The Forest Park Golf Course
Address: Forest Park, 101 Forest Park Drive, Woodhaven, NY, 11421 Map and Directions
Phone: 718-296-0999
Reservations: 718-296-6566 or www.golfnyc.com
Yardage: 6,053/5,635/5,300
Par: 70/72
Rating: 68.2/119;67.2/115/70.5/120
Architect: Tom Bendelow (1896) Redesign: Stephen Kay (1995)
Management: Forest Park Golf Corp.
Manager: Bob Smith
Teaching Professional: Nancy Platzer
Superintendent: Al Humer
Description: The Forest Park Golf Course is just off the Jackie Robinson Parkway. Recently renovated, this Queens course now plays 6,053 yards from the back tees. Fairly walk able, but hills can be steep and tricky. Good test of shot making with some challenge. The first hole offers a beautiful view of the NYC Skyline. Forest Park is known for its tree lined fairways and elevated greens, and three waterholes. Forest Golf Corporation has completed a number major improvements including a new clubhouse, new cart paths and remodeled tee boxes. The course has been lengthened to over 6000 yards playing to a par 70, with three par 5s, making the course that much more enjoyable to play.
Directions: Jackie Robinson Parkway to Forest Park Drive exit (4). Follow road to left and follow signs to course.
Mass Transit: J or Z train to Woodhaven Blvd. then Q 11 or Q 53 bus.
Coures Review and Favorite Hole
Have you played Forest Park Golf Course? If so why not drop us a line telling us about your favorite hole or the course and we will write your comments on this page.
Signature Hole: #4 A 475 yard par 5 considered one of the tougher holes in the Metropolitan area
Hole #4 Before the recently finished golf course restoration this was the first hole. A new tee was added turning the long par 4 into a 475 yard par 5. The tee shot features a forced carry over a deep gully. It must carry 200 yards from the back tee. The second shot is to a small uphill green. A very difficult hole it offers water, hills, valleys, bunkers and an elevated green. This hole is considered one of the tougher holes in the Metropolitan area.
Comments on: Have you played Forest Park Golf Course?
By: Donald KinscherfThis is in my opinion the mostdifficult course in New York City. For me #4 is a par 5 for regular golfers but a par 10 for me lol. #15 is my favorite hole. Over a pond to a fairly small green. I love getting the ball over the water and on the green. I feel like a pro!!!! |
By: Byung LeeI played at the Forest Park several times, and I usually shoot good scores there. There are some tough holes, but it is a pretty enjoyable course. But I hated their temporary greens. |
By: Frank GatazkaI learned to play the game at Forest Park, shagging balls for pro Gene Tomaselli in the 1970's. Mr. Tomaselli should be given golf sainthood for striving as he did within the severe limitations of the NYC Park's Department. The course design has actually changed very little since then, as the re-design in the 1990's has remained very true to the original routing with just the sequence of holes re-arranged. The lengthening has been done without seriously affecting the character of the course. However, privatization has improved course conditions dramatically. Trees have been cut down and undergrowth removed to provide necessary light and aeration for some of the greens. Many teeing areas have been rebuilt. Greens and tees that never could sustain grass are actually quite lush (for a NYC course) today. As others have written, this is not an easy test, despite the short length. Accuracy off the tee and the ability to control iron shots into small, undulating greens are the key to scoring well here. The sloping fairways will also test the ability to deal with non-level lies. For those who are interested in such things, the course designed by Tom Bendelow partially on the the site of the current course was a very different golf course. The current course actually dates to the early 1930's and was laid out by the firm of William Stiles and John VanKleek, who are also responsible for a number of other NYC golf courses including Kissena, Pelham and Split Rock. After your round be sure to visit the nearby Zum Stammtisch restaurant on Myrtle and Cooper Avenues for some of the best German food in NYC! |
By: Dan RatcliffeWe played Forest Park Golf Course on Saturday and I have to say its probably the best public course I have played in New York, it just feels good! Its tight and makes you think about your club selection. I did not do to good on the front 9 holes, this is mainly due to the fact that most of the greens need a lot of work, first off the grass was way to long (like a Gremans shot putters armpit!) and there were far to many rough patches (I think this is from last years drainage renewals, but could be wrong). The back 9 holes I shot my best ever score so I can't really complain. As at Dyker Beach, Forest Park needs a lot of work on course management. We played a 6 and a half hour round which while it may be par for the course on a public golf course, its a bit much for anyone. If only they would start groups every 10 mins apart or only let the next group out when the one in front has cleared the green, it would make for a better relaxing day. Best hole was the 15 (like the last time) - It is only a small 140 yard par 3 but with the water all the way to the green it makes you think twice. And because I I've hit the green 2 in 2 and was 6 inches from a hole in one the last time out it is definatley my favourite hole. Overall work is needed on course management, most of the tee boxes, the front 5/6 greens and someone please put sand in the bunkers, I've never played from a pebbled beach before. Most of these problems should not put you off a great little course and if these problems were fixed it would be a fantastic course. |
By: Frank MingioneI understand Forest Park GC has a discounted greens fee of $29.00 (including a cart)from Monday-Thursday after 12PM. Do I need a coupon? If so, how can I get some. Thanks, Frank Mingione 200-08 33 Avenue Bayside, NY 11361 |
By: MikeFrank Go on Their website www.golfnyc.com. They have a link for printable coupons for kissena, forest park, douglaston and Van Cortlandt. Check frequently as they add new coupons monthly |