How much does it cost to play golf in New York? An affordable public round can cost around $20–$50, while premium public courses can charge more than $200. The total depends on where you play, whether you qualify for resident discounts, the season, and your preferred tee time.
New York offers an unusually diverse golf market. Golfers can choose from New York City municipal courses, Long Island’s renowned public facilities, Westchester County courses, Hudson Valley destinations, and affordable options throughout Upstate New York.
This GolfZonal guide compares published golf course prices and provides practical budgeting guidance for green fees, carts, memberships, lessons, and other expenses.
New York Golf Costs at a Glance
Budget public golf: Approximately $20–$50 per round.
Standard public golf: Approximately $40–$100 for 18 holes.
Premium public golf: Approximately $100–$285 or more.
Riding carts: Commonly around $18–$25 per golfer, depending on the facility.
Ways to save: Resident discounts, weekday rounds, twilight golf, walking, and seasonal passes.
Average Golf Costs in New York
The following figures are practical planning ranges, not a statistically measured statewide average. Prices can differ substantially between New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and Upstate New York.
| Golf Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget public golf round | $20–$50 |
| Standard public course, 18 holes | $40–$100 |
| Premium public or resort course | $100–$285+ |
| Nine-hole golf | $18–$45 |
| Twilight golf | $19–$100+ |
| Riding cart, per golfer | $18–$25 typical examples |
| Driving range session | $8–$25 estimated |
| Private golf lesson | $60–$175+ estimated |
| Annual public golf pass | Varies by facility |
| Private club membership | Contact individual club |
Planning estimates are illustrative. Course-specific prices below are drawn from published fee schedules. Premium facilities may charge more, and some rates include carts or practice facilities.
What Do Public Golf Courses Cost in New York?
Public golf prices vary considerably across New York. The following examples illustrate the differences between state-operated courses, municipal facilities, county courses, and premium daily-fee destinations.
Bethpage State Park — Farmingdale, Long Island
Bethpage State Park is one of New York’s most recognizable public golf destinations. Its courses include Black, Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow.
The published state fee schedule shows substantial differences between New York State residents and nonresidents, especially on the Black Course.
| Course / Golfer | Weekday 18 Holes | Weekend 18 Holes |
|---|---|---|
| Black — NYS resident | $70 | $80 |
| Black — Nonresident | $140 | $160 |
| Red — NYS resident | $43 | $48 |
| Red — Nonresident | $90 | $100 |
| Blue, Green or Yellow — Published standard rate | $38 | $43 |
Bethpage’s published cart schedule lists $44 per 18-hole cart, while hand-pull carts cost $7. The Black Course has its own walking-only rules, so golfers should not assume a riding cart is available for every course.
A reservation charge and cancellation or no-show fees may also apply.
Bethpage figures are from the official fee schedule dated February 27, 2025. Confirm current rates before booking; these are not represented as verified 2026 prices.
Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course — Montauk
Montauk Downs is a public state park course on the eastern end of Long Island. Its published pricing illustrates the value of New York State residency.
| Round | NYS Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday, 18 holes | $48 | $95 |
| Weekend, 18 holes | $53 | $106 |
| Weekday twilight | $29 | $57 |
| Weekend twilight | $32 | $64 |
The published cart price is $22 for a single rider or $44 for a double cart. A resident playing a weekday round with a single-rider cart would spend approximately $70, excluding reservation charges.
New York City Municipal Golf Courses
New York City offers public golf across multiple boroughs, making it possible to play without joining a private club.
One published NYC municipal rate schedule lists the following resident walking prices:
| Round | NYC Resident Walking Fee |
|---|---|
| Weekday before noon, 18 holes | $38 |
| Weekday after noon, 18 holes | $31 |
| Weekend before noon, 18 holes | $46 |
| Weekend after noon, 18 holes | $38 |
| Weekday twilight | $19 |
| Weekend twilight | $22 |
At this facility, an 18-hole half-cart charge is listed at $18.50, while a full shared cart is listed at $37. Reservation and parking charges may also apply.
These prices are an example from one published municipal booking schedule, not a universal rate for every NYC public course.
Mosholu Golf Course — Bronx
Mosholu is a nine-hole public golf course and offers an alternative for golfers who do not need a full 18-hole round.
| 2026 Nine-Hole Round | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday | $29.50 | $32.50 |
| Weekend or holiday | $32 | $35 |
| Weekday twilight | $24.75 | $26.75 |
| Weekend twilight | $25.75 | $27.75 |
Mosholu also lists a $12 junior rate, $10 rental clubs, and $7 pull carts. Eligibility and tee-time rules apply.
