• No special pass — but reserve a tee time: The course is public; you can play by booking tee times online (GolfNYC / GolfNow) and paying green fees at the gate or online. NYC resident rates are available with a permit.
• Historic & iconic: Opened in 1895, Van Cortlandt is widely cited as the oldest public municipal golf course in the U.S. — a true piece of NYC golf history.
• Easy transit access: It’s one of the city courses easiest to reach by subway — the 1 train (Van Cortlandt Park–242 St) is a short walk away. Great for riders without a car.
• Course & facilities: An 18-hole public course with a clubhouse, practice area/driving range and equipment rental/refreshment options — good for both casual rounds and serious play.
• Tee times, rates & booking: Green fees vary by time/day (early bird, 18-hole, twilight) — check GolfNYC for current rates and to reserve. Booking ahead is recommended, especially weekends.
• Why golfers like it: Local vibe, historic charm, and easy mass-transit access make it popular with everyday New Yorkers and visiting players.
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⚠️ What to keep in mind
• Course condition can vary: Recent player reviews note uneven tee boxes and some maintenance issues — conditions may be mixed depending on season and repairs. Check recent reviews before you go.
• Peak crowds on weekends: As a popular municipal course, weekends fill up fast — arrive early or book twilight/weekday slots for a quieter round.
• Temporary closures / projects: Van Cortlandt Park has had capital projects that sometimes affect parking or access; confirm course status on the NYC Parks or local VanCortlandt site.
• Policy & future planning: There have been public discussions about repurposing or studying city golf land in broader housing/park planning debates — it’s not an immediate change for visitors, but worth noting if you follow long-term city plans
2 months ago
Visiting one of my best friends in NYC so we decided to play a Sunday morning 630 slot. Great layout and well maintained course, really dangerous rough due to how thick the grass is (good luck finding your ball) but overall great Parkland circuit to appreciate both the game and the history behind it. Thanks for having me.
8 months ago
Challenging and narrow course with rich history. Babe Ruth’s locker is still in the clubhouse! All in all, the fairways were in solid condition and rough was moderately thick. Greens were in good condition, although very slow with a ton of unfixed divots. My only real gripe was the tee boxes and pace of play. Many of the tee boxes were bare (see photo). There was a ranger on hole 1 but they should patrol the course to keep play moving.
8 months ago
Maybe not the best golf course in the NYC. But still enjoy going to this spot. Easy drive from Manhattan and one of the only few places where you can get to via MTA.
a year ago
I played Van Cortlandt while visiting New York and loved it. You can feel it's an older course, hard to explain how but it has that older vibe. Very pretty. Keeping your drives in the fairway is a must as trees line every hole. I really enjoyed this course and would love to play again if the opportunity arises.
a year ago
