Just finished a quick visit to Baltusrol in Springfield NJ. I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. I went with moderate expectations but left pretty impressed.
First, the commute was really easy. Early morning flight out of the island airport (easy peasey) to Newark. Quick clear through customs in Newark and our golf bags were waiting when we walked down to baggage. A pleasant 20 minute Uber trip to the club. Less than 2 hours from island to Baltusrol.
Baltusrol has an incredible historic pedigree. US Opens have been held on both of their 2 18’s (upper and lower); several women’s opens; US amateur and the PGA (another PGA on the way). For whatever reason, Baltusrol has fallen out of the US open rotation but that may change (more on that later). It seems like a great logistical venue 36 holes of space for a open, challenging course, close to a major population center - great venue?
Despite being located at the base of Baltusrol “mountain” (big hill?) both courses are surprisingly flat - upper much more movement of land than the lower, but still…. I took a few photos but my photography doesn’t do much justice. I will post them a little later.
Both courses were designed by Tillinghast but have been subjected to lots of “work” over the years. I believe Rees Jones did work to both during his period as “US Open specialist”. The lower was recently renovated by Gil Hanse with the intent of restoring much of the original Tillinghast design.
I thought it was really good. The bunkering and green sites are really interesting. There are some devilish fairway bunkers that have to be avoided to score well here. Reading greens is also challenging even though you know that everything breaks away from the mountain. Even the caddies seemed confused by the breaks on occasion.
I suspect that with the renovation the lower may fit back in to the US Open rotation - certainly seems reasonable to me. Maybe the PGA in 2029 will be a test drive of sorts?
The upper course was (in my view) less interesting but very enjoyable- certainly a less stern test. Rough and fairway bunkering was much more playable but still challenging and with interesting green sites. I played wayyy better on the upper even though I enjoyed the challenge of the lower. Next year Gil Hanse is scheduled to redo / restore maybe Upper. I would love to return after he is done.
For some reason (ignorance probably) I wasn’t expecting as much from Baltusrol as I got. Friendly, welcoming, historical, dripping in golf “culture” this is a great visit for golf enthusiasts. I hope they get back in the US Open rota.
First, the commute was really easy. Early morning flight out of the island airport (easy peasey) to Newark. Quick clear through customs in Newark and our golf bags were waiting when we walked down to baggage. A pleasant 20 minute Uber trip to the club. Less than 2 hours from island to Baltusrol.
Baltusrol has an incredible historic pedigree. US Opens have been held on both of their 2 18’s (upper and lower); several women’s opens; US amateur and the PGA (another PGA on the way). For whatever reason, Baltusrol has fallen out of the US open rotation but that may change (more on that later). It seems like a great logistical venue 36 holes of space for a open, challenging course, close to a major population center - great venue?
Despite being located at the base of Baltusrol “mountain” (big hill?) both courses are surprisingly flat - upper much more movement of land than the lower, but still…. I took a few photos but my photography doesn’t do much justice. I will post them a little later.
Both courses were designed by Tillinghast but have been subjected to lots of “work” over the years. I believe Rees Jones did work to both during his period as “US Open specialist”. The lower was recently renovated by Gil Hanse with the intent of restoring much of the original Tillinghast design.
I thought it was really good. The bunkering and green sites are really interesting. There are some devilish fairway bunkers that have to be avoided to score well here. Reading greens is also challenging even though you know that everything breaks away from the mountain. Even the caddies seemed confused by the breaks on occasion.
I suspect that with the renovation the lower may fit back in to the US Open rotation - certainly seems reasonable to me. Maybe the PGA in 2029 will be a test drive of sorts?
The upper course was (in my view) less interesting but very enjoyable- certainly a less stern test. Rough and fairway bunkering was much more playable but still challenging and with interesting green sites. I played wayyy better on the upper even though I enjoyed the challenge of the lower. Next year Gil Hanse is scheduled to redo / restore maybe Upper. I would love to return after he is done.
For some reason (ignorance probably) I wasn’t expecting as much from Baltusrol as I got. Friendly, welcoming, historical, dripping in golf “culture” this is a great visit for golf enthusiasts. I hope they get back in the US Open rota.
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