Hudson National Golf Club – Played June 2019
- Rankings: Golf Digest #90
- Location: 40 Arrowcrest Drive, Croton-On-Hudson, New York
- Year: 1996
- Architect: Tom Fazio
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,151 yards, Par 70, 75.6 Rating/148 Slope
- Blue: 6,929 yards, Par 70, 74.6 Rating/145 Slope
- White: 6,450 yards, Par 71, 71.8 Rating/139 Slope
- Gold: 5,905 yards, Par 71, 68.9 Rating/130 Slope (Men’s), 74.7 Rating/140 Slope
- Red: 5,012 yards, Par 71, 70.2 Rating/126 Slope
After my morning at Ridgewood Country Club, I made a drive across the Hudson River to New York on my way to Hudson National Golf Club. Specifically, I was heading to Croton-On-Hudson. While that it is a funny-sounding name for a town, the drive was quite charming as I made my way through small towns right along the river.
The drive in let me know I was in for something special. The photos below is a little sample of the area.
The land for the golf course was pretty severe. With new construction techniques, it was possible to build Hudson National Golf Club on the site that includes the second-highest point in Westchester County. The crew had to blast 130,000 cubic yards of rock during construction.
The history of the land is rich. Native Americans once occupied the area and Revolutionary troops used the land to monitor the British fleet. There was even an old course on the site (more on that later).
The clubhouse is phenomenally appointed and they even have a couple of cottages for overnight stays. This is a nice perk for a course that is about an hour from Manhattan.
I met up with Tank, my host for the day, and two other members who would be joining us. After some introductions and meeting our caddies we headed out to the first hole. We opted for the white tees.
Hole 1 – 435 yards – Par 4
Hudson National Golf Club gets in your face right from the start. This hole is quite long with a steep dropoff to the left. Two good shots up the right side should set up a par on this difficult starter.
Hole 2 – 173 yards – Par 3
The fescue doesn’t extend all the way to the green thankfully. Bunkers guard the front and back of the green but a solid mid-iron is all that is needed.
Hole 3 – 410 yards – Par 4
You face a blind landing area from this tee. Trust your caddie’s instructions and don’t miss left.
The view of the approach illustrates how severe the land can be. Any miss left is done.
Hole 4 – 356 yards – Par 4
With the slope, this hole plays a lot longer than its yardage.
The hole is uphill all the way. The fairway is tightly mowed in front of the green so shots with too much spin won’t hold.
Earlier I mentioned that a golf course had occupied the site in the past. You could see some of the ruins from the clubhouse in the previous photos. Near the fourth green sits the sign below detailing some of the history. It is well worth a read.
As you make your way to the fifth hole you get to see the full expanse of the ruins. This is one of the coolest and unique features I’ve seen on a golf course.
Hole 5 – 412 yards – Par 4
This hole is a bit tricky and constricting. You need a precise tee shot because the hole narrows and drops severely downhill and to the right. Good drives should leave a short second shot due to the downhill slope.
You can see the massive slope in the photos below.
Hole 6 – 530 yards – Par 5
Only the longest of players will get home in two on this uphill beast. The hole bends to the left and will test you with a blind second shot.
The approach below awaits you once you get over the hill. The green provides some good opportunity since the slopes are not too severe.
Hole 7 – 366 yards – Par 4
The proper line is crucial on this tee shot. The driver is not needed as the ball will bound down the hill upon landing.
Hole 8 – 161 yards – Par 3
The daily pin position makes all the difference on this par three. Flags in the front allow plays to make use of the ridge in the middle of the green as a backstop.
The green is a pretty big target.
Hole 9 – 520 yards – Par 5
Trust the locals here on the left-bending hole. Two good shots should set up an opportunity to attack the pin.
The lack of a defined backdrop makes this approach visually challenging. In reality, the green is a huge target.
Hole 10 – 370 yards – Par 4
Setting up the second shot is the primary goal of this hole. You absolutely cannot miss the green left, so aim your tee shot to a spot with that in mind.
In the following photos, you’ll see the slope and closely mown areas that punish misses to the left.
Hole 11 – 145 yards – Par 3
Severe slopes surround this putting surface but don’t sleep on the sloping of the green itself. It’s important to leave your approach on the proper level. Otherwise, a three-putt is very possible.
I told you the slopes are severe!
Hole 12 – 503 yards – Par 5
Just like the last par five, this one doglegs left severely. A good drive can definitely set you up to get home in two.
Be careful, that green in the distance is not for this hole!
The setting of the green allows for running shots from long distance. This hole is probably your best chance at an eagle.
Hole 13 – 170 yards – Par 3
This green is a deep but narrow target. Some of the putting surface is hidden behind the hill but not much. I would not go left of the front bunker.
Below you can get a full view of the green depth.
Hole 14 – 530 yards – Par 5
The fourteenth is one of my favorite holes at Hudson National Golf Club. It bends to the right, hugging a pond for the last third of the hole. Going for the green in two will be hair raising as it should be.
Proper layups set players up to attack the flag and make birdies. Beware though, the green is a small target.
Hole 15 – 407 yards – Par 4
This dogleg right asks for solid drives that avoid fairway bunkers on both sides. If that is accomplished, an approach to a slightly raised green awaits. In opinion, the drive is the most difficult part of this hole.
Below are a couple of views of the green.
Hole 16 – 224 yards – Par 3
Due to the topography, this hole doesn’t play as long as its listed yardage. With the contouring short and right of the green, you can play shots with a draw that land short and roll up onto the green.
Hole 17 – 301 yards – Par 4
Long hitters can reach this green but the target is a small one. The prudent play is something 180-200 yards from the tee leaving a short club into the small green.
Below is a view from behind the green.
Hole 18 – 437 yards – Par 4
The finishing hole at Hudson National Golf Club can be a real kick in the teeth. A good drive is imperative.
The second shot plays uphill. With a long second shot, it’s hard to come in over the front bunker.
The view from behind the green shows just how little room is behind the front greenside bunker.
I really hope you’ve been able to tell from the photos how interesting the land is at Hudson National. It can be a tough walk if it’s the second course on a 36-hole day but I wasn’t complaining.
The service here was absolutely top-notch. That is usually the case at the courses I play but it was exceptional here. Tank was a joy to play with and entertained all day. The member couple we were paired with couldn’t have been nicer. Jimmy, in the locker room, was a rockstar. I truly felt like a member for a day.
If you get a chance to play Hudson National Golf Club, don’t hesitate. It will challenge you for sure but you’ll also get great conditioning, scenery, and ambiance. Be sure to say hello to Tank if he’s there. He’ll make sure you have a good time!
