Essex County Country Club

Essex County Country Club, nestled amid the rolling hills of West Orange, New Jersey, stands as a testament to understated elegance and enduring golf tradition. Opened in 1896, its original incarnation solidified the club as a cornerstone of the area's nascent sporting society. Primarily recognized for its updated A.W Tillinghast design, the parkland-style layout unfolds over subtly contoured terrain. Strategic bunkering and mature trees frame the fairways, rewarding intelligent play over brute force. While not exceptionally long, the course demands a thoughtful approach, particularly on approach shots into the meticulously maintained greens. The club favors no particular style of play as the course's unique challenges requires players to have many different skills. Essex County has fostered a membership known more for its camaraderie and local connections than national celebrity, and many families have belonged to the club for several generations. The club is known for a more relaxed golf course. Members and guests will often gather at the clubhouse's bar after a round to recount stories of the day.