Private Club 30 minutes from Manhattan

[mmfreyre123]

Gotcha, TY very much!!!! You have been very helpful! 

[cpabkn]

Bumping for Lake Success - any relevant recent info available? i’ve reached out a couple of times but have yet to have anyone get back to me. Does anyone know if they have a waitlist now?

[SLUGCC2002]

6 hours ago, jin91 said:

Thanks for sharing! Didn't know there were these many clubs in westchester county! Curious to know what makes a club 'A'/'B'/'C' ? Is it based on course condition? sad to see my club in 'C' 😞

 

Course conditions are definitely a part of it, as is architecture. TNG-Westchester would be a 'B' club if they had left the Briar Hall course (which was designed by Tillinghast) alone. Instead, the course was butchered and completely absurd fake waterfall was installed. It's like "Jackie's Wacky Golf" from Caddyshack 2 come to life.

[Wander Bread]

17 hours ago, mmfreyre123 said:

Your List has been very helpful!!!

 

where would you rate montclair GC, Upper montclair and Essex county CC?

 

Upper's 27 holes are better than Montclair's 36 holes in my opinion, but both are great golf. 

 

Upper is strictly golf... Montclair also has the pool with a bar, tennis, etc.

[ronw04]

On 6/15/2022 at 2:54 PM, SLUGCC2002 said:

'A' Clubs

Winged Foot**

Westchester** 

Quaker Ridge

Fenway*

Century*

Wykagyl* 

Siwanoy

Whippoorwill*

Sunningdale

Bedford G&T

Mt. Kisco

GlenArbor*

Sleepy Hollow*

Apawamis*

Scarsdale*

 

'B' Clubs

St. Andrews*

Ardsley*

Brae Burn

Old Oaks

Metropolis

Bonnie Briar

 

'C' Clubs

Hampshire*

Somers National

Leewood*

Trump National Westchester

The Summit Club*

Westchester Hills*

Knollwood*

 

Municpally-owned Private Clubs

Rye*

Harrison Meadows*

Lake Isle*

Pleasantville

 

Clubs that don't fit in these categories

Blind Brook

Hudson National

Golf Club of Purchase

 

Clubs I don't have any real knowledge of

Waccabuc

Salem

Anglebrook

Pequenhaconck

 

--

 

I think that covers pretty much every private club in Westchester Country. Obviously, this is my opinion, so if you think I miscategorized your club, please tell me why I'm wrong. An asterisk means I've been there at least once (two asterisks means I've played both courses). I'm hoping to play every course in Westchester County before I turn 50, and I've got 7 1/2 years to go. 

 

Just to add a bit. . .

I golfed Pequenhaconck last year. It's 9 holes up in north Salem and it has a membership however they do have tee times for the public. I'd absolutely stay away. 

 

Somers National is in the same boat. Membership, along with public tee times. They've put some money in it and it has gotten better but still quirky as hell. And if you like to walk you'll find out quick that the heritage hills section of Somers is very aptly named. 

 

Pleasantville is a nine holer I believe was designed by tillinghast. Always in good condition. Very hilly, with tiny challenging greens. I never used any club higher than my 215 club. 

 

A bit surprised Trump National is a "C". I've never been on but my friends who have speak very highly of it. 

 

[djonno]

On 6/16/2022 at 2:01 PM, cpabkn said:

Bumping for Lake Success - any relevant recent info available? i’ve reached out a couple of times but have yet to have anyone get back to me. Does anyone know if they have a waitlist now?

 

I’m not totally sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s waitlisted right now. I joined in mid/late-April and Robby (the pro) told me that I was probably the last or close to the last membership for the season. He definitely did not reply to me super quickly via email, but should be more responsive over phone if you want to try that.

[sabram]

On 6/15/2022 at 7:54 PM, SLUGCC2002 said:

this is my opinion, so if you think I miscategorized your club, please tell me... 

You haven't played Old Oaks or Metropolis. I prefer them to the other courses on your B list and would prefer to play them again rather than a few on your A list (particularly Mt Kisco and Scarsdale, which aren't in the same league as the others in your group A). Everyone has an opinion, and in mine, you've underated Old Oaks and Metropolis and overrated Mt Kisco and Scarsdale which are fine courses, but are outshined by the wealth of A list courses in Westchester.  

 

Lastly, IMO you've underated Knollwood 

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by sabram
To fix typos

[mmfreyre123]

Metropolis course looks great! Any whispers on what membership initiation and dues are looking like ? And any under <40 tiered pricing?

