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Visiting the USGA Golf Museum
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Set among the posh country estates of Somerset Hills, the USGA Museum (also known as the Golf House), is a combination of museum, stately house and working test laboratory for the United States Golf Association. The original mansion has now been expanded by almost one-third, but the grounds still bespeak an area of landed gentry. The circular driveway is framed with stands of spruce, pine and dogwood trees and you almost expect a butler to meet you at the white portico of the main house. Originally built by John Russell Pope back in 1919, (Pope was one of America’s leading architects and designed the Jefferson Memorial),the house was bought by the Golf Association in 1972 and has been open to the public ever since.
Newly expanded and refurbished, the museum displays a wide spectrum of golf-related exhibits. There are rooms dedicated to golfing greats such as Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer and there are separate displays of the history of golf balls and golf costumes. The circular Gallery of Champions is filled with trophies and memorabilia. Besides the many exhibits on the history of the game and the men and women who mastered it, there is a full selection of interactive games here. The museum also houses a library of 20,000 volumes that is available to researchers by special permission.
The Research and Testing Lab, in a separate building, has all sorts of technical wonders such as a mechanical golfer and a golf ball testing machine. Tours are available at 2 p.m. during the week, but it is best to make a reservation. There is also a separate 9-hole putting green at the museum. If you want to try your luck, it is open during the warmer months (April to October) for an extra five dollars. Here again a reservation is best. Check the website for proper shoes and attire if you want to tee off at this beautifully-maintained property.
Admission: Adults: $7.00; Children: $5.00
Telephone: 908-234-2300
Website: www.usgamuseum.org
Location: 77 Liberty Corner Road (Route 512), Far Hills, NJ. Convenient to Routes 202, 287 and 78. Driving directions on website.
