Which golf course comes into your mind as the oldest? We bet it is the Old lady or grand lady of Scotland (Saint Andrews). The game of Golf was first played there around 600 years ago. But do you know which are the oldest golf clubs located in America? Let’s take a look at the 15 oldest country clubs in America.
The oldest golf club in America is the country club of Brookline (1882). Keeping the sequence, we have historical golf clubs in the Oakhurst Links, Dorset Field, Foxburg, Quogue Field, New York, Shinnecock Hills, Maidstone, Chicago, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Los Angeles, and Georgia.
Golf and courses are like body and soul. A historical course allows you to experience the thrill and goosebumps. Each hole has a story to tell. And we are here to introduce you to the clubs with major historic moments. So, buckle up for the ride.
15 Oldest Country Clubs In America
Scotland is the home of Golf. But America soon adapted to the game. So much so that some of the all-time greatest golfers belong to this country.
But when it comes to golf clubs, do you know which ones are the pioneers? No worries. We are about to shed light on this topic. But before we start over, take a quick look at the list. Here you go!
- The Country Club Of Brookline
- The Oakhurst Links Club
- Dorset Field Club
- Foxburg Country Club
- Quogue Field Club
- Saint Andrews Golf Club
- Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
- Maidstone Golf Club
- Downers Grove Country Club
- Newport Country Club
- Myopia Hunt Club
- Chicago Golf Club
- Los Angeles Country Club
- Garden City Country Club- Men’s Only
- The Savannah Golf Club
1. 1882- The Country Club Of Brookline
The country club of Brookline is the oldest athletic club in the USA. A few members from Boston took the initiative to form this club. You would be surprised that before 1893; members mostly used the course for horseback riding.
Interestingly, the first few holes were designed by the club members. Later, William Campbell designed the rest of the holes. Right now, the country club of Brookline has two courses containing 27 holes.
Check out the basic information below.
- Address: Brookline, Massachusetts (191 Clyde St, CH, MA 01467)
- Contact: +1 617 566 0240/
- Website: https://www.brooklinegolf.com
- Number of holes: 27
- Status: Exclusive
The Country Club of Brookline has the honor of establishing the USGA along with four other founding clubs. Unfortunately, the country club is quite picky when it comes to accepting members.
The club members appreciate the traditional touch of this old establishment. At the clubhouse entrance, you can see a mannequin guard called “woody.” Here’s a list of major events in this exclusive club.
| Major Championships | Year |
| U.S Open Championship | 1913, 1963, 1988 & 2022 |
| U.S Amateur | 1910,1922, 1934, 1957, 1982, 2013 |
| U.S Women Amateur | 1902, 1941, 1995 |
2. 1884- The Oakhurst Links Club
Russel Montague designed the great Oakhurst links country club in the beautiful Greenbrier neighborhood. In fact, he owns a house within the golf course. During the club’s early days, Mr. Montague’s home was open to the community.
There’s an argument regarding whether it was the first club in the United States or not. Even though the club was built in 1884, the major sport was horseback riding. We can see the course inclining towards Golf since 1912. Quickly scan the key information down below.
- Address: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
- Website: https://greenbrierwv.com/places/250/oakhurst-links-foundation
- Number of holes: 9
- Status: Private
One interesting fact about the Oakhurst club is how it values its history. Here, you get to see equipment available for the previous generations. For example, playing with a gutta-percha ball or hickory club is one of the fascinating features of this golf club.
Note: Unfortunately, 2016 affected this club severely. Since then, the authorities decided to close the premises indifferently. So, don’t mistake the Oakhurst Country club (open since 1990) being the Greenbrier valley’s Oakhurst club. We don’t know when it will be available for the members again.
3. 1886- Dorset Field Club
Dorset Field club has been performing wonderfully since its establishment in 1886. According to reports, it is running in full swing even today.
