Best Public Golf Courses in New York
Five researched public golf-course picks in and around New York, with reasons to consider each, actual locations, access guidance and cited sources.
Looking for the best public golf courses in the New York area? Start with Bethpage State Park: Black and Pound Ridge Golf Club and Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point and Marine Park Golf Course and Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course. These five researched selections offer different reasons to consider a round, rather than a claim that one course wins for every golfer. The shortlist includes nearby communities where explicitly identified below.
Compare the New York-area shortlist
| Course | Location | Reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Bethpage State Park: Black | Farmingdale, NY | Public access championship-style golf |
| Pound Ridge Golf Club | Pound Ridge, NY | Diverse natural hazard challenges |
| Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point | Bronx, New York City | Skyline views and links-style shot choices |
| Marine Park Golf Course | Brooklyn, New York City | Links-style public golf in southern Brooklyn |
| Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course | Bronx, New York City | The origins of municipal golf |
Plan around the actual location
This is the NYC-area golf market, not the entire state. Bronx and Brooklyn public courses are within the five boroughs; Farmingdale is a Long Island trip, while Pound Ridge, Mamaroneck, Scarsdale and Briarcliff Manor are Westchester destinations. A directory URL may use a nearby hub rather than the course's physical town.
This guide contains 5 selections supported by this source review, not a census of local golf. Use the locations in the table and the operator's address, not a directory URL's nearby-hub name, to plan your trip.
Bethpage State Park: Black
Bethpage State Park: Black — Farmingdale, NY. Located in Farmingdale, New York, this public course was designed during the mid-1930s. The facility was intended to serve as a public version of Pine Valley. The site has hosted professional championship events including the U.S. Open tournaments held in 2002 and 2009.
Our selection focus: public access championship-style golf. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Public state-park golf; select Black, confirm resident/nonresident reservation rules and read the course’s difficulty and walking policies before booking.
Pound Ridge Golf Club
Pound Ridge Golf Club — Pound Ridge, NY. Situated in Pound Ridge, New York, this 175-acre layout was designed by Pete Dye. The course layout incorporates various natural elements, including woods, wetlands, water hazards, rocks, and boulders, to create a technical challenge for golfers throughout the playing experience.
Our selection focus: diverse natural hazard challenges. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Public visitor reservations; confirm the current rate, maintenance notices and travel plans to Pound Ridge before paying.
Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point
Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point — Bronx, New York City. The Jack Nicklaus Signature layout uses fescue-lined fairways, dunes and waterfront views. It suits golfers wanting a substantial public round within New York City rather than a Long Island or Westchester trip.
Our selection focus: skyline views and links-style shot choices. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Public reservations through Bally’s. Check the specific rate, any resident eligibility and optional caddie arrangements.
Marine Park Golf Course
Marine Park Golf Course — Brooklyn, New York City. Marine Park is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design with water views and practice facilities. It offers a borough-based alternative for golfers who want a full-length course without leaving the city.
Our selection focus: links-style public golf in southern brooklyn. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Public course. The operator announced October 13–15, 2026 greens aeration with possible temporary closures; check maintenance before booking.
Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course
Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course — Bronx, New York City. NYC Parks dates the opening to 1895 and describes the course’s expansion under Tom Bendelow. It is a meaningful history-focused selection, not a claim that the modern layout matches the original nine holes.
Our selection focus: the origins of municipal golf. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Municipal public golf; use the current operator linked from NYC Parks and confirm the tee sheet and booking rules.
How we chose these courses
We compared published course descriptions from golf publications and, where linked, official club, municipal and golf-association sources. Selection emphasizes a documented architectural feature, tournament connection, historical interest or a distinctive local option. This is desk research, not a first-person playing review or an exhaustive regional ranking. Directory completeness, paid placement and an invented scoring formula do not determine this shortlist. Course names distinguish individual layouts where relevant; a club's founding date is not automatically its current course's opening date.
What should you check before booking?
- Check the operator's live booking process for the exact layout, date and player count.
- Ask whether resident, hotel, advance-booking or other eligibility rules affect your reservation.
- Confirm total charges, cart or walking rules, rental availability and maintenance notices rather than relying on an old published rate.
Looking for indoor golf near New York?
If weather changes your plans or you want an indoor practice session, explore indoor golf simulators in New York. Compare the listed venues and their simulator equipment, then confirm current hours, pricing and availability with the operator. These are directory listings, not an extension of our outdoor-course rankings.
For an indoor session in Brooklyn, browse Brooklyn golf simulator venues. Choose by the actual neighborhood and travel time rather than assuming every New York listing is convenient for your plans.