Baltusrol Lower
A.W. Tillinghast routed both Baltusrol courses in 1918 and they opened in 1922, and the Lower has since become one of the great championship tests in American golf. A par 72 of about 7,400 yards of muscular New Jersey parkland, it has hosted four US Opens and two PGA Championships, and it finishes with two of the most famous closing holes in the game.
Photo: Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course) via Google.
The verdict
A.W. Tillinghast laid out both courses at Baltusrol in 1918 and they opened in 1922, and over the following century the Lower Course became one of the great championship tests in American golf. It has hosted four US Opens and two PGA Championships, and it remains a private members club of the first rank in Springfield, New Jersey, about an hour from Manhattan.
The Lower is parkland golf at its most muscular, a par 72 of roughly 7,400 yards that the professionals play as a par 70 for major championships. Robert Trent Jones lengthened it in 1948, his son Rees Jones prepared it for the 1993 US Open, and Gil Hanse has more recently restored the Tillinghast features. It is the closing stretch that defines it, the two long par 5s at the 17th and 18th where Jack Nicklaus sealed the 1967 US Open and where later PGA Championships were decided.
Baltusrol Lower at a glance
- Opened
- 1922
- Designer
- A.W. Tillinghast
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,400 yds
- Green fee
- Members
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Baltusrol Golf Club and leading course databases. Tillinghast designed both courses in 1918 and they opened in 1922; the Lower plays as a par 72 of about 7,400 yards for members and was set up as a par 70 of around 7,428 yards for the 2016 PGA Championship. Baltusrol is a private members club with no published public green fee, so always confirm access and any guest arrangement directly before planning.
The holes worth the trip
The Lower runs over rolling New Jersey parkland with broad, tree lined corridors, deep Tillinghast bunkering and large, firm greens that ask for control on the approach. It is a long, honest test that rewards the player who can shape the ball and hold the line off the tee.
The short 4th is the signature, a par 3 played across a pond to a green guarded by stone and sand, a hole Tillinghast himself is said to have defended when a member questioned its difficulty. The middle of the round climbs and falls through mature timber, with the long par 4s demanding two full, well struck shots.
The finish is among the most famous in championship golf, back to back par 5s at the 17th and 18th. The 17th is a genuine three shot hole for most, while the uphill 18th has decided major after major, the green sitting beyond a cross hazard that has tempted and punished the best in the world.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitor play is generally by member introduction only, with no public access |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest round is arranged through a member (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Plan well ahead through a member or a specialist; major championship venues require long lead times |
| On the day | Caddies are part of the experience; walking is encouraged on the championship layout |
| Getting there | Springfield, New Jersey, about 45 minutes from Newark Liberty and an hour from Manhattan |
| Best months | May to October for the warmest, driest parkland conditions in the Northeast |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Baltusrol is private and policy can change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in the smart suburbs of northern New Jersey or in Manhattan, both within easy reach of Baltusrol and the cluster of great courses in the New York metropolitan area. The short train ride into the city makes a combined golf and culture trip simple to build.
For a golf focused stay, the towns around Springfield and Short Hills offer comfortable hotels close to the club, while a Manhattan base pairs the round with the wider draw of the city. It is an ideal region to build a Northeast golf tour around, pairing Baltusrol with the public major venue at Bethpage Black.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Springfield and Short Hills.
Build a New Jersey golf trip
We help you reach the great private clubs of the Northeast where access allows, pair them with the best public venues and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Baltusrol Lower questions
Who designed Baltusrol and when did the Lower Course open?
Both Baltusrol courses were designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1918 and opened in 1922. The Lower Course was later lengthened by Robert Trent Jones and Rees Jones, with Gil Hanse restoring Tillinghast features more recently.
What is the par and length of the Lower Course?
For members the Lower plays as a par 72 of about 7,400 yards. It was set up as a par 70 of around 7,428 yards for the 2016 PGA Championship.
What championships has the Lower Course hosted?
The Lower has hosted four US Opens, including Jack Nicklaus wins in 1967 and 1980, and two PGA Championships, won by Phil Mickelson in 2005 and Jimmy Walker in 2016.
Can visitors play Baltusrol?
Baltusrol is a private members club. Visitor play is generally by member introduction only, so plan well ahead through a member or a specialist.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access details verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.