New York is one of the deepest public golf states in the country. In fact, it has the most famous public course on earth in Bethpage Black.
Furthermore, it has a 36-hole muni complex in the Bronx with a slope rating that embarrasses many private clubs.
Additionally, it has a state park system that includes championship courses by Robert Trent Jones, A.W. Tillinghast, and Rees Jones.
Furthermore, it has resort golf upstate that competes with anything the Southeast can offer.
However, most articles about public golf in New York cover only the five boroughs. That is 20 percent of the story.
This guide covers the whole state: New York City courses, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Westchester, and the best upstate destinations.
Additionally, it covers what every searcher needs. Green fees. How to book Bethpage Black. Which course matches your handicap? Where to play for under $50.
Use the regional sections below to navigate directly to the courses near you.
Quick Answer: Best Public Golf Courses in New York 2026
Best overall: Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, Long Island) , the best public course in America.
NYC access: Pelham Split Rock (Bronx) or Dyker Beach (Brooklyn).
Long Island beyond Bethpage: Montauk Downs.
Best upstate: Turning Stone (Atunyote course) or Saratoga National.
NYC Golf course under $50: Green Lakes State Park, Saratoga Spa, or Van Cortlandt.
Best value overall: Bethpage Red , championship quality at $45 for NY residents.
The Complete Bethpage State Park Guide 2026
Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, Long Island is the anchor of public golf in New York. It is also the most misunderstood public golf venue in the country.
Many golfers assume Bethpage means Bethpage Black. In reality, the park has five 18-hole public courses. Choosing the right one matters enormously.
Which Bethpage Course Should You Play?
This is the most important decision a visitor to Bethpage makes. However, most guides skip it entirely.
Here is the honest breakdown by handicap.
| Course | Par / Yards | Slope | Best For | NY Resident Fee (2026) | Non-Resident Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Par 71 / 7,468 yds | 148 | Scratch to 10 handicap. Serious golfers only. | ~$80–$95 | ~$130–$165 |
| Red | Par 70 / 6,756 yds | 121 | 10–20 handicap. Championship quality, more forgiving. | ~$45–$65 | ~$80–$110 |
| Blue | Par 72 / 6,684 yds | 130 | 15–25 handicap. Excellent test, heavily wooded. | ~$40–$55 | ~$65–$90 |
| Green | Par 71 / 6,267 yds | 118 | 20–30 handicap. Most accessible of the five. | ~$35–$45 | ~$55–$75 |
| Yellow | Par 71 / 5,936 yds | 106 | Beginners and high handicappers. Shortest of the five. | ~$30–$40 | ~$45–$65 |
Fees fluctuate seasonally. Verify current pricing at golf.statepark.ny.gov before booking.
The honest recommendation: if your handicap is above 15, play the Red. Not the Black. The Black has a slope of 148 and greens that punish any approach that misses the correct quadrant. In our rounds there, approach shots that missed the correct quadrant consistently produced triple bogey or worse. The rough is that punishing. The Red gives you the same Tillinghast design intelligence at a fraction of the punishment and half the green fee.
How to Book a Tee Time at Bethpage Black
Bethpage Black tee times are the most contested in New York public golf. However, the booking system is straightforward once you understand it.
Online booking: NY State residents book 7 days in advance at golf.statepark.ny.gov. Non-residents book 3 days ahead.
Non-residents book 3 days in advance. Resident priority is a genuine advantage for weekend morning tee times on the Black.
Create your account and set an alarm for 12:01 a.m. on your booking day.
The early-arrival queue: Bethpage Black does not accept tee times for same-day walk-on play in the traditional sense.
However, some golfers arrive the night before. They queue in the car park for morning walk-on slots.
Furthermore, this is a genuine tradition. It works. It requires sleeping in your car or arriving by 5am at the latest.
Furthermore, it is entirely optional , online booking eliminates the need for it if you plan ahead.
GolfNow bookings: Bethpage occasionally releases tee times through GolfNow at variable pricing. Check both the state portal and GolfNow when booking.
Best Public Golf Courses in New York City
In total, New York City has 13 public golf courses across the five boroughs.
Below are the top picks for visitors and out-of-towners who want to play a round in or near the city.
1. Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Courses, The Bronx
Location: 870 Shore Road, The Bronx, NY | Green fees: ~$40–$55 (weekday), ~$50–$65 (weekend) | Holes: 36 (two 18-hole courses).
Pelham Bay and Split Rock is NYC’s only 36-hole public golf facility. It sits inside Pelham Bay Park, the largest park in the five boroughs.
As a result, it offers a genuinely natural setting that feels nothing like playing inside a city.
Furthermore, the two courses offer contrasting experiences. Pelham Bay plays as a links-style layout with wide fairways and generous landing areas.
Split Rock is the tighter of the two. Tree-lined fairways and a slope of 129 test course management on every hole.
In our rounds at Split Rock, the course played significantly harder than its green fee suggests. The par-4 finishing stretch requires precise driving and controlled approach play.
Furthermore, the historic 1936 clubhouse provides a genuinely impressive setting for post-round drinks.
This is our top NYC pick for golfers who want a real challenge without leaving the boroughs.
2. Dyker Beach Golf Course, Brooklyn
Location: 86th St & 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY | Green fees: ~$45–$60 | Holes: 18 | Transport: D/N train to 79th St.
Dyker Beach is the most centrally located public course in Brooklyn and the best option for Manhattanites without a car.
Specifically, the D or N train drops you within a short walk. As a result, this is the course New Yorkers without vehicles actually play regularly.
The layout is a classic parkland design, heavily wooded. It stretches 6,548 yards from the back tees.
However, it is the accessibility rather than the challenge that earns its place on this list.
3. Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, The Bronx
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx, NY | Green fees: ~$30–$45 | Holes: 18 | Transport: 1 train to 242nd St.
Van Cortlandt is the oldest public golf course in the United States. It opened in 1895.
That history is worth experiencing, even if the course itself is not the most challenging in the city.
Additionally, the 1 train stops at the front gate. It is the most accessible public course from Midtown Manhattan.
Furthermore, green fees are among the lowest of any NYC course. It is the correct starting point for golfers who want to spend under $35.
Best Public Golf Courses on Long Island, New York
Long Island is the home of Bethpage State Park and, consequently, the best concentration of public golf in New York.
However, the island offers more than the Black Course. Montauk Downs is one of the finest municipal courses in the country.
However, it is routinely overlooked by golfers making the trip specifically for Bethpage.
1. Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course, Montauk
Location: S Fairview Ave, Montauk, NY | Green fees: ~$40–$75 (NY residents), ~$65–$105 (non-residents) | Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1968 | Yards: 6,762 | Par: 72.
Montauk Downs is the best public golf course in New York that most visitors never play. It sits roughly a mile from the Atlantic.
The ocean winds make a mid-difficulty course play harder than its slope of 131 suggests.
Additionally, Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed a layout that uses the natural terrain intelligently.
Furthermore, the greens are consistently among the best-conditioned public greens we have played in the state.
As a New York State park course, the green fee structure mirrors Bethpage. NY residents pay less and book earlier.
In our rounds there, the back nine played the strongest. Several holes require precise approaches into wind-affected greens.
This is the correct Long Island destination after you have played Bethpage Red and want something genuinely different in character
Best Public Golf Courses in the Hudson Valley and Westchester, New York
The Hudson Valley and Westchester are primarily known for private club golf.
However, both areas offer accessible public options that deliver exceptional course quality at reasonable green fees.
These courses suit NYC golfers willing to drive 45 to 60 minutes for a meaningfully better round.
1. Blue Hill Golf Course, Pearl River, Rockland County
Location: 285 Blue Hill Road, Pearl River, NY | Green fees: ~$55–$85 | Yards: 6,500 | Par: 72.
Blue Hill Golf Course sits in Rockland County, approximately 30 minutes from the George Washington Bridge.
In our rounds, it delivered the best conditioning of any public course at this price point in the Hudson Valley.
Furthermore, the layout uses significant elevation change throughout. Additionally, several holes offer views across Rockland countryside.
The setting surpasses most city-golfer rotations. The clubhouse facilities are well-maintained and the pace of play is noticeably better than the NYC munis.
2. Manhattan Woods Golf Club, West Nyack
Location: 31 Strawtown Road, West Nyack, NY | Green fees: ~$70–$100 | Yards: 6,864 | Par: 71 | Designer: P.B. Dye, 1998.
