Hackensack at Hackensack Golf Club

Hackensack Golf Club sits in Oradell, New Jersey, occupying rolling terrain in Bergen County just west of the Hackensack River valley. The course was designed by Charles Banks and opened in 1925, representing his work during the period when he practiced independently after his partnership with Seth Raynor. Banks brought his characteristic strategic design philosophy to the property, creating a layout that emphasizes thoughtful shot-making over length and rewards players who understand angles and ground contours.

The routing makes effective use of the natural topography, with several holes playing across or along elevation changes that define the property. Banks incorporated his template hole concepts throughout the design, including versions of the redan, alps, and short par-four holes that offer risk-reward decisions off the tee. The bunkering style reflects the period's geometric aesthetic, with deep, sharply defined hazards that frame landing areas and greens. The putting surfaces feature the subtle internal contours and false fronts typical of Golden Age design, requiring careful approach play and precise distance control.

Hackensack Golf Club operates as a private facility and has maintained much of its original Banks design character through the decades. The course sits within a mature, tree-lined setting that has evolved since the 1920s, creating a parkland atmosphere while preserving the strategic demands of the original routing. The club represents one of the relatively few intact Banks designs in the metropolitan New York area, offering members a connection to the architectural principles of the Golden Age.