These top U.S. golf courses still haven't reopened following coronavirus shutdowns

Operations remain suspended due to COVID-19 at these nationally-recognized golf courses which include Top 100 and PGA Tour venues.
Like the finishing hole, the par-4 ninth at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point also has the Whitestone Bridge in the background.

While over 95% of U.S. golf courses have reopened with social distancing guidelines, a small sample remain closed. Imagine your summer without convenient golf nearby. That's been the issue for many New York City golfers who aren't members at country clubs. The municipal golf courses in the five boroughs are still closed with no timetable to reopen, according to the New York Post. Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx is probably the highest profile course still closed, but many others are missed by locals.

"Right now, New Yorkers are dying to get out there and get some exercise and recreation," Michael Tafet, who operates four city courses, said in the article. "They need it for their mental health. Our phones are ringing off the hook with hundreds of calls a day from our golfers asking, 'When are you opening? When are you opening'? And we don't have an answer for them, because we're not being told anything."

It's not just muni golf courses whose operations remains suspended. Some of the country's most prominent courses are still not accepting public tee times. Here's a look:

  1. Harbour Town Golf Links
    The Inn at Harbour Town sits beside the ninth green.

    Two courses are already open at Sea Pines Golf Resort on Hilton Head Island, but the famed Harbour Town Golf Links won't open to resort guests and members until June 23, after the PGA Tour's rescheduled RBC Heritage June 18-21.

  2. Yale Golf Club
    A sunny day view of the par-3 ninth at Yale Golf Course. The venerable layout is set to be restored to its Golden Age best by Gil Hanse.

    The Yale Golf Club in New Haven, Conn., will remain closed through at least July 31. The closure of one of America's best college courses really only affects members and the college's community of golfers since it's not technically open to the public, but there are those who wonder what the delay means for the future of such a historic and celebrated course.

  3. SentryWorld
    No. 18 at the SentryWorld Golf Course.

    SentryWorld in Stevens Point, Wis., an hour north of the popular Sand Valley Golf Resort, has plans to reopen July 6. All of its facilities should be in peak shape by then, including PJ's, an excellent 19th hole hangout that serves good food. The flower hole will be in full bloom, ready to thrill again. Construction of an on-site boutique hotel continues with a scheduled opening of 2021. Browse and book tee times here.

  4. Several prominent Monterey Peninsula courses

    Three current closures show how important tourist golfers are to the Monterey Peninsula. Carmel Valley Ranch, the only Pete Dye golf course in northern California, is currently closed to "public play." What would normally be a more affordable alternative to the courses at Pebble Beach Resorts isn't available for visitors. Granted, there aren't many golfers visiting at this time; Pebble Beach Resorts don't reopen until June 15. Although its best courses - Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill - have been open for more than a month, the Links at Spanish Bay will reopen with the resort accommodations next week. No timetable has been announced publicly for the return of the Del Monte Golf Course.

  5. Belterra Golf Course
    The par-3 seventh hole at Belterra Golf Course & Resort plays over a water hazard.

    Casinos have been scrutinized during the pandemic as large, indoor gathering places with a lot of potential contact points. Las Vegas didn't open its casinos until June 4th. Some golf courses owned and operated by larger gaming entities won't open until the casinos do. Boyd Gaming's Belterra Golf Course in Florence, Ind. will reopen when the casino reopens June 15. The Tom Fazio course in southern Indiana is considered one of the finest casino courses in the country.

    Do you miss playing at a beloved local course still closed due to the pandemic? Let us know in the comments below.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
17 Comments

All 3 public courses on Staten Island Closed ,forcing us to N.J. courses.No real reason to keep them closed if masks and social distancing work.

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What about Sandpiper in Santa Barbara?

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Your article, headlined with a mention of a golf course which includes the name of an elected figure, seems to come close to that figure's disregard of our Constitution's Emoluments section. Be more selective with your comments.

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TDS runs deep in this one

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What do you expect from such a libtard state? To heck with science. They make up their own rules as they go along. But as Forrest Gump's Mom said, "Stupid is a stupid does!"

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Garbage...open everything ! This kung flu is a hoax!

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Unfortunately Pauly it's not.

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You need to wake up and smell the coffee! I work in health care and can tell you the only ones seriously affected are those with underlying health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and above all obesity. You need to stop watching all those propaganda networks and wise up. Get on with your life and stop living like a robot.

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Wrong...CDC says 114 million Americans have/had it...dirt nap rate is 0.02% on that number - that’s lower - WAY lower than the regular flu, swine flu, MERS, etc...

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Pauly

Careful, don't hurt those knuckles that are dragging on the ground.

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Yet another snowflake sheep...IT IS A TOTAL HOAX MOTIVATED BY IMPEACHMENT DISASTER BY THE ENEMIES OF PRESIDENT TRUMP - ITS JUST THE FLU FFS

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Amen to that!

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Yeah, 112,000 decided to give their lives to get rid of the Dotard sociopath!

Pleeeaze go out and mingle all you want to. And just to prove it’s a hoax, mingle in some of the hot areas just to prove your snowflake theories.

How come your coward in Chief is afraid to mingle? And has everyone tested within a centimeter of his obesity?

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According to CDC statistics, 2.01 MILLION people over the age of 65 die IN THIS COUNTRY ALONE every year with the primary causes being heart disease, diabetes and respiratory issues. That statistic will not be altered significantly this year with the influx of C-19 deaths as those dying with these conditions are instead being classified as C-19 deaths.

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Ahhh RevRon: Really mature repartee there bud. Methinks thou protesteth too loudly.

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Was planning a trip to the area north of Santa Fe NM and was surprised that Cochiti Golf Club was still closed. No one around the course knows what's happening. One local said it may not reopen because of financial problems.

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These top U.S. golf courses still haven't reopened following coronavirus shutdowns