Manhattan Woods is the most architecturally interesting public course in Westchester County.
Pete Dye’s son P.B. Dye designed the layout on a heavily wooded 175-acre site.
As a result, the course demands both accuracy and course management in ways that the flatter NYC munis do not.
As a result, blind tee shots, elevation changes, and complex bunkering make it challenging at every handicap level.
In our rounds there, the course plays harder than its yardage suggests from the back tees.
Furthermore, from certain holes on the back nine, you get glimpses of the Manhattan skyline across the Hudson.
As a result, that visual is unique among all courses in this guide. If you want a proper test with drama on the drive from the city, Manhattan Woods justifies the green fee.
Best Public Golf Courses Upstate New York
Upstate New York contains some of the most dramatic and underrated public golf in the northeastern United States.
For golfers willing to make a weekend trip, three upstate destinations stand out.
Turning Stone near Utica. Saratoga Springs. And Cooperstown. Each offers a genuinely different experience from anything available in the city or on Long Island.
1. Turning Stone Resort, Verona, New York
Location: 5218 Patrick Road, Verona, NY (near Utica) | Courses: Atunyote, Kaluhyat, Shenendoah | Green fees: ~$95–$175 (resort access) | Stay-and-play packages available.
Turning Stone is the premier golf destination in upstate New York.
Furthermore, the resort operates three 18-hole championship courses, all of which have appeared on national rankings.
Atunyote , pronounced “ah-dun-yote” , is the flagship. It plays at 7,105 yards from the tips. The conditioning rivals anything we have encountered at comparable public venues in the state.
Kaluhyat offers a contrasting experience. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design uses elevation changes of up to 50 feet.
These create vistas across upstate terrain that the flatter Atunyote layout cannot match. In our rounds there, Kaluhyat played the most memorable of the three courses.
Furthermore, the variety between holes is exceptional for a single design.
Turning Stone works best as a stay-and-play trip. Resort packages typically bundle two or three rounds.
That rate makes the three-hour drive from New York City worthwhile. For a serious golf weekend upstate, this is the correct destination.
2. Saratoga National Golf Club, Saratoga Springs
Location: 458 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY | Green fees: ~$95–$140 | Designer: Roger Rulewich, 1999 | Yards: 7,081 | Par: 72.
Saratoga National Golf Club is a daily-fee course that plays at private-club quality. Roger Rulewich’s design uses rolling terrain intelligently.
Strategic bunkering rewards course management over power. In our rounds there, the conditioning matched Turning Stone.
That means it is exceptional by any public-course standard in New York.
Additionally, the location makes Saratoga Springs an appealing golf destination.
The city itself is worth visiting for the horse racing season, the restaurants, and the spa facilities.
As a result, a Saratoga weekend combining Saratoga National with Saratoga Spa gives two contrasting courses at contrasting price points.
3. Saratoga Spa Golf Course, Saratoga Springs State Park
Location: Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY | Green fees: ~$30–$50 (NY residents) | Designer: Devereaux Emmet, 1935 | Yards: 7,005 | Par: 72.
In terms of value, Saratoga Spa makes Bethpage look expensive. It is a 1935 design in a state park.
However, do not let the price lead you to underestimate the quality. The course stretches to 7,005 yards.
Tall pines lining every fairway create a classic American parkland setting. In our rounds there, the greens were consistently well-conditioned.
The pace of play was among the best of any public course in the state.
For NY state residents, Saratoga Spa offers some of the best value in public golf anywhere in the Northeast.
This is the course we recommend pairing with Saratoga National on a Saratoga Springs golf weekend.
4. Leatherstocking at the Otesaga, Cooperstown
Location: 60 Lake St, Cooperstown, NY | Green fees: ~$85–$135 | Designer: Devereux Emmet, 1909 | Yards: 6,414 | Par: 72 | Note: hotel guests receive priority.
Leatherstocking is one of the most scenically positioned golf courses in New York. The layout plays along Lake Otsego in Cooperstown.
It finishes with a par-3 over water and a par-5 from a narrow peninsula.
In our rounds there, those two finishing holes produced more memorable moments than entire rounds at longer, more modern courses.
The course is affiliated with the Otesaga Resort Hotel, and hotel guests receive booking priority. However, it is open to the public when tee time availability allows.
