A.W. Tillinghast designed three U.S. Open venues that became legendary?

A.W. Tillinghast became one of the most influential golf-course architects in American history, creating courses that would go on to host some of the biggest championships in the game. Among his most famous designs are Winged Foot Golf Club, Baltusrol Golf Club and San Francisco Golf Club.

Winged Foot, particularly its West Course, became renowned for its demanding fairways, difficult greens and unforgiving rough. It has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and became one of the most respected championship courses in America. Baltusrol has also hosted numerous U.S. Opens and PGA Championships, while Tillinghast’s work at San Francisco Golf Club remains highly regarded for its strategic design.

Tillinghast’s approach was influenced by a journey to Scotland early in his career. He travelled to St Andrews, where he met and spent time with Old Tom Morris. Morris’s philosophy of working with the natural landscape rather than simply imposing a design on it left a lasting impression on Tillinghast and helped shape his own approach to golf architecture.

Tillinghast eventually developed his own distinctive style, combining natural features with strategic challenges that demanded both precision and careful thinking. His courses were not simply designed to be difficult—they were designed to test every part of a golfer’s game.
More than a century later, his courses continue to host major championships and challenge the world’s best players, demonstrating just how enduring his architectural vision has been.