I had typed out a response and forgot to reply! Originally from out east on LI and agree with @HibernatingBear’s take on MTK Downs. Pure golf comp, hard to stack it against the Red. Its a sweet course, but frankly the drive out and exploring Montauk (or a few of the towns along the way like) is what makes it worth it. Especially in September with the summer crowds out. Definitely take the drive that passes you through NGLA/Shinny/Southampton and you can see most of Maidstone if you take the correct roads through East Hampton.
A few publics to consider if you take the drive out: Indian Island CC in Flanders, Poxabogue (short-course 9-holer in Sagaponack, either would break up the drive to MTK). Timber Point is another great public on the water, closer to Bethpage and would be boasted higher if it weren’t for LI being the most golf-rich region in the country.
I think you’re kind of shrinking the region down… Bethpage to Rock Spring covers a ton of area, traffic and mileage. Wouldn’t bucket them in the same trip. Marine Park in Brooklyn is a fantastic NYC muni if you’re trying to stick to LI.
Welcome! I’m in northern Westchester, but end up playing most of my rounds up to the north in Putnam/Dutchess County due to the jam at all of the Westchester County courses.
Will be sure to keep you in mind! Playing a lot less and had to bow out of the Roost this year due to a crazy schedule but if you plan on coming up north to play (I enjoy James Baird and Union Vale particularly) let me know!
I have a feeling that this email arriving the same week as this article is not a coincidence. The tee time scandal out in LA probably has something g to do with it as well.
Glad they’re finally doing something about it. Hopefully it makes a meaningful change. Been trying to book a round at red before like 3 pm and the bots gobble up the times even there before I can get to them.
BTW what’s the deal with the yellow course? I always see open times at like 6 pm for the red/green/blue but never even that for yellow.
Need some advice from the experts. I have to be in Montvale, NJ for work first thing Monday. Can’t fly up monday morning sadly. Getting in late sunday night as to not lose my day.
Is it better to get into LGA at like 11:30 pm or Newark at 12:45 am. Based on what I’m seeing, Newark is the choice just because I can grab an uber for half price and at that time, subway and uber or rental car from LGA will be a pain in the ass.
If you’ll be grabbing an uber anyway, the LGA option should totally fine that time on a Sunday night. It’s actually closer to Montvale, despite being a couple bridges away. You’ll ideally be there by the time the 1245a EWR flight lands. Good luck! (and if anyone has directly conflicting advice, feel free to input. I don’t live there anymore but frequent the area).
Not so sure about this part, either time wise mileage…
@RangerB Honestly I think EWR is an underrated airport (post-Reno, anyway) but at that time, the LGA one would have you there earlier. However, the Uber should be much cheaper from EWR. If you don’t have to wake up super early and getting in later wouldn’t be a disaster, personally I’d do the EWR option, but to each their own
I agree with @SeymourByrdees that LGA is the better option and that you’ll get to Montvale by the time your EWR flight lands. Sunday night at midnight, you’re fine with the roads. Uber or Lyft won’t be much more expensive than from EWR. Also, I think you’ll get out of LGA faster than EWR. One more thing to note: there are no subways to/from LGA. That’s not a thing (unfortunately)
LGA flight delayed 3 hours, delta was able to rebook me to Newark and I caught a flight that was 4 hours delayed. Haha. Landed in Newark now at the time I would have gotten to LGA. Can’t lie, it’s sweet you guys have 3+ airport options
Will be out this way the week of Labor Day (Sept 2-6). Hoping to get in rounds at Bethpage Black and Red. Planning to do the single walk up thing and cross my fingers but if anyone local was looking to get out anyway I figured I’d mention I’m available as well. Wed and Thursday are my best days but I could do Tuesday or Friday if the time is right as well.
Remind us a week beforehand and we’ll see what’s out there. They have changed the system a little bit so it’s not a sure fire thing to get a dropped tee time like we used to be able to do. If you are a single I can almost guarantee you will be able to get out on Black and Red if you show up morning of.
Will be in NYC in October week of Columbus Day. Looks like I’ll have a chance for one round on Wednesday. First thought was of course getting out to Bethpage Black but they’re aerating that week.
Looking for other recommendations in/near the city. Have heard good things about the Red Course as well. Would be relying on public transit / Ubers to get around.
Red course is definitely worth the trip to Bethpage. Green and yellow are also a lot of fun. Just stay away from Blue.
The group also loves Timber Point if LI is the plan. If you’re willing to spend, Ferry Point is in the city and a solid course that has some great city views.
NJ has some options too but may require an insider to get you a tee time (Francis Byrne being one). We used to recommend Rock Spring but it’s gotten overpriced and conditions have suffered.
Marine Park GC is also a good option and the home for a lot of us New Yorkers.
Regardless of where you end up playing, I recommend allotting the whole day’s worth of time to account for traffic getting to and from the course, especially getting back from the course. That goes for the LIRR if you end up playing out at Bethpage and especially if you take an Uber/Lyft. The traffic coming home will be pretty much double the time it takes to get out to whatever course you play
Will be in NYC in October week of Columbus Day. Looks like I’ll have a chance for one round on Wednesday. First thought was of course getting out to Bethpage Black but they’re aerating that week and I don’t feel like paying that rate for punched greens.
Looking for other recommendations in/near the city. Have heard good things about the Red Course as well. Would be relying on public transit / Ubers to get around.
Can someone from NJ help me out in understanding the Somerset county muni courses? I know Neshanic is the highest regarded, but how do the others rank? They’re all priced decently and it seems like tee times go pretty quick.
