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#1 in the United States

Pine Valley Golf Club

Pine Valley, New Jersey · designed by George Crump & H.S. Colt · opened 1918
Course card
Pine Valley Golf Club
Pine Valley, New Jersey
Par
70
Yardage
7,201yds
Holes
18
Opened
1918
Access
Private
Design
Classic
Plan of Pine Valley Golf Club showing its fairways, greens and bunkers, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
Course plan of Pine Valley Golf Club, drawn from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL). It shows what volunteer mappers have recorded, not an official plan, and the level of detail varies from course to course.

History

Pine Valley Golf Club, carved from a remote pine forest in southern New Jersey, is widely regarded as the world's most demanding golf course. Founded by Philadelphia hotelier George Crump, who obsessively sited each hole before his death in 1918, with finishing touches by H.S. Colt and Hugh Wilson, Pine Valley presents an unrelenting series of isolated tees and greens surrounded by treacherous sand and scrub. Its par-70 layout defies convention, and its infamous hazards have humbled professionals and amateurs alike. No professional major has been staged here, yet Pine Valley commands the top spot on virtually every authoritative ranking. The 7,201-yard layout offers no weak holes and no mercy for errant shots.

Signature Hole

5th hole, par 3, 226 yards — over a vast sandy waste to a bunker-ringed island green

Notable Tournaments

  • 1936 Walker Cup
  • 1985 Walker Cup
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In the context of the top 100

Where this course sits against every ranked course on the list.

Opened 1918 — older than 15 of the 100 ranked courses.Opened 1918 — older than 15 of the 100 ranked courses.Opened1918189119572023
7,201 yards — longer than 63% of the ranked top 100.7,201 yards — longer than 63% of the ranked top 100.Yardage7,201 yds3,4187,876

Frequently asked questions

Is Pine Valley Golf Club public or private?

Pine Valley Golf Club is a private club. Play is generally limited to members and their accompanied guests.

Who designed Pine Valley Golf Club?

Pine Valley Golf Club was designed by George Crump & H.S. Colt and opened in 1918.

Where does Pine Valley Golf Club rank among the top golf courses in America?

Pine Valley Golf Club ranks #1 on our consensus ranking of America's 100 greatest golf courses, synthesized from Golf Digest, Golfweek, and GOLF Magazine.

What is the signature hole at Pine Valley Golf Club?

The signature hole at Pine Valley Golf Club is the 5th hole, par 3, 226 yards — over a vast sandy waste to a bunker-ringed island green.

Pine Valley, New Jersey · 39.7889, -74.9722 · nearby top-100 courses shown in outline · open in Google Maps →

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