Merion East
Hugh Wilson routed Merion East in 1912 on a compact parcel west of Philadelphia, and over a century it became one of the most revered tests in American golf. A par 70 of about 6,996 yards, it has staged five US Opens, plays under wicker baskets rather than flags, and is framed by the sandy hazards known as the White Faces of Merion.
Photo: Merion Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Hugh Wilson laid out Merion East in 1912 on a tight, rolling property in Ardmore, just outside Philadelphia, and it has come to be regarded as one of the greatest classical courses in the world. It is not long by modern standards at about 6,996 yards, yet it has defended itself against the best players in the game for more than a century, most recently at the 2013 US Open.
It is a course of small details and stern character: the wicker baskets atop the flagsticks, the cavernous bunkers known as the White Faces of Merion, the firm greens and the famous closing stretch through the quarry. This is the ground where Ben Hogan struck his 1 iron to the 18th in the 1950 US Open, and a round here, where access allows, is a pilgrimage into the heart of American golf history.
Merion East at a glance
- Opened
- 1912
- Designer
- Hugh Wilson
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,996 yds
- Green fee
- Members
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Merion Golf Club and leading course databases. The East Course was designed by Hugh Wilson and opened in 1912, a par 70 of about 6,996 yards, and has hosted five US Opens in 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981 and 2013. Merion is a private members club with very limited visitor access and no published public green fee, so always confirm access and any guest arrangement directly before planning.
The holes worth the trip
Merion East is a masterclass in how shot values, not raw length, defend a great course. The opening holes run beside the clubhouse and demand precision over power, the firm fairways feeding into greens that fall away at the edges and punish the careless approach.
The middle of the round tightens around Ardmore Avenue and the par 3s, where the wicker baskets give no read on the wind. The closing three holes, played through and around the old quarry, are among the most demanding finishes in championship golf, the 16th, 17th and 18th asking for nerve and a long iron struck flush.
It is the 18th that lives in the imagination, the hole where Hogan hit the most famous 1 iron in history in 1950. Merion rewards the player who plots a careful route, controls trajectory and respects the ground, and it gives back the purest classical golf in the United States.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitor access is very limited and usually requires a member introduction |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest rate is arranged privately (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Plan far ahead through a member or a specialist trip planner; tee times are scarce |
| On the day | Walking with caddies is the tradition; pace and etiquette are expected |
| Getting there | Ardmore on Philadelphia's Main Line, about 30 minutes from Center City and the airport |
| Best months | May to October for the warmest, firmest conditions on the East Course |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Merion is private and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit through a member or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves on Philadelphia's Main Line or in Center City, both within easy reach of Merion and full of excellent hotels and dining. A Main Line base keeps Ardmore and the surrounding classic clubs within a short drive.
For a golf focused stay, the western suburbs around Ardmore and Bryn Mawr put several historic courses on the doorstep. It is an ideal region to build a classic American golf trip around, pairing Merion with the wider riches of the Philadelphia area.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Merion East.
Build a Philadelphia golf trip
We arrange access where it is possible, pair Merion with the best of the region and book the lodging around it. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Merion East questions
Who designed Merion East and when did it open?
Merion East was designed by Hugh Wilson and opened in 1912 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and it is widely regarded as one of the finest classical courses in the world.
What is the par and length of Merion East?
Merion East is a par 70 of about 6,996 yards from the back tees, a course that defends itself through shot values and firm greens rather than sheer length.
How many US Opens has Merion hosted?
The East Course has hosted five US Opens, in 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981 and 2013, along with many other major championships and amateur events.
Can visitors play Merion East?
Merion is a private members club with very limited visitor access, usually requiring a member introduction. Plan well ahead and confirm any arrangement directly.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.