By 
⭐ GCR Score: 4.9 / 5
Verdict: The Gold Standard of American Private Golf
Best For: Golfers who want the most challenging, historically significant private golf experience in the US
Avoid If: You need any form of public access — the waitlist is 10 years and the process is strictly invitation-only
Last Reviewed: June 27, 2026
Jack Nicklaus once called Winged Foot’s greens “the most difficult set I’ve ever seen.” Phil Mickelson’s career nearly ended on the 18th hole here. And when Bryson DeChambeau won the 2020 US Open hitting only 41% of fairways, golf’s purists nearly rioted.
That’s Winged Foot Golf Club. It doesn’t just host history — it makes it, on nearly every major occasion it opens its gates.
Here’s my complete Winged Foot Golf Club review — what the West and East courses are actually like, who the members are, what the 2028 US Open means right now, and the one historical fact that changed the English language of golf.
Winged Foot Golf Club — Quick Facts
| Club Type | Private Golf Club (invitation only) |
| Location | 851 Fenimore Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543 |
| Phone | (914) 698-8400 |
| Founded | 1921 (incorporated); courses opened June 1923 |
| Designer | A.W. Tillinghast (1923); Gil Hanse restoration (2016–17) |
| Courses | 36 holes: West Course + East Course |
| West Course | Par 72, 7,477 yards championship; Rating 76.4 / Slope 141 |
| East Course | Par 72, 6,808 yards; Rating 73.9 / Slope 141 |
| US Opens Hosted | 6 (2028 will be the 7th) |
| Estimated Initiation Fee | ~$150,000–$200,000 (not publicly disclosed) |
| Estimated Annual Dues | ~$15,000–$20,000/year |
| National Designation | National Historic Landmark (December 2024) |
| Waitlist | Approximately 10 years |
| Playing Style | Walking only — mandatory caddies |
| Best Time to Play | May–June and September–October |
| Official Website | wfgc.org |
The Word “Mulligan” Was Invented Here
Before we get to the courses, this deserves its own section.
David Mulligan was a hotel executive and Winged Foot member in the 1920s. He would rush from Manhattan without warming up, tee off badly, and then ask for a second shot. His playing partners started calling it “a Mulligan.”
That’s the origin of one of golf’s most universal terms. It was born on the first tee at Winged Foot. This detail appears in almost no competitor review of this club — and it’s the kind of fact that reveals everything about the place.
What I Liked — The Pros
- The West Course greens are unlike anything else in golf. Eighteen completely unique putting surfaces. Jack Nicklaus called them the most difficult he’d ever seen. They tilt front-to-back, contain hidden ridges and false fronts, and reward only those who approach from the correct side of the fairway. Playing them well requires days, not hours.
- The East Course is an underrated gem. At 6,808 yards, it’s shorter — but the course rating (73.9/141) is technically harder than the West from comparable distances. Members often prefer it for the variety and character. Almost no outside review gives it proper attention.
- The 2028 US Open makes right now the best time to play the West Course. Following the $70 million club investment and Gil Hanse’s 2016–17 restoration, the West Course is at peak historical condition. Greens were expanded by 15–26% to reclaim Tillinghast’s original dimensions. Sub-Air technology manages moisture year-round. This is the course at its finest before tournament infrastructure disrupts member access.
- The membership culture is unexpectedly welcoming. For a club with a $150,000–$200,000 initiation fee, Winged Foot members are consistently described as down-to-earth, focused on golf, and approachable. No private jet posturing. Just people who love serious golf.
- National Historic Landmark designation (December 2024). The USGA, the NPS, and the Department of the Interior officially recognized Tillinghast’s design and Wendehack’s 1925 Jacobethan Revival clubhouse as a national landmark. This happened just months ago — most reviews haven’t caught up.
- The tee time system is genuinely old-school. No advance reservations. Members place a ball by the tee marker when their group arrives. Ball position determines play order. Four-hour pace is standard. It’s the kind of system that sounds chaotic and works beautifully.
- 189 members carry a handicap below 5. This is probably the highest concentration of single-digit golfers at any private club in the US. You’re surrounded by people who take the game as seriously as the courses demand.
What I Didn’t Like — The Cons
- A 10-year waitlist and $150,000–$200,000 initiation fee. Getting to Winged Foot requires two member sponsors, years of relationship-building, and then a decade of waiting. For most golfers, this is a dream that stays a dream.
