When planning a trip to New York City, you might not think that playing amazing golf courses will be a convenient option. If you’ve never visited the Big Apple, it would probably seem like the sheer size and legendary hustle and bustle of this metropolis would make bringing your clubs seem like a fool’s errand. And, perhaps more than anything, you’ll likely have a long to-do list featuring landmarks, monuments, famous places, and even movie locations that will take priority over squeezing in a round or two.
However, the great news is that there are multiple courses that are not only easy to get to, but they’re basically must-play options given their locations and popularity among both locals and traveling golfers from all over the world. The problem, of course, is choosing which courses you’ll play during your vacation, as there are too many to tackle in one visit (which simply means you’ll return again and again), especially when you’ll be spending plenty of time seeing the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Michael Scott’s favorite authentic New York City pizza spot in Times Square.
So, if your goal is a fun, challenging round that’ll help fill your social media feeds with beautiful views, exceptional designs, and maybe even some bragging rights, this trio of courses should do the trick, as each one is highly regarded by visitors and the pickiest New Yorkers (even if they might not readily admit it).
Bethpage Black Golf Course
On name recognition alone, this iconic course will likely top many lists for golfers of all experience levels, as it is widely considered to be one of the best public courses in the U.S. And, as I love to say, “If it’s good enough for the U.S. Open, it’s good enough for me.” However, Bethpage Black is also one of the hardest courses in the country — if not the hardest — so it’s important to temper expectations and play from the tee box that best suits your level of play. But even if the course bests you, this Burbeck and Tillinghast design will leave a big smile on your face.
With five courses to play, Bethpage could be your vacation destination with New York City as an escape between rounds. Many golfers believe the Red course is just as good as Black, while Blue is slightly less challenging but still very much visually appealing. For good measure, and maybe even a little self preservation, Bethpage’s Green and Yellow courses are considered much easier, so average golfers can feel a little better after suffering the many frustrations of the harder designs.
Eisenhower Park
If you’re planning to play golf in or around New York City in July, there’s no better choice than Eisenhower Park, which is home to the appropriately named Red, White, and Blue courses. Longtime golfers are probably well aware of Red’s reputation, as this Devereux Emmet design was the setting for the Commerce Bank Championship (aka the Long Island Classic) for the PGA Tour Champions from 2003-2008. Needless to say, it’s a must-play for anyone who loves golf’s rich history.
The White and Blue courses shouldn’t be overlooked, though, as these Robert Trent Jones designs are much friendlier to casual golfers. Notably, Blue is considered the most forgiving of the trio, so anyone with a tendency to slice will likely prefer the broader fairways, as Red’s require you to hit missiles, as the kids say.
Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point
If your goal is to mix the landmarks with the links, this course might be the best way to do it. New York City’s only links-style public golf course, Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point is a Jack Nicklaus design that feels like a real-life Golden Tee experience. That’s because it uses the New York City skyline as a backdrop, creating a unique experience with a course that feels like it’s in Europe all while allowing you to take selfies with those breathtaking skyscrapers in the background.
What’s especially cool about this course is that it was built on a landfill, which, while kind of gross, means that Nicklaus was able to develop something that is thoroughly challenging — curves for days and obstacles galore — but also just downright fun for anyone.
