Visiting NYC for the U.S. Open this summer... where to play?

[soonernick]

A buddy and I are going to be in NYC for the U.S. Open this summer, it's also going to be a bit of a family trip as my wife and daughter are going to come up so we can go to a show and my daughter can see the city for the first time.

We're planning on playing a couple of rounds while in the area, but, outside of Bethpage, there doesn't seem to be many courses with public access that show up on the regular "top courses to play" lists. It looks like you all have a ton of really awesome courses in the area, but they happen to be some of the most exclusive in the world! We're also working under the assumption that Bethpage will be absolutely stacked with US Open fans trying to play during the week before/after, so we're assuming we will save Black for another day. So my questions:

Where should we play? What courses are awesome that the magazines are not telling us about?Does anyone have an idea if we should plan on playing the days before the Open (Mon-Wed) or the days after (I guess that would also be Mon-Wed)? We have no idea what would be easier for travel and less likely to compete with other tourists, so we're wide open to playing either before or after.Do any of you have much experience with the private clubs in the area as far as reciprocity goes? We're planning on talking to the Pro at our club and a friend that is an assistant Pro at a nationally known club to see if they can make some calls for us, but we thought it would be worth asking if any of you may have some insight as to potential clubs we could reach out to?Thanks in advance for any input, these forums have always been super helpful for other trips, we really do appreciate it!

[nsxguy]

Here's a pretty decent thread.https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1629378/long-island-public-golf#latest

[PC51]

Do you have a particular type of course that you enjoy? Types that you prefer to avoid?

How far out from NYC would you be willing to travel? Long Island has 60+ public courses spread out over 100 miles from west to east. For instance, Montauk Downs is on top-rated lists but it's 3 hours from Manhattan.

It'll be easier to offer suggestions with those questions answered.

[Seth Pistol]

will you have a car? or willing to spend $$$ on an uber? this will greatly effect your choices.

the easiest option for good public golf would be Trump Ferry Point. $40 uber ride from midtown manhattan. former golf digest top 100 public course. great practice facilities, solid course, good views. $250 a round though.

if you have a car, that opens up your options to a lot of courses. also, if you can get onto some private good courses, i would. the best courses in the NY metro area are all priv

[Seth Pistol]

will you have a car? or willing to spend $$$ on an uber? this will greatly effect your choices.

the easiest option for good public golf would be Ferry Point. $40 uber ride from midtown manhattan. former golf digest top 100 public course. great practice facilities, solid course, good views. $250 a round though.

if you have a car, that opens up your options to a lot of courses. also, if you can get onto some private good courses, i would. the best courses in the NY metro area are all priv

[jibbs1082]

I thought Ferry Point sucked... personally. Most Trump courses I have enjoyed... just not that one.

I'd def do Bethpage Black and Red, no questions asked.

[tiderider]

walk up to shinny's clubhouse and ask for a round ...

[soonernick]

I'll wear my very best jeans.

[soonernick]

Thanks for this response, I wasn't sure what questions I needed to be asking and this helps.

-No particular type of course, our current club is a Tillinghast and I know he did a ton of work in that area of the country, but we're not really tied to any particular style. The biggest thing I think that would matter is just that it be a quality course in at least above average to good condition in relation to the cost. We don't mind paying $150+ green fees, but I don't want to play a 5 hour rounds on a dirt track for that price.

-We're willing to travel some, and three hours would be doable but obviously not ideal if we're going three hours each way sandwiched around a round of golf in one day. That said, if you guys tell me that there is a grouping of 3-4 fun tracks that are a few hours outside of New York but all within an hour of each other, we would be all for heading out of the city and getting a hotel in that specific area and just playing golf for a few days, then flying out of nearest airport. So if a place like Montauk has a couple of other nearby good courses we'd be cool just getting a hotel in that area.

Thanks again for the response!

 

[RTP419]

Long Island traffic can tend to be a nightmare. I would check out the Crystal Springs/Ballyowen resort in NJ (~50 miles from NYC), probably could make a day of it and get in 36. Possibly check out West Point or Mansion Ridge, both relatively close to one another an hour or so from NYC.

[PC51]

Well one option would be to get a room at any of the handful of hotels on Rt. 110 in Farmingdale/Melville, putting you roughly 5 minutes from the Bethpage clubhouse. That will give you quick access to the courses at Bethpage and inside 30-60 minutes from most of the courses on the Island. You'll also have a reasonable commute to/from JFK and LaGuardia airports.

[LICC]

For public golf, your top-level choices are Bethpage and Ferry Point. If you are in the mood for the Black, that is the best course you can play but it will take you an hour+ each way. Bethpage Red is a terrific course and usually even more crowded than the Black.

Ferry Point is a great course. Lots of terrific golf holes, excellent conditioning, some amazing views of the skyline, good restaurant/bar area. Probably the easiest to get to from midtown and you won't be stuck waiting around on crowded holes.

If you want the next-level courses in the area and you want to stay within an hour's drive, try Galloping Hill in New Jersey or Harbor Links in Port Washington. Everything else will either be decent muni's or a farther drive. Don't let anyone convince you to play Van Cortland because of the history, it's not worth it.

[fundustrial]

I live in the city and whilst there are a ton of fantastic courses in the area, the vast majority are private unfortunately.

Another option is Pound Ridge I’m Westchester (a little more than an hour from the city) which is a decent and tough Pete Dye track. Ballyowen in NJ (again a little more than an hour from the city) is not bad but rounds that week may be very slow.