Garden City

Garden City Golf Club in Garden City, N.Y.
Patrick Koenig
3 Photos

Garden City

  • Course Type

    Private
  • GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)

    48
  • Year

    1899
  • Architects

    Devereux Emmet, 1899 / Walter Travis, 1906
  • Par

    73
  • Yardage

    6,926

Course Overview

Devereux Emmet and Walter Travis share credit for this old-school design that plays across Hempstead Plain on Long Island. The water is 10 miles both north and south, so sea breezes are a frequent companion. Laurie Auchterlonie won the 1902 U.S. Open here with record scores, owing to the debut of the longer, more durable Haskell ball. Garden City’s tilted greens, like the 10th and 15th, are lay-of-the-land architecture at its highest form. To understand what it means to “get the most from the land,” study the small parcel around the clubhouse that contains the 1st, 2nd and 18th holes, each stellar in its own right. (Photo: Patrick Koenig)

3 things to know

  • Hole everyone talks about

    No. 18, par 3, 186 yards. It’s not often a course finishes with a par 3, but Garden City’s closer is special. The tee shot requires a carry over water, and, thanks to the clubhouse right behind the green, you just might cap your round with an audience.
  • Best non-golf amenity

    With a strict no-cell-phone policy, visitors appreciate the old-school vibe at Garden City, which extends all the way to its no-frills metal lockers.
  • Insider tip

    If you get an invite to Garden City, make sure to dress for the occasion. Sport coats are mandatory in the men’s-only clubhouse.