Westchester County and Long Island offer the world's finest concentration of golf courses, from championship venues like Winged Foot and Shinnecock Hills to accessible gems like Bethpage Black.
This guide covers premium private clubs, exceptional public courses, accommodation strategies, and insider tips for planning your New York golf adventure.
The Westchester and Long Island region isn't just America's golf capital - it's arguably the world's most concentrated collection of championship-quality courses. Within an hour's drive, golfers can experience everything from U.S. Open venues to century-old municipal layouts that remain accessible to all.
Four compelling reasons make this destination essential for serious golfers:
The region's unique character comes from its proximity to New York City combined with stunning coastal and parkland settings that rival Scotland's finest landscapes.
Winged Foot Golf Club - This Westchester institution features two championship courses designed by A.W. Tillinghast, with the West Course hosting five U.S. Opens. The East Course offers equally challenging golf in a slightly more forgiving package. Both courses demand precision and reward strategic thinking over pure length.
Quaker Ridge Golf Club - Located directly across from Winged Foot, this A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece often gets overshadowed despite being one of America's finest courses. The rolling terrain and strategic bunkering create a thoroughly engaging test that rewards thoughtful course management.
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club - America's oldest golf club in continuous use, this windswept Long Island links-style course has hosted four U.S. Opens. The fescue-covered dunes and strategic design create conditions more reminiscent of Royal County Down than typical American parkland golf.
Wykagyl Country Club - The Harmon family's home course in New Rochelle, dating to 1898, where Claude Harmon Sr. developed the teaching methods that influenced generations of golf professionals. This historic layout maintains its old-school character whilst offering modern conditioning standards.
Bethpage State Park Black Course - Widely considered the world's finest public golf course, this A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece hosted the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens. Green fees run approximately £65-120 (€80-145/$90-165) for non-residents, making it exceptional value for championship-quality golf. The course requires walking, adding to its authentic character.
Bethpage Red Course - Often overshadowed by its famous neighbour, the Red Course offers excellent golf at approximately £40-75 (€50-90/$55-100). Many locals consider it just one restoration away from matching the Black's reputation, providing a more relaxed pace whilst maintaining championship design principles.
Ferry Point Golf Course - Originally developed by Donald Trump's organisation and now operated by Bally's, this links-style course sits remarkably close to LaGuardia Airport. The convenient location makes it perfect for arrival or departure rounds, whilst the challenging design ensures a memorable experience.
Montauk Downs State Park - Located at Long Island's eastern tip, this 1927 Robert Trent Jones Sr. design offers spectacular ocean views and excellent value. The scenic drive to Montauk provides beautiful coastal scenery, whilst the course itself delivers classic American parkland golf at municipal pricing.
Pound Ridge Golf Club - Pete Dye's dramatic design features exposed rock formations and challenging shot values typical of the architect's finest work. This upscale public facility offers Jean-Georges Vongerichten dining alongside championship golf. Despite being in Westchester, it also makes sense to include it in the Hudson Valley Travel Guide.
Lido Golf Club - This Robert Trent Jones Sr. design offers true links-style golf on Long Island's south shore with spectacular water views and challenging coastal conditions. Green fees run approximately £55-85 (€65-100/$75-115) for this municipal course. The flat, windswept layout features elevated greens and what many consider the toughest finishing stretch on Long Island.
Harbor Links Golf Course - This Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry design sits on Long Island's prestigious North Shore in Port Washington, built on a reclaimed sand mine site in 1998. Green fees run approximately £70-110 (€85-130/$95-150) for this municipal course featuring dramatic elevation changes and unique desert-style holes on the former mining tailings.
Day 1: Arrival & North Shore Welcome
Morning: Fly into JFK or LaGuardia, collect rental car
Afternoon: Play Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington (convenient to LaGuardia, excellent course to start the trip)
Evening: Check into North Shore accommodation, dinner in Port Washington or Manhasset Bay area
Day 2: Championship Golf - Bethpage Black
Morning: Very early tee time at Bethpage Black (allow 6+ hours for round including potential delays)
Afternoon: Late lunch at Bethpage clubhouse, recover from the Black experience
Evening: Stay near Bethpage area, casual dinner and early rest
Day 3: Links Golf & Bethpage Red
Morning: Play Lido Golf Club (true links-style experience on the south shore)
Afternoon: Play Bethpage Red Course for excellent value golf
Evening: Travel towards eastern Long Island, stay in the Hampton Bays area
Day 4: Eastern Long Island Coastal Golf
Morning: Early start for Montauk Downs State Park (2.5-hour drive, spectacular coastal setting)
Afternoon: Explore Montauk Point Lighthouse and eastern Long Island coastal areas
Evening: Return to central Long Island, stay near airports for departure convenience
Day 5: Airport Convenience Golf
Morning: Play Ferry Point Golf Course (excellent links-style golf conveniently located near LaGuardia)
Afternoon: Final shopping, equipment packing, or additional sightseeing
Evening: Stay near departure airport, farewell dinner
Day 6: Departure Day
Morning: Travel to airport for departure
Afternoon: International departure
Rental Cars: Essential for accessing multiple courses efficiently. Book through major airports for convenience, though traffic can be significant during peak hours and summer weekends.
Flight Options: JFK provides most international connections, LaGuardia offers closer proximity to Westchester courses, and Newark serves as a viable alternative with potentially better rental car availability.
Local Transport: Limited public transport between courses makes rental cars practically mandatory. Uber and taxi services are available but costly for multiple daily trips.
The region enjoys a temperate climate with golf possible 9-10 months annually. Summer temperatures range from 18-28°C (64-82°F) with high humidity. Spring and autumn provide ideal conditions with temperatures from 10-20°C (50-68°F).
