The People’s Golf. The People’s Chaos.

Rates: 9 holes $15–16 walk / $23–24 w/ cart · 18 holes $25–29 w/ cart
Beer Cart Intel: $3.50 domestics and a friendly “we’ll swing by again” if you tip well.
Vibe: Old-school, no-nonsense, and full of lovable quirks.

Arrowhead is a laid-back, family-run 27-hole spot where the trees heckle more than your buddies and the cart paths double as launchpads for heroic recoveries. The East course feels like the main event, but the West 9 has its own fanbase—mostly folks who prefer to wrap things up early and focus on the “drinks” part of drinks-and-golf.

The greens are better than you'd expect, the fairways are forgiving if you're not, and there's always at least one guy playing barefoot in camo shorts. It's the kind of place where birdies from the wrong fairway still count and where matching polos are less about fashion and more about identifying your carpool. Arrowhead doesn't care what you shoot—just that you have a good time shooting it.

Rates: Practically pocket change. Bring cash and low expectations.
Beer Cart Intel: Nope. But the squirrels might hand you a cold one if you ask nicely.
Vibe: Quirky city 9-holer with more history than yardage.

Burnet Park is Syracuse’s oldest course and proud home of the iconic shamrock bunker—because nothing says “precision golf” like shaping a 7-iron around Irish luck. Perched above the city, it offers sweeping skyline views… assuming you aren’t too distracted by trying to find your tee shot two fairways over.

The layout is tight, the conditions are municipal at best, and you’re more likely to hit a jogger than a green in regulation. But that’s the charm. It’s the kind of place you play because it’s there, it’s cheap, and it’s five minutes from your apartment. Think of it as golf's version of a dive bar—gritty, local, and still standing tall after a hundred-plus years of bad lies and worse swings. You didn’t come for the turf. You came for the stories you’ll make after your buddy tops a ball into the zoo enclosure.

Rates: Very affordable. You’ll spend more on gas than greens fees.
Beer Cart Intel: No cart. No problem. BYOB and don’t forget the cooler with the broken latch.
Vibe: Pure municipal mayhem—where double bogeys and belly laughs are equally expected.

Butternut Creek is the everyman’s 9-hole sanctuary. It’s short, it’s scrappy, and it’s the perfect warm-up for a Saturday scramble—or a last-minute “I need to fix my swing before league night” panic round. The range is where you’ll see everything from 'top-flighters' to TikTok swings, and the first tee always smells like off-brand sunscreen and someone’s questionable breakfast sandwich.

The layout? Modest but tight enough to make you think twice before pulling driver. Greens are sneaky fast or criminally slow—sometimes both on the same hole. If you came for polished turf and perfectly cut cups, you made a wrong turn. But if you came to smack it around, bet five bucks on every hole, and sneak a seltzer from your golf bag? You’re home.

Rates: Mid-tier—your credit card won’t scream, but it might raise an eyebrow.
Beer Cart Intel: Yes, and it finds you more reliably than your short game.
Vibe: A well-kept public course that pretends it’s private, but in a fun, low-key kind of way.

Camillus CC is the kind of place where the greens are smoother than your last Tinder date and the fairways forgive more than your mom does. It’s got that classic parkland layout, a chill pace, and just enough trees to make you nervous after your first swing. There’s nothing gimmicky here—just straightforward golf with solid turf and a layout that says, “we’re not trying to ruin your Saturday.”

The bar? Legit. The Thursday rib nights? Legendary. The beer cart? Surprisingly punctual. If you shoot well here, you’ll tell everyone. If you shoot poorly, you’ll say the greens were too fast and rib sauce got on your glove. Either way, it’s a good day.

Rates: Reasonable—just enough to make you feel like you’re golfing, not donating.
Beer Cart Intel: Not guaranteed, but if it shows up, tip heavy so it comes back.
Vibe: The blue-collar sibling with a decent short game and a chip on its shoulder.

