
Robert Trent Jones Course
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club at Cornell University





About this course
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University is a testament to accessible championship-caliber golf, a place where future leaders and accomplished faculty alike navigate the challenging layout overlooking the Finger Lakes. The course embodies a classic, mid-century parkland aesthetic, carving through rolling hills and mature forests that define the upstate New York landscape. Its design favors strategic play over brute force, with doglegs and subtly undulating greens that reward thoughtful club selection and precise approaches. While not excessively long, the course demands accuracy, particularly off the tee, and astute green reading. Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s original design remains largely intact, a hallmark of his signature style characterized by generously sized greens and strategically placed bunkers that frame each hole. The course has seen minimal alterations, preserving the architect's intended challenge and aesthetic. Its design features are a quintessential representation of Jones' philosophy: a course playable for golfers of all skill levels but demanding enough to test the best. While the course may not boast a history of major professional championships, its significance lies in its role as a premier collegiate venue and a cherished community asset. It offers Cornell University students and faculty a top-tier golfing experience and serves as a setting for countless amateur competitions and friendly matches. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and well-maintained conditions, the course and its membership represent the Cornell community and the greater Ithaca region.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in NY
Quick facts
- Location
- Ithaca, NY, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1941
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr.
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,890 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.1/137
- Course Vaults score
- 7.2
Getting there
The journey to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club at Cornell University begins most commonly through Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH), a regional hub situated just minutes from the course, or alternatively through the larger Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), roughly ninety minutes south via Interstate 81 and State Route 13. For those arriving by car from the Northeast Corridor, the drive winds through the rolling Finger Lakes landscape, ascending gradually into the gorges and forested ridges that define central New York's topography. The final approach to the club traces quiet roads that climb toward Cornell's hilltop campus, offering glimpses of Cayuga Lake before arriving at the course itself - a masterwork of Jones's design philosophy set against the dramatic elevation changes and natural beauty that make this corner of upstate New York unmistakably distinct.

FAQ
Common questions about Robert Trent Jones
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Robert Trent Jones has a Course Vaults score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 21 logged golfers.
Robert Trent Jones was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr..
Robert Trent Jones is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Robert Trent Jones is 72.
Robert Trent Jones plays 6,890 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Robert Trent Jones is 137.