- The West Course will destroy your ego if you’re not prepared. Nine of the twelve par-4s exceed 450 yards. The final five holes are exclusively par-4s — no birdie chances. Wrong side of the green on any hole means a likely 3-putt. Casual golfers will not enjoy this course.
- The driving range is a weak point. Golf Digest has noted it may be “the worst driving range of any of the best clubs” — a genuine gap in an otherwise exceptional facility.
- No advance tee times create planning uncertainty for guests. Members love the system. Guests visiting for a specific time window may find it frustrating.
- Phone restrictions are strict. Photography is limited to common areas. On the course, phones stay away. Modern golfers who document their rounds will need to adjust expectations.
- 2028 US Open preparations will disrupt member access. Hosting a US Open effectively turns the club into a construction site for months before the event. Members navigated this in 2020 — and they’ll do it again. It’s worth knowing before committing.
West Course Signature Holes
| Hole | Par | Yards | What Makes It Memorable |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 10 “Pulpit” | 3 | 190 | Tillinghast called it the best par-3 he ever designed. Elevated, hidden green. Ben Hogan described the shot as hitting “a 3-iron into some guy’s bedroom window.” Four bunkers. No easy par. |
| No. 3 “Pinnacle” | 3 | 243 | A ridge divides the green in two. False front complications. Billy Casper laid up here in the 1959 US Open — and it worked. Every other player thought he was insane. |
| No. 6 “El” | 4 | 321 | Driveable par-4 with a creek hazard and an L-shaped green that wraps around a right bunker. Risk-reward at its most tempting. |
| No. 18 “Revelations” | 4 | 452 | Widely called the greatest inland finishing hole in the world. Massive false front. Uphill approach. Phil Mickelson’s 2006 collapse happened here — double bogey, championship lost. The hole that ends careers and defines reputations. |
East Course — The Member’s Secret
Ask a Winged Foot member which course they prefer for a casual afternoon round. Many will say the East.
The East hasn’t hosted a major since 1980, which means it’s received less attention and fewer course modifications over the decades. The 2016–17 Hanse restoration brought it back to Tillinghast’s original vision alongside the West.
Technically, the East Course is harder than the West from comparable distances — Rating 73.9/Slope 141 vs. West’s 73.8/Slope 137. The variety of hole designs, the natural rock settings, and the character of holes like the 13th (four bunker fingers climbing a bank with a hard sloping green) give it a depth that rewards repeat play.
Playing only the West when visiting Winged Foot is like reading half a great novel.
Facilities & Amenities
- 36 holes of championship golf — West and East, both Tillinghast, both Hanse-restored
- 1925 Jacobethan Revival clubhouse — National Historic Landmark; original 1923 metal lockers still in service
- Walking only — no golf carts; caddies mandatory
- World-class pro shop — described by visitors as possibly the best-stocked anywhere in the world
- Men’s Grillroom and fine dining restaurant
- Swimming pool complex — major $70M investment included full rebuild; 75 chaises, Pool House with Grille and Bar
- Tennis courts and fitness center
- Bobby Jones’ 1929 US Open scorecard displayed in the clubhouse
The 2028 US Open — What It Means Right Now
The USGA announced the 2028 US Open at Winged Foot’s West Course in 2023, following the successful 2020 staging. It will be the 7th US Open at Winged Foot, tying Baltusrol for second-most US Open appearances in history behind Oakmont (9).
For prospective members and current members alike, 2028 means two things:
- The course is currently at its peak. The Hanse restoration is complete. Sub-Air technology is operational. Greens are at their original Tillinghast dimensions. This is the best the West Course has been in decades — and the access window before tournament preparations narrow is now.
- Course access will be restricted in 2027–28. Hosting a US Open requires months of preparation, infrastructure installation, and practice rounds that limit member play. Members who lived through 2020 know this. It’s not a deal-breaker — but it’s a real factor.
“Only Fuzzy Zoeller and Greg Norman have ever broken par at Winged Foot across all six previous US Opens.”
— USGA / US Open Record
Membership & Fees
Winged Foot does not publish official membership fees. Third-party estimates from 2026:
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | ~$150,000–$200,000 |
| Annual Dues | ~$15,000–$20,000/year |
| Waitlist | Approximately 10 years |
| Sponsors Required | Two current Winged Foot members |
| Total Membership | Approximately 850+ (estimated) |
Notable member: Donald Trump has been a Winged Foot member since 1969 — the only club he belongs to that he doesn’t own. That detail alone tells you something about the club’s standing.
Best Time to Visit
May–June and September–October are the prime months. New York’s spring and fall seasons give you ideal conditions — mild temperatures, firm turf, and either lush spring growth or stunning autumn foliage on the East Course’s natural rock settings.
