Visitors usually know about the course next to the hotel and nothing else. There is far more golf within an hour of the village than that, from one of the oldest courses in the country to farm-field nines where a round costs less than lunch.
Here are the courses we send people to, grouped by what you want from the day. Rates are the latest published and change by season, so confirm when you book. Every course has a page in our Cooperstown Golf Guide with a map, directions, and booking details.
At a glance
| Course | From the village | Holes | Green fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherstocking | 3 min | 18 | $175, cart included |
| Oneonta Country Club | 35 min | 18 | Call |
| Otsego Golf Club | 15 min | 9 | $36–$41 |
| Meadow Links | 15 min | 18 | $10–$30 |
| Colonial Ridge | 30 min | 18 | Call |
| Red Pines | 35 min | 9 | Call |
| Canajoharie | 45 min | 18 | $30–$45 |
| Ouleout Creek | 45 min | 18 | $17–$47 |
| Cobleskill | 50 min | 18 | $25–$53 |
| Stamford Golf Club | 50 min | 18 | $21–$27 walking |
| Seven Oaks | 65 min | 18 | $45–$90 plus cart |
| Amsterdam Municipal | 68 min | 18 | $45, cart included |
| Turning Stone | 70 min | 3 × 18 | $125–$275 |
The top-tier round
If you are playing once on your trip, this is it.
Leatherstocking Golf Course
Cooperstown · 3 min · 18 holes · $175 public, $150 Otesaga guests, cart included
Devereux Emmet's 1909 layout runs along the west shore of Otsego Lake beside the Otesaga Resort Hotel. Sloping fairways, water in play, and a par-5 finish from an island tee make it one of the most acclaimed public-access courses in upstate New York. Twilight rates start after 2 PM.
Guide page · Website · Book a tee time
Oneonta Country Club
Oneonta · 35 min · 18 holes · par 72, 6,255 yards · call for rates
A 1913 William Harries design overlooking the Susquehanna River valley. It was private for most of its life and now takes limited public play, so book ahead. The Roundhouse Pub & Grill is on site for afterward.
Guide page · Website · Book a tee time
Close by and easy on the wallet
Otsego Golf Club
Springfield Center · 15 min · 9 holes · $36 weekdays, $41 weekends, 9 or 18
Founded in 1894 on the north shore of Otsego Lake, one of the oldest continuously operating courses in the country. The links-style nine plays as 18 from four tee sets, and The Porch overlooks the lake for a drink afterward. No online booking; call the pro shop.
Guide page · Website · (607) 547-9290
Meadow Links Golf Course
Richfield Springs · 15 min · 18 holes, executive length · $10–$20 walking, $15–$30 riding
The best value on this list. The front nine is all par 3s from 73 to 185 yards and an easy walk, which makes it a good first course for new players and a good evening loop for anyone. The back nine adds longer par 3s and par 4s, and there is a grass-tee range.
Guide page · Website · (315) 858-1646
Colonial Ridge Golf Course
Laurens · 30 min · 18 holes · par 72, four tee sets from 4,468 to 6,221 yards · call for rates
A 1971 Clair Jacobsen design a mile from Gilbert Lake State Park. Semi-private with public play welcome, and the indoor simulators make it the place to go in January.
Guide page · Website · (607) 263-5291
Red Pines Golf Course
Edmeston · 35 min · 9 holes · par 36, 3,220 yards · call for rates
A walkable farmland nine ringed by red pines in the hills west of Edmeston. Wide fairways and small, receptive greens make it a relaxed round, and it is the only course for miles in any direction.
Guide page · (607) 965-6714
Full eighteens within the hour
Canajoharie Golf & Country Club
Canajoharie · 45 min · 18 holes · par 71, 6,146 yards · $40 weekdays, $45 weekends with cart, $30 walking
Established in 1936 in the hills south of the Mohawk Valley. Member-based but open to the public, with leagues open to non-members, a range, and a restaurant.
Guide page · Website · (518) 673-8183
Ouleout Creek Golf Course
Franklin · 45 min · 18 holes · par 72 · $17 walking weekdays, $27 weekends; riding $37–$47
Family-owned, built in 1989 on a former dairy farm along NY-357 between Franklin and Oneonta. The layout climbs the Catskill foothills with valley views and has some of the lowest green fees in the region for a full eighteen.
Guide page · Website · (607) 829-2100
Cobleskill Golf & Country Club
Cobleskill · 50 min · 18 holes · about 6,163 yards · $25–$35 walking, $38–$53 with cart
Operating since 1929 in the Schoharie Valley, known for its "Top of the World" signature hole. A new irrigation system went in during 2026, and the Peppercorn Tavern North restaurant is in the clubhouse.
Guide page · Website · Book a tee time
Stamford Golf Club
Stamford · 50 min · 18 holes · par 70 · $21 walking weekdays, $27 weekends; carts $15–$17
A sleeper. The course dates to 1897 with a 1923 renovation credited to Walter Travis, set on rolling terrain with views of the northern Catskills and known for its heavily undulating greens. At these rates it is the best history-per-dollar on the list.
Guide page · Website · Book a tee time
Worth the drive
Seven Oaks Golf Club
Hamilton · 65 min · 18 holes · $45 Mon–Thu, $90 Fri–Sun, plus $25 cart
Colgate University's Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship course, open to the public and named the #1 public course in New York in the 2026 GolfPass Golfers' Choice Awards. Rated 74.2/139 from the tips, so pick a sensible tee.
Guide page · Website · Book a tee time
Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course
Amsterdam · 68 min · 18 holes · par 71, about 6,370 yards · $45 with cart, more at prime times
A city-owned Robert Trent Jones Sr. design from 1938, open seven days a week in season with online booking. One of the best-value Jones courses anywhere.
Guide page · Website · Book a tee time
Turning Stone Resort
Verona · 70 min · three championship 18s · $125–$275 with cart
Three different days out on one property. Atunyote is Tom Fazio's former PGA Tour venue and the priciest. Kaluhyat is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design often rated among the toughest in the state. Shenendoah is Rick Smith's Audubon-certified mix of parkland and links holes. All three book online.
Website · (315) 361-7850
Before you go
- Most of these courses run roughly April through October.
- The smaller ones do not take online bookings. A phone call the day before is usually all it takes.
- Carts are often extra at the budget courses; the walking rate is the one quoted first above.
- Need balls, a glove, tees, or a quick regrip before a round? The shop is on Doubleday Court in the village.
- Every course in the region is on the Cooperstown Golf Guide map with drive times from the village.