# The Best Public Golf Courses in the New York City Metro Area

Source: https://thecourserankings.com/blog/the-best-public-golf-courses-in-the-new-york-city-metro-area/

NYC Metro Rankings


The metro area has one of the deepest public golf menus in America, from a Ryder Cup venue at state park prices to a links in the Bronx with skyline views. This is our ranking of the full set, scored on the published rubric and on the reality of getting there from Manhattan.

**Our take:** Our top five: 1. Bethpage Black, 2. Bethpage Red, 3. Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point, 4. Montauk Downs, 5. Harbor Links. Bethpage Black wins on golf and on value at the same time, a combination nothing else in the metro matches.

## 1. Bethpage Black, Farmingdale

A US Open and Ryder Cup course the public can play for $70 on a weekday with a New York State ID. Walking only, genuinely hard, and the standard everything else here is measured against. About 60 to 75 minutes by car from Downtown Manhattan, or LIRR to Farmingdale plus a short taxi.

## 2. Bethpage Red, Farmingdale

The locals pick at Bethpage. A Tillinghast design with real strategy, a better everyday walk than the Black, and resident rates under $60 at peak in recent seasons. Same trip as the Black, a friendlier day.

## 3. Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point, Bronx

The best conditioned public course inside the city and the closest premium round to Manhattan, roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car from Downtown. The catch is price: around $175 for NYC residents and $230 to $265 for visitors at peak in recent published listings. Skyline views from a Nicklaus links on the Whitestone waterfront.

## 4. Montauk Downs, Montauk

A Rees Jones state park course at the end of Long Island. Too far for a normal Saturday at 2.5 to 3 hours each way, and the centerpiece of the best golf weekend the metro offers. State park pricing, ocean air, real wind.

## 5. Harbor Links, Port Washington

The best public course most Manhattan golfers have never played, about 45 minutes out. A strong Hurdzan design, good conditioning, and a North Shore setting that feels private. Executive course on site for a warm up nine.

## The next five

6. Eisenhower Park Red, a Devereux Emmet classic in Nassau County. 7. Sunken Meadow, three nines on the North Shore hills. 8. Rock Spring in West Orange, New Jersey, a Banks and Raynor influenced municipal with real architecture. 9. Galloping Hill in Kenilworth, New Jersey, a strong muni 45 minutes from Downtown. 10. Oyster Bay, a Fazio course on the North Shore with a municipal price and a private club look.

## Notable omission from the top group: Van Cortlandt and the city munis

The five borough munis are ranked in their own guide. They win on access and price and lose on conditioning and pace against this field. That is a trade many New Yorkers should happily make, and the city guide explains when.

## Reader responses

Which metro public course would you move into the top five, and which would it replace?

Please cite a specific hole, a price, or a round you have played. Selected reader responses are featured in follow up coverage.

## FAQ

**What does the metro's best public golf cost?**

Bethpage Black is $70 weekday and $80 weekend for NY residents, $140 and $160 for non residents, per published 2025 rates. Ferry Point is the premium end at roughly $175 resident and $230 plus visitor. City munis run about $40 to $75.

**How current are these prices?**

Prices in this guide were checked in October 2026 against published course listings and recent reporting. Greens fees move by season, day, and residency, so confirm the exact rate when you book. Private clubs do not publish initiation fees or dues. Every private figure here is an estimate band based on public reporting, labeled as an estimate, and the only accurate number comes from a club's membership office.

**Reader responses are open.** Please cite a specific hole, a price, or a round you have played.