the Bronx, meaning it is just 27 minutes from the city center.
The designer, Jack Nicklaus, said that this course was created to offer a unique public golfing experience within the city.
It has gained a reputation for being one of the best public golf courses in New York, especially when it comes to the quality of service it offers to its residents.
6. Van Cortlandt Golf Course
- Location: Bronx
- Length: 6,096 yards
- Par: 70
- Designers: Thomas Bendelow, renovated by Stephen Kay
- Year Established: 1895
- Championships: Scottish-American Golf Tournament in 1908; The Ivy League Men’s Cross Country Championships in 1939 (1939-46, 1948-78, 1980-2010, 2015, 2017, and 2019)
If you are looking forward to playing on one of the oldest public golf courses in the country, then you should plan a visit to the Van Cortlandt golf course.
This legendary course does not only shine when it comes to age, but it also has character and charm that attract golfers of all levels.
Another interesting thing about the course is that it started as a nine-hole course and was originally laid out by players.
7. Patriot Hills
- Location: Stony Point
- Length: 6,710 yards
- Par: 72
- Designers: Rick Jacobson
- Year Established: 1929
- Championships: Top Met Area Women’s Public Links Players in 2009; The 12th WMGA/MGA Women’s Public Links Championship
If you are looking for an unparalleled golfing experience, then you should consider booking your tee time at Patriot Hills.
It is praised by many golfers as being one of the few best public golf courses in New York.
But what stands out most about Patriotic Hills is that it will challenge golfers of all skill levels with its relaxing and picturesque setting.
The main goal here is to offer you exceptional services in a relaxing environment.
8. Marine Park
- Location: Brooklyn
- Length: 6,866 yards
- Par: 72
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
- Year Established: 1964
- Championships: Brooklyn Open Golf Championship in 2013
This 18-hole public facility is open to everyone throughout the year.
The first version of this link-style course was initiated in 1964 by the famous architect Robert Trend Jones Jr.
So far, it has undergone some renovations, including improving the panoramic water views, fairways, and quality of the greens.
9. Mosholu Golf Course
- Location: Bronx
- Length: 2,312 yards
- Par: 70
- Designers: Stephen Kay
- Year Established: 1914
- Championships: Kid’s Golf Fest; Family Golf Challenge in 2021; New York City Championship. Metro PGA in 2023
This is yet another golf course with a rich history, especially given that it was the first golf course in New York.
It is also among the best public golf courses New York that are still in the best condition.
Founded over a century ago, Mosholu Golf Course has enjoyed a renaissance in different stages but has become more prominent recently.
10. Forest Park Golf Course
- Location: Woodhaven
- Length: 6,053 yards
- Par: 70
- Designers: It was originally designed by Tom Bendelo in 1896, then by Scotsman Robert Foulis.
- Year Established: 1912
- Championships: The 1929 National Public Links Championship
To close our list of the best public golf courses New York, we recommend the Forest Park Golf Course. We love this course, particularly for its fair pricing.
So, if you are looking forward to playing good golf but worried about emptying your pocket.
While the course has some nice additions like cart girls and refreshments, its ease of access makes it a captivating option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Well, there are several nice golfing facilities that are spread throughout the state.
The good thing is that there are several of them that are located within New York City, including the above recommendations.
New York City boasts over 10 golf courses. Most of them are 18-hole courses, while two are nine-hole layouts.
Besides this, there are numerous golf courses that are a few hours away from the city.
So, if you cannot access any of the best public golf courses in New York City, you can always try some other courses within the vicinity.
Definitely yes.
By now, you should know that the Trump Organization has one of the best public golf courses in New York, the Trump Links at Ferry Point.
You will find more information about the course in the above list.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. You now know where to spend your time while in New York City.
The good thing is that this list of the best public golf courses New York is diverse, ranging from courses with lush fairways to others with historic charm.
Whether you are a novice or a passionate golfer, these public golf courses offer excellent experiences in the heart of the city.
In short, every course has its own unique allure and challenges.
Overall, we found out that a couple of golf courses stand out in most aspects, for instance, tee fees, course challenges, and accessibility from the city.
So, if you are short on time and only want to sample a few courses, then you can go with Bethpage State Park, Silver Lake Golf Course, Pelham Bay/Split Rock Golf Course, Dyker Beach Golf Course, and maybe Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.
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