On July 2nd, I played Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course. I had played the course many years ago and replaying the course brought back good memories. Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course in Amsterdam, NY—also known as the Arthur Carter Golf Course and a 1938 Robert Trent Jones Sr. original—is a beautiful, classic public layout that blends mature parkland charm with a compelling test of shot-making .
From the first tee, players navigate lush fairways framed by mature hardwoods and evergreens, lending a serene, tree-lined atmosphere throughout much of the round. These seasoned trees aren’t just decorative—they define several holes, requiring thoughtful drives and shaping shots to stay in play.
The course offers a smart mix of short and long holes. You’ll face five long par‑5s that challenge distance and strategy, while several short par‑4s and crisp par‑3s allow for attack and reward precision (). Two of the par‑3s stand out—most notably the 13th, which plays around 210 yards and into prevailing winds, and a creek-crossing 15th whose water hazard lurks at about 220 yards from the tee, making club selection critical .
Several doglegs add character to the layout. Though not always dramatically contoured, they require controlled shot-shaping to find ideal angles into the greens—rewarding positional thinking over brute power.
Maintenance here is notably solid. Greens are well-kept and roll smoothly, often cited as among the best in the Capital District public-golf scene . Nestled within the Mohawk Valley, the landscape features rolling terrain with snug fairways, subtle elevation changes, and water hazards like the creek on 15 — all wrapped in scenic beauty .
In summary, Amsterdam Municipal offers a thoughtfully diverse layout with tree-lined corridors, varied lengths, well-maintained surfaces, challenging doglegs, and distinctive wetland par‑3s. All this comes on a public‑accessible course designed by a legendary architect—and at very reasonable green fees—making it a rewarding and visually captivating experience for golfers of all skill levels.
