Three 18-HOLE COURSES

A look down the fairway of the par-4 15th on the Red Course at Eisenhower. (photo courtesy Nassau County.)

Red Course: Ranked No. 10 in our Top 30

Pros: Bob Posillico, PGA & Doug Solow, PGA

General Information: 516-572-0327
Wait Times: 516-572-0330  
Pro Shop: 516-222-2620    
Reservations: 516-542-GOLF  
Reservations for Nassau County residents with leisure passes only.  Residents can obtain leisure passes at any county park facility.  Cost is $25 and pass is good for 3 years. Reserved tee times can be made by telephone, up to 7 days in advance, at an additional cost of $5.00 per person for 18 holes and $3.00 for 9 holes
Run by: Nassau County Department of Recreation & Parks
Open: Year-round, weather permitting
Open to: Nassau county residents and their guests only
Restrictions: Minimum age 12 and accompanied by an adult, soft-spikes only
Available for Outings: Yes
USGA Computer ‘handicap’ system available: Yes  
Credit Cards accepted: All major cards
Discounts: For Senior residents w/ pass weekdays only
Carts: Pull - $5 for 18 holes; Power - $31 for 18 holes for residents w/pass, $38 for non-residents
Club Rentals: Yes

Amenities:
Pro Shop: Yes, full service    
Lessons: Yes; Clinics: Yes
Driving Range: Yes, 60 stalls, plus teaching area
Practice Putting Greens: Yes, 3          
Practice Chipping Area: None
Clubhouse: Yes
Restaurant: Yes
Lockers / Showers: Yes, for men & women          
Snack Bar: Available on each course
Red Course - at 5th hole
Blue Course - at 6th hole
White Course - at 11th hole

Website: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/parks/Golf/18hole.html

18-Hole Red Course
Built: 1914
Architect: Devereux Emmet

Description: By any definition, the Red Course is a real classic.  Originally designed by Deveroux Emmet as part of the private, five-course Salisbury Country Club, this course hosted the 1926 PGA Championship (when it was still match-play), which Walter Hagen won, the third of his historic four PGAs in a row.

\With some lengthening and modernization, the Red has stood the test of time, hosting a Champions Tour event in 2008 when it played to a 6,904-yard par-70.  Although not incredibly difficult on an average day, the Red is relatively flat but features a great mix of doglegs and small, well-guarded greens.  In classic Emmet fashion, a lot of the holes require a distinct plan from tee to green, with approach-shot angles being paramount.  When the fairways are narrowed and the thick rough is grown out, the Red can be a real test.

Looking back at the fairway from the green on the short par-4, 9th hole on the Red Course. (photo courtesy Nassau County.)

Signature Hole: No. 18, 455-yard Par 4.  Like most of the holes on the Red, this is a straightforward test of golf.  The tee shot plays up a hill that looks slight, but can easily take 10-20 yards off your normal drive.  There is out of bounds left and a row of trees right, so the lack of fairway bunkers doesn't affect the necessity for being accurate.  The long second shot is into a large, pretty flat green that is guarded on both sides by somewhat shallow bunkers.

Reader Comments: My favorite course out here because you can play it every day and not get bored ... The conditions are phenominal for how much play it gets ... The recent renovations/improvements have made it even better ... My wife’s a high-handicapper and I’m a two-handicap, and we both enjoyed the experience immensely. A wonderful outing for players of all skill levels. Golf Digest magazine has included the Red course among its “Four Stars Best Places to Play 2008/2009."

18-Hole Blue Course
Built: 1951
Architect: Robert Trent Jones

Description: It's not a stretch to say that after the Red course at Eisenhower, the quality of golf drops off significantly.  Yet, that doesn't mean the Blue course, shorter than the Red and quite a bit more forgiving, is a waste.  The fairways have a reasonable number of sand traps, there are a handful of doglegs which make for some interesting holes.

All greens are elevated and well bunkered -- which makes it at times seem like you're hitting the same approach shot, over and over -- but they definitely provide a challenge for the short game.  The putting surfaces themselves are relatively flat, making for some easy scoring opportunities.  The Blue is a course with the yardage and tee shots designed for a beginner, and the approach shots designed to make that beginner go insane.  Overall, this is a place to learn, and it's kept it pretty good shape considering how much play it recieves.  

Reader Comments: Terrific course for all skill levels, forgiving and yet challenging and fun ... Fairways and greens were in great shape ... Tough approaches, but it was the same shot on every hole.

18-Hole White Course
Built: 1950
Architect: Robert Trent Jones

Description: Built about the same time as the Blue course, the White is similiar in many ways and also offers a bit of a different feel.  First, they have recently added a handful of new back tees and redone 38 greenside bunkers, making it considerably longer -- probably stretching to over 7,000 yards, although the new scorecards haven't come out yet.  It can be a real stern test of golf from the back, more so than the Blue.

Yet it's still quite open, with relatively wide, inviting fairways that have some tricky sand traps. Again, all the greens are elevated and well bunkered. The green complexes are this courses’ best defense. But unlike the Blue, almost every hole plays straightout, with very few holes doglegging even a little bit.  Years ago this area was known as the “Plains of Salisbury” and often wind becomes a factor and makes it considerably more challenging -- especially when played from the new "tips".  And just like the Blue, the par-3s all have a companion hole, attempting to speed up play.

Reader Comments: Recent renovations have made this course a lot better.  It's now pretty well maintained, with the greens staying in better shape ... No easy approach shots.  The green complexes are tough ... Fun and a very enjoyable round of golf for players of all skill levels ... I thought it would be a bit disappointing, but I was very pleasently surprised with the new changes.

Directions: Distance from Manhattan approximately 27 miles.
Take LIE (east) to Exit 38 - follow signs to Jones Beach and Meadowbrook Pkwy to exit M-3,  Stewart Ave. (east).  1/2 mile on Stewart Ave. directly into park entrance.

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