Top New York Public Golf Courses

🏌️‍♂️ Top New York Public Golf Courses in New York (According to Wikipedia & Course Profiles)

New York State offers a rich variety of public golf experiences, from iconic championship layouts to hidden gems tucked into the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley, and Long Island. Whether you’re playing where the pros compete or enjoying panoramic mountain or coastal views, these courses combine world-class architecture with public access. Golfers of every level can find challenge, beauty, and history on New York’s best public tracks.

1. Bethpage Black – A.W. Tillinghast
   📍 Farmingdale, NY (Long Island)
   🏆 Two-time U.S. Open host (2002, 2009)
   🛠️ Brutal, long, and bold—known as one of the toughest public courses in the U.S.
   🧱 Steep bunkers, narrow fairways, and major-championship pedigree
   💲 Public course, advance reservations recommended
   🗒️ Wikipedia | Bethpage site

2. Turning Stone Resort – Atunyote Course – Tom Fazio
   📍 Verona, NY
   💰 Luxury resort layout that hosted PGA Tour events
   🌾 Wide fairways, strategic water features, immaculate conditions
   ⛳ Home to several top-ranked courses; Atunyote is the crown jewel
   💲 Resort access required
   🗒️ Wikipedia | Course site

3. Leatherstocking Golf Course – Devereux Emmet
   📍 Cooperstown, NY
   🏞️ Classic parkland course with holes along Otsego Lake
   🛠️ Historic 1909 design with timeless charm and lake views
   🧢 Located next to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
   💲 Daily fee with resort and public tee times
   🗒️ Course site

4. Saratoga National Golf Club – Roger Rulewich
   📍 Saratoga Springs, NY
   🐎 Near the famous Saratoga Race Course
   🛠️ Elegant design with water, elevation, and great conditions
   🌳 Lush fairways and premier clubhouse experience
   💲 High-end public access
   🗒️ Course site

5. Donald Ross Course at Turning Stone – Donald Ross (restored)
   📍 Verona, NY
   🛠️ Classic Ross layout with restored features and subtle greens
   ⛳ Rolling terrain with strategic bunkers and historic feel
   💲 Public tee times available through resort
   🗒️ Course site

6. The Sagamore Golf Course – Donald Ross
   📍 Bolton Landing, NY (Lake George)
   🌅 Mountain-top course with panoramic views of Lake George
   🛠️ Designed in 1928 with strong uphill and downhill holes
   💲 Resort-based but accessible to the public
   🗒️ Course site

7. Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course – Robert Trent Jones Sr.
   📍 Montauk, NY (Eastern Long Island)
   🌊 Wind-swept layout with ocean breezes and coastal views
   🛠️ Renovated by Rees Jones
   🏞️ Great test of golf, especially in wind
   💲 Public, state park course
   🗒️ Course site

8. Seven Oaks Golf Club – Robert Trent Jones Sr.
   📍 Hamilton, NY (Colgate University)
   🏫 Campus course for Colgate University
   ⛳ Great routing, tree-lined fairways, and natural beauty
   💲 Open to public and students
   🗒️ Course site

9. Rockland Lake State Park – Championship Course – William F. Mitchell
   📍 Congers, NY
   🌳 Just north of NYC with views of Hudson River Valley
   💧 Water in play on many holes, elevation changes
   💲 Affordable public access
   🗒️ Course site

10. Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course – Robert Trent Jones II
    📍 Lewiston, NY (near Niagara Falls)
    🌲 Routed through native hickory groves and wetlands
    💧 Strategic water hazards and native grasses
    💲 Daily fee course with excellent conditions
    🗒️ Course site

🧠 Why These Courses?

• Legendary designers: Tillinghast, Ross, Trent Jones, Fazio

• Championship history: U.S. Open venues, PGA Tour hosts

• Scenic variety: From Lake George to Long Island

• Public-friendly: Many state-run or resort-accessible