A group of players designed the first nine holes of this club. Later, the full-fledged golf course was laid out by A.W Harrington Jr and the other founders.
That was a long time ago. Since then, it has been renovated at least five times. The number of holes has increased from 9 to 18, along with the land size.
- Address: 132 Church St, Dorset, Vermont 05251.
- Website: https://www.dorsetfieldclub.com/
- How To Contact: 1-802-867-4002
- Number of holes: 18
- Status: Private
The best thing about the Dorset Links Club is that you can visualize how it looked almost 100 years ago. Most of the details are kept intact. For example, the famous “Woodruff Hall,” established in 1896, is still there. Although, it is not used as the main field house like its original purpose. The members use the hall for dining.
As long as amenities are concerned, Dorset is continuously upgrading the menu for the members. For example, six clay tennis courts were added in 1958. The membership package allows you to enjoy cozy family time here.
4. 1887- Foxburg Country Club
After the Dorset links club, another old golf course running successfully till now would be the Foxburg Country Club. It is the brainchild of Joseph Mickle Fox. Thanks to his love for Golf and his family’s oil money, he donated a part of his estate to build this golf club.
He also laid out the first eight holes and bought a nearby farmhouse for the club members. That’s the humble beginning of one of the greatest golf courses of its time. It has nine holes with an outstanding (nearly 2023) number of members.
If you want to book a tee time, here is the information you need.
- Address: Foxburg, Pennsylvania, USA
- Website: https://www.foxburgcountryclub.com/
- How To Contact: 1-724-659-3196
- Number Of Holes: 9
- Status: Private
It is rumored that Mr. Fox tried to imitate the hole design of the golf course of St Andrews. But he couldn’t succeed, given the steep structure of the land.
Playing at the Foxburg golf course is a bit tough, considering the narrow and steep fairways. As a result, long hitters don’t stand much chance in this field. You have to understand the terrain very well to perform well.
5. 1887- Quogue Field Club
If you love 9-holers, book your next tee at the Quogue field club. Even though the size is quite small, the seaside location brings the club many visitors annually.
Here is some key information about the club.
- Address: 6 Club Lane, Quogue, New York 11959, USA
- Website: https://www.quoguefieldclub.com/
- How To Contact: (631) 653-9890
- Number Of Holes: 9
- Status: Private
It was one of the oldest golf courses to be introduced (built-in 1887). However, not many people know that the course was relocated in 1900. Tom Bendelow laid out the original 9-holes.
Later, James Hepburn added another nine sets of holes. Moreover, Ian Andrews and Peter Imber recently took on the renovation project to restore the course.
The Quogue field club’s unique location is the first thing you notice. You have to constantly check the ocean breeze before hitting the ball. Currently, you get to play at an estate of 6146 yards. Some parts of the course were damaged during the 1938 hurricane.
6. 1888- Saint Andrews Golf Club
One of the first things you notice about the St Andrews Golf Club is how Scottish everything looks. From the logo to the clubhouse architecture, everything reminds you of Scotland.
Well, that’s because the founder was none other than John Reid, who belonged from Scotland. He undoubtedly named the club after the famous Scottish club with the same name.
Before making the club official, Reid and his friends had been playing at the course casually. It is another member of the USGA’s founding group.
- Address: 10 Old Jackson Avenue, Hudson, New York
- Website: https://www.saintandrewsgolfclub.com/
- How To Contact: (914) 478-3500
- Number Of Holes: 18
- Status: Private
Apart from that, the club has an outstanding training record. Their golf training program, known as “The Apple Tree,” is highly popular among youngsters who want to get into the game. The club’s main goal is to make this game accessible to every player category.
7. 1891- Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is the first to invite women as its members from the beginning. And many other aspects make Shinnecock stand out among its counterparts.
For example, it didn’t have a single owner or designer like most other private clubs. Instead, 44 member groups contributed ($100 each) to collect resources for the construction.
