Old Elm
Old Elm
-
Course Type
Private -
GOLF Top 100 Courses in the U.S. Rank (2024-25)
94 -
Year
1913 -
Architect
H.S. Colt -
Par
72 -
Yardage
7,213
Course Overview
Harry Colt built Old Elm in 1913, in one of his rare North American visits. In the ensuing years, Donald Ross added his own touches, representing the only significant time these two design titans spent together. Fast forward 100 years and superintendent Curtis James has turned this course into a haven for short grass with some of the fastest and firmest playing surfaces in the country. Tee balls scamper forever, at least until they run into one of the Colt bunkers that architect David Zinkand has meticulously restored over the past decade. The bouncy playing surfaces also have turned some of the crowned greens — like on the world-class 2nd and 5th holes — into terrifying propositions. Colt never built features that scream at you; and such is the case at Old Elm, which is the kind of design you would like to wrestle with 30 to 50 times a year. You might not lose a ball playing here but you will wonder why you don’t quite play to your handicap.
