New York is a special place to witness the uniqueness and diversity of golf. The city has several charming local clubs, public or private, and world-renowned championship venues.
Private golf courses in New York are primarily reserved for members, and accessing them usually involves incurring some charges.
However, several of the best public golf courses in New York offer an enjoyable experience without the need for membership fees.
Golf lovers in New York City can play the game at the NYC Resident Rate.
However, you must offer proof of residency using either the driver’s license or I.D. card. Additionally, you need a utility bill or proof of photo I.D.
Special rates can also be requested to play at the best public golf courses in New York. Again, you must present a School ID or Birth Certificate and a parent’s Photo ID for the juniors.
If you’re ready to play golf in New York, these are the 10 best public golf courses you can take into account:
1. Shenendoah Golf Club
- Location: Verona, New York
- Length: 7,000 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Rick Smith
- Year Built: 2000
- Championships Hosted: Turning Stone Resort Championship (PGA Tour)
Coming first in our list of best public golf courses in New York is Shenendoah Golf Club at Turning Stone. This destination has excellent and world-class golfing facilities.
Checking on the surroundings, this award-winning golfing destination has rolling greens and challenging bunkers. Moreover, water adds to the difficulty of the course.
Since Shenendoah Golf Club is strategically located in a natural environment, it’s suitable for viewing New York’s beautiful scenery.
Apart from being famous for its well-groomed territory, the staff are also very welcoming and friendly.
2. Monster Golf Club
- Location: Monticello, New York
- Length: 7,650 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Joe Finger and Gene Sarazen
- Year Built: 1963
If you wish to enjoy beautiful views and Monster Golf Club’s reputation, visit the Catskill Mountains.
It’s important to note that Monster Golf Club is huge, measuring 7,650 yards, and it’s considered one of the toughest golf clubs in New York.
As you explore Monster Golf Club, you will see narrow corridors and challenging slopes.
Still, you will note that the greens are well-protected and meet reasonable maintenance standards.
Overall, here is the place where you can play a rigorous game.
3. The Links at Greystone
- Location: Walworth, New York
- Length: 6,915 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Craig Schreiner
- Year Built: 1995
While playing golf at The Links in Walworth, you are guaranteed a test and beauty that is hard to come by at many other golf courses.
The course has rolling fairways and well-manicured greens. In addition, it’s also adorned by the natural water sources in and around the course.
The Link golf course is laid out properly and is set to be challenging but friendly to every player. Still, the clubhouse and other facilities are excellent.
Therefore, the course is well-frequented by residents and tourists.
It doesn’t matter whether you come to the Links at Greystone for the game or want the whole golfing experience.
You will find something that will suit your needs either way.
4. Leatherstocking Golf Course
- Location: Cooperstown, New York
- Length: 6,401 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Devereux Emmet
- Year Built: 1909
If you ever get to Cooperstown, you shouldn’t pass up a playing opportunity at Leatherstocking Golf Course.
Although this course isn’t very long, it has fast greens and a well-defined layout.
The Leatherstocking Golf Course is very beautiful. It is surrounded by nature and has a view of Lake Otsego.
Leatherstocking is iconic and well-maintained, so it should be on the courses to play when visiting New York.
5. The Links at Hiawatha Landing
- Location: Apalachin, New York
- Length: 7,250 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Brian Silva
- Year Built: 1994
Unlike the Links at Walworth, the Links at Hiawatha Landing in Apalachin offers a complexity of play and stunning views.
When water hazards and strategic bunkers join the recipe, the course becomes very challenging.
Since the course is kept in good shape, it’s an excellent place to spend a day practicing to sharpen your golf skills.
6. Phillip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course
- Location: Thiells, New York
- Length: 6,500 yards
- Par: 71
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Hal Purdy
- Year Built: 1984
Phillip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course in Thiells is a great place that is not very famous but should be visited. It has a rather complicated design with a mix of different types of holes.
