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Baltusrol.

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  • Baltusrol.

    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.
    Last edited by bcampb00; Jun 23, 2022, 10:08 AM.

  • #2
    Lucky you.

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    • #3
      Click image for larger version

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      View of the “stately” clubhouse from the 3rd green of the lower course.

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      The very good par 3 4th from behind the green. 18th of lower and upper courses in the background.

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      Long competitive history on the lower…
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      • #4
        Thanks for the write up. I was supposed to play the lower course 2 years ago through a friend who is part of the Outpost club but the pandemic cancelled the visit. Did you learn about where the Baltusrol name came from? It is a fascinating story about a farmer named Baltus Roll who was murdered!

        Did you play any other courses in NJ? Somerset Hills? Pine Valley? Plainfield?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Maritime Golfer 77 View Post
          Thanks for the write up. I was supposed to play the lower course 2 years ago through a friend who is part of the Outpost club but the pandemic cancelled the visit. Did you learn about where the Baltusrol name came from? It is a fascinating story about a farmer named Baltus Roll who was murdered!

          Did you play any other courses in NJ? Somerset Hills? Pine Valley? Plainfield?
          I read it was named after the Baltusrol “mountain” nearby. Didn’t play any other courses, it was a short visit. So many good courses to play in the area.

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          • #6
            Man it’s hard posting pictures on here. I have a few more but keep getting error messages about the size of the file.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by bcampb00 View Post

              I read it was named after the Baltusrol “mountain” nearby. Didn’t play any other courses, it was a short visit. So many good courses to play in the area.
              Here is the story about the murdered farmer named Baltus Roll. Stop teasing us and post those photos!

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              • #8
                The LPGA championship will be played there next year.

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                • #9
                  Lucky s.o.b. Nice pictures of the place, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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                  • #10
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                    The excellent par 5 17th Lower. Taken from the fairway. Second shot requires carrying the waste area but avoiding the bunker complex fronting the elevated green. John Daly was the only player to reach the green in two at the last PGA championship. Im sure many would reach it now...

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                    • #11
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                      Solid par 3 16th Lower. Pictures don't really do the hole justice.
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