Did you know Long Island is a golfer’s paradise? Over 140 golf courses are scattered across the island’s 1,400 square miles. (That’s a course every 10 square miles!) Better yet, a third of these courses are public.
The Birthplace of American Golf
That’s perhaps not surprising, however, because Long Island is actually the birthplace of American golf. Our nation’s first course, Shinnecock, opened in Southampton, Long Island in 1891. Today, however, some of the best golfing on the island is situated to the west, in Nassau County.
The quantity and quality of golfing in Nassau County is peerless. Visitors can test their mettle on some of the most revered courses in the world—including Bethpage Black, home of the U.S. Open and the 2025 Ryder Cup—and many of these courses are nearly a stone’s throw away from each other.
In this article, we’ll dive into the best golfing destinations in Nassau County, including the iconic Bethpage, Eisenhower Park, Harbor Links, and more.
Bethpage Black (Bethpage State Park)
- HOLES: 18 (Black), 90 (Total)
- PAR: 71 (Black Course)
- ADDRESS: 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735
The 1,477-acre Bethpage State Park is home to five public golf courses with a total of 90 holes, but it’s most well-known for the “Black” course, rife with narrow fairways, thick rough, severe elevation changes, and strategically placed bunkers. (The four other 18-hole public courses at Bethpage State Park are the Yellow, Blue, Green, and Red.)
Bethpage Black, which opened in 1936, isn’t just the crown jewel of Nassau County golfing. It’s widely considered the best golf course in New York and among the most famous (and difficult) in the United States. The Bethpage Black is worth a visit for any golfer, whether you’re coming from Manhattan, Mumbai, or Montevideo!
The Black’s accolades are too numerous to include in one article, but it has ranked among Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in America every year for nearly twenty years. In 2020, Golf Advisor ranked it #1 in a list of the 50 toughest golf courses in the United States.
Bethpage Black is the only public course to host a U.S. Open (2002, 2009). It also hosted the PGA Championships in 2019 and The Barclays in 2012 and 2016. In 2025, it will host the next iteration of the Ryder Cup.
As mentioned above, “the Black” is notoriously hard. When Tiger Woods won the 2002 U.S. Open at the Black, he was the only player to finish under par. The course famously features a mysterious sign at the first tee reading: WARNING: The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.
Oddly enough, no one knows how this sign appeared.
“I’ve been here for 35 years and have always seen the sign, for as long as I can remember,” pro shop staffer Rich Eaton told GOLF. “But I don’t know how or when it started, and I’ve been here longer than most.”
Eisenhower Park
- HOLES: 18 (Red), 54 (Total)
- PAR: 72 (Red Course)
- ADDRESS: Park Blvd, East Meadow, NY 11554
There are three critically acclaimed 18-hole courses—the Red, White, and Blue—at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The most well-known of the three, the Red Course, was the dedicated home of the Commerce Bank Championship, a PGA Senior event, throughout its lifespan, from 1987 until 2008.
The Red is over a century old (it was designed by storied course architect Devereux Emmet in 1914) and has hosted PGA Championships as far back as 1926. It was named one of the Top 10 Public Golf Courses on Long Island by Newsday and has received four stars from Golf Digest as one of the “Best Places to Play” in New York.
Most golfers come to Eisenhower to play the Red, but the White and Blue courses are no slouches, either. Both were dreamed up by the extraordinarily prolific (and talented) architect Robert Trent Jones, who built more than 500 golf courses in 35 countries.
Eisenhower Park isn’t just for golfing, though. The 930-acre park has multiple playgrounds, a batting cage, 14 lighted tennis courts, two pickleball courts, three skating rinks (two indoor, one outdoor), a bocce court, a basketball court, several athletic fields, a two-mile fitness trail, and an aquatic center.
Visitors can also catch a concert at the lakeside Harry Chapin Theatre, and there are also two 18-hole mini golf courses, so children can practice their game while the adults play!
Harbor Links
- HOLES: 18 (Regular), 27 (Total)
- PAR: 72 (Regular Course)
- ADDRESS: One Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050
Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan in 1998, the Harbor Links golf course in Port Washington is built on a reclaimed sand mine next to Hempstead Harbor.