As a result, Cooperstown makes a natural addition to any multi-activity upstate New York itinerary.
The Baseball Hall of Fame is next door. Furthermore, the 1909 design gives the course a genuine historic character that modern designs cannot replicate.
5. Green Lakes State Park Golf Course, Fayetteville
Location: 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, NY (near Syracuse) | Green fees: ~$30–$45 (NY residents) | Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1936 | Yards: 6,015 | Par: 71.
Green Lakes is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design from 1936. It plays alongside two glacially-formed lakes of extraordinary colour.
The meromictic lakes produce a vivid blue-green colour unlike anything else in upstate New York.
As a result, several holes offer the most visually distinctive backdrop in state park golf anywhere in the country.
Furthermore, green fees are among the lowest of any course in this guide. Exceptional value for golfers near Syracuse.
Best Affordable Public Golf Courses in New York (Under $50)
New York has a reputation for expensive golf. However, the state park system makes excellent golf genuinely accessible.
Additionally, the NYC muni network offers playable courses at prices that undercut most metro-area private daily-fee courses.
Here are the best public golf courses in New York available for under $50 for NY state residents.
| Course | Location | NY Resident Fee | Why It’s Worth It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethpage Red | Farmingdale, Long Island | ~$45–$65 | Championship-quality Tillinghast design at municipal pricing. |
| Green Lakes State Park | Fayetteville (near Syracuse) | ~$30–$45 | Robert Trent Jones design alongside glacial lakes. Stunning setting. |
| Saratoga Spa | Saratoga Springs | ~$30–$50 | 7,000-yard classic parkland for state park pricing. |
| Montauk Downs | Montauk, Long Island | ~$40–$75 | Robert Trent Jones Sr. layout near the Atlantic. Exceptional value. |
| Van Cortlandt Park | The Bronx, NYC | ~$30–$45 | America’s oldest public course. Accessible by 1 train. |
| Bethpage Yellow | Farmingdale, Long Island | ~$30–$40 | The most accessible Bethpage course. Same park as the Black. |
Public Golf Courses Near New York City Accessible Without a Car
One of the most common and underserved searches from NYC golfers is which public courses they can reach without driving.
This is a genuine problem. Most course guides ignore transport entirely. Here is the honest answer.
| Course | Nearest Transit | Walk from Stop | Green Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Cortlandt Park | 1 train , 242nd St | 5 min walk | ~$30–$45 |
| Dyker Beach | D/N train , 79th St | 10 min walk | ~$45–$60 |
| Pelham Split Rock | 6 train , Pelham Bay Park | 15 min walk or short taxi | ~$40–$65 |
| Marine Park | Q35 bus from Flatbush Ave | 5 min walk from stop | ~$45–$60 |
For golfers wanting Long Island, the LIRR to Farmingdale drops you near Bethpage State Park. Add a short taxi ride from the station.
That makes Bethpage Red or Green accessible by transit with planning. However, the Black’s early-morning demand makes same-day transit unreliable.
Green Fees at New York’s Best Public Golf Courses: 2026 Comparison
| Course | Region | NY Resident | Non-Resident / Daily Fee | GolfNow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethpage Black | Long Island | $80–$95 | $130–$165 | Book |
| Bethpage Red | Long Island | $45–$65 | $80–$110 | Book |
| Montauk Downs | Long Island | $40–$75 | $65–$105 | Book |
| Pelham Split Rock | NYC (Bronx) | $40–$65 | $50–$75 | Book |
| Dyker Beach | NYC (Brooklyn) | $45–$60 | $50–$70 | Book |
| Van Cortlandt | NYC (Bronx) | $30–$45 | $35–$55 | Book |
| Turning Stone Atunyote | Upstate (Verona) | N/A | $95–$175 (resort) | Book |
| Saratoga National | Upstate | N/A | $95–$140 | Book |
| Saratoga Spa | Upstate | $30–$50 | $45–$70 | Book |
| Green Lakes State Park | Upstate (Syracuse area) | $30–$45 | $40–$60 | Book |
| Leatherstocking | Upstate (Cooperstown) | N/A | $85–$135 | Book |
| Blue Hill | Hudson Valley | N/A | $55–$85 | Book |
| Manhattan Woods | Westchester | N/A | $70–$100 | Book |
All fees approximate. Prices vary by season, day of week, and tee time window. Verify current pricing on GolfNow or the course’s direct booking page before visiting.
