Golf House
United States Golf Association Museum
PO Box 708
Far Hills, NJ 07931-0708
(908) 234-2300 • 234-9687 Fax
www.usgamuseum.com/

Golf has been around since the mid-1400's (Scotland), and maybe earlier. The game may have been played in America as early as the 17th century, but the first permanent club was established in Yonkers, NY in 1888. The game emerged as a major attraction after World War II, with such stars as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus working the professional tour.

With all of this history behind it, golf certainly needs a museum to inform an interested public in the first-hand style that only a museum can deliver. For golfers (or non-golfers) who want to be in the know about this popular sport, the United States Golf Association (USGA) operates a great museum and testing center.

If it concerns golf, you'll probably find it here. The Museum features all sorts of memorabilia, from a Norman Rockwell painting to an etching by Rembrandt to the moon club used by Alan Shephard on Apollo 14 and much more. Golf's ancient and honorable traditions are traced, as well as the game's modern advances, of which there are many.

The Museum interprets golf through a wide variety of media, including ceramics, artwork, trophies, medals, golf clubs, and even an interactive computer where individuals can test their knowledge of golf's history and rules, relive golf's greatest moments, or play the mysterious 18th hole at Golf House.

Adjacent to the Museum is the USGA Research and Test Center with amazing technology and procedures that have helped to standardize the game to a level of precision that would impress any physicist. Did you know that the driver clubface and the ball remain in contact for 450 millionths of a second? That the spin rate of a ball is 3600 RPM when hit by a driver and 8000 when hit by a wedge? These details combine with many others to create standards that ensure that the only factor that will influence the outcome of a game is the player's ability. Visitiors shoud reserve a Research Center tour prior to visiting or immediately upon arrival.

The equipment used to make such measurements is impressive, and visitors can view the operation from a rotunda which includes interactive videos and demonstrations. The tour takes about 45 minutes. Organized groups of any age can also tour the laboratory itself.

New for 2008: A 16,000 square-foot Putting Course will be open for use by Museum visitors. Inspired by the famous Himalayas putting course in Saint Andrews, Scotland, the 9-hole course will feature humps and swales for a challenge. Players will use replica antique putters and golf balls provided by the Museum. The putters will be available for purchase as a neat souvenir. The Putting Course is scheduled to open in September, 2008. Reserving a tee time prior to visiting is highly recommended.

So Golf House, in its beautiful Georgian Colonial mansion, is not only for golfers. History buffs, "techies", physical science students and others will enjoy and benefit from a tour here.

Tours for families are Self-Guided. Groups have the option of arranging a Guided Tour.