Lefty mayoral hopeful Brad Lander pushes paving over NYC golf courses in desperate bid to solve housing crisis. https://t.co/5tWauNsEBx pic.twitter.com/sXAQXls4iB
— New York Post (@nypost) March 13, 2025
In a bold move to tackle New York City’s housing crisis, mayoral candidate and city Comptroller Brad Lander has proposed converting four of the city’s 12 municipal golf courses into residential developments. His plan, outlined in a recently released campaign video, suggests that repurposing these greens could create up to 50,000 new housing units.
But not everyone is ready to trade fairways for front yards.
A Controversial Proposal
Lander’s ambitious housing proposal is part of his broader strategy to address the city’s severe housing shortage. He argues that utilizing portions of the city’s 2,500 acres of public golf courses for residential construction could alleviate the crisis while still allowing for green space, businesses, and schools.
“We could create 50,000 homes for New Yorkers to rent or buy,” Lander said in the video. “And not just roofs over people’s heads, but real new neighborhoods with parks, small businesses, and schools.”
But his plan lacks key details—including which courses would be targeted and how he would replace the $17 million in revenue the city earned from golf course fees in 2023. More than 600,000 rounds of golf were played on municipal courses that year, highlighting the sport’s lasting popularity.
Golfers Push Back
Lander’s proposal has struck a nerve with many golf enthusiasts, who see the city’s public courses as invaluable community spaces. Luis Ardila, assistant manager at Flushing Meadows Pitch & Putt, said the courses are more than just recreational facilities—they’re essential green spaces where people gather.
“I say think of somewhere else to build these houses,” Ardila said. “Are you going to take away that enjoyment from people who love the game? Let it stay. Do not touch it.”
Others, like Brooklyn resident Tommy Hirrel, worry that Lander’s plan will cost him support among voters who cherish the sport.
“He’ll never become mayor if he does that. That’s for sure!” Hirrel said.
Is Golf Really in Decline?
Lander’s justification for the plan is partly based on claims that golf’s popularity is fading. However, data suggests otherwise. The National Golf Foundation reports that 47 million people played golf in 2024, a 38% increase from 2019.
The historical significance of some courses also complicates the conversation. Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, for example, is the oldest public course in the country, having hosted legends like Babe Ruth. Staten Island’s LaTourette Golf Course features a mansion-turned-clubhouse that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lander’s plan calls for a feasibility study to determine which courses could be redeveloped, but opposition is already mounting. With golf’s resurgence and the city’s limited green space, the proposal is likely to remain a contentious topic as the mayoral race heats up.
Will voters see his idea as a necessary step to solve the housing crisis, or a reckless move that threatens a beloved pastime? The campaign season will tell. Subscribe to My Golf Essentials Newsletter for latest golf updates.