Saxon Woods Golf Course — Westchester County
Westchester County’s public golf facilities offer another opportunity to compare rates, particularly for golfers eligible for county park-pass pricing.
| Round | With Park Pass | Without Park Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday walking | $34 | $49 |
| Weekend walking | $40 | $55 |
| Weekday with cart | $54 | $69 |
| Weekend with cart | $60 | $75 |
The published cart charge is $20 per rider. A park pass can therefore offer meaningful savings for qualifying golfers who play frequently.
Westchester Golf Course — Regional Public Golf Example
Another published daily-fee schedule illustrates the cost difference between weekday and weekend golf.
| Round | Monday–Thursday | Weekend/Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 18 holes | $44 | $55 |
| Twilight | $34 | $42 |
| Super twilight | $26 | $31 |
| Nine holes | $22 | $27.50 |
Its published cart pricing includes $18 for a shared-cart rider and $36 for a single rider.
Westchester Golf Course pricing is included as a regional market comparison, not as a Westchester County-operated facility.
Pound Ridge Golf Club — Premium Public Golf
Pound Ridge Golf Club is a public daily-fee course designed by Pete Dye. Its pricing illustrates how premium New York golf can differ from municipal courses.
| 2026 Round | Published Price |
|---|---|
| Off-peak weekday, 18 holes | $135 |
| Off-peak weekend, 18 holes | $170 |
| Peak weekday, 18 holes | $175 |
| Peak weekend/holiday before 1 PM | $265 |
| Peak weekend/holiday after 1 PM | $190 |
Pound Ridge includes a golf cart and pre-round range balls in its published green fees. This matters when comparing its total cost against facilities that charge separately for carts.
Golf Costs by Region in New York
Where you play can have as much influence on price as the type of golf course.
| Region | Pricing Considerations |
|---|---|
| New York City | Municipal courses, resident rates, nine-hole facilities, and premium public destinations. |
| Long Island | State park courses, residency discounts, destination golf, and seasonal demand. |
| Westchester County | County park-pass programs, daily-fee courses, and premium golf experiences. |
| Hudson Valley | Municipal, resort, and public daily-fee options; pricing varies by facility. |
| Capital Region | Municipal and regional public courses with seasonal pricing. |
| Finger Lakes | Public golf, resort courses, and golf vacation opportunities. |
| Western New York | Municipal and daily-fee courses, with seasonal and local discounts. |
| Adirondacks and North Country | Seasonal golf, resort destinations, and weather-dependent operations. |
Public Golf vs. Private Golf Clubs in New York
Public Golf Courses
Public courses generally allow golfers to pay by the round without purchasing a traditional country club membership.
Some offer resident discounts, annual passes, loyalty programs, or prepaid playing packages.
Private Golf Clubs
Private clubs generally require membership or an eligible guest invitation. New York is home to prestigious private clubs, particularly on Long Island, in Westchester, and around New York City.
Membership costs may include:
- Initiation fees
- Annual or monthly dues
- Food and beverage minimums
- Guest and cart charges
- Locker or storage fees
- Capital assessments
Because private-club prices are often not publicly disclosed, request current membership information directly from the club rather than relying on unverified estimates.
How Much Do Golf Carts Cost in New York?
Golf cart pricing differs by facility. Some courses charge per rider, others quote a full cart, and some premium facilities include carts in their green fees.
| Facility | Published Cart Cost |
|---|---|
| Bethpage State Park | $44 per 18-hole cart |
| Montauk Downs | $22 single rider / $44 double |
| Saxon Woods | $20 per rider |
| NYC municipal rate example | $18.50 half cart |
| Pound Ridge | Included in green fee |
Cart availability can be restricted by course rules, weather, and maintenance. Confirm whether riding is permitted before booking.
How Much Do Golf Memberships and Passes Cost?
New York golfers have several alternatives to traditional private-club membership. Depending on the facility, these may include resident identification programs, county park passes, seasonal packages, and annual memberships.
Some programs simply reduce green fees, while others include a specified number of rounds or unlimited play during eligible times.
Is a Golf Pass Worth It?
Example: 35 rounds per year
Average green fee: $55
35 × $55 = $1,925
Hypothetical seasonal pass: $1,400
Potential savings: $525
This is a mathematical example, not an advertised New York golf pass. Actual savings depend on the pass price, eligible dates, cart fees, and how often you use it.
How Much Do Golf Lessons Cost in New York?
For budgeting purposes, individual private golf lessons may cost approximately $60–$175 or more, depending on the instructor, facility, location, and lesson length.
This is an estimated planning range, not a measured statewide average.
Golfers may find instruction through public courses, private instructors, golf academies, driving ranges, and indoor simulator facilities.