Drumlins West is what happens when a private course has a public doppelgänger—same family, different tax bracket. It’s walkable, hilly, and has the kind of “played a thousand rounds here” energy you only get from local regulars who can play it blindfolded. 

Turf’s solid, layout is classic, and the greens? Shockingly good… if you’re not putting from above the hole. You’ll hear the private side bragging in the distance, but over here, we’re keeping pace, draining 12-footers (accidentally), and arguing about whether #7 is unfair or just "character-building." No dress code, no judgment, just golf that works. Think of it as the knockoff Rolex that somehow still tells time just fine.

Rates: Definitely on the “treat yourself” side of public golf. You’ll pay more, but at least it looks like you golf on purpose.
Beer Cart Intel: Yes, and it doesn’t hide. Plus a legit lounge if you’re still thirsty after 18.
Vibe: Public course with private course delusions—and we mean that as a compliment.

The Links at Erie Village feels like someone designed it with actual blueprints instead of a napkin and a Sharpie. It's well-maintained, nicely routed, and has just enough trouble to ruin your scorecard and your confidence—especially on the back nine where the water starts whispering, “go ahead, try it.”

This is the kind of course where you dress a little nicer, lie a little less, and definitely order the more expensive beer on the cart. You’ll pay more than your average muni, but you’ll also feel like you finally graduated to “respectable golfer”… until you chunk a wedge into the pond and blame the wind.

Rates: Middle-of-the-road. You won’t need a loan, but maybe skip that third post-round IPA.
Beer Cart Intel: Modest but dependable. It’ll find you before the wheels fall off your front nine.
Vibe: Clean, classic, and refreshingly drama-free—like golf without the ego.

Foxfire is the friend who always shows up on time, doesn’t talk during your backswing, and never brags about their handicap. It’s a straightforward 18-hole layout with decent turf, a predictable pace, and just enough hazards to punish your bad decisions—without making you cry into your glove.

The range is solid, the holes make sense, and the staff doesn’t look at you sideways for double-bogeying the opener. It’s not fancy, not fussy, and not trying to impress your Instagram feed. Just solid, honest golf… until you take a snowman on 15 and declare that the tee box was crooked.

Rates: $22–32 weekdays, $32 weekends; Twilight $14; Cart $18 — pretty fair for a state park flex.
Beer Cart Intel: No cart, but use the Yards Grille at the turn has cold beer and actual food—not just sad hot dogs.
Vibe: Postcard views, pure turf, and just enough Instagram influencers to slow down your back nine.

Green Lakes is the kind of place that makes you believe, “maybe I actually play better on scenic courses.” Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, it's got rolling hills, lush tree lines, and those iconic teal-blue glacial lakes that make your triple bogey feel oddly peaceful.

The layout’s challenging but fair—unless you're teeing off behind a bachelor party in matching polos. The greens are well-kept, the fairways hold up, and the pace is decent… until someone decides to do a drone flyover mid-putt.

It’s not cheap for a state park course, but you’ll forgive the price when you’re sipping a beer post-round while staring out over a lake like you're in a golf magazine. Just remember: the scenery doesn’t fix your slice—but it does soften the blow.

Rates: Super affordable—spend less here than you did on lunch.
Beer Cart Intel: Hit or miss, just like your 5-iron. Best to stock the cooler just in case.
Vibe: Chill, cheerful, and completely OK with whatever weird thing your swing is doing today.

Hickory Hill is where you go to feel better about your game—or at least not judged for it. It’s a beginner-friendly 18-hole layout with wide fairways, gentle greens, and an overall “we’re all just out here trying” energy. Perfect for your casual foursome, your 12-year-old’s first round, or your buddy who still tees off with a driver from 1986.

There’s not a ton of drama in the layout unless you count your buddy’s weekly shank into the parking lot, but that’s kind of the point—it’s golf without pressure, pretense, or the need for a backup ball sleeve on every hole. Just show up, swing freely, and hope the beer cart rolls through before you three-putt again.

Rates: Budget-friendly—spend less than you did at brunch.
Beer Cart Intel: It exists… theoretically. Might see it, might not. Bring your own to be safe.
Vibe: Solid, not flashy, and unapologetically average—in a comforting sort of way.

