Long Island golf trip

[theweekendgolfer543]

Headed to Long Island at the beginning of October to visit family and plan on playing golf as much as possible. What are the public course suggestions seeing that Bethpage seems out due to high-demand/limited availability? Montauk Downs is one that's already on the list but would love to get suggestions from others.

[JimMLINY]

Two across the street from each other.

 

Cherry Creek Golf Links 900 Reeves Avenue, Riverhead

Home - Cherry Creek Golf Links (cherrycreeklinks.com)

 

The Woods at Cherry Creek 967 Reeves Avenue Riverhead

Home - The Woods At Cherry Creek

 

and

 

Eisenhower Park (need to buy a county Leisure Pass which was $15 last time I was there BC) Merrick Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow

Golf | Nassau County, NY - Official Website (nassaucountyny.gov)

 

and the Pebble Beach wannabe (be prepared for a one to two club differential from ocean 'breeze')

The Golf Club at Middle Bay, 3600 Skillman Avenue, Oceanside

Home - The Golf Club at Middle Bay

 

are ones that I played and are in unusually good shape for the traffic they get.

 

There are others that others will chime in on hopefully

 

 

[McMunch]

Don't have to write off Bethpage so quickly...They have 5 courses and if you're a single you can easily play the Black just by walking up. You didn't say how many in your party but a lot of local singles get on that way. Just have to be a little flexible time wise. If that doesn't work the Red Course is top notch. Then Blue then Green then Yellow..

 

Not sure where your home base will be but in Suffolk County- Take a look at Timber Point on the South Shore. County course right on the Great South Bay. 3 nine hole courses that they set up as 18 combos. Montauk Downs is one of my favorites so the effort to drive out there is totally worth it. Rock Hill and Swan lake (both in Manorville) are great. Jim is right about the Cherries. Great courses as well.

Personal favorite is Crab Meadow in Huntington. North Shore. You can see Long Island Sound from all but 1 hole. Grew up playing it and still do today.

 

If you're in Nassau County look at Harbor Links in Port Washington. Great north shore course. 

 

 

[BHA17]

Echoing McMunch, Crab Meadow is a great track and very inexpensive. Have played it quite often this summer, and it is in good shape. Hamlet Windwatch in Hauppauge is a well-maintained semi-private course...a bit pricey, but a nice track for those that are publicly accessible. Finally, regarding Bethpage, definitely do not assume it is not doable. the online system is not great, but tee-times for Black do pop up for same day play on occasion. Beyond that, there are generally times available for walk-ups, especially on the other courses. If Black is not available, give Red a go. It is a long, demanding course when compared to other munis in this area and presents a fun, challenging 18 holes.

 

Enjoy the trip!

[theweekendgolfer543]

Thanks all for the input! this certainly helps me narrow my focus and reinvigorates hope of getting on a Bethpage course! I'll check out the online process!

[LPSISCO]

I’ve played Bethpage Black as a single at least 15 times - just go in the morning and look at the board, there are always spots for singles. You might end up with a time 4 hours later, but you just come back then.

 

As far as the other Bethpage courses, I’ll be a dissenting voice….I’ve played the Red and the Blue multiple times, the Green once. If I can’t play the Black I just leave. The Black is generally a 5 hour round, but that’s because it’s long and difficult, not generally because you’re waiting on every shot. But the other courses - forget it. You wait on every shot, from the first to the last. I swore off the Red after my last two tries - each time I had a tee time around noon, didn’t tee off until about 40 minutes later, waited on every shot for 5 - 5 1/2 hours. Absolute torture, never again. 

[Marty86]

On 8/21/2023 at 8:29 PM, LPSISCO said:

I’ve played Bethpage Black as a single at least 15 times - just go in the morning and look at the board, there are always spots for singles. You might end up with a time 4 hours later, but you just come back then.

 

As far as the other Bethpage courses, I’ll be a dissenting voice….I’ve played the Red and the Blue multiple times, the Green once. If I can’t play the Black I just leave. The Black is generally a 5 hour round, but that’s because it’s long and difficult, not generally because you’re waiting on every shot. But the other courses - forget it. You wait on every shot, from the first to the last. I swore off the Red after my last two tries - each time I had a tee time around noon, didn’t tee off until about 40 minutes later, waited on every shot for 5 - 5 1/2 hours. Absolute torture, never again. 

 

Yea I don't believe that. I've never teed off more than 5 minutes after my tee time and I'm there pretty much every weekend.

[LPSISCO]

8 hours ago, Marty86 said:

 

Yea I don't believe that. I've never teed off more than 5 minutes after my tee time and I'm there pretty much every weekend.

Believe whatever you want. It’s 100% true. 

[3PuttLefty]

Trump Ferry Point is about 100 ft from LI. all u need to do is cross the Whitestone bridge..its pretty much underneath it.  depends where on island u are.

[Looper34]

Montauk Downs is great. Not sure if you're familiar with it or where you'll be coming from but it's a long drive getting out there. Montauk is as far as you can go on the island so it's like driving to Rhode Island and the last hour+ is on a 2 lane road with stop lights. You may consider getting a room out there to fully enjoy it. It's worth it. 

[benzenbe]

I don't want to be negative nancy, but public golf on LI isn't great.  As far as Nassau County goes, Bethpage Black and Red are the top options, then Middle Bay and maybe Harbor Links.  Suffolk County, Montauk Downs (at the very end of the island), Indian Island, Cherry Creek, Wind Watch, and Willow Creek.  

 

Getting tee times at any of these places is a nightmare, and you really need a more tee time since pace of play will get in the 5 hour (plus) range after noon.