A Guide to New York City’s Golf Courses and Driving Ranges

This 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course is 7,407 yards (6,773 meters) of green sitting at the foot of the Whitestone Bridge in the Bronx. The course offers views of the Manhattan skyline, the East River and the Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges. It was listed as one of the Best New Courses of 2015 by Golf Digest.

The host of multiple US Open and Northern Trust tournaments, as well as the future site of the 2019 PGA Championship and 2024 Ryder Cup, Bethpage State Park’s Black course has achieved fame in the sports world. Of the park’s five 18-hole regulation courses, on which 300,000 rounds of golf are played annually, Bethpage Black boasts the most coveted tee times.

This golf club offers Manhattan’s only outdoor four-level driving range with scenic views of the Hudson River, simulators where you can play at over 55 championship courses from around the world, a golf academy and more. The 200-yard (183-meter) range has 52 heated and weather-protected stalls equipped with an automatic tee-up system, so golfers can work on their game year-round.

Located in Flushing, Queens, Kissena Golf Course may be just 4,665 yards (4,265 meters) long, but it still presents a challenge to an average golfer with its tight holes and sneaky hills. There are no par-5 holes, but there are eight par-3s. Developed by John Van Kleek, Kissena GC opened in 1935.

Situated at the highest point in Queens, Douglaston Golf Course offers picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. Opened in 1927, the 5,469-yard (5,001-meter) course, which became a municipal course in the 1960s, underwent a major renovation in 2004. It is one of five courses operated by Golf NYC.

This 6,438-yard (5,887-meter) course is located in the southwest corner of Brooklyn just below the Verrazano Bridge. During the mid-20th century, it was the world’s busiest golf course. It was originally designed by Tom Bendelow in 1897, then redesigned by Jon Van Kleek in 1935.

Located in the North Bronx close to the Yonkers border, Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course is the country’s oldest public golf course. Many actors and athletes including Sidney Poitier and Willie Mays have played at the historic course, and it’s even been featured in blockbuster hits such as The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). Van Cortlandt – often referred to as “Vanny” – is conveniently located a short walk off the Van Cortlandt/242nd Street stop on the 1 train.

Located in Woodhaven, Queens, just off the Jackie Robinson Parkway, Forest Park Golf Course features tree-lined fairways, elevated greens and three water holes. The only 27-hole golf park in the city, the course was originally designed by Tom Bendelo in 1896, then redesigned by Stephen Kay in 1995.