New York City, the concrete jungle. We live here and the golfing situation is, well, suboptimal (unless you’re a member at Liberty National GC or Bayonne, but then again, you’re probably not reading this). We are lucky enough to own a car in the city, so we often drive out to play some of the great CT and NJ courses that are ~90mins of the city. However, here we look out for the golfer that does not have a car. The “me” from a few years ago.
Below is our favorite courses that are reachable by Uber, Train or Metro… highly recommend each one of them for a fun summer Saturday!
1/ Bethpage (Black, Red, Blue): Bethpage Black is located in Farmingdale, NY, about 35-miles outside of NYC, and is traditionally listed as one of the top courses in America. Uber may set you back a bit, but the LIRR to Farmingdale is clutch - only a quick 1.3mile taxi / Uber car ride from the station to the course.
Playing at just over 7400 yards, this par-71 is a beast and can humble even the most seasoned golfer, which was on full display in 2002 during the U.S. Open Championship where only five golfers broke par. Built in 1936, Bethpage Black was always considered a beautiful but challenging course by the locals, but it wasn't until the early 2000s when it played the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens that it started to grab national attention. Soon after, the PGA Tour hosted the 2011 and 2016 Barclays, and now the PGA of America has embraced The Black, which hosted the 2019 PGA Championship and will host the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup.
You would think a course this world-renowned would cost an arm and a leg to play, but it doesn't. Depending on when you play, residents can get out for $39, with non-residents paying $150 on weekends. Extremely affordable when you think about the rich history and PGA Tour pros that have graced the same fairways you'll be hitting from.
Beware - it is a tough freaking course.
2/ Trump Golf Links Ferry Point: Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point is located on an old landfill in the Bronx, sitting just outside of Manhattan. This public course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and John Stafford in 2015 and has continually made the list of Top 100 Public Golf courses in the county. Playing from the Blue Tees, you will be treated to a 6404-yard par-71 that is the closest thing to a links-style course you will play in the U.S. When Playing Ferry Point, you will find firm and fast fairways, numerous pot bunkers, and wide fairways lined by dense fescue, and your play will be dictated by the wind coming off the nearby East River. A cab / uber will get you there pretty efficiently!
The one negative about Ferry Point is the cost per round, as non-residents will pay around $227 to walk eighteen (but it is unique, and in our view worth it).
3/ Patriot Hills Golf Club: Patriot Hills Golf Club, located an hour north of New York City in Stony Point, New York, was built by Rick Jacobson in 2003. We recommend taking the train to Tarrytown and then hop in a Uber.
Patriot Hills is a beautiful course built into the hills along the Hudson River. Speaking of the Hudson River, you can get a breathtaking view from the tee box on the opening hole. Playing just over 6400 yards, this par-71 will challenge the most seasoned golfer with its tight fairways and elevation changes.
Considered one of the better public options around the city, Patriot Hills offers an excellent value for the level of golf, with rates ranging from $40 for twilight to $100 for prime weekend morning slots.
4/ Marine Park: Marie Park Golf Course is a public 18-hole golf course located in Brooklyn, New York. Marine Park opened in 1964 and was designed by the legendary Trent Jones Sr. as a links-style course. Measuring just over 7000 yards, this par-72 course is the longest of all the NYC courses and can feel even longer when battling the wind off Jamacia Bay. Well-maintained fairways and greens lead to an enjoyable round that will leave you wanting to play this course again.
Rates to play a course of this caliber are incredibly reasonable. Rates vary based on when you play but range from $19 on weekdays to $53 on weekends.
5/ Van Cortland: Van Courtland Park Golf Course, located in the Bronx, New York, has the unique distinction of being the oldest public golf course in America. Dating back to 1895, Van Cortland Park Golf Course has gone through various layout changes to make way for the Major Deegan Expressway, but the course's rich history remains. Playing just over 6000 yards, this par-70 has very few hazards to worry about unless you count the numerous greenside bunkers, but golfers will be challenged by the narrow fairways lined with the mature trees that only come with time.
Van Cortland is one of those bucket list courses, and with the price of $34 to walk weekdays and $54 to walk prime weekend mornings, its value makes it much more obtainable than some of the other courses on this list.
BONUS COURSE: We highly recommend the Flushing Meadows Pitch and Putt for practice (and a lot of fun!). Easy to get to from the city using the subway.
Hit ‘em Straight!
The Fairway Team