After such a humble beginning, it has established itself as a proud founding member of the USGA. All thanks to Duncan Cryder and Edward Meade for their persistence in initiating the project.
Check out the important details below.
- Address: South Hampton, NY, USA
- Website: www.shinnecockhills.org
- How To Contact: +1-631-283-1310
- Number Of Holes: 18
- Status: Very Private
Very few golf courses have the honor of hosting five US Open championships on their premises. But Shinnecock Hills Club is one of them.
It has created history by organizing the 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, and 2018 championships. The profound history and link-style course design are major attractions for golf nerds.
8. 1891- Maidstone Country Club
Maidstone is the most reserved golf club in America. Players were always curious about this club because of its history and member list. After all, who wouldn’t love the contoured greens and in-land water bodies?
Maidstone was designed considering players with a higher level of handicap. It’s more like a getaway for its VIP members.
You would be surprised by the list of people who couldn’t get a membership here. The list includes Donald Trump, Diana Ross, and Groucho Marx. According to reports, you must pay around $100,000 as an initial fee.
If you have the resources/connections, check out the information below.
- Address: 50 Old Beach Lane, East Hampton, New York
- Website: https://www.maidstoneclub.org/
- How To Contact: (631) 324-0510
- Number of Holes: 18
- Status: Exclusive
Golf Magazine ranked the course among America’s top 100 golf courses. The good news is that you can play as a guest here. The club gladly accepts their member’s spouses, children, or guests to play on the course.
9. 1892- Downers Grove Golf Club
Another founder of the USGA is the Downers Grove Golf Club. It was inaugurated in 1892 with only nine holes. Within one year, Charles Macdonald added another nine sets of holes, making it the first 18-holes of its time. Imagine an 18-holer during the 1800s.
How the club came into existence is an interesting story too. Charles Macdonald wanted to build a golf course in Chicago. He established a group of members who promised to contribute ($10 each) to the required funding. Later, he met A.H Smith, who was Scottish and loved the game of Golf. He spared one of his estates to construct the course. Pretty inspiring, isn’t it?
- Address: 2420 Haddow Avenue, Downers Grove, Illinois.
- Website: https://www.downersgrovegolfclub.org/
- How To Contact: (630) 963-1306
- Number Of Holes: 9 at par 36
- Status: Only members
The course has been redesigned many times. After the hit of the 1938 hurricane, it reverted to nine holes. But the 2nd,4th,7th,8th, and 9th number holes still reflect the original design and challenge.
10. 1893- Newport Country Club
In 1893, Newport Country Club was inaugurated in Rhode Island. The most iconic feature of this traditional masterpiece is the clubhouse. After the 2006 restoration project, it looks nothing less than a palace. The credit goes to William F Davis and A.W Tillinghast.
It used to be a 9-hole course till 1897. After that, nine more holes were added. The Newport Country Club contributed heavily to the establishment of USGA.
- Address: Harrison Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island 02840.
- Website: https://www.newportcountryclub.us/
- How To Contact: (401) 846-0461
- Number Of Holes: 18
- Status: Private
Moreover, the course boasts of various prideful historical events. For example, the US Open and US amateur championship marked their debuts with this course. Both tournaments have become major golf events of the year since then.
11. 1894- Myopia Hunt Club
Myopia Hunt Club was established nearly 140 years ago near Boston. The designer was none other than Herbert Corey Leeds. He was a passionate player too. Does the name Myopia sound a bit odd?
Since all the founders belonged to the Myopia club, it seemed the best fit for them. Regarding the course, according to Golf Magazine, Myopia has two most iconic holes of all time (4th and 9th).
- Address: South Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
- Website: myopiaclub.com
- How To Contact: 978-468-4433
- Number Of Holes: 18
- Status: Private
You will come across inland ponds, faster greens, and difficult roughs. All of these characteristics make it even more exciting to score here. No doubt, during the 1901 tournament, no player could score above 80. The terrain surely tests you.
