2013 Top 10 Public Golf Courses in New York

Did you know that there are just shy of 1,000 golf courses in the Empire State? With so many great public courses in New York, we certainly had our work cut out for us when we set out to compile this list. To narrow it down we scoured the best of the best putting an emphasis on the facilities that won’t drain your wallet (although there are certainly a few here worth paying the occasional premium). These often inexpensive, always scenic, and certainly challenging courses are a must play for any tri-state golfer looking for a great experience on the course. New York has its share of private expensive country clubs, but for those of us that want the country club feel with a municipal course price, check out the following list of the 2013 Top 10 Public Golf Courses in New York and book a tee time today.

10. Greystone (Walworth, NY — $)

If you’re ever in the Rochester area you need to check out the course at Greystone. Graystone was listed on Golf Week’s 2011 “Best Courses You Can Play” and was also granted 4.5/5 stars from Golf Digest Magazine. Bring your driver because this course plays long, tune of 7,200 yards. The course opened in back in 1995 and has been public golfer’s paradise ever since.

9. Hiawatha Landing (Apalachin, NY — $)

The links-style course at Hiawatha Landing is situated along the banks of the Susquehanna River between the Finger Lakes and the Catskill Mountains (located just 15 miles west of Binghamton). Some say this course is New York’s best kept golfing secret. The country club feeling without the pricey dues is exactly the experience you’ll get here. The greens fees are about $40-60 depending on the day of the week.

8. Long Island National (Riverhead, NY — $$)

Rated one of the Top 3 Best Courses in NY by Golf Magazine, this links style public beauty is located just minutes from the Hamptons. The track is tucked away from the public eye, surrounded by scenic farmland and historic vineyards. You can count on a round with a private-course-feel on a beautifully landscaped golf course for an unbeatable price (around $109 pp). What’s better than that?

Long Island National. Photo via linationalgc.com.

7. Leatherstocking (Cooperstown, NY –$$)

The 18-hole championship course at Leatherstocking Golf Course is a great public course that presents a formidable challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Here you’ll enjoy exceptional views from various elevations, with terrain that sweeps along the western shoreline of Lake Otsego. The course was designed in 1909 by Devereux Emmet and is considered by many to be one of the East’s most scenic and challenging resort golf courses. Expect to pay about $99 on a weekend for a round here as an out-of-town guest.

6. Ravenwood (Victor, NY — $)

Ravenwood made the Golf Digest list of “America’s Best New Golf Courses” in 2003 and has maintained this reputation ever since. Shell out $40-60 for the round and you’ll experience some great course design with rolling fairways and soft greens. Some say the greens are tricky to navigate, but the well manicured grounds, the food, and the outstanding views always make for an excellent experience

5. Saratoga National (Saratoga Springs, NY — $$$)

As you enter the grounds, the long drive to the bag drop takes you past numerous holes and offers a surreal view of this luscious green track. Fairways are kept in pristine shape and the greens play fast. The friendly employees are always very gracious to get you situated with ease as they prep cart coolers stocked with bottled water and complimentary GPS ready to go when you hit the first tee box. Entering the locker room, players are welcome to have their golf shoes re-spiked and polished free of charge, as they enjoy a cold beverage while watching the golf channel. The pro shop has an abundance of golf gear and apparel – and the delicious Prime Steakhouse offers a hearty meal before or after your round is complete. At $150 pp for the round, we have to say that this course is a personal staff favorite year-after-year. With tons of awards and accolades to its name, we feel it’s necessary to make the drive up from NYC to play Saratoga National — in fact, go during race season in the summer and spend a day at the racetrack!

4. Atunyote at Turning Stone (Verona, NY– $$$$)

This Tom Fazio designed gem is one of the most breathtaking courses in the state of New York. Atunyote is the longest of Turning Stone Resort’s three championship courses, measuring in at 7,315 yards. The course played home to the Turning Stone Resort Championship from 2007 – 2010. In 2006 it was the site of both the PGA Professional National Championship and the BC Open. Its parkland setting features vast stretches of open space, gently rolling hills, a stream of small waterfalls, and several lakes. Be prepared to break out the AMEX on this one with the steep cost of $225 pp with cart for a weekend round, but be careful, it’s on a casino ground…you may want to play conservative blackjack the night before your round.

Photo via TurningStone.com

3. Pound Ridge (Pound Ridge, NY — $$$$)

Pound Ridge Golf Club is a remarkably beautiful Pete Dye design right in the heart of Westchester County. In our opinion, this track takes the cake for all public courses in Westchester (and Westchester golfers know that’s saying quite a bit). The fairways and greens are like snug carpets and the moguls and sand traps put you in a challenging PGA TOUR atmosphere. Featured as the No. 1 U.S. Open-Worthy Public Course by Golf Magazine, you’ll enjoy every stroke you take on this magnificent track. The round will run about $160-$200 pp so be prepared to pay top dollar here. Also, try to play it in Sept/Oct…the beautiful autumn surroundings will make your round even more enjoyable.

2. Shenendoah at Turning Stone (Verona, NY — $$$$)

Shenendoah offers 18 holes of PGA-level golf on the same grounds as Atunyote at Turning Stone. The course was built and is maintained to comply with stringent Audubon International standards for environmental protection and preservation – a “hat tip” for all you big environmentally-conscious golfers out there. Designer Rick Smith used the natural landscape to create wooded parkland holes, and open pastures offer a links style feel. In 2006, Turning Stone Resort’s Shenendoah Golf Club was host of the PGA National Club Professional Championship. Crack open that wallet though, like Atunyote, a round here will cost you, but it’s definitely worth a booking for a bachelor party event or simple weekend getaway up at Turning Stone.

1. Bethpage (Black Course) (Farmingdale, NY –$$$)

Some say that there is no other public course like the legendary Bethpage Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY. Host of the 2002 U.S Open (winner Tiger Woods), 2009 U.S. Open (winner Lucas Glover) and 2012 Barclays (winner Nick Watney), this public course is more than just a local state park. EA Sports featured the black course in the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Tiger Woods PGA TOUR video games and in July 2008 Golf Digest ranked it #26 greatest golf course overall and came back again in 2013-2014 to rank Bethpage #8 in the best public golf course category. Expect to pay about $130 on weekdays – if you can get a tee time, but a resident of NY will pay about half that. New Yorkers have no excuse not to try this track at least once per year…you’ll feel like you’re on TOUR, but prepared not to score well…like the sign says “Recommended Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.”

That completes our list of the Top 10 Public Golf Courses in New York for 2013. Did we miss any of your favorites? Leave us a comment below or Tweet us at @Golficity