Tag: NY Top Courses

Top 50 Private Golf Clubs-New York Metro 2023

Shinnecock Hills: William Flynn, South Hampton NY

There are many fantastic public courses in the Greater New York area, but if you’re looking for a club to make your permanent golf home there’s sure to be a classic course not far away. The New York Metropolitan area boasts 68 private clubs receiving a GolfDay rating of 90 or higher, by far the highest concentration of high-end private clubs to be found anywhere in the United States.  

While we’ve included our Top 50 below, you can also spin through all of the private courses in the New York Metropolitan area listed by GolfDay Rating (New York Metro Private Clubs).

Ranked by GolfDay Rating, listings include the year a club was founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings, a link for course description/photos, as well as current local and national rankings by Golf Digest. The Club website is also provided, as well as a link to Google Maps for each location. 

Essex County Country Club: A. W. Tillinghast and Seth Raynor

The elite private clubs in the New York Metro area include designs by the towering figures of golf course architecture, including C. B. Macdonald (4), Seth Raynor (5), A. W. Tillinghast (7), Donald Ross (5), H. S. Colt/ C. H. Alison (3) as well as William Flynn’s masterpiece at Shinnecock Hills.  

15 of the Top 50 courses include updates by the great Robert Trent Jones, Sr., 12 have been updated by Rees Jones, and 10 have been restored by Gil Hanse—highly regarded for his work in bringing classic courses back to the vision of the original designer while standing up to the test of modern equipment.

Fishers Island Club: Seth Raynor original restored by Gil Hanse

The GolfDay private club rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest, as well as club longevity and prestige. 

