Beaver Brook Country Club

Beaver Brook is a fantastic course to play in the fall with the foliage.  You're surrounded by trees almost the entire round with the exception of the first few and the last few holes.  It's a very fair course that isnt overly punishing, but will still certainly test your skills.  It's a 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minute drive from Manhattan.

I love how the 17th and 18th holes are both par 5's, because it really gives you the option to absolutely go for it at the end of the round.  Plus, if you're playing competitively with a buddy, you have a shot to pull off a birdie.  Other quirks include the 9th hole, which is a short par 4 from an elevated tee box.  If the tee is moved all the way up for your round, it only plays about 270 yards due to the higher elevation, and you have a shot to drive the green.  Of course, anything right is OB and left is no good either, so it's a fun risk reward shot.  

If you're playing near dusk you're likely to encounter deer, as many live on this course's property (I've seen herds of 8 to 15 on many occasions).   Not a big deal for "country folk" like me as seeing deer is almost a daily occurrence, but I know my "city folk" friends I've brought here always seem to act all amazed and crazy when they see bambi so I thought I'd point that out.

One thing to know, however, is this course has NO driving range.  It used to have a beautiful double-ended range, but the property was sold off for town houses during the real estate boom.