The oldest golf course west of the Mississippi River is Gearhart Golf Links, founded in 1892 in the small seaside town of Gearhart, Oregon. While other courses laid claim to history, Gearhart has stood the test of time, continuously operating and inviting golfers to walk its historic fairways for over a century. This article will not only tell the story of this incredible course but also highlight other early western golf pioneers and give you some practical advice on how to best enjoy a round on a piece of living history.
In the late 19th century, golf was a fledgling sport in America, brought over by Scottish immigrants who couldn't imagine life without it. While the game blossomed in the East, its journey west was slower, often following the new railroad lines to burgeoning resort towns. And in one of those towns on the rugged Oregon coast, a few determined Scots decided a proper links was in order.
The story of Gearhart Golf Links is delightfully humble. It wasn't designed by a world-famous architect and backed by wealthy industrialists, it was laid out by a handful of men who knew what a real golf course should feel like. In 1892, they staked out a spare three holes on a piece of seaside dairy pasture, complete with rudimentary "greens" scraped out of the sand and tin cans sunk into the ground as cups. It was rugged, it was raw, and it was golf.
One of those founders, Robert Livingstone, famously missed his home links so much he convinced his friends to start the course so they’d have a place to play. This origin story is essential to Gearhart's character. It wasn’t a manufactured experience, it grew organically from a passion for the game. Over the years, the course expanded to nine holes, and eventually to eighteen. It saw redesigns and renovations from noted architects, including H. Chandler Egan, a two-time U.S. Amateur champion and a man who helped shape many of the West Coast's greatest courses, including Pebble Beach.
What makes Gearhart’s claim so solid is its continuous operation. Many other "old" courses have closed down for periods or moved locations. Gearhart has been right there, in the same spot, welcoming golfers consistently since 1892. It's a public course, maintaining a friendly, accessible vibe that beautifully reflects its grass-roots beginnings.
Stepping onto the first tee at Gearhart is a special experience. You're not just playing golf, you're connecting with a history that predates the modern game as we know it. The course today is a par-72 layout that stretches to about 6,500 yards. It’s what you would expect from a classic Oregon coastal course: sandy soil, windswept fairways, and a character that changes with the weather.
From a golf coach's perspective, this is not a course you can overpower with a driver on every hole. It’s a classic, strategic test.
The beauty of Gearhart is its unassuming nature. There's no pretense here. You can show up, tee it up, grab a pint at the McMenamins Pub on-site, and feel like you're a part of the local fabric. It’s a living, breathing testament to the simple joy of the game.
While Gearhart holds the official title, other historic courses west of the Mississippi deserve recognition. Golf history can be a bit murky, with club foundational dates sometimes differing from when first play occurred. Here are a couple of other hugely important courses in the West's golf story.
Just five years after Gearhart's rudimentary holes were carved out, Del Monte Golf Course officially opened in Monterey, California. Billed as the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi, there's a friendly debate between it and Gearhart. While Gearhart's golf grounds date to 1892, Del Monte staked its claim as a professionally designed and built course opening in 1897.
Part of the famous Hotel Del Monte resort, the course represented the next evolution of golf in America - a luxury amenity designed to attract wealthy tourists. It has a inland, parkland feel surrounded by old oaks and cypress. Its small, subtly breaking greens are its greatest defense and have humbled even the best players for generations. Like Gearhart, Del Monte is open to the public, offering a chance to play on the same turf that hosted the original California State Amateur and countless other historic events.
You may have heard of Oakhurst Links in West Virginia as the "oldest golf course in America," and that's generally accepted. Founded in 1884, it's an incredible time capsule of golf's beginnings. But why isn't it the subject of our article? Location, location, location. Oakhurst is located firmly east of the Mississippi River.
It's worth mentioning because it provides fantastic context. The experience at Oakhurst, where players often use period-appropriate hickory-shafted clubs and gutta-percha replica golf balls, highlights just how different the game was when courses like Gearhart and Del Monte were born. The game was slower, more tactical, and closer to hiking through a pasture than the manicured a-la-carte experience we have today.
Playing a course that's over 120 years old is a unique treat, and you'll get more out of it if you go in with the right mindset. Think of it less as a test of your personal best and more as a conversation with the past. As a coach, this is what I'd tell you before teeing off.
Spend five minutes before your round reading about the course's origins or its architects. Understanding who H. Chandler Egan or Charles E. Maud (Del Monte's original designer) were and what their design philosophy was will give you a new appreciation for the why behind each bunker and every subtle slope.
This is my number one tip for playing classic courses. These layouts were not designed to be played from 7,000+ yards. They were built for hickory shafts and less lively golf balls. To experience the strategy as the architect intended - playing to certain layup areas, taking specific angles into greens - it's often best to play from a shorter yardage than you normally would. Resist the temptation to "go to the tips." Instead, choose a tee box that allows you to have a mid- to short-iron into most par 4s. You'll have way more fun.
Today’s game is often a simplistic equation of "Driver, Wedge." Old courses ask for more creativity. They demand shot-shaping, trajectory control, and a savvy ground game.
These are the questions old courses ask of you. Try leaving the driver in the bag on a tight hole and play a gentle 3-wood or a long iron. Don't be afraid to think differently. Appreciate the journey the ball takes as much as its final destination. Savor the walk. This type of golf is about feel, creativity, and connection to the landscape - a perfect remedy for the often all-too-technical modern game.
The definitive answer to "What is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi?" is Gearhart Golf Links in Oregon, a public-access gem born in 1892. Playing historic courses like Gearhart or Del Monte offers more than just a round of golf, it's a nostalgic experience that connects you to the very soul of the game, emphasizing strategy and finesse over sheer power.
When you're trying to navigate the subtleties of a century-old design or any course for that matter, having a smart strategy is a huge advantage. That’s where we designed Caddie AI to help. It can provide on-demand strategic advice for any hole you’re standing on, helping you understand the architect's intent and choose the smartest play. Whether you need a club recommendation to handle coastal winds or a simple plan to avoid a course's historic hazards, you've got an expert opinion to help you play smarter and more confidently.
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