Hello folks, I am planning a trip to New York in may 2008 and would love to play 4 or 5 different courses not too far away from Manhattan (where I plan to stay and spend most of my visiting time).
Actually, here in France, Samsung gives you a Paris-NY flight for free if you buy one of their newest mobile phones (which are basically free in France with mobile network companies offers hehe).

So far, after many researches, I came up with:

-Bethpage (Farmingdale, NY) which is ranked #05 in the US Top 100 courses and have 5 different courses. I was thinking about playing the Black and Red courses
-Galloping Hill (Union, NJ) which is ranked #26 in the US Top 100 courses
-Knoll West (Parspipanny, NJ) which is ranked #36 in the US Top 100 courses
-Meadows Golf Course (Lincoln Park, NJ) which is ranked #64 in the US Top 100 courses

What I am trying to find is really good courses which doesn't cost you an arm and leg for the green fee and which stays 75 miles away max from Manhattan or Newark. I would love to have suggestions from golfers living in NY because I am pretty sure i could come up with a better program maybe ?

Also, I don't really know about private courses: can you play on some even if you are not a member ?

One last question: I thought May would be the best time to visit the big apple but would April be fine too ? I don't want to be too hot nor too cold during my stay
What's the best period to play golf in NY ?

Thanks in advance for your help folks

PS: if one of the moderators could move my topic to the "Golf Course Reviews, Designs and Architectures > Mid-Atlantic" subsection, I think it would be better (sorry about that).

I am from the area around the Knoll West and the Meadows.

The Knoll is an Ok choice.

the Meadows - you received some very incorrect information. this course is not worth the time. its a short course that is consitantly wet (its in a flood zone). the rates to play the course are ridiculous. conditions are ok at best. please do not waste your time. There are many good course in the area. Check into Bergan county, NJ some nice course that are around the same price. Morris county has a couple good courses as well.

If you would want to travel about an hour from manahattan check out this resort, very nice. the top course are very well maintained.
Ballyowen even hosted a US open qualifier last year. I played a few days after it and the course was brutal
http://www.crystalgolfresort.com

Thanks alot for your answer my friend !!

Are you talking about the http://www.meadowsgolfclub.com golf course ? I am glad you warned me because it is ranked #76 in the Top100 US courses there: http://www.golflink.com/top-golf-courses/

Ballyowen looks great ! I might go there and play another course of the crystal golf resort (maybe the black bear?). Wild Turkey looks good too !

I heard good things about Bergen Hills in River Vale, NJ ... is that what you called Bergan by chance ?

By the way, is Bethpage really worth it ?

Thanks again for the advices, keep them coming please

PS: if one of the moderators could move my topic to the "Golf Course Reviews, Designs and Architectures > Mid-Atlantic" subsection, I think it would be better (sorry about that).

that is the meadows that im talking about. please dont waste your time.

Bergan hills is a fun course, very old style target golf, if i remember correctly, i enjoyed it.

the best two at crystal spring is Ballyowen and Wild turkey. Black bear is a tighter course that winds through the woods. if you want a really tough challenge try Crystal Springs at the resort. they have actually tried to make the course easier although its still really tough.

I played the Black course at Bethpage this past summer. Definitely worth it. Gives you a good sense how good the pros really are. Plus they will be getting ready for the '09 US open so condition will be good, as i assume they always are.


Hope this helps.

*******
#76 on the list is Kapulua plantation. meadows was #64 which i quite the joke. It looks like that list is based on popularity rather than quality. Meadows does get a lot of play.

Here are some other good options for you when you visit NYC.

Morris County: Flanders Valley (Red/Gold) or (White/Blue) Also Berkshire Valley in Morris County is ok.
Centennial Golf Club- Carmel, NY- Putnam County
Bethpage State Park- If you cant play Black, Red is well worth it. Blue is nice too. All are Tillinghast designs.
Richter Park- Danbury , CT
Eisenhower- Red Course (Nassau County, Long Island)

Thanks for your messages guys, I am compiling a list in google earth to see how I could manage to play the best ones

Anyone confirm that Knoll West is absolutely not worse it ?

If you are going to make the trip across the Hudson to NJ, look at Ballyowen and the other Crystal Springs courses. Bergen Hills, located in Bergen County NJ, and now called the River Vale CC, is decent, and closer, but nothing to travel a great distance for (I play there occasionally). Donald Ross had a hand in its design. BTW, you will need a car to get to any of the courses mentioned here.

Here's a link that can help you to explore some more courses in the region: http://www.teetimeking.com/

Lots of good choices already mentioned and I CONCUR

The Meadows, in Lincoln Park, is a DUMP !!!

"Arm and a leg" is relative of course. If you're staying in Manhattan your room will cost more than any one of these courses.

Add to the above (sorry if I repeat)

Within 75 miles, public.....

* = I've played them and the number of * is my order of playing them within the grouping), price no object (none are more than $125)

New Jersey
The Crystal Springs group (**Crystal Springs is impossible if the rough is up) I've heard GREAT things about Ballowen ($125 I believe)

Mid Jersey
Hominy Hills
**Howell Park

North Jersey
River Vale

(Morris County courses) #1 **Bershire Valley, #2 *Sunset Valley, #3 *Flanders Valley

Long Island
***Bethpage Black, then Red (Note: You MUST walk on the Black Course, otherwise a complete "no brainer"), about $55

**Spring Lake

There are a number of other good ones but mostly further east than your 75 mile limit. ***Montauk Downs, all the way at "The end" is a FABULOUS course if you can make it

New York State
***Grossingers - Just a little past your 75 mile limit but WORTH the trip.
**Tarry Brae - Not far from Grossinger's
**Concord (The Monster) - also right around that area.
*Garrison (Harrison, NY)
**New York Country Club
Spook Rock (Never played it but always wanted to - heard really good things about it)

Connecticut
***Richter Park

Hope this helps. Good luck

BTW, ANY site which told you the Meadows was "top" ANYTHING I'd be a little suspect about.

Sunset valley is about 6 months into long overdue renovation, supposed to be a 3 yr project.

check out mansion ridge, its about an hour north of the city I would say and its beautiful, I believe that it is the only jack nicklaus course in america open to the public

edit: some more

Harbor Links in port washington long island
Mill Pond in Medford long island
Hudson Hills, in ossining? which is north of the city
Bethpage black/red and I like the green too in long island

Just a fun thing, but in commack there is a place called heartland golf which is a 9 hole course that is open at night and has lights, each hole is a remake of a famous hole like the 17th at sawgrass, etc.

double edit:
Concerning the weather, its so unpredictable here, right now its october and it was about 80 degrees this past week. In the spring it could be 90 or it could snow, its really give or take. This past year I played golf New Years week and late december.

Thanks alot everyone for the tons of helpful info about where to play. Thanks to you all, I'll be sure to avoid the crappy courses and enjoy 100% of my stay .. that's really cool

If you're coming over from Europe here's my list of Top 5 must play courses:

Bethpage Black
Ballyowen
Bethpage Black
Bethpage Black
Bethpage Red

That's it.

May would be MUCH safer than April. Definitely play Bethpage Black....Red is very good as well.