As all of us hope that things will slowly get better with COVID-19, we need to start planning where we’ll go. Love golf? Pebble Beach, Augusta, even some of Jack Nicklaus’ gems can’t compare to the glory of playing at Van Cortlandt Golf Course, the oldest public links in the United States… and it’s in The Bronx.
Each of New York City’s five boroughs has some offering of golf; most are now managed by private companies. Not surprisingly, only Manhattan is without a real golf course (you can go to Chelsea Piers or Randall’s Island to find a driving range, but the outer boroughs have the real deal – fifteen courses in all). If you have a few hours to experience a marvelous round of golf, then don’t hesitate.
Take the #1 train to its northern terminus, walk east across Van Cortlandt Park, and you’ll arrive at the newly-renovated clubhouse perched on the shores of Van Cortlandt Lake (the largest fresh-water lake in the Bronx). In the summer months, geese, ducks, and an occasional swan will be drifting in the calm waters. In the winter, ice skating is a common pastime. Year round it is a beautiful setting.
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The 18-hole course was opened in 1895 when The Bronx was wilderness, Grover Cleveland was our president, and few people in this country knew anything about golf. It has survived these 110+ years because of its beauty and challenging nature. In recent years, some of the shorter holes have become easy prey for anyone using high-powered golf clubs, but there are two 600-yard holes, lots of well-placed water and trees, and an unusual final four holes that are so hilly, you’ll think you’re playing in Switzerland. Did I mention forests of mature oaks, beech and maples lining the fairways? Greens fees are typical for public courses (around $30, higher on weekends, only $16 for seniors 62 and older). Lessons are available. And the course is open year round, weather permitting.
How to get there: Take the 1 train to 242nd Street Station, and proceed north along the east side of Broadway, until you reach 246th Street and turn right onto a wide path. You’ll see the park’s House Museum built in 1748 where George Washington once slept – open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Head east continuing along a service road, which should soon lead you to the historic clubhouse on the lake where you can check in, buy golf balls, and get a bite to eat in the café.
(Van Cortlandt Park South and Bailey Ave., Bronx, 718.543.4595 http://golfnyc.com/vancortlandt, Reserve your tee time online now!)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram