Leatherstocking Golf Course
A 1909 Devereux Emmet classic on the shore of Otsego Lake, the resort course at The Otesaga in Cooperstown, with one of the most photographed finishing tee shots in the Northeast.
Photo: Leatherstocking Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Cooperstown is famous for baseball, but golfers know it for Leatherstocking, the lakeside course at The Otesaga resort that Devereux Emmet laid out in 1909 along the southern tip of Otsego Lake. It is a charming, walkable par 72 of about 6,400 yards, more about angles and shotmaking than length, and a wonderful change of pace from the modern resort monsters.
The water is the theme throughout. Several holes flirt with Otsego Lake, the routing returns to the shoreline again and again, and the closing hole asks for a tee shot from an island tee out in the water back to dry land, a heart in the mouth finish that has become the postcard image of golf in upstate New York. For a couples trip or a relaxed buddies weekend, Leatherstocking is a soft landing with real history.
Leatherstocking Golf Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1909
- Designer
- Devereux Emmet
- Type
- Classic lakeside parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,416 yards
- Green fee
- From about 110 dollars
Designer and details verified June 2026: Leatherstocking was designed by Devereux Emmet and opened in 1909, a par 72 of roughly 6,416 yards from the back tees on Otsego Lake at The Otesaga resort. Indicative 2026 peak green fees run from about 110 dollars to 150 dollars including cart, with twilight and spring rates lower; fees change by season and day, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Leatherstocking is a shotmaker's course rather than a bomber's. Emmet routed it to use the lake and the gentle rises of the shoreline, so the premium is on placing the tee shot and controlling the approach into small, classic greens. The fairways are tree lined and the bunkering is old school, set to catch the lazy shot rather than to overwhelm the eye.
The lakeside holes are the heart of the round, and the par 3s framed by Otsego Lake are as pretty as any in the state. The famous closing hole is the showpiece: a tee box set on a small island out in the lake, a forced carry back over the water, and a green tucked beside the resort. It is the kind of finish that makes the whole round worth the drive.
For traveling golfers, Leatherstocking is the centerpiece of a Cooperstown stay: a historic lakeside Emmet design, a grand resort behind the 18th, and the Baseball Hall of Fame a short walk away.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and public; open to Otesaga guests and daily fee golfers |
| Green fee | From about 110 to 150 dollars peak including cart, indicative 2026; twilight and spring rates lower |
| Booking | Book through The Otesaga resort; guests get priority and package rates |
| On the day | Walking and carts both common; standard resort golf dress; arrive early to enjoy the lake |
| Getting there | In Cooperstown in central New York, roughly an hour from Albany and the nearest airports |
| Best months | Roughly May to October; fall color around Otsego Lake is a highlight |
Access and fees verified June 2026; resort pricing changes by season and package, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is The Otesaga itself, the grand lakeside hotel that sits behind the closing green, which bundles golf with rooms and dining in a single resort stay. Cooperstown village adds inns and guest houses within a short drive for those who want to combine the golf with the Baseball Hall of Fame.
For a wider New York golf trip, Leatherstocking pairs with the modern resort tests at Turning Stone Atunyote and Turning Stone Shenendoah, both an easy drive west toward Verona.
Looking for a base nearby? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
Build a Cooperstown golf trip
We arrange tee times at Leatherstocking, pair it with the best resort golf in central and upstate New York and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Leatherstocking questions
Who designed Leatherstocking Golf Course?
Leatherstocking was designed by Devereux Emmet and opened in 1909 on Otsego Lake at The Otesaga resort in Cooperstown. It plays a par 72 of roughly 6,416 yards.
Can the public play Leatherstocking?
Yes. Leatherstocking is open to Otesaga resort guests and to daily fee golfers, booked through the resort. Guests receive priority tee times and package rates.
How much does it cost to play Leatherstocking?
Indicative 2026 peak green fees run from about 110 dollars to 150 dollars including cart, with twilight and spring rates lower. Rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly before booking.
What is the famous hole at Leatherstocking?
The closing hole is the showpiece: the tee box sits on a small island out in Otsego Lake, with a forced carry back over the water to a green beside the resort. It is one of the most photographed finishes in upstate New York.
Related
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Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year and history verified June 2026; yardage and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.