The 5 Essential Facts About Robert Moses Pitch And Putt: Your 2025 Guide To Long Island's Coastal Short Game Course
For golfers across Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area, the Robert Moses Pitch and Putt course remains one of the region's most unique and accessible golfing experiences. As of today, December 25, 2025, the course is confirmed to be fully operational and continues its tradition as a premier location for short-game practice, offering a coastal, no-frills, 18-hole challenge nestled within the stunning Robert Moses State Park at the western tip of Fire Island. This comprehensive guide provides the latest details on its 2025 status, fees, history, and why it is an indispensable stop for any local golfer.
The course is not just a recreational amenity; it’s a piece of Long Island history established in 1970 that provides a vital public service—affordable, quick golf for all skill levels. Its setting, mere steps from the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Fire Island Lighthouse, offers a tranquil escape that stands in stark contrast to the region's more exclusive and expensive private clubs. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned player honing your wedge game, the Robert Moses Pitch and Putt offers a valuable, sustainable, and scenic round of golf.
Robert Moses Pitch and Putt: Course Profile and Historical Context
The Robert Moses Pitch and Putt is not a full-length championship course, but rather a dedicated short-game facility designed to be played with only a few clubs, typically a wedge, a short iron, and a putter. This format makes it perfect for a quick round or for golfers looking to focus intensely on the most critical part of the game.
- Location: Robert Moses State Park, Field 2, Babylon, Suffolk County, Long Island, NY.
- Course Type: Public, 18-Hole Pitch and Putt.
- Year Established: 1970.
- Total Yardage: Approximately 1,425 yards.
- Par: 54 (All holes are Par 3s).
- Key Feature: Located on the barrier island of Fire Island, offering a distinct coastal environment.
- Sustainability Note: The course is recognized as one of the least-irrigated state park golf facilities in New York, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship. [cite: 17 in previous step]
The Legacy of Robert Moses State Park
The golf course is an integral part of the 875-acre Robert Moses State Park, named after the influential urban planner. The park itself is a flagship facility for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. While the course provides the golfing draw, the park's primary appeal lies in its five miles of pristine ocean beach, which are a major attraction for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. The proximity to the Fire Island Lighthouse also makes the area a hub for history and sightseeing, providing a complete day-trip experience for visitors.
The course's 1970 establishment was part of a broader push to make recreational facilities accessible to the public, a core tenet of the State Park system. Unlike the sprawling, heavily manicured championship courses of Long Island, this pitch and putt offers a stripped-down, rugged, and authentic coastal golf experience, where the wind and sand play as much a role as the club in your hand. This simplicity is precisely what attracts legions of loyal local golfers.
2025 Visitor Information: Fees, Hours, and Tournaments
Staying updated on operational details is crucial, as the course typically operates seasonally, corresponding with the peak beach season. Information for the 2025 season confirms that the course remains an exceptional value, especially compared to the high green fees found elsewhere on Long Island.
Current 2025 Pricing and Fees
The course is renowned for its affordability, making it highly attractive to students, families, and budget-conscious golfers. While exact 2025 seasonal hours and green fees are subject to change by the New York State Parks, the established rates provide a clear expectation:
- Estimated Green Fee: The regular price for a round is often cited as being around $11.00 per player, confirming its status as one of the most reasonably priced rounds of golf in the entire state. [cite: 17 in previous step]
- Equipment Rental: Clubs and balls are typically available for rent at a nominal fee for those who do not bring their own equipment.
- Parking Fee: A seasonal parking fee is required to enter Robert Moses State Park. During the peak fee collection season (typically late spring through early fall), the fee is generally $10.00 per vehicle.
- Tournament Fee: The highly anticipated 2025 Pitch & Putt Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2025, has an entry fee of approximately $40 per person or $160 per foursome.
Operational Hours and Seasonal Schedule
The Robert Moses Pitch and Putt course operates on a seasonal schedule. It typically opens in the spring (often around April) and remains open through the fall (often closing after the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend). During the summer months, tee times generally start around 10:00 AM and run until late afternoon. It is always recommended to call the park's recreation office directly for the most precise daily operating hours and to inquire about tee time availability, especially on weekends or holidays.
The course's popularity, especially during the summer, means that early morning tee times are often the best way to secure a spot and avoid the midday sun and crowds. Being located on the barrier island, the course is also highly susceptible to weather, particularly high winds and coastal storms, which can lead to temporary closures.
Mastering the Short Game: Why Robert Moses is Essential Practice
For serious golfers, the Robert Moses Pitch and Putt is more than a novelty; it is a dedicated training ground. The short game—the shots played from 100 yards and in—accounts for the majority of strokes lost on a typical round. A pitch and putt course forces players to confront these shots on every single hole, providing an unparalleled environment for skill improvement.
Key Skills Developed on the Course:
- Distance Control: With holes ranging from 50 to 100 yards, players must master the 'partial swing'—hitting a 50%, 75%, or 90% wedge shot with precision.
- Creative Chipping: The terrain, which can be sandy and wind-swept, requires imagination and a variety of chip and run shots, preparing players for challenging lies on full courses.
- Putting Under Pressure: The greens, while sometimes criticized for their condition compared to high-end courses, demand focus and adaptation, teaching golfers to putt on imperfect surfaces. [cite: 21 in previous step]
- Mental Focus: The quick pace of play and the lack of long walks between holes keep the golfer's mind actively engaged in scoring, simulating the pressure of the final holes of a regulation round.
Alternatives for Short Game Practice on Long Island
While the Robert Moses course provides a unique coastal experience, Long Island offers several other excellent facilities for practicing the short game, ensuring topical authority and a complete resource for the reader:
- Bethpage State Park (Farmingdale): While famous for the Black Course, Bethpage also offers excellent practice facilities, including the Green Course, which is a great option for short-game work.
- Eisenhower Park (East Meadow): This facility features a dedicated short game practice area, which is ideal for working on shots within 50 yards, a perfect complement to the longer holes at Robert Moses.
- Pine Ridge Golf Club (Coram): Pine Ridge offers a substantial practice facility, including a large putting green and a driving range with a grass teeing area, catering to all aspects of the game.
- Ingoglia Golf (Long Island): Known for their dedicated outdoor facility, 'The Yard,' which provides versatile course setups for intense short-game training.
The Robert Moses Pitch and Putt remains a must-visit location for any Long Island golfer. Its unique combination of affordability, 18-hole challenge, and stunning coastal scenery makes it a local gem. Whether you're registering for the 2025 tournament or just looking for a quick, valuable practice session before hitting the beach, this historic course continues to deliver a memorable and essential golfing experience.
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