[dboy86]

@MikeFoxplaysGolf

@djonno

@Zthundy

@cpabkn

 

Just seeing your posts, I have been an under 40 executive member @Lake Success for 3 years now. Happy to answer any questions you may have. I will say the club is getting much younger. We have a what's app group with about 30-35 under 40 guys to make games, banter etc. A lot of guys from NYC too

[bspi]

St Andrews has the best practice facilities in Westchester and is golf only (for those looking to avoid country club atmosphere)...it is wait listed now however

[NewToGolf19]

Anyone have recent feedback on the Westchester city courses (RGC, Lake Isle, Harrison Meadows)? I try to play once per week (Monday through Friday, not weekends), and so far I can usually get a round when I want at one of the Westchester or Fairfield munis. I’m curious if membership at one of these public/private options would be worth it. Thanks.

[ronw04]

22 hours ago, NewToGolf19 said:

Anyone have recent feedback on the Westchester city courses (RGC, Lake Isle, Harrison Meadows)? I try to play once per week (Monday through Friday, not weekends), and so far I can usually get a round when I want at one of the Westchester or Fairfield munis. I’m curious if membership at one of these public/private options would be worth it. Thanks.

I've been on the waiting list for rye the last 2 years. Still waiting. 

 

My understanding is Harrison Meadows is only for residents at this time but they plan to expand that at some point. 

 

Lake Isle is open to the public, you can usually get a tee time online. 

[NewToGolf19]

I didn’t realize non-members could play Lake Isle- thanks.

 

Harrison Meadows’s website shows that they are taking non-resident applications for weekday only memberships:

https://www.harrisonmeadowscc.com/non-resident-passholder-plans

5 hours ago, ronw04 said:

I've been on the waiting list for rye the last 2 years. Still waiting. 

 

My understanding is Harrison Meadows is only for residents at this time but they plan to expand that at some point. 

 

Lake Isle is open to the public, you can usually get a tee time online. 

 

[ronw04]

15 minutes ago, NewToGolf19 said:

I didn’t realize non-members could play Lake Isle- thanks.

 

Harrison Meadows’s website shows that they are taking non-resident applications for weekday only memberships:

https://www.harrisonmeadowscc.com/non-resident-passholder-plans

 

This is a new development at Harrison Meadows!

Thank you.

[Jaaron42]

 .

Edited February 6, 2023 by Jaaron42
delete

[SLUGCC2002]

On 6/21/2022 at 12:22 PM, sabram said:

You haven't played Old Oaks or Metropolis. I prefer them to the other courses on your B list and would prefer to play them again rather than a few on your A list (particularly Mt Kisco and Scarsdale, which aren't in the same league as the others in your group A). Everyone has an opinion, and in mine, you've underated Old Oaks and Metropolis and overrated Mt Kisco and Scarsdale which are fine courses, but are outshined by the wealth of A list courses in Westchester.  

 

Lastly, IMO you've underated Knollwood 

 

 

Having played Old Oaks and Mount Kisco this year, I'd agree with you. Old Oaks should be higher - the course was great and in fantastic condition with fast, smooth greens and great fairways. Mount Kisco is a good course but was pretty scruffy for a private club. I was somewhat disappointed.

[NewToGolf19]

Can anyone comment on the playing experience (pace of play, ease of securing a tee time, condition of course) at Rye Golf Club or Harrison Meadows vs. local public courses?  When I play, it's midweek at Griffith Harris in Greenwich or Hudson Hills in westchester, and I am wondering if it is worth it to try to join RGC or Harrison Meadows.

[turtlesvs]

On 12/2/2022 at 7:16 PM, NewToGolf19 said:

Can anyone comment on the playing experience (pace of play, ease of securing a tee time, condition of course) at Rye Golf Club or Harrison Meadows vs. local public courses?  When I play, it's midweek at Griffith Harris in Greenwich or Hudson Hills in westchester, and I am wondering if it is worth it to try to join RGC or Harrison Meadows.

Unless you're a resident of Rye or Harrison its going be difficult to join, I know Rye's waitlist for non-residents is pretty long. Harrison Meadows I think only opened weekday non-residents but that could be old info. Rye is kept in nice condition but it can be a chore to get times on weekends and the place will be busy. Still think it'd be quite a bit faster than playing Saxon Woods or Maple Moor, can't say how that compares to Griffith Harris or Hudson Hills though. I haven't played Harrison Meadows so can't speak to how it would be there.

