You know that feeling when you're driving through Westchester and everything starts to look a bit the same? Stone walls, expensive SUVs, and manicured lawns that look like they were trimmed with nail scissors. Then you hit Somers. Specifically, you hit the gates of Heritage Hills. It's a massive townhouse complex, sure, but tucked inside is Somers National Golf Club, and honestly, it’s one of the more interesting puzzles in New York golf.
Most people just call it "The West Hill" or remember it from the days when it was private. It changed. It's public now. Well, "semi-private" if we’re being technical, but you can book a tee time on GolfNow just like anywhere else.
It’s hilly.
That’s the first thing you need to know. If you hate side-hill lies or get annoyed when a perfectly straight drive kicks into the woods because the fairway tilts at a 30-degree angle, you might want to stick to the flatlands. But for the rest of us? It’s a blast. It's a shot-maker’s course that forces you to actually think instead of just banging a driver and hoping for the best.
The Weird History of the Hill
Somers National Golf Club didn't start out as a place for the general public. It was designed by Geoffrey Cornish back in the 70s. If you know golf architecture, you know Cornish was the guy who basically built New England golf. He had this knack for carving fairways out of land that looked like it belonged to a mountain goat.
For years, it was part of the Heritage Hills community perks. It had that "members only" vibe that kept a lot of local sticks away. When it transitioned to being Somers National, things got... interesting. There was a period where the conditioning was a bit hit-or-miss. You’d hear rumors at the 19th hole of other courses about "the bunkers at Somers" or "the rough in the Hills."
But here’s the thing: management changed. New investments went into the drainage and the greens. Today, it’s arguably in the best shape it’s been in a decade. It’s not Winged Foot—let’s be real—but for the price point in Westchester County? It’s a steal.
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Navigation and the "Target Golf" Reality
You can't just grip it and rip it here. You really can't.
Take the first hole. It’s a par 4, not overly long, but it sets the tone immediately. You’re hitting elevated shots. You’re looking at tight corridors. If you’re a high-handicapper who slices the ball 40 yards to the right, bring an extra dozen balls. You’re going to need them. The course plays to a par 72 and stretches out to about 6,700 yards from the back tees, but it feels much longer because of the elevation changes.
Why the back nine is better (mostly)
The front nine is solid, don’t get me wrong. But the back nine is where Somers National Golf Club really finds its personality.
- The vistas get wider. You can actually see the Hudson Valley hills in the distance on a clear day.
- The par 3s are brutal. There is one particularly nasty drop-shot par 3 where the wind just catches your ball and tosses it into the abyss if you aren't careful.
- It's quieter. You feel less like you're playing in someone's backyard and more like you're out in the wild.
Actually, speaking of backyards—that’s one of the quirks. Because it’s winding through a residential development, there are spots where you feel the houses are leaning over the fairway. It creates a "stadium" feel, but it also means you really need to keep it on the short grass. Nobody likes the sound of a Titleist hitting a sliding glass door.
The "Grille" and the Social Scene
A golf course is only as good as its burger. That’s a rule.
The Grille at Somers National is actually a destination in itself. They’ve done a great job making it feel like a local pub rather than a sterile country club dining room. In the summer, the patio is the place to be. You see a mix of the older residents from the Hill, young guys who just finished a round and are arguing over a skins game, and families who just want a decent meal.
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It’s unpretentious. That’s the word.
In a county where golf can often feel like a status symbol or a networking event, Somers National feels like... golf. Just golf. People are there to play, complain about their putting, and have a beer.
Common Misconceptions About the Course
People love to talk. And in the Westchester golf scene, people love to complain.
"It’s too tight."
Is it narrow? Yes. Is it "too" tight? Only if you refuse to take a 3-wood or a hybrid off the tee. If you insist on hitting driver on every hole, you will hate this course. If you play strategically, it opens up.
"The greens are impossible."
They’re fast, and they have a lot of undulation. But they roll true. If you’ve spent your life playing flat, slow muni greens, the greens at Somers National Golf Club will be a shock to the system. You have to account for the "mountain effect"—everything wants to pull toward the lower valleys.
"It's just for residents."
This is the big one. While it is located within Heritage Hills, it is very much open to the public. You don't need to know a guy who knows a guy. Just go to their website or call the pro shop.
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Practical Tips for Your First Round
If you’ve never played here, do yourself a favor and don't walk.
Seriously.
Unless you are training for a Spartan Race, take the cart. The distance between some of the greens and the next tees involves significant climbs. I’ve seen people try to walk it with a carry bag in July. They usually look like they’re about to see God by the 14th hole.
Also, pay attention to the pin sheets. Because the greens are so large and tiered, being on the wrong level is a guaranteed three-putt. You’d rather be 20 feet away on the right tier than 5 feet away on the wrong one.
- Check the weather: Since it’s high up, it can be 5 degrees cooler and twice as windy as it is down in White Plains.
- The Practice Facility: They have a decent range and a putting green. Use the putting green. You need to get the speed of these greens in your hands before you tee off.
- Club Selection: If the yardage says 150 but it's uphill, play it like 165. The elevation is no joke.
The Verdict on Somers National Golf Club
Is it the best course in New York? No.
But it is one of the most interesting. It challenges your ego. It forces you to hit shots you don't normally practice. And honestly, it’s beautiful. There’s something about the way the shadows hit the fairways in the late afternoon that makes you forget you’re twenty minutes away from a shopping mall.
It’s a "players" course. It rewards precision. It punishes arrogance. And at the end of the day, that’s exactly what golf should be.
If you're looking for a weekend round that won't cost $200 but will still make you feel like you're playing a premium track, this is the spot. Just remember to aim for the high side of the slope. Always the high side.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download a GPS App: Because of the blind shots and doglegs, a standard rangefinder isn't enough. You need to see the layout of the holes from above to know where the hazards are hiding.
- Book Mid-Week: If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday morning, you’ll have the place to yourself. The pace of play is much better than the weekend "five-hour marathon" that sometimes happens when the course is packed.
- Focus on the 150 Marker: On almost every par 4 at Somers, your goal shouldn't be "as far as possible." Your goal should be the 150-yard marker. It’s almost always the widest and flattest part of the fairway.
- Visit the Pro Shop: Talk to the staff. They know which holes are playing "long" that day and can give you a heads-up on any recent maintenance like aerated greens.