N.Y. GOLF
It’s autumn. Leaves are still on the trees and it’s not so hard getting tee times. Here are five courses worth playing this fall:
Patriot Hills – Scenic Rockland County course, located just off the Palisades Parkway at Exit 14 in Stony Point, opened in 2002 on the site of a former psychiatric facility.
Course features dramatic elevation changes and tee boxes overlooking the Hudson River. If you’re smart, don’t try to walk this hilly Rick Jacobsen design – or overpower it with your driver. Just stick to your 3-wood, be careful on the slick greens and you’ll score well here.
For tee times, call 845-947-7085.
Hudson Hills – Low handicappers will love this new Westchester County course that opened in April.
Located just west of the Taconic Parkway about 10 miles north of White Plains, Hudson Hills plays 6,935 yards from the tips to a 129 slope. Front nine is harder than the back, particularly if you hook the ball.
Westchester County Park pass holders now can book tee times on the Internet by going to hudsonhillsgolf .com. By phone, call, 914-864-3000.
Timber Point – If you can get on the Blue nine, this 27-hole gem located on the south shore of Long Island is well worth the visit. On the Blue course, three holes border the Great South Bay.
At $35 weekdays ($40 weekends) for non-Suffolk County residents, it’s a lot cheaper than a trip to Pebble Beach. 631-244-7275.
Dunwoodie – While the front nine is closed for renovations, the back nine is wide open and in decent shape.
Walk-ons will have No trouble getting out to play nine holes in about 90 minutes or so. Since the course is not busy, it’ll take three hours for a double loop. 914-231-3490.
Apple Greens – Head pro John Magaletta has done it again, designing a nine-hole course that turned his 18-hole apple grove into a tasty 27-hole treat. Located just east of the New York Thruway near New Paltz. And, yes, the apples are free for the picking. 845-883-5500.