One published group-lesson example from Westchester Golf Course lists four one-hour lessons for $199. Group programs can offer a more affordable starting point for beginners.
Driving Range and Practice Costs
Practice expenses are another consideration, particularly for golfers working to improve their game.
Published Westchester Golf Course range pricing includes:
| Range Bucket | Price |
|---|---|
| 35 balls | $8 |
| 80 balls | $18 |
| 115 balls | $21 |
Other facilities may offer practice memberships, prepaid range cards, simulator rentals, or lessons that include range balls.
When Is Golf Cheapest in New York?
Weekday Tee Times
Weekday golf is often less expensive than weekend or holiday golf. This is especially useful for golfers with flexible schedules.
Twilight and Super-Twilight Golf
Late-afternoon tee times can offer lower prices, but there may not be enough daylight to finish 18 holes.
New York State Residency Discounts
State-operated courses such as Bethpage and Montauk Downs publish different rates for eligible residents and nonresidents.
Municipal and County Programs
Local golf facilities may provide discounts through residency cards, park passes, or seasonal registrations.
Spring and Fall
Golf during the shoulder seasons may offer savings at some facilities. However, weather and maintenance can affect availability.
Nine-Hole Golf
Nine-hole rounds can be a practical option for beginners and golfers with limited time or smaller budgets.
What Does a Full Day of Golf Cost in New York?
The following hypothetical budgets show how green fees and optional expenses can affect the cost of a golf outing.
| Expense | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green fee | $35 | $65 | $175 |
| Riding cart | $0 | $20 | $0 |
| Range balls | $8 | $15 | $0 |
| Food and drinks | $15 | $25 | $35 |
| Total | $58 | $125 | $210 |
Illustrative budgets, not actual course packages. The premium example assumes cart and pre-round practice are included.
New York Golf Prices in 2027
Golf course prices can change annually based on operating expenses, staffing, course improvements, demand, and seasonal conditions.
The following figures show hypothetical 3% and 5% increases from sample 2026 prices. They are planning scenarios, not confirmed 2027 rates.
| Base Price | At +3% | At +5% |
|---|---|---|
| $40 | $41.20 | $42 |
| $60 | $61.80 | $63 |
| $80 | $82.40 | $84 |
| $100 | $103 | $105 |
| $175 | $180.25 | $183.75 |
| $265 | $272.95 | $278.25 |
10 Ways to Save Money on Golf in New York
- Compare municipal and state-operated courses.
- Check New York State resident discounts.
- Investigate county park-pass programs.
- Book weekday tee times when possible.
- Consider twilight or super-twilight rates.
- Walk instead of renting a cart when allowed.
- Compare nine-hole and 18-hole prices.
- Review seasonal passes if you play frequently.
- Check whether premium green fees include carts and range balls.
- Confirm reservation fees and cancellation policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 18 holes of golf cost in New York?
Many public courses fall within a practical planning range of $40–$100 in green fees, although discounted rounds can cost less and premium courses can exceed $200.
How much does it cost to play Bethpage Black?
The official fee schedule dated February 2025 lists $70 weekday and $80 weekend green fees for New York State residents, compared with $140 and $160 for nonresidents. Verify the latest prices before booking.
Is golf cheaper for New York residents?
At some facilities, yes. State-operated courses and certain municipal or county programs offer reduced prices to eligible residents.
Are golf carts included in green fees?
Not always. Many courses charge separately, while some premium daily-fee facilities include carts.
Can beginners play public golf courses in New York?
Yes. Public nine-hole courses, driving ranges, introductory clinics, and beginner-friendly facilities provide opportunities to start.
Is golf cheaper in Upstate New York?
Some Upstate public and municipal courses may be less expensive than premium facilities near New York City and Long Island. However, prices depend on the individual course.
Can you play golf year-round in New York?
Outdoor golf availability varies by region and weather. Some courses may remain open during mild winter conditions, while others close seasonally. Indoor golf simulators can provide an alternative during winter.
Is a golf membership worth the cost?
A membership or seasonal pass may provide value for frequent golfers, but the benefits depend on annual dues, playing restrictions, and additional charges.
Explore Golf Courses in New York
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Explore New York Golf Courses →Pricing Sources & References
Published fee schedules and official course websites were used for the specific pricing examples. Check each facility for current rates and eligibility requirements.
Pricing note: Rates were researched in October 2026. Not every source publishes a clearly dated 2026 schedule. Bethpage figures come from a February 2025 document. Prices, residency requirements, cart policies, and course availability can change. Confirm current rates before booking. All 2027 calculations are illustrative scenarios.
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