[31ejm]

Not a resident or member. Played Harrison meadows this fall. Pretty cool layout except for a bizarre par 3 that crosses an approach of a par 4 on the back 9. Enjoyed the course, though tee boxes need some extensive work, i guess from when the course was

dormant. Greens were pretty good. Played off the back 9 at a decent pace just over four hours on a Friday. Range was unfortunately closed for the season by October. For the price, would do it without hesitation. 

[Jaaron42]

2023 could be the year we start to see some waning demand at decent clubs (B type places)  if anyone hears of any under 40 membership deals please share!

[T_Golf_23]

FYI…. There a zero “deals” to be had at any of these clubs. 
 

initiation fees, dues…. Capital contribution are at the highest they have been at any of these places in the last 20 years. They are all spending money like mad to upgrade facilities. 
 

for all of them, most membership categories have wait lists…. 
 

the clubs around here have gotten spoiled by the surge in golf and membership, but some of this is waning for younger families…. Especially after many have returned to work. But many won’t leave their clubs because of different situations around the wild initiation costs. But annual dues are leaving some questioning the expense …. Especially in light of how expensive everything else has become. 
 

but everything moves cycles…. and there will be a reset with this surge in CC memberships. 

I have played a ton of clubs on that A-B-C list…. Don’t agree with all of it…. For example, Trump Briarcliff is gorgeous. Great course and conditions…. It’s a big upfront cost…. I would hardly say it’s a C club. Anglebrook is another one…. Place is pristine with some unbelievable holes…. It just stinks you can’t walk it. 
 

Anyone interested in any of the clubs around here…. DM me… more than happy to help you out. 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by T_Golf_23

[NoCalHack]

Interesting A/B/C list. I'm a member at one of the clubs on the list.  

 

The market for private memberships here in Westchester bottomed out a few years ago.  Around that time, a few clubs closed (Willow Ridge for example) and several others were in financial flux- doing things like offering no-initiation memberships (Leewood, Knollwood for example).  Then the pandemic hit and the golf boom started and with the closing of some clubs, demand hit hard.

 

At our club, initiation more than doubled in the past 2 years and there's a waitlist for the first time in many years.  They said dues go down with increased initiation- hasn't happened.  When I was looking, there were several clubs with waitlists already.  Most clubs will offer junior memberships (<30, <40) which are much cheaper but still pricey.  But  as the post above indicates, it's a bad time to be looking to join a club in Westchester now. 

[The Great Rahmbino]

Moved to the area 3 years ago and am worn down by public courses. Any info on Lake Success this year or any other clubs that are still able to be joined? I can't seem to get information from any of them lol. Would deeply appreciate some guidance/help — someone please save me from public courses pace of play this year hahah.

[NoCalHack]

 

I don't think they'd mind if I shared this.  There's an open house at Knollwood.  It's a Raynor design and they are looking for members.  About 30-40 min north of Manhattan.

 

Never played the course, but I would've at least checked it out if they didn't ignore my inquiries when I was looking to join a club a couple years ago.

 

 

 

 

[BornToGolf87]

Thanks for posting that! Do you know if there are many Jewish members there, or would I be a substantial minority?

 

I also found this showing Knollwood dues: https://issuu.com/heritagegolf/docs/knollwood_membership_fees

 

Looks like 10k initiation and 12k annual dues for under 40. Not too bad.

[Wettyb]

Knollwood is okay, well manicured course at times but tight with a bunch of gimmicky holes.  Was bought out a couple years ago by the heritage group as alluded to on that flyer which is nice for some reciprocals but i wouldn't consider that to be anything that should sway an opinion to join.

[formerlydecentgolfer]

Anyone have a sense for clubs that have availability for young members (<30) in the <20k initiation, <10k annual dues type range? Recently moved up to the city, living in UES, without a car for the moment but can get one if need be. Reached out to Lake Success but haven't heard anything. In a lucky situation with a noncompete so want to get started ASAP to play a lot of this season.

[dmanzo]

Lake Success member here, if anyone has any questions feel free to message me. I have been an Under 40 junior member for a few years. We have a TON of young guys now. When I first joined there were like 5-7 guys. I believe there is a waitlist for the all access now but you can still get in on a bit more restrictive program still a great deal. 

[NYC_Golfer1]

Just joined Metropolis CC as an U30 here and its awesome. Feel free to message me with any questions.

[jgriffin19]

Bumping this thread as I'm beginning my search for a club in the Westchester area. Would love if any of you could share some details about the clubs in the area. Have a tour with Bonnie Briar coming up and have spoken with Pelham as well. Would love to hear about the dues/process for Wykgal, Sunningdale or Metropolis if possible.