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Long Island Golf Course Guide: 10 Public Courses Every Golfer Should Play
Long Island has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the entire world. The problem for you and me is that not every Long Island golf course is public, and we’ll never get a chance to play many of them. Fortunately, there are a ton of Long Island public golf courses that are beautiful, challenging, and even world-renowned. Be sure to check out our complete map directory of every public golf course in the United States as well!
Here is our Long Island golf course guide – 10 courses that everyone can play:
Montauk Downs
Situated at “the end”, Montauk Downs is one of the finest golf courses you will ever have the opportunity to play, and it has consistently been ranked on of the top public golf courses in United States for years. The course is beautiful, challenging, and the shifting winds give you a different look every time you play it. You simply can’t miss this one, it is arguably the best Long Island golf course aside from Bethpage Black.
Bethpage State Park
What can be said about Bethpage that hasn’t been said before? This is arguably the pinnacle of public golf in the United States. The facility features five golf courses that include the famous Black Course from famed architect A.W. Tillinghast, which has hosted two U.S. Opens. While the Black Course might be too hard for many golfers, you should not miss out on the other courses. The Red has become a spectacular championship course in its own right, and can’t be missed.
Eisenhower Park
Eisenhower park should be at the top of the list for anyone looking to play one of the best public Long Island golf courses. The famed Red course was designed in 1914 by Devereux Emmet, and hosted the PGA Championship as far back as 1926. The White and Blue courses should not be ignored either, and are products of one of the most famous course architects Robert Trent Jones. The facility also has four nine-hole executive courses for golfers looking for a more relaxed round.
Lido Golf Club
Situated near Long Beach on the south shore of Long Island, Lido Golf Club is one of the hidden gems that some golfers might not know about. Robert Trent Jones carved out a very challenging design that pushes golfers to the limits (especially when the wind is blowing). The back nine features some of the best views you’ll see, and one of the toughest stretch of holes on any Long Island golf course.
Crab Meadow Golf Course
Crab Meadow is another one on the list Long Island public golf courses that is off the beaten path, but should be considered by everyone. It features some of the most breathtaking views of the North Shore, and its a course that a golfer of any level can play. The back nine will give you some memorable views, and you should consider playing a Twilight round here for the amazing sunsets.
Harbor Links
This course is another of the gold coast gems is Nassau County. Built on a reclaimed sand mine in 1998, it is a newer Long Island golf course that is open to the public. It is a beautiful, challenging course that can be visited from New York City.
Cherry Creek Links
Golfers who are looking to explore the eastern end of Long Island should check out Cherry Creek Links. It features a famous par 6, which measures 644 yards to finish off your round. This is a wonderful links design that can accommodate golfers of all levels. They also have a more traditionally course across the street called The Woods that golfers should consider as well.
Willow Creek
Another course that many golfers might not know about, Willow Creek is another Long Island golf course that every player should play at least once. It has been recognized several times as one of the top semi-private golf courses available for the public to play, and you certainly will be challenged with its layout.
Mill Pond
Mill Pond is a pleasant treat, and is certainly one of the best Long Island public golf courses. It is always in great shape, and features a nice mix of course architecture throughout the round. On many holes you will feel like you are playing a links course, and then all of a sudden you will be navigating a few tree-lined holes and greens guarded by water.
Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course
Nassau county can be tough to find a public course to play, but the Town of Oyster Bay golf course is a great choice for weekend warriors. It is a challenging, narrow course that certainly will give you a few jitters on your tee shots.
My wife and I are huge into golfing and we are always trying to make sure that we find new places to go and to visit so that we can one day say that we have been to golf courses in every state. Like you mentioned, there are a lot of very nice public golf courses in Long Island and they all have beautiful views. I would love to be able to go to places like that with my wife and go on week long golfing vacations.
My favorite course on Long Island is the Hamlet Windwatch. It has it all. Hills, water, scenery, personality, challenge. I make it part of Long Island rotation.
Considering purchase of a retirement home on Long Island, Suffolk County. My spouse asked for a golf course that he could drive to — in a golf cart!! We are ten miles away from our home course in Columbia, Maryland where I enjoy an excellent fitness center and indoor pool — my priority. Our home course is Columbia Country Club, in Bethesda, MD, home of the 1906 open. Challenging yet friendly for a retiree. Excellent restaurant and perhaps a social program again one day.