National Golf Links of America
National Golf Links of America
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Course Type
Private -
GOLF Top 100 U.S. Rank (2024-25)
4 -
Year
1911 -
Architect
C.B. Macdonald -
Par
72 -
Yardage
6,935
Course Overview
NGLA, or “National,” as it’s known, brought Seth Raynor and C.B. Macdonald together for the first time and what they created epitomizes strategic design. Some of its template holes, including the Alps 3rd, the Redan 4th, the Short 6th and the Leven 17th, are arguably superior to their namesake holes in the United Kingdom that Macdonald copied. Legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin summed it up nicely when he opined, “The National Links is a truly great course; even as I write I feel my allegiance to Westward Ho!, to Hoylake, to St. Andrews tottering to its fall.” (Photo: William Tyler Smith)
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
No. 16, par-4, 415 yards: National is loaded with template features, but few rival the punchbowl green at 16, which requires two well-struck shots uphill to hit in regulation. Another bonus: the club’s signature windmill stands sentinel by the green. -
Best non-golf amenity
For appetizers, some clubs offer wings and spinach dip. National serves up a whole lobster. Get cracking (and dipping) while you decide on your main course and dessert. -
Insider tip
Heed your caddie! NGLA is full of blind shots, hard-to-read slopes and other quirkiness. If it’s your first time out there (or 101st!), take the counsel of your wizened looper.