12. 1895- Chicago Golf Club
The history of the Chicago golf club and the Downers Grove club is interrelated. Both clubs were established by Charles Macdonald ( introducer of Golf in the USA).
First, he built the Chicago Golf Club in 1892 with 18 holes. But, due to certain inconveniences, the club was relocated in 1895. And it has been there as the Chicago Golf Club ever since.
However, the previous club was renamed Downers Grove Golf Club. The authorities decided to reduce the course to 9 holes.
- Address: Wheaton, Illinois
- Website: https://www.chicagogolf.com/
- How To Contact: +1 630 668 2000
- Number Of Holes: 18
- Status: Private
The Chicago Golf Club plays an important part in the golf history of the United States. If you want to see how the father of Golf would have built a course, book your visit.
13. 1897- Los Angeles Country Club
If you have noticed, most golf courses are located far from the cities. That’s why the LA country club stuns us so much. It is located in the center of Beverly Hills. That is the most expensive piece of land in America.
Well, it makes sense why the fees are so hefty ($25,000). Although George C Thomas was not the original designer, he greatly influenced how the course looks today.
- Address: Wilshire Boulevard, LA, California
- Website: www.thelacc.org
- How To Contact: (310) 276-6104
- Number Of Holes: 36 at par 70
- Status: only members or guests
Another interesting fact about LACC is that it is quite strict with its rules. For example, you can only wear tucked shirts during the day and a jacket on top after the evening.
The authorities also prohibit any kind of social media tag, hashtag, check-in, etc. The club believes in protecting the privacy of its members. That’s why you can’t expose the gossip or policies of the events.
14. 1899- Garden City Golf Club ( Men’s Only)
Garden City Golf Club is one of the best in New York City. Moreover, it’s the only men-only golf club on our list. Devereux Emme was the first designer appointed to shape the course.
And he did a spectacular job. One interesting fact about the garden city golf club is that you will be confused at the first glance. It contains the characteristics of both links and heathland architecture.
- Address: 315 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY
- Website: https://gardencitygolfclub.com/
- How To Contact: (516) 742-2880
- Number Of Holes: 18 at par 73
- Status: Private
Garden City Golf Club is proof that simplicity is the key. The course doesn’t have much drama going on. It’s just a natural course with water hazards to maintain your adrenaline rush.
Noteworthy events hosted in this course are the US Open Championship, Walker Cup, US Amateur, and so on. Besides that, its spring invitational (Walter Travis Invitational) is a big hype among mid-level players. Walter Travis was the man who redesigned the course.
15. 1899-The Savannah Golf Club
Did you know that Savannah Golf Club is actually the oldest country club in America? It has made history after the findings of old documents (invitation cards) dating back to 1796. Considering the invitation was for celebrating an anniversary, the club is definitely older (nearly 1794).
Now, that has changed the history we know. However, this list has used the club’s incorporation date (1899). The club is not just standing but actively organizing regional and state golf tournaments.
- Address: 1661 East President Street, Savannah, Georgia, USA
- Website: www.thesavannahgolfclub.com
- How To Contact: 912 232 2156
- Number Of Holes: 18 at par 72.
- Status: Private
The Savannah Golf Club of Georgia reflects the vision of architect Donald Ross. Recently it has been restored by another famous course designer Gil Hanse.
Conclusion
Many courses have been built around the country thanks to the golf awareness programs. Each state has multiple golf clubs for suitable members. Some are affordable and open to the public. Whereas some are private and reserved for VIPs. But, the newer and more commercial clubhouses can’t stand up to the old charm.
There’s just something different when you stand on a 100-year-old golf course for the first time. The breeze, ponds, holes, everything has been witnessed for several generations.
It is a proud moment when you score and instantly remember how your idols did the same. In short, the experience is indescribable. That’s why we attempted to introduce you to the oldest golf clubs in your nearby areas.
So, which one did you like the most? Let us know.