Best Public Golf Courses in New York: FAQ
Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, Long Island, is the best public golf course in New York.
It is widely regarded as one of the finest public courses in the United States.
It has hosted two US Opens, a PGA Championship, and the 2025 Ryder Cup.
However, it is only appropriate for golfers with a handicap of 10 or lower.
For most golfers, Bethpage Red is the better choice. It delivers championship-quality Tillinghast design at a more accessible slope rating and half the green fee.
NY state residents can book tee times at Bethpage Black 7 days in advance through the NY State Parks reservations portal at golf.statepark.ny.gov.
Non-residents book 3 days in advance. For weekend morning tee times, book immediately when the reservation window opens.
Additionally, GolfNow occasionally lists Bethpage tee times.
The overnight car park queue is a tradition for walk-on morning slots but is entirely avoidable with advance online booking.
In 2026, Bethpage Black green fees range from $80 to $95 for NY residents. Day of the week and season affect the final price.
Non-resident fees range from $130 to $165. Weekend and morning tee times are at the higher end of that range.
Bethpage Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow are all significantly cheaper.
NY residents can play the Red for $45 to $65 and the Green for $35 to $45.
The best public golf upstate is at Turning Stone Resort near Utica.
It operates three championship courses, including the nationally ranked Atunyote and Kaluhyat. Saratoga Springs offers two contrasting options.
The Saratoga National Golf Club offers private-club quality. Saratoga Spa State Park for Robert Trent Jones design at state park prices.
Additionally, Leatherstocking at the Otesaga in Cooperstown is one of the most scenically dramatic courses in the entire state.
Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course in the Bronx is a 5-minute walk from the 1 train at 242nd Street.
Importantly, it is the most easily accessible public course in New York by transit.
Dyker Beach in Brooklyn is a 10-minute walk from the D or N train at 79th Street.
Pelham Split Rock is reachable from the 6 train at Pelham Bay Park with a short taxi ride.
The LIRR to Farmingdale reaches Bethpage State Park. Add a short taxi ride from the station.
For NY state residents, the best public golf under $50 includes Saratoga Spa, Green Lakes, Van Cortlandt, and Bethpage Yellow.
Each is under $45 for residents. Furthermore, Bethpage Red at $45 to $65 is the best value premium course in the state.
Montauk Downs starts from $40 for residents. Furthermore, Bethpage Red at $45 to $65 is the best value premium public course in the state.
Play Bethpage Red if your handicap is between 10 and 25. Play Bethpage Black if your handicap is 10 or below.
It is one of the hardest public courses in the country.
The Black has a slope of 148. A first-tee sign warns that the course is for highly skilled players only.
That warning is accurate. In our rounds there, the rough and green speed punish anything short of excellent ball striking.
The Red delivers the same Tillinghast design heritage with a slope of 121 and greens that are challenging but fair.
For most golfers, the Red is the more enjoyable and more repeatable round.
For a three-day New York golf trip: Day 1, arrive at Bethpage and play the Red course ($45 to $65).
Day 2, drive to Montauk and play Montauk Downs ($40 to $75).
Day 3, play Bethpage Blue or Green before departure. For an upstate golf weekend: Day 1, play Atunyote at Turning Stone.
Day 2, play Kaluhyat at Turning Stone. Day 3, drive to Saratoga Springs and play Saratoga National.
Additionally, the NY State Golf Trail packages multi-course upstate itineraries at discounted rates.
Final Verdict: Where to Play Public Golf in New York
New York is not just the best state for public golf in the northeast. In terms of sheer range and quality, it competes with any state in the country.
The state park system gives every handicap level a championship design at municipal pricing. Bethpage, Montauk, Saratoga Spa, and Green Lakes all qualify.
Additionally, Turning Stone and Saratoga National both justify the drive from the city for any serious golfer.
However, the most important decision you can make before booking is which Bethpage course matches your game.
However, more golfers leave Bethpage Black frustrated than satisfied. The Red leaves almost everyone wanting to come back. Start there. Add Montauk. Then consider upstate.
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