Golf is a sport that requires dedication and precision, and the courses in New York state provide some of the greatest opportunities for golfers to showcase those skills. From Long Island to Fishers Island, the wide variety of golfing experiences available makes the Empire State a mecca for the sport. Golfers can try their hand at world-class private clubs steeped in history or affordable public gems carved into state parks (maybe even both). New York’s golf scene offers something for every player, so grab your clubs and choose one that’s right for you.
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
The clubhouse at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Peetlesnumber1 / Commons.Wikimedia.org
Nestled in Southampton on Long Island, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is among New York’s most revered golf venues. Situated about 80 miles from JFK or LaGuardia, getting there can be challenging, but it is well worth the effort. Consistently lauded among the world’s finest, Shinnecock regularly ranks in the top five courses globally. The development of this golf course has a long history, starting in 1891. Willie Davis designed the original 12-hole layout, which was later extended to 18 holes. In the early 2010s, restoration work by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw refined fairways and green contours to make this top-notch course what it is today.
It is important to note that Shinnecock is a private, membership-only club, and booking is minimal. Generally, one must be a member to play here. However, occasionally, there are guest opportunities, or spots are won at auctions. The course plays best in summer through early fall, when conditions are ideal. While there’s no lodging on site, charming inns, such as The Atlantic or Hamlet Inn, are located nearby and offer cozy places to rest after a day of golfing.
National Golf Links of America
The Redan fourth hole at NGLA. Andy Johnson / Commons.Wikimedia.org
Another excellent and scenic spot to play a round in Southampton is the National Golf Links of America (NGLA). As with other elite institutions in the region, access is strictly limited. NGLA is a membership-only course, with no lodging on site. Most visiting members or guests book accommodations at nearby facilities like the Southampton Long Island Hotel.
This private club is revered as a masterpiece of strategic golf design. Drawing inspiration from iconic British holes, Charles Blair Macdonald designed the course to blend architectural heritage with Long Island’s natural contours. With the course overlooking the beautiful waters of the Great Peconic Bay, critics and golf lovers hail NGLA as both beautiful and challenging. After a long day in the sun, relax next to the fireplace of the stunning clubhouse, which exudes an air of refinement reminiscent of another era.
Fishers Island Club
The seventh hole (Latimer) at Fishers Island Club. K Ireland / Shutterstock.com
Fishers Island, located east of Long Island near Connecticut, is a secluded spot that golf enthusiasts adore. Accessible only by boat or private aircraft, Fishers Island Club is defined by its exclusivity and timeless elegance. Designed by Seth Raynor, nearly every one of the 18 holes offers captivating water views of Block Island and Fishers Island Sound. In contrast, the steep bunkers and dramatic greens offer strategic challenges for even the most experienced golfers. Membership is private, invitation-only, and virtually impossible for outsiders. With no resort or lodging on the island, guests must arrange stays in private homes or accommodations on the mainland, such as Lighthouse Inn in New London, Connecticut.
Winged Foot Golf Club – West Course
Tiger Woods playing in the 2006 U.S. Open at the Winged Foot Golf Club. David W. Leindecker / Shutterstock.com
Winged Foot Golf Club’s West Course in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, is a mainstay of American golf. Located about 20 miles northeast of LaGuardia Airport, this course has hosted six U.S. Opens and one PGA Championship. Designed by A.W. Tillinghast, Winged Foot’s West Course has consistently ranked among America’s very best. With a famously long waitlist and exclusive membership, access remains private and coveted by some of the world’s most devoted golfers. The clubhouse allows members to bask in the prestige and tradition of this revered sport after a long round of golf; however, there is no on-site lodging. Visitors typically stay at nearby hotels such as the Cambria Hotel White Plains or Hyatt House White Plains.
Bethpage State Park – Black Course
The 2009 U.S. Open on Bethpage State Park’s Black Course. David W. Leindecker / Shutterstock.com
Bethpage State Park’s Black Course is one of America’s most celebrated public golf venues, especially in the spring and fall, offering the most favorable weather conditions. Located in Farmingdale on Long Island, it is about 10 minutes by car from Republic Airport and easily reached by car or train from New York City. Although there’s no on-site lodging, many visitors stay in nearby lodgings such as the Hampton Inn & Suites in Farmingdale or the Hilton Garden Inn Melville in Plainview. Designed by Joseph H. Burbeck with consulting from A.W. Tillinghast, the challenging par-71 layout intrigues even the most skilled golfers with its length, bunkering, and punishing contours. It has hosted two U.S. Opens and the 2019 PGA Championship. In 2025, it will make history as the first public golf course to host the Ryder Cup.
As a public facility, its green fees remain remarkably accessible. New York residents can get twilight rates for $44 on weekdays, and non-residents pay approximately $88 (fees for all are higher on weekends). Because of the prestige and affordability of the course, it is important to note that tee times are fiercely sought after. Walk-up attempts, overnight camping, and lottery-style reservations are common as the course draws dedicated golfers from near and far. After a round of golf, players can visit the full pro shop and clubhouse to unwind and purchase anything they may need to prepare for their next game.
Green Lakes State Park
The golf course at Green Lakes State Park. Easchiff / Commons.Wikimedia.org
Tucked within the rolling hills of central New York, Green Lakes State Park Golf Course offers one of the most scenic and accessible golfing experiences in the state. Located just a short drive from Syracuse Hancock International Airport, the course, along with the clubhouse and park’s striking glacial lakes, makes it a favorite for local and traveling golfers. It also has affordable public green fees.
Designed in 1935 by legendary golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., it was his first major project and a precursor to his long career shaping championship courses worldwide. Summer and early fall provide the best playing conditions, when fairways are lush and the surrounding foliage is at its peak. While no resort lodging is on site, visitors often stay in nearby lodgings, such as the Embassy Suites and the Fairfield Inn & Suites, where they can also take advantage of dining and cultural opportunities in Syracuse.
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Rickie Fowler at the Notah Begay 3 Foundation Challenge in 2012 on Turning Stone’s Atunyote course. fotosteve / Shutterstock.com
Located in Verona, about 35 miles from Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Turning Stone Resort Casino is home to several of New York’s premier resort courses, with Atunyote and Shenandoah standing out as its crown jewels. Atunyote, the longest of the resort’s layouts, was designed by Tom Fazio and has hosted PGA Tour events. At the same time, Shenandoah, redesigned in 2016 by Rick Smith, offers a classic resort experience with wide fairways, creative bunkering, and a walkable design. Both courses are open to the public and located on a full-service resort, which includes on-site accommodations. When not golfing, visitors can dine at one of the resort’s various eateries, enjoy a luxurious spa treatment, and play games in the casino. Plan your visit from spring through fall to hit a round in upstate New York’s mild weather and vibrant foliage.
Golfing in New York isn’t always about the scorecard; sometimes it is about the unforgettable memories on and off the green. Whether at a private club or a gorgeous public green, the golf courses in New York offer expertly designed challenges for players of all levels. Then, after a long day, relax at the clubhouse or local restaurant, reminisce about your time on the course, and start planning your next game.
