Greens At Mc Gregor Links in Saratoga Springs, NY

Pros

• The greens are in very good condition.
• The food was excellent and the service equally so.
• The staff is friendly and capable, making the experience pleasant.
• Tremendous golf course that is extremely well maintained.
• The greens were rolling smoothly and the fairways were plush.
• The 6 dedicated pickleball courts are in great condition.
• McGregor Links Country Club is a must play for golf lovers.
• The improvements over the last year are tremendous and greatly enhance play.
• The course is in great condition.
• Greens were perfect and spotless, and the fairways were pristine.
• The bar and restaurant offer great views and meals.
• This is a very classy place with a pleasant atmosphere.

Cons

• They found the Irish Nochos to be way too salty, with fake canned cheese and small strings of corned beef.
• They paid $90 for 18 holes and a cart and felt it was very overpriced, especially without a proper course map.
• The cart paths were rough and should be paved for the price.
• The tee boxes were rough, and some greens were under repair or had unrepaired ball marks.
• Some greens were beat up and pocked with unrepaired ball marks, making putting difficult.
• They experienced painfully slow play on Sunday afternoons and wouldn’t return for a round then.
• They encountered rude, brusque service at check-in, and the tennis/pickleball courts were not good due to lifting and confusing lines.

Review

Greens at McGregor Links in Saratoga Springs is best suited for dedicated golf enthusiasts who want a serious round paired with a robust club life. The course earns its reputation from greens described as superb and consistently well-maintained, set on a rolling, links-style layout that rewards careful planning and club selection. It suits players who enjoy a thoughtful, strategic challenge, where wind, shaping, and shot placement matter more than sheer length. Equally important for decision-makers is the broader club ecosystem: a lively bar and dining operation with scenic views, a pool and clubhouse, and facilities that support social events, fundraisers, and gatherings. For families, retirees, or visitors who value a rich social calendar and reliable service alongside high-quality golf, McGregor Links delivers a complete package. In short, it’s a destination for those who want a memorable golf experience anchored by a strong community vibe and an upscale clubhouse atmosphere.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are the budget-conscious or value-driven players who crave consistently maximum bang-for-the-buck. Several reviews flag the price point as high for the area, especially for 18 holes with a cart, and some note that the course’s contemporaries can offer similar experiences at lower cost. Navigation and information on the course can be hit-or-miss, with some players lamenting the absence of yardage markers or an official map and finding the range underwhelming. A few rounds on Sundays have been described as painfully slow, and a portion of the course surface, teeboxes, certain greens, or rough in spots, has shown wear, which can temper expectations for those seeking flawless, maintenance-heavy precision across every hole. Altogether, the club’s strongest assets come with a price tag that won’t suit every family budget or retirement plan.

The main positives tend to offset the negatives for serious golfers who prize top-tier greens and a memorable design. The greens are repeatedly praised for their speed, roll, and conditioning, forming the centerpiece of a round that asks players to think through every shot. The course is consistently called challenging yet fair, with a layout that encourages strategic play and rewards smart play rather than brute force. Add in a well-regarded pro shop, a hospitable staff, and a clubhouse that provides a social backbone, and the experience becomes more than just the links. The improvements noted by visiting players, such as sod replacements and tree removals, have sharpened the aesthetics and the playability, signaling ongoing commitment to value over time. When paired with a strong food program and a generous social calendar, these advantages frequently tip the scales toward choosing McGregor Links for a primary golf outing or a regular club visit.

Maintenance and facility quality present a mixed but ultimately defensible case. On the green side, many rounds reveal greens in excellent condition and a course surface that supports precise iron play and well-timed putting. Fairways are often described as plush, with the rough kept at a playable height that still tests accuracy. Yet, credibility questions arise from certain reviews citing rough tee boxes, some weediness in the rough, and bunkers that feel less than pristine in places. Cart paths receive mixed grades, some are functional, others dusty or imperfect, and a noticeable absence of course markers can complicate scorekeeping and club selection for newcomers. The range’s underperformance stands out as a counterpoint to the overall quality, signaling that while the course itself shines, practice facilities and on-site amenities may not be uniformly at the same level. Still, the overall atmosphere remains polished, with a tradition-steeped charm that’s hard to replicate.