  1. Baltusrol/Springfield, NJ
    • Founded: 1922
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses–Upper/Lower)
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Upper: 75.9 Rating/151 Slope
    • Lower: 76.2 Rating/145 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 U.S. (Lower–45, Upper–63, Golf Digest NY Top 40 (West-4/East-9)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  1. Winged Foot Golf Club/Mamaroneck, NY
    • Founded: 1923
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses–East/West)
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Dick Wilson/George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:  73.6 Rating/140 Slope
    • West: 76.4 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 U.S. (West-12/East-41), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (West-4/East-9)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  •  
  1. Maidstone Golf Club/East Hampton, NY
    • Founded: 1891
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course–West, and Nine Hole Course—East)
    • Course Architects: William H. Tucker, Sr./Willie Park, Jr./John A. Park/C. Wheaton Vaughan/Seth Raynor/Perry Maxwell/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • West: 74.0 Rating/140 Slope
    • East:  33.3 Rating/ 114 Slope  
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 U.S. (64), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (12)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  1. Sleepy Hollow Country Club/Scarborough, NY
    • Founded: 1911
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course–Upper, and nine Hole Executive Course—Lower)
    • Course Architects: B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/A. W. Tillinghast/Tom Winton/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Upper: 74.6 Rating/141 Slope
    • Lower: 30.5 Rating/110 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 U.S. (62), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (11)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  1. Canoe Brook/Summit, NJ
    • Founded:1901
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses–South/North)
    • Course Architects: H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/Walter Travis/William F. Gordon/David W. Gordon/Carroll Bassett/Alfred Tull/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • South: 72.8 Rating/137 Slope
    • North: 74.3 Rating/138 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (24)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  1. Ridgewood Country Club/Paramus, NJ
    • Founded: 1890
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses–East/West/Center)
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Rees Jones/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:     38.0 Rating/142 Slope
    • West:    37.4 Rating/142 Slope
    • Center: 36.5 Rating/141 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200 U.S. (East/West-134), Golf Digest NY Top 25 (East/West-7)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  1. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club/Southampton, NY
    • Founded: 1891
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: William Flynn/Howard Toomey/William Mitchell/Allan MacCurrach
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (4), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (1)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
  1. National Golf Links of America/Southampton, NY
    • Founded: 1908
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/Perry Maxwell/Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (7), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (2)
    • GolfDay Rating: 99.6
    • Location
  1. Fishers Island Club/Fishers Island, NY
    • Founded: 1926
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.8 Rating/144 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (9), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (3)
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.6
    • Location
  1. Essex County Country Club/West Orange, NJ
    • Founded: 1887
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Seth Raynor/Charles Banks/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0 Rating/142 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (13)
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.5
    • Location
  1. Morris County Country Club/Morristown, NJ
    • Founded: 1894
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Tom Bendelow/H. J. Whigham/Seth Raynor/Hal Purdy/Rees Jones/Ron Forse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.4 Rating/139 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (22)
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.0
    • Location
  1. Sebonack Golf Club/Southampton, NY
    • Founded: 2006
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Doak/Jim Urbina
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.5 Rating/151 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (38), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (7)
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.8
    • Location
  1. Quaker Ridge Golf Club/Scarsdale, NY
    • Founded: 1915
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: John Duncan Dunn/A. W. Tillinghast/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Francis Duane/Rees Jones/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (76), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (13)
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.6
    • Location
  1. Friar’s Head/Riverhead, NY
    • Founded: 2002
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6 Rating/138 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (16), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (5)
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.1
    • Location
  1. Hackensack Golf Club/Oradell, NJ
    • Founded: 1899
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Charles Banks/William F. Gordon/David W. Gordon/Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2 Rating/140 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (23)
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.5
    • Location
  1. Hudson National Golf Club/Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    • Founded: 1996
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (89), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (14)
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.5
    • Location
  1. Garden City Golf Club/Garden City, NY
    • Founded: 1899
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Devereux Emmet/Walter Travis/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Tom Doak/Jim Urbina
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0 Rating/141 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (61), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (10)
    • GolfDay Rating:96.4
    • Location
  1. Piping Rock Club/Locust Valley, NY
    • Founded: 1911
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/Pete Dye/Bruce Hepner
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8 Rating/134 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200 (109), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (15)
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.2
    • Location
  1. The Stanwich Club/Greenwich, CT
    • Founded: 1962
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: William F. Gordon/David W. Gordon/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Stephen Kay
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.2 Rating/145 Slope
    • Golf Course
    • Rankings: Golf Digest U.S. Top 200 (159), Golf Digest CT Top 10 (2)
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.5
    • Location
  1. The Creek/Locust Valley, NY
    • Founded: 1923
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/William Flynn/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.9 Rating/134 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200 (133), Golf Digest NY Top 40 (16)
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.4
    • Location
  1. Westchester Country Club/Rye, NY
    • Founded: 1922
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses—West/South)
    • Course Architects: Walter Travis/William Flynn/Alfred Tull/Joe Finger/Rees Jones/Perry Maxwell/Tom Winton/Stephen Kay
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • West:  74.4 Rating/145 Slope
    • South: 72.5 Rating/132 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NY Top 40 (19-West)
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.2
    • Location
  1. Somerset Hills Country Club/Bernardsville, NJ
    • Founded: 1899
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Hal Purdy/Tom Doak
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest U.S. Top 100 (50), GolfDay NJ Top 25 (3)
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.9
    • Location
  1. Plainfield Country Club/Edison, NJ
    • Founded: 1890
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.7 Rating/138 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest U.S. Top 100 (75), Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (5)
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.8
    • Location
  1. Mountain Ridge Country Club/West Caldwell, NJ
    • Founded:
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Prichard
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5 Rating/140 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (11)
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.5
    • Location
  1. Wykagyl Country Club/New Rochelle, NY
    • Founded: 1898
