One of the top-rated golf courses you can play in New York is Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, NY. I have played this 8 or 10 times over my career and I played on September 10, 2024. It is one of my favorites for three reasons: it has three great finishing holes, beautiful views, and is well-maintained. Many holes overlook lovely Otsego Lake, a mini-finger lake. Sitting at the end of the lake is the historic Otesaga Resort. The par 5 18th hole wraps the lake (similar to Pebble Beach) and finishes in the shadow of the resort. The 16th hole, a par four is from an elevated tee protected by water, as is the 17th par three hole. Each of these is not difficult, but play with your mind to attempt more than you are capable of, and it is easy to make bad shots.
There is a great variation in holes with changes in elevation, deep bunkers, and mature trees lining holes. The course is not challenging but lengthy, with four tees ranging from 5000 to 6400. But the well-protected greens, often with slopes, and fast greens make it a challenging course. I have definitely moved up from the White tees to Silver tees to have a chance of par at Leatherstocking. It is still a beautiful, enjoying golf course.
