Baltusrol Lower Course
One of the great championship courses in the American Northeast, the Lower at Baltusrol has hosted four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships. A.W. Tillinghast built it in 1922, a par 72 of about 7,400 yards that ends with back to back par 5s.
Photo: Sweet Lou Monaco via Google.
The verdict
Baltusrol Golf Club's Lower Course is one of the most decorated championship venues in the United States and a defining work of the great American architect A.W. Tillinghast. In 1922 Tillinghast replaced the club's original course with two new layouts, the Upper and the Lower, on the slopes of Baltusrol Mountain in Springfield, New Jersey, less than an hour from Manhattan. The Lower plays as a par 72 of about 7,400 yards for members, and is set up as a demanding par 70 for the U.S. Open.
It is a big, classical parkland course built for the biggest occasions, with broad fairways framed by mature trees, deep Tillinghast bunkering and large, subtle greens. Its championship record is extraordinary: four U.S. Opens, in 1954, 1967, 1980 and 1993, and two PGA Championships, in 2005 and 2016. Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Open here twice, in 1967 and 1980, both times setting scoring marks, and Phil Mickelson took the 2005 PGA on the famous closing stretch. For a traveling golfer it is a private club of true major championship pedigree within easy reach of New York City, reached through a member.
Baltusrol Lower at a glance
- Opened
- 1922
- Designer
- A.W. Tillinghast
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,400 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from the club, the USGA, the PGA of America and leading databases. A.W. Tillinghast designed the Lower Course, which opened in 1922; it plays as a par 72 of about 7,400 yards for members in Springfield, New Jersey, and has hosted four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships. It is a private club; access is generally only through a member, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Lower is best known for its finish, and rightly so. It is one of the only major championship courses to close with consecutive par 5s, the long 17th and the reachable, water guarded 18th, a pairing that has produced drama in nearly every championship played here. Reaching the home green in two over the cross hazard, as Nicklaus famously did in 1967 and 1980, is one of the iconic acts in U.S. Open history.
Before that the course asks for sustained, high quality ball striking. The fairways are generous enough to encourage an aggressive line, but Tillinghast's bunkering and the large, gently contoured greens demand precise approach play and careful position to leave makeable putts. The famous par 3 fourth, played across water to a bunkered green, is among the most photographed one shot holes in the country and a perfect example of Tillinghast's blend of beauty and difficulty.
What stays with players is the sense of scale and occasion. The Lower is a course that feels built for championships, where the test grows steadily toward a finish that invites both glory and disaster. It is classical American parkland architecture on the grandest stage.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; not generally open to public play, with access usually through a member |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest play is hosted by a member (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | An introduction through a member, arranged well in advance, is essential |
| On the day | Caddies available and walking encouraged; a collared shirt and traditional dress code expected |
| Getting there | Springfield, in northern New Jersey about 45 minutes west of Manhattan; Newark Liberty International Airport is roughly 25 minutes away |
| Best months | May through June and September through October, when the parkland is firm and fast |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Baltusrol is a private club and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the club or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Northern New Jersey offers a wide range of hotels close to the club, while Manhattan, about forty five minutes east, provides the fullest choice of luxury lodging and dining for travelers building a wider trip. Newark Liberty International Airport is the nearest major gateway, with the New York airports also within reach.
Baltusrol anchors a strong metropolitan New York golf itinerary and pairs naturally with the great courses of New Jersey and the surrounding region. We can arrange the introductions where possible and handle the lodging and transfers around your round.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around New York and northern New Jersey.
Build a New Jersey golf trip
We help arrange access where we can, plan the visit to Baltusrol and book the lodging and transfers around your round. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Baltusrol Lower Course questions
Who designed the Baltusrol Lower Course and when did it open?
The Lower Course was designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1922 in Springfield, New Jersey, when he built the club's celebrated Upper and Lower courses on the slopes of Baltusrol Mountain.
What is the par and length of the Baltusrol Lower Course?
The Lower Course plays as a par 72 of about 7,400 yards for members, set up as a par 70 for U.S. Opens, and is famous for finishing with back to back par 5s at the 17th and 18th.
What championships has the Baltusrol Lower Course hosted?
The Lower Course has hosted four U.S. Opens, in 1954, 1967, 1980 and 1993, and two PGA Championships, in 2005 and 2016. Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Open here in both 1967 and 1980.
Can visitors play the Baltusrol Lower Course?
Baltusrol is a private members club and is not generally open to public play. Access is usually only through a member, so arranging a visit well in advance is essential.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.