Fresh off my visit to Baltusrol Golf Club, it’s hard not to feel like I just walked through a living chapter of golf history—one that’s been meticulously rewritten, not with new ink, but by tracing over the original strokes in bold.
Nestled in Springfield, New Jersey, Baltusrol has long held a place on golf’s Mount Rushmore. Yet even legends can lose their way over time. For Baltusrol, the soul it once shared with A. W. Tillinghast—the architectural titan who envisioned and executed its dual-course brilliance over a century ago—had become faint. So, in the fall of 2017, the club set out on an ambitious journey to recover its DNA.
Enter Gil Hanse.
Hanse wasn’t brought in to redesign. He was brought in to remember. To revive. To interpret the architectural fingerprints of Tillinghast and stretch them delicately for the demands of the modern game. What began as a restoration became an act of reverence—a multi-year archaeological dig through thousands of photos, hand-written notes, and archived documents, all to ensure that every bunker edge, fairway contour, and green complex echoed the master’s intent.
The result is nothing short of breathtaking.
Walking the restored Lower and Upper courses, it becomes evident that Hanse has performed a kind of golf alchemy—transforming archival vision into living brilliance. It’s as if Tillinghast himself had returned, walked the property with a TrackMan in hand, and laid down routing that balances heritage with horsepower.
The Lower Course is, of course, the more widely known, having hosted major championships for both men and women. And yes, it remains the more logistically equipped to welcome the game’s biggest stages. In fact, it’s already booked to host the 2029 PGA Championship—a date that seems less like a comeback and more like a coronation.
But don’t let the spotlight on the Lower cast a shadow over the Upper Course. Tillinghast’s audacious premise—that both layouts should be equally formidable, equally desirable—still holds. There is no “B” side at Baltusrol. Both courses are championship-ready, their designs now sharpened by Hanse’s hand yet softened where appropriate for natural playability. It’s golf architecture at its most poetic: bold, thoughtful, and completely at home in its setting.
What makes Baltusrol’s transformation so remarkable isn’t just the scale or the history—it’s the intent. This wasn’t change for change’s sake. It was change for the sake of legacy. And now, the courses play as if they were always meant to look this way. That, in itself, is the highest praise.
Baltusrol has reminded us that true greatness isn’t about reinvention—it’s about rediscovery. And in that rediscovery, they’ve not only honored A. W. Tillinghast—they’ve reignited his vision for generations to come.
Mark my words: the 2029 PGA won’t be the last major hosted here. Not even close.
Sidebar: The Hanse Philosophy — Restoration with Respect
Gil Hanse has become golf’s leading voice in architectural restoration, and it’s no accident. His guiding principle? “Do no harm.”
Rather than imprinting his own vision onto historic courses, Hanse takes a backseat to the original designer’s intent. At Baltusrol, this meant immersing himself—and the membership—in the legacy of A. W. Tillinghast. Every move was deliberate. Every adjustment anchored in history. And while he embraced the need to modernize for today’s distances and maintenance standards, his compass remained fixed on authenticity.
Hanse once described his job as “removing the noise” that decades of evolution and renovation had added. The result is a cleaner, clearer echo of the past—restored, not reimagined.
Whether it’s Baltusrol, Winged Foot, or Southern Hills, the Hanse signature isn’t found in bunkers or greens. It’s found in humility. In letting history speak louder than the architect.
And at Baltusrol, that quiet genius is now on full display.
Reader Tips: Playing Baltusrol Like a Pro
If you’re lucky enough to tee it up at Baltusrol, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your round:
- Respect the Walk: Both courses are walkable and best appreciated on foot. Bring comfortable shoes and a caddie—trust us, the local knowledge is invaluable.
- Play Smart, Not Long: Tillinghast’s designs reward precision over power. Focus on hitting fairways and navigating the greens wisely—especially on the Lower Course, where subtle breaks can make or break your round.
- Savor the History: From the famous clubhouse to plaques marking major moments in golf, take the time to soak in the setting. You’re not just playing a course—you’re walking through history.
- Don’t Skip the Upper: It may not host the 2029 PGA, but the Upper Course is just as spectacular. Many members consider it the better walk, and Hanse’s work there is equally stunning.
- Order the Clubhouse Burger: After your round, head inside for one of the best post-golf meals you’ll ever have. Tradition tastes even better after 18.