Golf
Dec 28, 2025
New York Golf Travel Itinerary: The Ultimate 5-7 Day Golf Trip Guide
Plan the perfect New York golf trip with this detailed 5-7 day itinerary. Featuring the best public and resort golf courses, travel routes, lodging tips, and seasonal advice for golfers. Photo by: Unsplash
New York is a great place for golf because it has many different options. You can find old public courses near New York City, fancy courses on Long Island, and beautiful resort courses further north all in one state.
This plan is for golfers who want to try many things without a lot of travel problems. It's got a good mix of easy courses, travel time, nice courses, and time to relax. It works for serious golfers and vacationers alike.
You can follow this plan as is, or change it to fit your time, money, and how hard you want the courses to be.
Why New York Is Ideal for a Golf Trip
Top-notch public golf courses are easy to find.
The regions are close, so travel is quick.
The best time to play is spring through fall.
You can pick from cheap local courses or fancier resorts.
Enjoy local culture, food, and sights when you're not golfing.
New York is great for golf trips, because you can play in the city, by the shore, and up in the mountains all in one trip.
Recommended Trip Length Options
Trip Length | Best For |
|---|---|
3 Days | NYC + Long Island public golf |
5 Days | NYC, Long Island, and one upstate stop |
7 Days | Full New York golf experience |
This guide is all about the 5-7 day trip we think it hits the sweet spot.
Day 1: Arrival in New York City + Warm-Up Round
Most golf getaways start when you arrive in New York City (at JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark airports). To shake off any travel tiredness, a relaxed game on the first day is a good idea.
Recommended Course
Van Cortlandt Park GC is a great spot for an early round. It doesn't cost much, it's easy to walk, and it has a cool history a nice, chill way to kick off your trip.
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Travel Time | 20-40 minutes from Manhattan |
Typical Green Fee | $35-$55 |
Style | Parkland municipal |
Evening suggestion: Dinner in Manhattan or the Bronx and an early night.
Day 2: Championship-Style Public Golf on Long Island
On day two, we're headed to Long Island, which boasts some of the nation's top public golf courses.
Recommended Course
Bethpage's other courses are well-kept and have layouts that will test you, but they aren't too hard, and you won't have to wait as long to play.
Course | Difficulty | Typical Fee |
|---|---|---|
Red | Medium | $55-$75 |
Blue | Medium | $60-$80 |
Travel Tip: Stay overnight near Farmingdale or Garden City to reduce commute time.
Day 3: Scenic Long Island Golf + Recovery Afternoon
Day 3 is all about enjoying the views and taking it easy after a tough Day 2.
Recommended Course
Wölffer Estate Golf Club
Picture this: a chill game set against a gorgeous backdrop of vineyards and the coast.
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Travel Time | ~90 minutes from NYC |
Typical Green Fee | $55-$70 |
Experience | Scenic, relaxed |
Afternoon: Visit nearby beaches, wineries, or rest for travel the next day.
Day 4: Travel Upstate + Resort Golf Experience
Today, we're taking it easy with some light activities and a relaxed trip to see the sights.
Recommended Course
Turning Stone offers great golf, like you'd find at a fancy resort, but it won't break the bank especially if you go during the week.
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Travel Time | 4-5 hours from Long Island |
Typical Green Fee | $50-$75 |
Lodging | On-site resort |
Evening: Enjoy dining, spa, or casino amenities.
Day 5: Scenic Upstate Golf + Nature Focus
After all the travel, day five is all about chilling out and seeing the sights.
Alternative Courses
Course | Region | Style |
|---|---|---|
Ellwanger Estate GC | Rochester | Parkland |
Rockland Lake GC | Hudson Valley | Scenic municipal |
Sagamore Golf Club | Lake George | Resort mountain golf |
These courses are a great value and are set in beautiful natural places.
Optional Days 6-7: Customize Your Experience
If you're a traveler with a flexible schedule, you can change these days to fit what you want to do.
Option A: Second Bethpage Round
We're heading back to Long Island for another public championship.
Option B: Adirondack Golf Retreat
For great mountain views and a break from the heat, Lake George is the place to be.
Option C: Relaxation + Light Golf
Enjoy a quick game on a par-3 course, or an executive course, followed by good food and nice views.
Sample 7-Day Itinerary Overview
Day | Region | Course |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | NYC | Van Cortlandt Park GC |
Day 2 | Long Island | Bethpage Red or Blue |
Day 3 | Hamptons | Wölffer Estate GC |
Day 4 | Central NY | Turning Stone - Shenendoah |
Day 5 | Upstate | Ellwanger Estate or Sagamore |
Day 6 | Flexible | Bethpage / Resort |
Day 7 | Departure | - |
Best Time of Year for a New York Golf Trip
Season | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Spring | Cool, firm | Lower prices |
Summer | Peak quality | Higher demand |
Fall | Ideal | Best overall |
Winter | Limited | Some closures |
September and October are the best months for a New York golf itinerary.
Budget Planning for a New York Golf Trip
Category | Daily Estimate |
|---|---|
Green Fees | $50-$100 |
Lodging | $120-$250 |
Transportation | $50-$80 |
Food & Extras | $60-$100 |
You can enjoy a 5-day trip without spending too much, especially if you compare it to the cost of going to regular golf spots.
Travel & Booking Tips
Book your tee times at Bethpage way ahead of time.
Play during the week to save some money.
If you're traveling, play in the late afternoon.
Stay close to the course, so you don't get too tired from driving.
See if you qualify for any local or seasonal deals.
A golf trip to New York provides a lot of different options. Not many places let golfers play on old public courses, great public courses, vineyard courses and nice resorts all in one trip.
If you plan well, New York can be more than just a city to see; it can be a great place to golf.