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Lawrence Van Etten/Robert White/Donald Ross/A. W. Tillinghast/Hal Purdy/Stephen Kay/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0 Rating/141 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NY Top 40 (18)
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
    • Location
Wee Burn Country Club 18th Hole
  1. Wee Burn Country Club/Darien, CT
    • Founded: 1896
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Devereux Emmet/Geoffrey Cornish/Bill Robinson/Ron Forse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1 Rating/ 147 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest CT Top 10 (5)
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.9
    • Location
  1. Spring Lake Golf Club/Spring Lake, NJ
    • Founded: 1898
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: George Thomas/A. W. Tillinghast/Tripp Davis
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.3 Rating/139 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.9
    • Location
  1. Metedeconk National Golf Club/Jackson, NJ
    • Founded: 1987
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses—Founders/Pines/Tournament)
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Founders:        37.9 Rating/144 Slope
    • Pines:              37.9 Rating/150 Slope
    • Tournament:   38.2 Rating/152 Slope
    • Photos/Layout
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (15-Founders/Tournament)
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.8
    • Location
  1. Upper Montclair Country Club/Clifton, NJ
    • Founded: 1901
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses–East/West/South)
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich/John Harvey
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:    36.9 Rating/139 Slope
    • West:   36.7 Rating/136 Slope
    • South:  36.8 Rating/144 Slope
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
    • Location
  1. Fresh Meadow Country Club/Lake Success, NY
    • Founded: 1921
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/Orrin Smith/Stephen Kay/Keith Foster/Kevin Hargrave
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.4
    • Location
  1. Hollywood Golf Club/Deal, NJ
    • Founded: 1898
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Isaac Mackie/Walter Travis/Dick Wilson/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Rees Jones/Tom Doak/Brian Schneider
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4 Rating/141 Slope
    • Course Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (14)
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.4
    • Location
  1. Whippoorwill Club/Armonk, NY
    • Founded: 1928
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Charles Banks/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Tripp Davis
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NY Top 40 (29)
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
    • Location
  1. Century Country Club/Purchase, NY
    • Founded: 1898
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Keith Foster/Kevin Hargrave
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5 Rating/135 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NY Top 40 (32)
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.9
    • Location
  1. Westhampton Country Club/Westhampton Beach, NY
    • Founded: 1890
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NY Top 40 (23)
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.7
    • Location
  1. Glen Ridge Country Club/Glen Ridge, NJ
    • Founded: 1894
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Willie Park, Jr./A. W. Tillinghast/Roger Rulewich/Rees Jones/Ron Forse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.3 Rating/135 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.7
    • Location
  1. The Apawamis Club/Rye, NY
    • Founded: 1890
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Willie Dunn/Maturin Ballou/Tom Winton/Peter Lees/Tom Bendelow/Donald Ross/Alfred Tull/George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Gil Hanse/Tom Marzolf/Keith Foster
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.4 Rating/147 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.5
    • Location
  1. Suburban Golf Club/Union, NJ
    • Founded: 1896
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Tom Bendelow/A. W. Tillinghast/Ron Prichard
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.7 Rating/137 Slope
    • Course Description
    • Rankings:
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.4
    • Location
  1. Forsgate Country Club/Jamesburg, NJ
    • Founded: 1931
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses–Banks/Palmer)
    • Course Architects: Charles Banks/Carlton Gipson/Hal Purdy/Arnold Palmer/Stephen Kay
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Banks:    73.4 Rating/138 Slope
    • Palmer:  72.0 Rating/138 Slope
    • Course Description/Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 25 (25-Banks)
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.3
    • Location
  1. Montclair Country Club/West Orange, NJ
    • Founded: 1893
    • Holes: 36 (4 Nine Hole Courses—1/2/3/4)
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Charles Banks/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • 1: 36.4 Rating/131 Slope
    • 2: 35.8 Rating/131 Slope
    • 3: 36.2 Rating/131 Slope
    • 4: 36.2 Rating/132 Slope
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.2
    • Location
  1. Siwanoy Country Club/Bronxville, NY
    • Founded: 1901
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Tom Winton/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Geoffrey Cornish/Bill Robinson/Arthur Hills/Stephen Kay/Mike DeVries
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.0
    • Location
  1. Hamilton Farm Golf Club/Gladstone, NJ
    • Founded: 1998
    • Holes: 36 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course–Highlands, and Eighteen Hole Executive Course–Hickery)
    • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Highlands: 74.7 Rating/141 Slope
    • Hickery: 56.4 Rating/100 Slope
    • Course Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (17-Highlands)
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.0
    • Location
  1. Old Oaks Country Club/Purchase, NY
    • Founded: 1925
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/William Mitchell/Francis Duane/Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 0 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (40)
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
    • Location
  1. Fiddlers Elbow Country Club/Bedminster, NJ
    • Founded: 1965
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses-Forest/River/Meadow)
    • Course Architects: Rees Jones/Hal Purdy/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Stephen Kay/Keith Foster/Robert McNeil
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Forest:     74.6 Rating/137 Slope
    • River:     74.4 Rating/133 Slope
    • Meadow: 71.6 Rating/136 Slope
    • Course Descriptions
    • Rankings:
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
    • Location
  1. The Country Club of New Canaan/New Canaan, CT
    • Founded: 1893
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Willie Park, Jr./Walter Travis/Alfred Tull/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Ron Forse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.1 Rating/135 Slope
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.6
    • Location
  1. Trump National Golf Club/Bedminster, NJ
    • Founded: 2004
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses–New/Old)
    • Course Architect: Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • New: 76.4 Rating/153 Slope
    • Old:   77.6 Rating/153 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NJ Top 25 (18-New)
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.5
    • Location
  1. Greenwich Country Club/Greenwich, CT
    • Founded: 1895
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Donald Ross/Robert White/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Timothy Gerrish/Beau Welling
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.8 Rating/133 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.5
    • Location
  1. Cold Spring Country Club/Huntington, NY
    • Founded: 1919
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.4 Rating/134 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
    • Location
  1. Echo Lake Country Club/Westfield, NJ
    • Founded: 1899
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architect: Donald Ross/Robert White/Willard Wilkinson/Geoffrey Cornish/Bill Robinson/Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3 Rating/132 Slope
    • Description/Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (17)
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
    • Location
  1. Atlantic Golf Club/Bridgehampton, NY
    • Founded: 1992
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architect: Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0 Rating/144 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest NY Top 40 (17)
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
    • Location
  1. Nassau Country Club/Glen Cove, NY
    • Founded: 1896
    • Holes: 18 Hole Championship Course
    • Course Architects: Devereux Emmet/Herbert Strong/George Low/Francis Duane/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Ron Forse/Tom Fazio/Cynthia Dye McGarey
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1 Rating/140 Slope
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
    • Location
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Top 25 Private Clubs-New York 2023

