Experiencing a hole-in-one in the big apple is the biggest dream of golf lovers. Although NYC is known as the biggest concrete jungle in the United States, it offers some of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the country.
In this article we are going to expose the best golf courses in New York City from the scenic water views of Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point to the lush green fairways of Bethpage State Park to challenge your skills and drive your game to new heights. Get ready to uncover the best golf courses in New York City that are featuring top rated layouts, awesome playability and amazing views.
Read on to plan your next Tee time on top-notch courses in NYC.
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Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
The oldest incorporated Golf Club in the United States, Shinnecock Hills, is the most popular golf club among the golfers over 125 years. The rich history of the club attracts the players from all over the country and gives them a unique experience of golfing with its challenging layouts. This place was first founded by some wealthy businessmen who wondered if this place can be turned into a golf course that can represent the link style golfing design as like Scotland, where the game was born. Shinnecock Hills has become a famous hub for professional golfers and serving them according to their choice to keep their skills high.
Location: Long Island East End, New York.
Designed by: Willie Davis.
Established: 1891.
Holes: 18 (Currently) .
Length: 7440 Yards.
Hosted: US Open 5 Times, The US Amateur and the Walker Cup. Schedule to host the US open again in 2026.
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is designed for Link-style golfing and has a very challenging layout. It has become more popular in New York City for its features like- Holes are shaped by the natural terrain of the ares, Narrow Fairways, Undulating greens and Deep bunkers. This course always becomes tough to navigate for first time players because of its lots of blind shots. Also the putting can be challenging because the greens are very fast and there are lots of movements. Wind can be a good factor to make the play difficult. This is one of the best golf courses in New York City and has undergone several renovations from the opening till today, that makes the course feel more classic and challenging to play.
During the Golden Age of Golf, It became the most popular place for famous golfers in the early 20th century. In this golf course, James Foulis won the US Open in 1896. Moreover, Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones were hosted by the club. Hogan was an active member of the course for many years and practiced unlimited hours in the club.
The Shinnecock Hills is a course that can definitely test your skill and mesmerize you with its beauty. This is one of the best golfing destinations in the country and a must visit place for any golfer.
Bethpage State Park Golf Courses
Bethpage State Park is known as golfer’s paradise and nature’s splendor. This park is providing 5 distinct golf courses including the notorious Bethpage Black Course for highly experts and Yellow Course for the beginners. This golf destination offers scenic and challenging experience for every skill level player that makes the place one of the best golf courses in New York city.
Location: Long Island, New York.
Total Courses: 5 (including world known Black Course)
Hosted: US Open 2002,2009, The Barclays 2012 and PGA Championship.
Upcoming : The Ryder Cup 2025.
Features: Narrow Fairways, Water Hazards, Dense Forest, Undulating greens and treacherous bunkers, Dramatic elevation changes, Challenging Layouts and Demanding holes, Long rough and Big trees
Let’s walk on all five golf courses by Bethpage State Park now!
Bethpage Black Course:
This course is the toughest one among five of them and this is only for highly experienced golfers. On the first tee, there is a sign mentioning the warning about the course so that only highly skilled golfers can play. This course was designed by Joseph H. Burbeck and A.W Tillinghast and opened in 1936. The Challenging layouts makes it the hardest one and only for professionals. It hosted the US Open 2002,2009 and PGA Championship. This course is designed to become a true test of golf, unique strategies, tough mentality and perfect accuracy.
This is a truly challenging Course even for the best golfers with dramatic elevation changes, water hazards and dense forests. It has a slope rating of 148, that can take the breath of a high skill performer.
Bethpage Red Course:
Red Course is the second most challenging course in Bethpage state park. This is a must play for golf players who are seeking a challenging experience that can offer some thrilling rounds and test their skills and leave them wanting more. Red course is challenging for its Narrow Fairways, Water hazards, Rolling Terrain, Undulating Greens and Strategic Bunkers. Red Course has a slope rating of 137.
Bethpage Green Course:
Green Course in Bethpage State Park is shadowed with the other two famous courses Black Course and Red Course, but the Bethpage Green Course is a hidden gem that can provide the golfer a unique and challenging experience with its link style design with water hazards and sand traps. Everyone should play on the Green course for the scenic views and peaceful atmosphere. It can be challenging with features like Risk-reward holes that demand skillful thinking and Pin positions that require precise approach shots. Also the wind can be another significant factor to make the Bethpage Green Course more challenging. It has a slope rating of 128.
Bethpage Blue Course:
Bethpage blue course is another hidden gem in Bethpage state park for golfers. Most of the time the blue course is overlooked for other famous two, but this course is more relaxed and more ideal for all skill levels players. It has rolling hills, gentle slopes, water hazards, narrow fairways and tight landing areas. If anyone wants to work on his/her accuracy and strategy then Bethpage Blue Course is one of the best golf courses in New York City now. Blue Course Slope rating is 144.