Lyndon is the kind of public 18 where the layout is serviceable, the turf is passable, and the most exciting thing you’ll see is someone chunking their tee shot into the parking lot. 

But honestly, that’s part of the charm. It doesn’t try too hard. No forced water carries, no designer flair—just fairways, greens, and enough open space to mostly avoid yelling “FORE.”

It’s golf in its most basic and honest form. You show up, swing away, and head to the car when it’s over. No drama, no nonsense—unless your buddy tries to putt from the fringe with a driver again.

Rates: Middle-tier—fair for 18, generous for your excuses.
Beer Cart Intel: Occasionally spotted, like a golf unicorn. Bring backup brews.
Vibe: Straightforward golf with just enough edge to justify your side bets.

Northern Pines is your classic CNY public track: solid layout, playable turf, and wide enough fairways to convince yourself you’re “just working on a fade.” It won’t dazzle you, but it also won’t punch you in the face—unless you try to cut the corner on 6 and land in the backyard of someone grilling kielbasa.

The real highlight? The lighted driving range. That’s right—you can work on your shank in the dark like a true grinder or warm up at 9 p.m. before your morning tee time like a lunatic. It's dependable, local, and perfect for weekday wagers and weekend mulligans. Nothing fancy—just fair golf, bad decisions, and a well-lit place to make them.

Rates: Friendly to your wallet and forgiving of your slice.
Beer Cart Intel: Hit-or-miss, like your mid-irons. Pack a cooler, just in case.
Vibe: No frills, no fuss, and no one judging your cargo shorts.

Olde Oak is the kind of course that won’t blow your mind, but also won’t ruin your day—unless you do that yourself. 

The turf is decent, the holes make sense, and the pace of play is as steady as your third cup of coffee. You won't find dramatic elevation changes or signature holes… unless you count the bathroom break on 12.

It’s the definition of reliable: get in, play 18, maybe win a side bet, and be home before your spouse remembers you forgot the mulch. It’s not flashy—but if you’re here for drama, you brought it with you.

Rates: Respectable. Not cheap, but you're paying for pain... and pride.
Beer Cart Intel: Occasional sightings. Better to stock up early.
Vibe: Tough, tidy, and just smug enough to let you know it’s better than you.

Radisson Greens doesn’t mess around. It’s one of the sneakiest tough tracks in Central New York—tight fairways, fast greens, and enough doglegs to make your GPS sweat.

The range is spacious, the layout is unforgiving, and the turf’s usually solid… which is helpful, because your score probably won’t be. It looks fair—then it eats you alive. Bring extra balls, a sense of humor, and maybe a therapist. 

At least there's now a Home Team Pub location nearby, so you can overanalyze your round with wings, beers, and a fresh set of excuses.

Radisson’s motto could be: “Come for the golf, stay because your cart’s lost in the woods.”

Rates: Affordable enough to play both courses and still grab a round at the bar.
Beer Cart Intel: Active and appreciated. Pro tip: Flag it early and often.
Vibe: Dual personalities—kind of like your buddy’s swing after two hard seltzers.

East Course:
The East side is the wild child—twists, turns, and “wait, where’s the fairway?” vibes all day. It’s longer, tighter, and arguably designed by someone who wanted to watch golfers suffer in mildly scenic surroundings. You’ll either call it a fun challenge… or a fever dream. Bring patience, range balls, and a solid pre-shot routine—or just wing it and blame the layout.

West Course:
The West is the friendlier sibling. More open, more playable, and more likely to let you walk away feeling like a golfer instead of a crash-test dummy. It’s shorter, more forgiving, and the ideal warm-up round for someone who just pulled their driver out of winter storage.

Overall:
Rogues is the kind of place where you can pick your punishment—or play both tracks and argue about which one made you cry more. With a range on-site and plenty of post-round beer access, it’s a full-day experience that keeps giving... especially in mulligans and humble pie.