Oak Hill Country Club: 2023 PG Championship

While there are a great many fantastic public golf courses in New York, membership at a private club puts you at the top of the food chain for a quality golf experience. The limited play at a private club pretty much guarantees that course conditions will always be great, and you can also say goodbye to the 5-hour round.

The state of New York boasts 38 private clubs receiving a GolfDay rating of 90 or higher, by far the highest of any state in the country (North Carolina and New Jersey are second and third with 29 and 27 respectively).

New York also includes over 100 clubs with a GolfDay rating above 80 (high quality), again the most of any state, so you won’t have to look at only the top echelon to find a great place to call home.

We’ve included our Top 25 below, or you can spin through all of the private courses in New York-listed by GolfDay Rating.

Clubs are listed on the basis of GolfDay Rating, and listings include the year a club was founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings, a link for course description, as well as current local and national rankings by Golf Digest. A link to the Club website is also provided, as well as a link to Google Maps for each location.

Shinnecock Hills: William Flynn Masterpiece

The elite private clubs in New York include designs by the towering figures in golf course architecture, including C. B. Macdonald (4), Seth Raynor (2), A. W. Tillinghast (2), Donald Ross (3), H. S. Colt/ C. H. Alison (3) and William Flynn’s masterpiece at Shinnecock Hills.

Nine of the Top 25 include updates by the great Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and eight have been updated most recently by Gil Hanse—one of the most highly regarded architects of our time.

The GolfDay private club rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest, as well as club longevity and prestige.

Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck
  1. Winged Foot Golf Club/Mamaroneck
    • Founded: 1923
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: East/West)
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Dick Wilson/George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East: 73.6 Rating/140 Slope
    • West: 76.4 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (West-12/East-41), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (West-4/East-9)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester
  1. Oak Hill Country Club/Rochester
    • Founded:1901
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: East/West)
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/John R. Williams/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Craig Schreiner
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East: 77.3 Rating/153 Slope
    • West: 73.3 Rating/135 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (East-20), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (East-6/West-27)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
Maidstone Golf Club, East Hampton
  1. Maidstone Golf Club/East Hampton
    • Founded: 1891
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Course (West) and Nine Hole Course (East)
    • Course Architects: William H. Tucker, Sr./Willie Park, Jr./John A. Park/C. Wheaton Vaughan/Seth Raynor/Perry Maxwell/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • West: 74.0 Rating/140 Slope
    • East:  33.3 Rating/ 114 Slope  
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (64), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (12)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Scarborough
  1. Sleepy Hollow Country Club/Scarborough
    • Founded: 1911
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course (Upper) and nine Hole Executive Course (Lower)
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/A. W. Tillinghast/Tom Winton/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Upper: 74.6 Rating/141 Slope
    • Lower: 30.5 Rating/110 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (62), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (11)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton
  1. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club/Southampton
    • Founded: 1891
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: William Flynn/Howard Toomey/William Mitchell/Allan MacCurrach
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (4), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (1)
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
National Golf Links of America, Southampton
  1. National Golf Links of America/Southampton
    • Founded: 1908
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/Perry Maxwell/Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9 Rating/140 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (7), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (2)
    • GolfDay Rating: 99.6
    • Location
Fishers Island Club, Fishers Island
  1. Fishers Island Club/Fishers Island
    • Founded: 1926
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.8 Rating/144 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (9), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (3)
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.6
    • Location
Sebonack Golf Club, Southampton
  1. Sebonack Golf Club/Southampton
    • Founded: 2006
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Doak/Jim Urbina
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.5 Rating/151 Slope
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (38), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (7)
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.8
    • Location
Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Scarsdale
  1. Quaker Ridge Golf Club/Scarsdale
    • Founded: 1915
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: John Duncan Dunn/A. W. Tillinghast/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Francis Duane/Rees Jones/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (76), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (13)
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.6
    • Location
Friar’s Head, Riverhead
  1. Friar’s Head/Riverhead
    • Founded: 2002
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6 Rating/138 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (16), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (5)
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.1
    • Location
Hudson National Golf Club, Croton-on-Hudson
  1. Hudson National Golf Club/Croton-on-Hudson
    • Founded: 1996
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (89), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (14)
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.5
    • Location
Garden City Golf Club, Garden City
  1. Garden City Golf Club/Garden City
    • Founded: 1899
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Devereux Emmet/Walter Travis/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Tom Doak/Jim Urbina
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0 Rating/141 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 (61), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (10)
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.4
    • Location
Piping Rock Club, Locust Valley
  1. Piping Rock Club/Locust Valley
    • Founded: 1911
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/Pete Dye/Bruce Hepner
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8 Rating/134 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200 (109), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (15)
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.2
    • Location
The Creek, Locust Valley
  1. The Creek/Locust Valley
    • Founded: 1923
    • Holes:
    • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/William Flynn/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.9 Rating/134 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200 (133), Golf Digest New York Top 40 (16)
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.4
    • Location
Westchester Country Club, Rye
  1. Westchester Country Club/Rye
    • Founded: 1922
    • Holes: 36
    • Course Architects: Walter Travis/William Flynn/Alfred Tull/Joe Finger/Rees Jones/Perry Maxwell/Tom Winton/Stephen Kay
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • West: 74.4 Rating/145 Slope
    • South: 72.5 Rating/132 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (19-West)
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.2
    • Location
Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle
  1. Wykagyl Country Club/New Rochelle
    • Founded: 1898
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Lawrence Van Etten/Robert White/Donald Ross/A. W. Tillinghast/Hal Purdy/Stephen Kay/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0 Rating/141 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (18)
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
    • Location
Monroe Golf Club, Pittsford
  1. Monroe Golf Club/Pittsford
    • Founded: 1923
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Geoffrey Cornish/Bill Robinson/Arthur Hills/Brian Silva/Tyler Rae
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8 Rating/148 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (38)
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.0
    • Location
Fresh Meadow Country Club, Lake Success
  1. Fresh Meadow Country Club/Lake Success
    • Founded: 1921
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/Orrin Smith/Stephen Kay/Keith
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.4
    • Location
Whippoorwill Club, Armonk
  1. Whippoorwill Club/Armonk
    • Founded: 1928
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Charles Banks/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Tripp Davis
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (29)
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
    • Location
Country Club of Rochester, Rochester
  1. Country Club of Rochester/Rochester
    • Founded: 1895
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Arthur Hills/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8 Rating/138 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (37)
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.0
    • Location
Century Country Club, Purchase
  1. Century Country Club/Purchase
    • Founded: 1898
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Keith Foster/Kevin Hargrave
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5 Rating/135 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (32)
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.9
    • Location
Westhampton Country Club, Westhampton Beach
  1. Westhampton Country Club/Westhampton Beach
    • Founded: 1890
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Gil Hanse
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5 Rating/137 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (23)
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.7
    • Location
The Apawamis Club, Rye
  1. The Apawamis Club/Rye
    • Founded: 1890
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Willie Dunn/Maturin Ballou/Tom Winton/Peter Lees/Tom Bendelow/Donald Ross/Alfred Tull/George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Gil Hanse/Tom Marzolf/Keith Foster
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.4 Rating/147 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.6
    • Location
Siwanoy Country Club, Bronxville
  1. Siwanoy Country Club/Bronxville
    • Founded: 1901
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Tom Winton/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Geoffrey Cornish/Bill Robinson/Arthur Hills/Stephen Kay/Mike DeVries
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.0
    • Location
Old Oaks Country Club, Purchase
  1. Old Oaks Country Club/Purchase
    • Founded: 1925
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/William Mitchell/Francis Duane/Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest New York Top 40 (40)
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
    • Location
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