Waterproof gear is essential for spring rounds, whilst sun protection becomes critical during summer months.
Most courses allow and encourage cart usage, though Bethpage Black requires walking. Club rental is available at premium venues.
Equipment transport through NYC airports can be challenging during peak times.
Consider shipping clubs directly to accommodation or the first course if staying multiple days.
Tee time booking systems vary significantly between municipal and private facilities. Public courses typically offer online booking 5-7 days in advance, whilst premium venues may require member introductions or professional recommendations.
Pace of play tends to be slower than UK/European standards, particularly at popular public courses.
The Southampton and Hampton Bays region offers excellent access to eastern Long Island courses whilst providing a classic American summer resort atmosphere.
Expect premium pricing during summer months (June-August), with more reasonable rates during shoulder seasons.
Local bed & breakfast establishments provide authentic Long Island charm and often include breakfast, whilst larger resort properties offer comprehensive amenities including spas and dining.
White Plains and surrounding areas provide convenient access to championship Westchester courses with reasonable proximity to NYC attractions.
Business-class hotels dominate the area, offering reliable amenities and easy highway access.
Consider staying near major highways (I-95, I-287) for efficient course-to-course travel, as local roads can become congested during peak hours.
Whilst possible, staying in Manhattan adds significant travel time to golf experiences. However, golfers seeking city cultural experiences alongside golf will find excellent public transport links and world-class dining and entertainment.
Budget additional time for traffic when planning NYC-based golf trips, particularly during weekday rush hours and summer weekend periods.
The Hamptons region offers exceptional farm-to-table dining with many restaurants featuring locally-sourced ingredients and Long Island wines. Expect approximately £45-80 (€55-95/$60-110) per person for premium dinner experiences.
Oyster culture dominates the coastal dining scene, with numerous establishments offering fresh local varieties alongside classic New England seafood preparations.
Long Island's wine region produces excellent varieties, particularly Chardonnay and Merlot, offering perfect post-round relaxation options. Many wineries provide tasting experiences and vineyard tours during growing season.
The region's strong Italian-American influence creates exceptional pizza and pasta options, often at surprisingly reasonable prices compared to Manhattan standards.
Traditional American golf club dining rooms offer hearty fare and extensive beverage selections, whilst coastal establishments provide fresh seafood in relaxed settings with water views.
Many courses feature 19th hole facilities, though the social aspects may feel more formal than typical UK golf club environments.
Bethpage Black: Requires advance planning with phone lottery system (7 days for NY residents, 5 days for non-residents). Calling begins at 7:00 PM daily, with significant wait times during peak season. The alternative camping strategy involves overnight queuing for walk-up tee times.
Other Public Venues: Most accept online booking 3-7 days in advance. Book early morning tee times to avoid afternoon pace-of-play issues, particularly during summer months.
Peak season runs from May through October, with July-August presenting the most challenging booking scenarios.
Spring and autumn offer ideal conditions with improved tee time availability.
Winter golf is possible but weather-dependent, with courses typically closing only during snow or extreme cold conditions.
The region offers numerous historical sites related to American colonial and revolutionary history, including several preserved estates and maritime museums.
The Hamptons provide world-class art galleries and cultural events during the summer season, whilst Westchester County offers numerous historical societies and museums.
Long Island's state parks provide excellent hiking and beach access, with particular beauty at Montauk Point, where dramatic cliffs meet the Atlantic Ocean.
The region's extensive coastline offers opportunities for sailing, fishing, and beach activities, particularly appealing during summer months when golf afternoon rounds may become uncomfortably warm.
Jones Beach State Park offers excellent swimming and recreational facilities alongside the Jones Beach Theater, which hosts major concert events throughout the summer season with a 15,000-person capacity.
Deep-sea fishing charters operate from numerous Long Island ports, providing alternative activities for non-golfing partners or rest days from intensive golf schedules.
Don't underestimate travel times between courses - traffic can double journey estimates during peak periods. Build buffer time into schedules, particularly when booking multiple courses in one day.
Bethpage Black's reputation for slow play is accurate. Plan for 6+ hour rounds and bring patience along with your golf clubs. The experience justifies the time investment.
Summer humidity levels can be significantly higher than European golfers expect. Pack extra shirts, towels, and adequate hydration supplies, particularly for walking rounds.
Many courses provide extensive cart amenities including GPS systems, coolers, and ball washers, representing a different golf experience than traditional UK walking courses.
Consider playing premium public courses during weekday mornings for optimal conditions and pace. Weekend rounds, whilst possible, often involve significantly longer playing times.
Weather patterns can change rapidly, particularly near coastal areas. Always check forecasts and have contingency plans for alternative indoor activities or course modifications.
Multi-course packages often provide guaranteed access to Bethpage Black alongside other regional courses, eliminating booking uncertainty whilst offering cost savings.
Off-season packages (November-March) can provide exceptional value, though weather risks increase significantly.
Book accommodation outside the peak Hamptons season for significant savings whilst maintaining course access. Consider staying in Westchester County with day trips to Long Island rather than premium Hamptons lodging.
Combine golf with other activities to maximise trip value - the region offers excellent non-golf attractions justifying the travel investment even for accompanying non-golfers.
Bottom Line: Westchester County and Long Island represent the ultimate American golf destination, combining legendary championship venues with exceptional public access and reasonable costs. From Bethpage Black's democratic excellence to Shinnecock Hills' exclusive tradition, this region offers experiences that satisfy the most discerning international golfers whilst remaining surprisingly accessible to those seeking world-class golf without private club membership.