Rates: Mid-range, but you’re also paying for the leaf-peeping.
Beer Cart Intel: Sporadic, like your putting stroke. Pack a backup cooler—just in case.
Vibe: Scenic, hilly, and just tricky enough to ruin your weekend wager on hole 17.

Sunset Ridge is what happens when a golf course and a fall foliage tour have a beautiful baby. Rolling hills, eye-popping views, and the kind of elevation changes that make you question whether golf should be this much cardio. 

It’s not the hardest layout in CNY, but the greens can get sneaky fast, and the slopes will test your commitment to "just laying up."

It’s the perfect course to bring a few friends, snap a few photos, and lose a few dollars on a Nassau you were definitelygoing to win before your 4-putt on the back nine. 

Pretty enough for Instagram, challenging enough to justify a rage beer after the round.

Rates: Cheap enough to play it twice—or settle your bets with a rematch.
Beer Cart Intel: There isn’t one. But coolers? Heavily encouraged.
Vibe: Short, scrappy, and unapologetically rough around the edges.

Tecumseh is a 9-hole track that doesn’t pretend to be anything more than it is—quick, gritty, and perfect for squeezing in a round before dinner or dodging actual responsibilities. 

The layout’s tight, the turf’s unpredictable, and the pace is lightning-fast (unless someone’s treating it like the U.S. Open).

You’ll invent new excuses here, learn the true meaning of “scramble,” and probably chip in once just to keep coming back.

 It’s golf boiled down to its most chaotic essentials—no fluff, no frills, just swings, laughs, and a few “did that really happen?” moments.

Rates: Premium public—expect to pay a bit more, but at least you'll feel like a better golfer.
Beer Cart Intel: Present, polished, and timely. No warm beer here, champ.
Vibe: CNY’s public course flex—crisp fairways, rolling drama, and just enough smugness to feel upscale.

Let’s not pretend—Timber Banks is the jewel of Central New York’s public golf scene. A Jack Nicklaus design that actually lives up to the name drop, with pristine turf, intimidating bunkers, and enough elevation changes to make your knees and your swing coach cry. It's modern, it’s manicured, and it knows it.

The driving range is sharp, the cart paths are smooth, and even the GPS screen in your cart seems to judge your decisions. You’ll love the variety—risk-reward par 5s, tight par 4s, and greens that can either reward your bravery or wreck your card in a single lip-out.

You come here when you want to impress someone, play your best round (or at least look the part), and maybe post a story that convinces your friends you actually broke 80. You probably didn’t—but Timber makes it feel like you almost could.

Rates: Priced like it knows what it is. Spoiler: it does.
Beer Cart Intel: Mostly a cooler of PBR riding shotgun in someone’s cousin’s cart.
Vibe: Rough around the edges—just like your tee shot.

Wa-Noa is where golf purists go to cry and degenerates go to thrive. The fairways? Let’s call them “firm”—so firm you can putt from 100 yards out and it might actually work. Don’t even try to take a divot; your wedge will bounce like you hit concrete. But hey, that’s part of the charm.

It’s a no-frills, all-vibes kind of track where the starter probably calls you “chief,” and the only thing faster than the pace of play is the rate at which PBRs disappear from your bag. Add in a solid grill and a recently renovated bar that absolutely doesn’t match the rest of the course, and you’ve got the ultimate spot for scoring birdies and bad decisions in equal measure.

Rates: Friendly on the wallet, unlike your putter.
Beer Cart Intel: Spotty—but there’s always someone with a cooler in the group ahead.
Vibe: Laid-back muni energy with backyard BBQ charm.

West Hill is the kind of place where your round might include a lost ball, a found friend, and at least one club thrown in jest. 

The fairways are wide-ish, the greens are honest-ish, and the hill part? Yeah, they weren’t kidding. It’s a course that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is—which makes it kind of perfect. Just don’t expect laser-cut rough or an espresso bar in the clubhouse. 

You’re here for quick loops, cheap beers, and that one guy who insists he used to shoot in the 70s. Sure, buddy.