Bethpage Yellow Course:
Designed by Alfred Tull and opened to the public in 1958 , The Bethpage Yellow Course is the easiest course among five Golf Courses in The Bethpage State Park. This course is designed for golfers in every skill level. Playing on the Yellow Course can be amazing and challenging as well as because of having narrow fairways and demanding holes. Golfers need to be accurate off their tee. The Bethpage Yellow Course is a must play destination for everyone when you are in New York City. Slope rating is 127.
The National Golf Links of America
National Golf Links of America is the 5th best Golf course in the world and one of the masterpieces with highly challenging course design and holes inspired by the classic links courses of Scotland and England. Located in the town of Southampton, Long Island, this one of the most revered courses in the world of golf.
Location: Long Island, New York.
Established: 1908.
Length: 6873 yards.
Holes: 18.
Par: 72.
Slope Rating: 141.
Course Rating: 74.3
Designed by: Charles B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor.
Hosted: Walker Cup 1922 and 2013.
To experience the best golfing experience in New York City, The National Golf Links of America is the best course to book. Charles B. Macdonald, the founder of the course, wanted to create a course that can be a masterclass piece of challenging golf course to test even the skilled golfers and provide the best visual experience.
The National Golf Links of America is a unique golf course in NYC with its strategically placed bunkers, rolling fairways, undulating greens and challenging layouts. The most amazing features of the course is the use of its template holes, such as the “Alps” and the “bottle”, inspired by the world known courses of Scotland and England. These holes require precision and strategy to navigate and accuracy in your shot. These challenges make the course a true golfing masterpiece in New York City.
Bally Links Golf Course at Ferry point
The Bally Links golf course at ferry point, formerly known as Trump Golf Link, is one of the best Golf Courses in New York city. It is located in Bronx, NYC and a world class golfing spot with the 18-hole , par-72 courses stretching over 7400 yards.
Location: Bronx. New York.
Length: 7400 Yards.
Hole: 18
Par: 72
Established: Originally opened on 2015 by Trump Golf organization (Recently own by Bally corporation in 2024)
Designed by: Jack Nicklaus, John Stanford and Jim Lipe.
Course Rating: 76.3/146
Slope rating: 146.
Bally Links golf course can test even the most skilled golfers with a challenging layout. Featuring five tee boxes that allow golfers to choose their difficulty level, wide and generous fairways, well-guarded greens with bunkers and require precision approach shots. The course is also a home of wildlife like birds and deers. Players can enjoy the scenic views of the Manhattan Skyline and enjoy a dramatic finish with a challenging tee shot at the course’s signature hole, the 18th.
Bally Links golf course also has a 35,000 square foot clubhouse to provide facilities of shopping, dining and enjoying the views of the course and the city skyline. The Bally link academy offers lessons and junior programs by experienced instructors. There are practice facilities available at the course including driving range and short-game area. This course also hosts different tournaments and events to keep the golfers of New York City active with their skills. Bally Links Golf Course at Ferry point is a must visit destination in NYC for golf enthusiasts.
Marine Park Golf Course
Marine Park Golf Course is located in the heart of Brooklyn and the beloved destination for New York City Golfers. The course is a unique and unforgettable golfing experience with its challenging layouts and scenic views. This is the true best golf course in New York City.
Location: Brooklyn, New York.
Established: 1964.
Length: 6800 Yards.
Hole: 18.
Par: 72.
Course Rating: 72.6/123
Slope Rating: 123.
Designed by: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Hosted: NYC Mayor Cup, Brooklyn Open.
Marine Park Golf Course was transformed from a former landfill site into a lush landscape with trees, wetlands and rolling hills. It has challenging layouts with Narrow fairways and dense tree lines, water hazards including wetlands and ponds, changing weather conditions and strong wind, strategically placed bunkers and tight doglegs, Undulating greens and tricky putting surfaces.The course has awesome panoramic views of the surrounding area like Verrazano bridge, Manhattan skyline and Atlantic ocean. The fast and true green is well manicured that gives a fast putting experience. It also provides extensive practice facilities and offers lessons by highly experienced professionals.
The most challenging par-3 is the course’s signature hole, the 14th, where you need an accurate tee shot over water to a green surrounded by bunkers.
Marine Park golf course not only hosts golf tournaments over the years, it also hosts charity events and corporate outings. This course is much more reasonable than other available golf courses in New York , that makes the course affordable for the golfer on budget. There are also great dining options available at the Marine Park Golf Course that gives the opportunity to have delicious dishes and a variety of choices. If you are professional or a beginner, Marine Park Golf Course is a must played course in New York City for all level golfers to test their skills.
There are more golf courses available in New York City you can visit to test your skill with the challenging layouts of them. Selecting the course you want to go depends on your preference and budget. I always suggest people to go to the famous and challenging ones to learn and test their skills as well as gather some inspiration from the old famous golfers history.