Amenities and service threads reinforce the decision in favor of those who value a social, family-friendly club environment. The clubhouse experience is repeatedly described as welcoming, with staff who are friendly, attentive, and capable of delivering a memorable hospitality moment, whether it’s a post-round bite, a large event, or a weekday gathering. The facility’s social calendar, and the ability to host fundraisers, weddings, and banquets, adds a meaningful dimension to ownership and guest experiences alike. On the dining side, meals range from standout highlights (a prime rib dish cited as exceptionally good) to more modest experiences, with some reviewers noting value dissonance between price and what is served. The inclusion of pickleball courts and a well-used pool, coupled with event spaces and a homey bar with expansive views, makes McGregor Links a comprehensive club option that appeals to families and retirees who want a thriving social scene as part of their investment.

Bottom-line guidance for a decision hinges on aligning priorities with what the club delivers. If the primary goal is consistently excellent golf conditions, a thoughtful test of your strategy, and a social hub that feels active and welcoming, McGregor Links stands out as a solid choice in Upstate New York. The greens and the strategic design carry the day, and the staff-backed social life adds vitality that is hard to match elsewhere at the same level of quality. On the other hand, if budget constraints are non-negotiable, or if mission-critical requirements include uniformly pristine tee boxes across every hole, perfectly reliable cart paths, modern navigational aids, and a completely matched practice facility, it pays to compare alternatives. The club’s price point, combined with occasional surface imperfections and navigation quirks, may tilt families toward other regional options.

For families evaluating long-term decisions or retirees weighing gateways to social and recreational fulfillment, the recommendation is to give McGregor Links a serious look, with a practical test plan. Schedule a round to experience the greens firsthand, walk the fairways at a few different times, and observe pace of play in a typical weekend window. Inquire directly about membership options, guest rates, and the potential value of bundled dining or social memberships that could offset annual costs. Assess the range and practice area in person, and confirm whether recent improvements align with ongoing maintenance standards. If the conclusion is that the combination of top-tier greens, engaging layout, and a vibrant club life justifies the expense, McGregor Links becomes a compelling centerpiece for a family’s golf and social calendar. If not, the market offers alternatives that may deliver tighter budgets with comparable playability.

Physicians

• Ent (0.9 miles)
• Center For Rheumotology (1 miles)
• Saratoga Hospital (1.9 miles)
• Saratoga Family Physicians (2 miles)
• Women's Care In Obstetrics & Gynecology PC (2.1 miles)
• Pediatric Associates of Saratoga (2.1 miles)
• Condry James D MD DDS (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Care Pediatrics Of Saratoga (1 miles)
• Saratoga Hospital (4 miles)
• Good Shepherd Retirement Center (10.4 miles)

Restaurants

• TGI Friday's (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Burger King (2.3 miles)
• Denny's (2.3 miles)
• Triangle Diner (2.7 miles)
• 9 Miles East Farm (3.2 miles)
• Scotty's Restaurant (3.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.1 miles)
• Menges & Curtis (3.8 miles)
• Fallon Wellness Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.8 miles)

Cafes

• Kru Coffee (3 miles)
• Saratoga Coffee Traders (3.8 miles)
• Uncommon Grounds Coffee & Tea (3.9 miles)
• Bailey's Cafe (3.9 miles)

Parks

• High Rock Park (3.5 miles)
• Franklin Square (3.9 miles)
• Congress Park Carousel (4 miles)
• Saratoga Spa State Park (5.8 miles)
• Saratoga Spa State Park- North Gate Booth (5.9 miles)
• Hudson Crossing Park (8.7 miles)

Theaters

• Criterion Cinemas 11 & BTX (3.8 miles)

Transportation

• Saratoga Springs station (4.6 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (10.8 miles)