Its sophisticated facilities include well-bunkered but rolling fairways and medium—to small-sized greens.
Golfers love Phillip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course because of the variations in altitude and beautiful landscapes.
Another perk is the option of a friendly environment and courteous personnel.
7. Hidden Valley Golf Club
- Location: Whitesboro, New York
- Length: 6,549 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Russell Roberts
- Year Built: 1989
This is a wonderful course in Whitesboro. The Hidden Valley Golf Club is generally perfect for average golfers. Here, you will get unlimited fun and challenging course design.
Hidden Valley Golf Club includes a mix of holes and several elevation fluctuations to boost its diversity.
Moreover, the playing field is elated for its excellent grooming and the beauty of its environment. Choose it for playing a round of golf without much strain.
8. Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course
- Location: Lewiston, New York
- Length: 7,016 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Robert Trent Jones II.
- Year Built: 2010
To get the complete package of golfing experience, Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course at Lewiston is a recommendation.
The course has wide corridors, large putting greens, and many water bodies.
While playing golf at Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course, you will quickly realize that the design is beautiful and the environment is quite serene.
Regardless of whether you are an inhabitant of Seneca or just passing by, the Hickory Stick will give quite an exciting round of golf.
9. Bethpage State Park Golf Course
- Location: Farmingdale, New York
- Length: 7,468 yards
- Par: 71
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): A.W. Tillinghast
- Year Built: 1936
- Championships Hosted: U.S. Open, PGA Championship
Bethpage State Park is one of the great courses with an increased difficulty of play.
It’s famous for its challenges, especially the greens and roughs. The course’s layout is excellent and in great condition.
Most people love the Bethpage State Park Golf Course because of its artistry of design and historical reference.
The course is a perfect place for a serious golfer to perfect their game or at least work on it. Also, it’s one of the most memorable and sometimes even surpasses expectations.
10. Pound Ridge Golf Club
- Location: Pound Ridge, New York
- Length: 7,165 yards
- Par: 72
- Total Holes: 18
- Designer(s): Pete Dye
- Year Built: 2008
Pound Ridge Golf Club may be the course for you if you’re looking for a challenging course with a picturesque fairway.
This course is in Pound Ridge and was designed by Pete Dye.
It features narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and medium-sized greens that are not very flat. You should know that the course demands accuracy in shots and strategizing.
The playing field and the general outlook of the golf course are excellent.
Hence, Pound Ridge is ideal for professional players.
FAQs
Many people go to Van Cortlandt Golf Course, or “Vanny,” in New York City.
It’s at 15th Street, New York, and only fifteen miles from Midtown Manhattan, easily reachable by the 1 train.
Taking a train from Penn Station takes approximately one hour and is therefore suitable for people who do not have personal means of transport.
New York City has 13 18-hole golf courses and 2 9-hole courses.
Moreover, it offers options for all classes of golfers and a variety of challenges.
Still, you will find courses focused on the game’s basic and advanced levels.
Yes, Donald Trump has several golf courses in various parts of the globe through his business entity, Trump Organization.
He began acquiring and setting up these courses in 1999.
His capital was in golf courses and by the year 2016, he had invested in 17 standard and luxurious golf courses.
The United States currently has approximately 17,000 golf courses, most of which are public. In 2023, 5,049 received reviews on GolfPass.
This wide range is a plus for golfers nationwide, as it offers them many opportunities.
Florida is called the Golf Capital of the World because of its many courses—alone, there are 1,262.
The weather is warm all year round, and the range of courses makes it a destination where golfers worldwide flock.
Final Thought
A lot of the best public golf courses in New York are available for those who wish to taste a tough battle on the greens or just have a great time in splendid isolation.
If you are now planning to play a round of golf in New York, you may want to begin with golf course reviews of the best public golf courses stated above.
All options provide different characteristics and difficulties, so you will get the course that is suitable for your personality and level.
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