NYSGA/Andrew Hickey
For the average golfer, New York’s reputation for having perhaps the best selection of courses in the country lies in two small areas: Long Island and Westchester County, home to major championship icons (Shinnecock Hills, Winged Foot, Bethpage Black), golden age legends (National Golf Links of America, Fisherers Island, Quaker Ridge) and Modern Wonderland (Friar’s Head). The Empire State currently has over 100 courses in the US (13) more than any other state, and that’s just the crème de la crème. You could do the Top 50 Long Island and Westchester courses on your own and hardly see a drop in quality from top to bottom.
The arrival of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill CC (East) in Rochester—#37 on the Top 100 Golfs in the United States—is a timely reminder that premium golf in New York transcends the suburbs and suburbs of Manhattan. Venture upstate to Albany (hello, Donald Ross Glens Falls CC, #83) and then west on I-90 to Syracuse and Rochester. Finally, Buffalo and architecture buffs will find an impressive array of classic designs with proportions. Avenue, even if their names are unfamiliar to all but locals and hardcore cognocenti.
While most of the following 10 golf courses are private, they are generally more accessible to outside play than their more rural siblings if you are at least somewhat connected, courteous, charming and/or resourceful, according to the members of the GOLF Course Committee Insiders rate. Region.
New York, NY: It’s a golfing paradise.
1. Trojan Country Club
Troy, NY / Architect: Walter J Travis
Set on beautiful 325 acres, Travis’ 1925—the last course in his storied ensemble—carries all the designer hallmarks: meaningful shelters, stunning undulating greens, blind tee shots and close lots along the 6,600-yard stretch. countrycluboftroy.com; 518-274-4207
2. McGregor Links Country Club
Wilton, NY / Architect: DEVEREUX EMMET
Semi-private and therefore easily accessible (and heavily wooded, despite its name) course from the underappreciated designer who built Garden City GC and Congress, among other notables. The par-3 18th, with the clubhouse as a backdrop, provides a memorable close spot. mcgregorlinks.com; 518-584-6664
3. Glens Falls Country Club
Queensbury, New York / Architect: Donald Ross
The Secret Guide to Golf Courses asks, “How has such a fine course eluded attention for so long?” No longer, certifying its place in the top 100 in the United States. The par-3 Green Volcano 9 is among Ross’ most dramatic shots. Glensfalse Country Club. com; 518-792-1186
4. Yahnendasi Golf Club
New Hartford, NY / Architect: Walter J Travis
In 1897, 65 prominent local citizens established Yahnundasis (“around the hill”), although the course did not open until 1924. The muscular layout terrain, small and varied greens and strategic requirements create major challenges although the maximum is just under 6,800 yards. yahnundasis.org; 315-732-6123
5. Tiojiga Country Club
Rome, New York / Architect: Donald Ross
Dating back to 1920, this is a rare, largely untouched Ross original—also exceptional for the fact that the prolific Ross spent so much time on this build due to personal connections in the area. It is also notable for its exceptional fan-shaped steering. teugega.com; 315-337-7150
6. Onondaga Golf and Country Club
Fayetteville, NY / Architect: Walter J Travis
A 71-footer playing shade just under 6,600 yards, Travis Onondaga’s 1917 layout included three-hole portions of his original 1901 course. Legendary Canadian architect Stanley Thompson later rebuilt four greens and reconfigured several bunkers. ogcc1898.com; 315-446-1630
7. Monroe Golf Club
Pittsford, NY / Architect: Donald Ross
Street credits: Monroe has hosted a major LPGA Championship (2014 Wegman’s LPGA Championship, won by Inbee Park), the New York State Men’s Amateur, and the long-running Monroe Invitational Amateur, won by Dustin Johnson in 2007 and Thomas Peters in 2012. monroegolfclub .com; 585-586-3440
8. Oak Hill Country Club (West)
Rochester, NY / Architect: Donald Ross
The East gets all the attention, for its unparalleled major league pedigree, but the West is another fine Ross test, albeit a somewhat less stressful one, particularly from the one-on-one style of play, thanks not in little to the tough surfaces used by the Scots. oakhillcc.com; 585-586-1660
9. Stafford Country Club
Stafford, New York / Architect: Walter J Travis
Walter Hagen called the 1921 design “second to none”. It was modified in the 1930’s by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Stanley Thompson, and it still retains all of its Travisness. Risk and reward game finishes 271 yards, 4 18 convincing runs in front of excited spectators in the clubhouse courtyard. staffordcc.com; 585-343-9281
10. The Burn Golf Club
EAST AURORA, NY / Architect: Robert Trent Jones SR.
Opened in 1972 and built on what used to be polo fields, the layout features two distinct nineties: a well wooded garden style front side and a links inner half to best use the more open terrain. The alterations made by RTJ father and son Rhys Jones added even more shine. cragburn.com; 0000-655-716
11. Country Club of Buffalo
Williamsville, NY / Architect: Donald Ross
Although the course promoted by Walter G. Travis hosted the 1912 U.S. Open, club members soon wanted more space. The club moved in and rented Ross, with the new layout opening in 1926. Six memorable holes meander through a pair of hewn limestone quarries. ccofbuffalo.org; 716-632-1100
12. Park Country Club
Williamsville, NY / Architects: HS COLT & CH ALISON
Not only did the legendary Colt & Alison pitch the track, Clifford C. Wendehack designed his clubhouse, after his Tudor masterpiece the Winged Foot. The PCC hosted the 1934 PGA Championship, which was won by Paul Runyan. It now runs out to 7,000 yards, and is still a legitimate tester. parkclub.org; 716-632-2121