Top Public Golf Courses in New York
With its lush greenery and ample woods, New York State is a natural destination for some of the finest golf courses in the country. Whether you’re looking to escape to Montauk or make your way to the Finger Lakes region, there’s something out there to suit you. Here are the most renowned across the state!
Bethpage State Park Golf Courses, Farmingdale, NY
Esteemed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast designed the Black Course, Red Course, and Blue Course at the Bethpage State Park in the 1930s. The Black Course is the most challenging of the three and has hosted the U.S. Open Championship twice.
Pound Ridge Golf Club, Pound Ridge, NY
Tucked away in the Westchester woods, Pound Ridge Golf Club has five sets of tees, a par of 72, and a slope of 150. Expect to see stunning scenery, including cliffs, rocks formations, and trees, all part of architect Pete Dye’s design.
Leatherstocking Golf Course, Cooperstown, NY
As “one of the East’s most scenic and challenging resort golf courses,” Leatherstocking does not disappoint. The par-72 lakeside course was designed in the early 20th century and is less than a mile from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Atunyote at Turning Stone, Verona, NY
This stunning par-72 course has hosted two PGA championships, and its resort focuses on offering personal attention to every detail. The 7,315–yard course contains streams, waterfalls, lakes, and more.
Montauk Downs State Park, Montauk, NY
Though it’s overshadowed by Long Island’s Bethpage courses, Montauk Downs State Park has some unique offerings of its own. The 6,988-yard isolated course has a rugged, isolated landscape with challenging crosswinds coming in from the Atlantic Ocean and the Long Island Sound.
The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, NY
Long, skinny fairways, lush Adirondack greenery, and stunning views of Lake George are just some of the reasons why the par-70 Sagamore is consistently ranked among the best golf resorts in America.
Dunwoodie Golf Course, Yonkers, NY
Yonkers is home to Dunwoodie Golf Course, a par-70 course that takes advantage of the city’s dramatic natural landscapes and steep topography. There is also a driving range that is lit up for practicing at night.
Saratoga National Golf Club, Saratoga Springs, NY
This par-72 course is known for lush fairways, blue-water ponds, an excellent resort, and its close proximity to the Saratoga horse racing track.
Ravenwood Golf Club, Victor, NY
Conveniently located near Rochester and the Finger Lakes region, Ravenwood Golf Club, is an 18-hole par-72 course. When it opened in 2003 it received widespread praise and the honor of being ranked one of the “best new” public golf courses in the U.S. by Golf Digest.
Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, NY
In a span of less than 25 years, Rochester’s Oak Hill Country Club managed to host the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur. The club’s neat, green fairways have drawn golfers from around the world.
Key Insights at a Glance
- New York State is home to some of the finest golf courses in the country, with lush greenery and ample woods providing a natural setting for these courses.
- Bethpage State Park Golf Courses in Farmingdale, NY, designed by A.W. Tillinghast, include the challenging Black Course, which has hosted the U.S. Open Championship twice.
- Pound Ridge Golf Club in Pound Ridge, NY, designed by Pete Dye, offers stunning scenery with cliffs, rock formations, and trees.
- Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, NY, is a par-72 lakeside course near the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Atunyote at Turning Stone in Verona, NY, has hosted two PGA championships and offers personal attention to every detail.
- Montauk Downs State Park in Montauk, NY, features a rugged, isolated landscape with challenging crosswinds from the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound.
- The Sagamore in Bolton Landing, NY, offers long, skinny fairways, lush Adirondack greenery, and stunning views of Lake George.
- Dunwoodie Golf Course in Yonkers, NY, takes advantage of the city's dramatic natural landscapes and steep topography.
- Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY, is known for its lush fairways, blue-water ponds, and proximity to the Saratoga horse racing track.
- Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, NY, is an 18-hole par-72 course that received praise for being one of the "best new" public golf courses in the U.S.
- Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY, has hosted prestigious golf events such as the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, U.S. Open, and U.S. Amateur.