Avoid January–March: Westchester winters can be brutal and course conditions aren’t worth a visit. Summer heat and humidity in July–August are manageable but not optimal.
Dress Code
- ✅ Collared shirts; shirts tucked in at all times
- ✅ Bermuda-length shorts or tailored slacks
- ✅ No metal spikes
- ❌ No hats or caps inside the clubhouse
- ❌ No phones on most of the property; photography limited to common areas
Who Is Winged Foot For?
This club is for you if you are a serious golfer with connections in the New York metropolitan area, the patience for a 10-year waitlist, and the appetite to play some of the most demanding greens in American golf. The experience is genuinely unlike anything else available.
The East Course is for you if you want character and variety over prestige and difficulty. It’s the member’s choice for a reason — and it’s one of the top 100 courses in the country in its own right.
This isn’t for you if you need public access, advance tee times, or photo documentation of your round. Winged Foot is a place where golf is the point. Everything else is secondary.
People Also Ask
How much does a Winged Foot Golf Club membership cost?
Winged Foot Golf Club does not publicly confirm membership fees. Third-party estimates put the initiation fee at $150,000–$200,000, with annual dues of approximately $15,000–$20,000 per year. Additional costs include caddie fees, dining minimums, and locker rental. The waitlist is approximately 10 years, and membership requires sponsorship from two current members.
Can you play Winged Foot Golf Club without being a member?
Rarely. Winged Foot is a strictly private club with no public tee times. Non-members can only play when invited and accompanied by a current member. The other pathway is participating in charity outings the club occasionally hosts — Autism Speaks and Covenant House have historically held events at Winged Foot. There is no online booking option for the public.
How do you get into Winged Foot Golf Club?
Membership at Winged Foot is invitation-only. You need two current members to sponsor you, and reports suggest knowing eight or more members for multiple years before membership is seriously considered. The waitlist is approximately 10 years. There is no online application or club office you can call to begin the process — access begins with personal relationships.
What US Opens has Winged Foot hosted?
Winged Foot has hosted six US Opens: 1929 (Bobby Jones), 1959 (Billy Casper), 1974 (Hale Irwin — “The Massacre”), 1984 (Fuzzy Zoeller), 2006 (Geoff Ogilvy — Phil Mickelson’s famous collapse on 18), and 2020 (Bryson DeChambeau). The 7th US Open is scheduled for 2028, tying Baltusrol as the second-most US Open venue in history.
What is the hardest hole at Winged Foot?
The 18th hole on the West Course — nicknamed “Revelations” — is widely considered the most demanding finishing hole in American golf. It’s an uphill 452-yard par-4 with a severe false front that has defined or ended US Open careers. Phil Mickelson’s 2006 collapse happened here with a double-bogey that cost him the championship on the final hole he needed to par.
Is the East Course at Winged Foot worth playing?
Yes — and it’s underrated by nearly everyone who hasn’t played it. The East Course has a course rating and slope (73.9/141) technically harder than the West from comparable distances, and the hole variety, natural rock settings, and character of individual holes make it a distinctly different experience. Members who prefer the East often describe it as more nuanced and enjoyable than the championship-famous West.
What is the Winged Foot tee time system?
Winged Foot uses a ball-on-tee queuing system — no advance tee times exist. When your entire group has arrived, you place a ball near the first tee marker. Your ball’s position in the queue determines your play order. A 4-hour pace of play is expected once you tee off. Members embrace the system; first-time guests often find it surprising but efficient.
Final Verdict — GCR Score: 4.9 / 5
Winged Foot earns 4.9 out of 5 because at the combination of course quality, championship history, restoration work, membership culture, and the sheer weight of playing where Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson have made and broken history — there is simply nothing equivalent in American private golf.
The fractional deduction is entirely access. A 10-year waitlist and $150,000–$200,000 initiation fee mean most golfers will admire Winged Foot from a distance, not from the 18th fairway. That’s real, and it’s worth naming.
But right now — with the Hanse restoration complete, the 2028 US Open on the horizon, and both the West and East courses in peak condition — Winged Foot is as good as it has been in a century. If you have the opportunity to play it, don’t hesitate.
Explore our full golf club review list or see how we score each club on our review methodology page.
Last reviewed: June 27, 2026
About the Reviewer: With 20+ years reviewing America’s finest golf clubs — private and public — I focus on telling you what you actually need to know before you pursue membership or book a guest round. More on our About page.
