Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course

superfaced · August 1, 2008

Haven't really gotten a chance to go out and play since I've moved to Manhattan. It looks like the easiest course to get to without a car is Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course via the 1 train? Has anyone played this course? Is it any good?

Also, any other recommendations in the area for someone who doesn't have a car would be appreciated! Thanks

NYGOLF · August 1, 2008

I've played there a couple times, its easy to get there. good course too, I recommend you taking a cart, there is a lot of distance between holes.

Well kept for a muni. Kind of expensive if you take a cart... about $75. Only $44 if you walk I think.

I'm on the upper west side, let me know when you head up to play.

And its really the only place around if you don't have a car or drive. Everything else is too far. Chelsea Piers is good to for a range.

superfaced · August 1, 2008

Yeah, I hit up Chelsea Piers a few times. SO EXPENSIVE! hahaha but I guess that's the price you pay to be in Manhattan.

For those that don't know, it's only 200 yds long and the balls are 28 cents or something each during peak hours.

I think for the price you pay for range balls at Chelsea they could afford to use better balls. The Srixons they use are all scuffed up and hard as rocks. They offer absolutely no feeling and I can't feel them compress AT ALL. NYGOLF is it just me?

Marrrk · August 1, 2008

i have to say, when it comes down to it, try to skip all the NYC public courses and just train it out to Bethpage. they have 5 courses for every skill level and are just as, if not more convenient to public transpo than any other single course. all you have to do is take the LIRR from Penn Station to Bethpage/Farmingdale and a 5 min cab ride gets you there. It's cake.

superfaced · August 1, 2008

5 courses!?!? How long does that train ride take? Might be worth going out there and playing 36.

NYGOLF, I live on the upper west side too! (which is why I thought Van Cortlandt would be the easiest as I live near the 1 train).

Marrrk · August 1, 2008

5 courses!?!? How long does that train ride take? Might be worth going out there and playing 36.

NYGOLF, I live on the upper west side too! (which is why I thought Van Cortlandt would be the easiest as I live near the 1 train).

5 courses, with the most expensive (Black) being only 60 bucks. the others are from 30 to 50. just take the ronkonkoma bound LIRR train from penn, only takes an hour, which is nothing because the LIRR is a legitimately nice train, you can sleep on it. when you get there cabbies will be waiting to take you to the course, 6 bucks per person. be sure to bring the long island taxi number just in case.

i head out for 36 all the time and play black about 2-3 times a month. let me know, ill take you out, show you the ropes.

drpino · August 1, 2008

here's info (and subway directions) to all the NYC Munis: http://www.golfinnyc.com/

when i lived on the upper east side, it was easy to get to Randall's Island for a driving range (bus, bike with a few clubs, or a shuttle that leaves from 86th and 3rd). i used to subway it out to Dyker Beach in Brooklyn (best of the NYC munis IMO). royal pain to subway it with a bag full of clubs though...especially during rush hour :russian_roulette:

i also used to take the LIRR out to Bethpage if I felt like playing at a nice course.

always keep in mind that when you live in the city, particularly in manhattan, playing golf without a car will inevitably be a full day event (8 hours or so).

chas521 · August 2, 2008

5 courses!?!? How long does that train ride take? Might be worth going out there and playing 36.

NYGOLF, I live on the upper west side too! (which is why I thought Van Cortlandt would be the easiest as I live near the 1 train).

I play one of the five courses every week at Bethpage. To be perfectly honest, I found the Green Course not to be up to par - that is, not in the greatest shape right now. The greens are somewhat chewed up [golfers not fixing their ball marks or not knowing how to do it] and very slow. Fairways are good but greens not so much. Right now, shoot for the Black first, Red second, Blue third and Yellow fourth. Can't suggest the Green right now.

PS The aeration schedule is starting to happen soon - they have it posted at check-in.

NYGOLF · August 2, 2008

I've only played Van Courtland here in NYC (about 45 minutes each way from Upper West Side, then about a 5-6 hour round- yeah, slow golfers...). I've also played several courses in NJ and outside of the city, but they require a car.

If there are any folks on here that live in Manhattan, we should plan a trip to Bethpage... I'm available most weekends with enough notice.

I did hear that it is quite hard to get a T time at Bethpage on weekends?

By the way, Chelsea and Randalls are about the same price when you factor in the $10 bus ride to Randalls.

For Chelsea its nice because of the pro shop, plus you say its only 200yds, which is correct. They use to have a big banner half way up the net that said 250, if you were to hit it at that height. The wind swept the banner away, but you can still see where it was. When I was there a few weeks ago with Ricky Barnes, he was hitting it almost to the top of the net, but we were on the second level. That's still KILLING it though...

luxman · August 4, 2008

When I lived in Brooklyn I took the trip out to Van Cortlandt park on the subway. I got there around 1:00 and at 6:00 I was on the 13th hole. It was one of the reasons why I moved back home to the Philly suburbs.

NYGolf, myself and another Wrxer are planning on playing the Black on Saturday, September 6. I think we are only 2 or 3 at the moment. PM me if you want to fill out the foursome.

3woody · August 22, 2008

I really cant recommond VCP to anyone. The pace of play is beyond slow, and the course is usually in sh(tty shape. You're better off, going to Bethpage, one of the westchester courses(usually slow also). Playing the city courses, is always painful.

NYGOLF · August 22, 2008

I really cant recommond VCP to anyone. The pace of play is beyond slow, and the course is usually in sh(tty shape. You're better off, going to Bethpage, one of the westchester courses(usually slow also). Playing the city courses, is always painful.

I would have to dissagree 90%. I played Vancourtland about a month ago and some of the greens were in better kept condition than Bethpage- sorry. It is a very well kept course, however the pace of play IS SLOW. However, if you go at a decent time, 7AM-8AM, you'll be fine.

For those of us that don't have cars, this is a great option.

ButterCutter2 · August 22, 2008

your best bets for the city courses are either taking the R train to 95th street and about 4th ave in bay ridge / dyker heights, or the 6 all the way up to pelham / split rock, but that u may have to take a cab for. dyker beach is in unbelievable condition these days, u would not believe its public. split rock on the other hand is a very good layout, and a challenge from the tips. they have very few dud holes that are typical muni. many of the par 4's have character and since it's a par 70/71, i dont think u have many, if any of those par 5s that should really be par 4's. split rock is really the best course in the city, and it's not close.