Look, let’s be real. If you’ve played municipal golf in New York City, you probably have some "war stories." You know the drill: six-hour rounds, fairways that look like a construction site, and greens that resemble a suburban driveway. It’s enough to make you want to sell your clubs and take up pickleball. But then there is Douglaston Golf Course.
Honestly, it’s a weird one. Sitting at the highest point in Queens, this place has a personality that most city courses lack. It used to be a private club—the North Hills Country Club—and it still carries a bit of that "old money" DNA in its layout, even if the price tag is now strictly public. If you're tired of the flat, repetitive loops at Clearview or the chaos of some other local spots, Douglaston is basically the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for.
The Layout: Short, Sweet, and Surprisingly Steep
Don’t let the yardage fool you. Douglaston plays as a Par 67 and only stretches to about 5,469 yards from the tips. On paper, that sounds like a pitch-and-putt for anyone with a decent drive. You’d think you’d be tearing it up, right?
Not exactly.
The elevation changes here are no joke. Because it’s perched on a ridge, you’re constantly dealing with side-hill lies and blind tee shots. You’ll hit a perfect drive only to find it rolled thirty yards left into a thicket because you didn't account for the slope. It’s a course that rewards strategy over raw power. Seriously, leave the driver in the bag on half the holes. You're better off hitting a hybrid or a long iron to a specific spot than trying to hero-ball it over a hill you can't see past.
The greens are the real star of the show. While other Queens munis can feel a bit shaggy, the surfaces at Douglaston Golf Course are famously well-maintained. They're fast. Like, "scary fast" if you’re above the hole. Stephen Kay did a massive renovation back in 2004, and the work held up. The greens are small, bunkered heavily on the sides, and require a delicate touch that most people just don't expect from a city-run track.
Why People Keep Coming Back to Marathon Parkway
There’s a reason this is often cited as the second-busiest course in the five boroughs. It’s not just the golf; it’s the vibe. The clubhouse, known as Douglaston Manor, is a stunning Spanish Mission-style building designed by Clifford C. Wendehack. It looks like it belongs in Coral Gables, not right off the Grand Central Parkway.
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The Highlights
- The Views: Since you're at the highest point in the borough, you get these weirdly beautiful glimpses of the Manhattan skyline popping up between the trees. It’s a great reminder of where you are without the noise.
- The Signature 5th: You’ve got to clear water to hit a tiny, bunkered green. It’s the kind of hole that ruins scorecards but makes for a great story at the bar afterward.
- Accessibility: It’s located at 6320 Marathon Parkway. If you're driving, it’s right off the Long Island Expressway or the Grand Central. For the public transit crowd, it's a bit of a trek—usually the F train to 169th St and then a Q17A bus—but most locals just LIRR it to Douglaston and grab a quick Uber.
The Honest Truth About the "Muni" Experience
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: pace of play can still be a nightmare. On a sunny Saturday in June? You’re looking at five hours, easy. You might get stuck behind a group of four guys who have never seen a golf club before and think a "provisional" is a type of sandwich.
Also, the fairways can get a little "hairy" in the summer heat. While the greens stay nice, the rough can get thick and the tee boxes can take a beating. If you want the best experience, go on a Tuesday morning. The rates are cheaper—usually around $52 for 18 holes—and you can actually finish a round before the sun goes down.
Seniors (62+) and Juniors (17 and under) get massive breaks on weekdays, too. We’re talking under $35 for seniors and about $8 for juniors. It’s basically the best deal in town if you can swing the mid-week schedule.
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Getting Your Game Together
If you're a beginner, Douglaston is actually a pretty decent place to learn. The fairways are generally wide enough that you won't lose twenty balls a round, but the hills will teach you real-world golf skills that a flat range never will. They have a solid practice putting green and a chipping area, though no full driving range—something to keep in mind if you need to "warm up" by hitting 100 balls.
One pro tip: check your ID. When you rent a cart, they usually hold your ID at the desk. I can't tell you how many people get halfway home to Bayside or Long Island before realizing they left their license in the pro shop.
What You Should Do Next
Ready to give it a shot? Don't just show up and hope for the best.
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- Book early: Use the NYC Parks or GolfNYC reservation systems. Tee times at Douglaston Golf Course Queens NY disappear faster than a cold beer on the 19th hole.
- Check the weather: Because of the elevation and the wind off the bay, it can feel five degrees colder and much windier than it does in Manhattan. Layer up.
- Eat at the snack bar: Honestly, the hot dogs and sandwiches are better than they have any right to be. It’s the classic muni experience done right.
- Practice your short game: Since the course is short, your score will live or die by your wedges and your putter. Spend twenty minutes on that practice green before you head to the first tee.
Douglaston isn't Winged Foot, and it's not trying to be. It's a hilly, quirky, beautiful slice of Queens history that offers a legitimate challenge for a fraction of what you'd pay at a private club. Just watch out for the slope on the 18th—it’s 495 yards of "please don't let me three-putt."