NYC Metro Golf Access

[Cliff Walston]

I just got back from Ireland courtesy of two great friends who planned a surprise trip celebrating the end of my bachelorhood.  We will be in NYC in a couple of weeks for work, and I am trying to come up with a good idea for a thank you round while we are there.  We are all members at Redstone G.C. in Houston that hosts the PGA event (but takes a beating here), and I was considering having our pro call and try and arrange a midweek (Thursday) round at the best place we can get onto in the NYC area.  My question is, do any of the top tier courses in the area have a reputation for being more accomodating to outside play than others?  Any suggestions or insight on access to the bounty of exceptional golf in the area would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[Jay Flemma]

The Knoll Club is public, a Banks course and cheap!  $67!  That's a steal!

[Cliff Walston]

Thanks.

[Garland Bayley]

The Knoll Club is public, a Banks course and cheap!  $67!  That's a steal!

So you would have him reciprocate for a trip to Ireland with a cheapie in the NYC area. Jay, pay attention!

[Jud_T]

Pound Ridge...

[Cliff Walston]

That's the issue Garland.   I am working on a (very) outside chance at Winged Foot, otherwise, its pay the NY Golf Shuttle an outrageous price for Bethpage Black since as an out of stater, I only have a two day window.  I am not having them lug clubs to NYC without knowing I have something special lined up.  But it offends me to pay something like the NY Golf Shuttle people a huge premium to flood the phone system and make it more difficult for ordinary golfers to secure their own tee times, thus my delima.

[Richard Choi]

Cliff, all you have to do is to stay overnight in the parking lot in your car and have them come by at 4AM so you can all get the wristbands. If you have kid with a license, he can do that for you and it will cost a lot less than NY Golf Shuttle.

[Keith OHalloran]

Cliff, have your pro call Cherry Valley in Garden City or Nassau Country club in Glen Cove. I know Nassau reciprocates with local clubs, it is a fantastic course and it is right next to a train that you can get out of Manhattan.  Cherry Valley is not far from a train, but I am not sure of their policies. Both are emmett (sp?) courses and worth it, although I would try Nassau first.

[Jay Flemma]

The Knoll Club is public, a Banks course and cheap!  $67!  That's a steal!

So you would have him reciprocate for a trip to Ireland with a cheapie in the NYC area. Jay, pay attention!

A cheapie?  It's a lovingly restored and historically significant course in the Macdonald/Raynor/Banks bloodline and Bahto did an unbeliable job restoring it.  He'll get to see two redans, a punchbowl, a helluva Biarritz, a Road hole, a great short, two greens with either a thumbprint or horseshoe...and while we're at it, aren't you always shouting that we need more great PUBLIC courses that don't cost an arm and a leg.

His friend will get champagne quality at beer prices...

Cliff, I just sent two different GCAers to the Knoill and they RAVEd about it and wrote to bahto to congratulate him on a terrific job.  You can read about the knoll here.  Go to the knoll, (west course) and you'll be smiling all the way to the bank...who knows...maybe the money you save you can use to buy dinner too, in case your friend keeps score on how much money you spend like garland does...

http://www.golfobserver.com/features/Flemma/FlemmaKnoll1_030108.php

[Carl Nichols]

Cliff, all you have to do is to stay overnight in the parking lot in your car and have them come by at 4AM so you can all get the wristbands. If you have kid with a license, he can do that for you and it will cost a lot less than NY Golf Shuttle.

Do they allow RVs in the parking lot?  What about renting an RV, partying, err, sleeping in Bethpage parking lot, and playing the next day?  All in, it probably won't cost much more than paying the unaccompanied guest fee for 4 guys at some places, if that's your only alternative.  And then you could try to play the Red course in the afternoon.  

[Phil_the_Author]

Carl,

What day(s) of the week will you be there? Yes, you can park an RV and it is done often. You will find, if it is a weekend night, that there may be several people there who have barbecues, etc...

Remember, even iof you don't get on the Black you should have a good tee time for the Red course which is also a very good play and a Tillingfhast to boot...

[Tim Martin]

Stay 1 night at the hotel at Westchester CC in Rye and gain access to the West Course which is a Walter Travis gem. Travel time from Manhattan is less than 45 minutes. This was a regular tour stop for 40 years. The South course is also the work of Travis and although not as hard as the west still a fine course.

[Matt_Ward]

Cliff:

Jay mentioned Knoll West which is a fine layout but if you want something a bit better (in my mind) then head via the NJ Tpke to exit 8A and play The Banks Course at Forsgate. A superb layout and worthy of much more attention than it gets here or elsewhere. It's accessible during the week and the price you pay there will be in the same ballpark as Knoll / West.

Forsgate has the best collection of par-3's -- save for the likes of PV and possibly Plainfield. Some of the most unique greens and as I said gets far too little attention.

If you happen to have a hunkering for the Westchester area I'd have your pro contact the folks at Sleepy Hollow. Doesn't beat you up like WF/W and the terrain is second to none in the entire area.

If you happen to be on the Island -- Bethpage is always a treat -- assuming you can stomach the nearly six hour rounds on the Black. The Red, as a few have opined, can be a better alternative.

Contact me offline for some additional info on courses and other suggestions.