New York City has some great golf courses you can book and play within easy reach of Manhattan. Here’s our guide. In terms of private clubs where members and their guests can play, the city is close to some legendary venues such as Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links of America, Winged Foot and Oak Hill Country Club. For those visiting the city, you can also get to some world-class public-access courses easily within a couple of hours. Here’s what we think are the best.
Located in Long Island close to New York City, Bethpage is home to five of the best public golf courses in the United States including the world famous Bethpage Black, one of the most notoriously difficult courses in the country. Black has hosted the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship and will host the 2025 Ryder Cup.
The best of the other courses, Yellow, Green, Blue and Red, is probably the Red course. More suited to a higher handicap than Black, this course deserves to step out of the shadow of its illustrious neighbour with many believing it to be just as good.
Jack Nicklaus Signature Design links course in the Bronx which was built on top of an old garbage dump. Formerly known as Trump Golf Links and opened in 2014, this is anything but trash. There’s stunning views of the famous New York skyline and it’s just minutes from Manhattan. At the foot of the Whitestone Bridge, where New York’s East River meets the Long Island Sound, this is a tournament worthy links with rolling mounds of fescue alongside pristine fairways and greens with a state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot clubhouse.
A Pete Dye design 40 miles northeast of Manhattan with perfectly manicured undulating fairways and greens. One of the most beautiful courses in the state, there’s woods, wetlands, water hazards, rocks and boulders with expansive views of the surrounding countryside from the highest points. Though it’s public-access, it feels and plays like a high-end private club and it’s a tranquil escape from the big city.