Because the course was built on a former sand mine, it offers a unique experience. It includes several stabilized sand bluffs with elevated tee boxes and a desert-like aesthetic—reminiscent of the American West—in some of the later holes.
You can choose between the championship 18-hole course, known for its strategic layout with elevation changes, split fairways, and blind shots, or the more relaxed 9-hole executive courses. From strategic doglegs to scenic par 3s, golfers will face a variety of challenges regardless of the course they choose. There is also a mini-golf course, driving range, and practice green, among other facilities.
Lido Golf Club (Lido Beach)
- HOLES: 18
- PAR: 72
- ADDRESS: 255 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach, NY 11561
Lido Golf Club in Lido Beach offers a delightful surprise for golfers seeking a challenging yet accessible course. This public facility boasts a rich history, though not directly connected to the well-known Lido designed by C.B. Macdonald (which was demolished by the U.S. Navy during World War II). Regardless, Lido Golf Club has carved out its reputation as a top public course in the area.
Designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones, the course has a scenic links-style layout. Expect elevated greens guarded by bunkers, strategically placed water hazards, and a particularly challenging closing stretch—one of the toughest on Long Island.
Despite the challenge, Lido offers an affordable and accessible golf experience compared to private clubs, making it a popular choice for golfers of all skill levels. Check out the 20-stall driving range, pro shop, chipping area, putting green, and clubhouse for more amenities.
Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course
- HOLES: 18
- PAR: 70
- ADDRESS: 1 S Woods Rd, Woodbury, NY 11797
Formally known as “The Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course,” this 18-hole course at Oyster Bay may not have the acclaim of the Bethpage Black, but it’s a worthy destination in its own right and a challenging course even for experienced golfers.
This 18-hole course spans 121 acres. Narrow fairways, water hazards, and no shortage of bunkers strategically placed keep things interesting, but overall, the course is known for its well-maintained greens and beautiful surroundings.
Beyond the course, golfers can take a break at the halfway house for refreshments or enjoy a post-game meal at The Mansion, a turn-of-the-century manor house offering catering services and a clubhouse grille. The course also houses a 29-stall driving range, putting green, and pro shop, among other offerings.
More Places to Golf in Nassau County
- HOLES: 9
- PAR: 30
- ADDRESS: 198 1st Ave, East Rockaway, NY 11518
- HOLES: 9
- PAR: 30
- ADDRESS: 480 W John St, Hicksville, NY 11801
- HOLES: 9
- PAR: 30
- ADDRESS: 500 Searingtown Rd N, Roslyn, NY 11576
- HOLES: 18
- PAR: 66
- ADDRESS: 109 Lattingtown Rd, Glen Cove, NY 11542
Lawrence Yacht and Country Club
- HOLES: 18
- PAR: 70
- ADDRESS: 101 Causeway, Lawrence, NY 11559
- HOLES: 9
- PAR: 36
- ADDRESS: 2550 Clubhouse Rd Merrick, NY 11566
- HOLES: 9
- PAR: 31
- ADDRESS: 750 Hungry Harbor Rd, Valley Stream, NY 11581
- HOLES: 9
- PAR: 37
- ADDRESS: 50 Nassau Rd, Massapequa, NY 11758
Nassau County has something for you
Nassau County, Long Island, offers a remarkable array of public golf courses catering to golfers of all stripes. Whether you’re a seasoned player seeking a world-class championship-level challenge or a newcomer looking for a relaxing round amid beautiful coastal scenery, Nassau County has something for you.
Courses like Eisenhower Park, with its three distinct 18-hole layouts, and Harbor Links, with its championship course and executive option built along a reclaimed sand mine, provide both variety and affordability.
For veteran golfers, Bethpage State Park (including the infamous Bethpage Black) offers a chance to test your skills on courses ranked among the nation’s best (and hardest) for decades.
But Nassau County isn’t just about renowned courses. Lido Golf Club delivers a challenging yet accessible public course designed by Robert Trent Jones. At the same time, The Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course offers a scenic and enjoyable round for all skill levels.
Venture beyond the fairways, and you’ll find numerous driving ranges, practice greens, and even mini-golf facilities, making Nassau County a golfer’s dream destination. So, grab your clubs, book your tee time, and get ready to experience some of the finest golf courses in New York!
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