The short answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely can golf in New York, and it's home to some of the most iconic and beautiful courses in the entire country. From tackling a U.S. Open venue on Long Island to playing amidst the breathtaking foliage of the Catskills, the Empire State offers a surprisingly diverse and rewarding golf experience. This article will guide you through the New York golf seasons, highlight the best regions to tee it up, and provide some coaching tips to handle the unique challenges you'll face here.
Unlike states with year-round sunshine, New York's golf calendar is defined by its four distinct seasons. Understanding what to expect from each will help you plan the perfect golf trip and set realistic expectations for course conditions.
As the winter chill finally loosens its grip, golf courses across New York begin to stir. Spring golf is an experience of reawakening. The air is crisp, the crowds are thinner than in mid-summer, and there’s a feeling of excitement as the season gets underway. However, you need to come prepared.
This is prime time for New York golf. The days are long, the weather is warm (and often humid), and the courses are in their best shape of the year. The grass is lush, the greens are fast, and the sun doesn't set until late, allowing for those magical twilight rounds.
Many New York golfers, myself included, will tell you that fall is the absolute best season for golf. The oppressive humidity of summer disappears, replaced by cool, comfortable air. The courses are still in great shape from the summer, and the natural scenery becomes an attraction in itself.
Golf in the winter is more of an optimistic hope than a regular activity. Most courses, especially upstate, will close down entirely. However, if you get a string of mild, above-freezing days, some courses, particularly on Long Island or in the lower Hudson Valley, may open for play.
The state's geography gives rise to vastly different styles of golf. Here’s a breakdown of what each major region has to offer.
When people think of New York golf, they often think of Long Island - and for good reason. It boasts an incredible concentration of world-class private clubs, but its public offerings are what make it a destination for players of all budgets. The sandy soil here lends itself to fantastic course-drainage and a link-ish feel you won’t find elsewhere in the state.
The Crown Jewel: Bethpage State Park. This is a must-visit. While the notoriously difficult Black Course gets all the fame as a two-time U.S. Open host, it’s just one of five courses at the facility. The Red Course is a stunning Tillinghast design that many consider nearly as good as the Black, and the Blue, Green, and Yellow courses provide enjoyable and more playable experiences for the average golfer. Be warned: securing a tee time on the Black as a non-resident requires advanced planning online - but it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
As you move north of the city, the landscape transforms into rolling hills, mountains, and pristine lakes. The golf up here is defined by dramatic elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, and stunning views. It's often less expensive and less crowded than golf closer to the city.
Yes, you can golf right within the five boroughs, which is a novelty in itself. It’s not always glamorous, but it is accessible. The courses are often packed and the conditioning can be inconsistent, but they serve as a vital outlet for city dwellers.
Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course in the Bronx is historically significant as the oldest public course in the United States. In Queens, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point offers a surreal, high-end experience with incredible views of the city skyline. Over in Brooklyn, Marine Park Golf Course provides an open, windswept layout that stands as one of the best-maintained city options.
Tackling New York’s courses requires some specific skills. As a coach, these are the things I emphasize to my students playing here for the first time.
Outside of a few flat courses on the South Shore of Long Island, you will almost never have a perfectly flat lie. From the hills of Westchester to the mountains upstate, you need to know how to hit the ball when it’s above or below your feet. A simple tip: for a ball below your feet, take an extra club and stand a little closer to it, focusing on staying down through the shot. For a ball above your feet, choke down on the grip and aim slightly right of your target (for a right-handed player) as the ball will tend to draw.
This is not a state where you can casually show up and expect to play, at least not during peak season. For celebrated "destination" courses like Bethpage Black, Montauk Downs, or Pound Ridge, you need to understand their specific non-resident booking policies and plan weeks, if not months, in advance. For local county courses, even booking a few days ahead can make all the difference for a decent weekend time slot.
Whether it’s a coastal breeze on Long Island or a gust swirling through a valley upstate, wind is a constant factor in New York golf. A good mantra is "when it's breezy, swing easy." Trying to fight the wind with a harder swing often adds more spin to the ball, making it veer even more off-course. Instead, take an extra club or two and make a smooth, balanced, three-quarter swing. This keeps the ball's trajectory lower and more controlled.
The architects who designed New York’s classic courses - A.W. Tillinghast, Devereux Emmet, Robert Trent Jones - were strategists. Their designs reward thoughtful play and penalize mindless aggression. Don’t just automatically pull driver on every par 4. Look where the trouble is. Sometimes the smart play is a 3-wood or a hybrid that leaves you 150 yards from the green in the fairway, rather than a driver that brings bunkers or water into play.
Golf in New York offers a remarkably diverse, challenging, and scenic experience for any player. With a distinct season that brings its own charm from the awakening of spring through the brilliant colors of fall, the Empire State proves itself to be a truly great golf destination.
Navigating a tough, historic course like Bethpage or figuring out the best play from a tricky, wooded lie in the Catskills can be intimidating. This is where I find having a good strategy partner helps a ton. With Caddie AI, you can get instant, expert advice right in your pocket. If you're facing a shot from the deep rough or are unsure how to approach a blind par-4, you can get a clear plan in seconds. It helps you play with more confidence and make smarter decisions on these demanding New York layouts.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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