Tucked along Packwood Road on the outskirts of Geneva, Big Oak Golf Course has been the Finger Lakes' most decorated public course for years running — Gold for Best Golf Course in 2022, 2023, and 2024, with a Silver in 2025. That three-year Gold streak is not something you fluke your way into. The 18-hole layout blends newer construction on the front nine with a more established, tree-lined back nine, giving players two distinct feels in a single round.

The course is a public facility, which matters in a region where country club memberships can price out casual golfers. Big Oak keeps things accessible without cutting corners on course maintenance — the fairways are consistently well-groomed, the greens roll true, and the layout offers enough variety to keep regulars coming back without overwhelming beginners. The front nine trends more open and forgiving; the back nine tightens up through mature hardwoods and demands more precision off the tee.

Geneva's position at the northern tip of Seneca Lake means Big Oak also draws wine trail visitors looking to squeeze in a round between tastings — and the course delivers the kind of relaxed, unpretentious golf experience that fits a Finger Lakes weekend perfectly. Green fees remain reasonable by any standard, the pace of play stays manageable, and the views of the surrounding farmland are a reminder that you are playing golf in one of the most quietly beautiful landscapes in New York State.