
Rochester Course
Country Club of Rochester


About this course
The Country Club of Rochester traces its origins to 1895 and occupies rolling terrain in the town of Pittsford, just southeast of Rochester. Donald Ross designed the original eighteen holes in the 1920s, establishing the fundamental character of the layout with his signature greens and strategic bunkering. Robert Trent Jones Sr. later made modifications to the course, and more recently Gil Hanse led a restoration effort to recapture Ross's design principles while adapting the course to modern tournament standards. The routing moves across varied topography with elevation changes that create natural drama and strategic interest. Ross's influence remains evident in the green complexes, which feature subtle contours and require careful approach play. The property includes mature trees that frame holes without overly constricting play, and several holes incorporate natural water features. The course has hosted significant amateur championships, including multiple USGA events, establishing its reputation as a thorough test of golf in the Northeast. The club maintains a traditional private club atmosphere reflective of its long history in the Rochester community. Members include families with multi-generational ties to the institution, and the clubhouse supports year-round social and dining activities typical of established country clubs in the region. The course remains a fixture in discussions of classic American golf architecture, particularly among those interested in Ross's body of work and its thoughtful stewardship through subsequent renovations.
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
- Rochester, NY, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1895
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Donald Ross, Gil Hanse, Robert Trent Jones Sr.
- Par
- 70
- Length
- 6,584 yards
- Difficulty
- 77/127
- Course Vaults score
- 7.9
Getting there
The journey to Country Club of Rochester begins at Greater Rochester International Airport, a compact and efficient gateway less than twenty minutes northwest of the club's storied grounds. From the terminal, the route winds south and east through quiet residential corridors and tree-lined avenues that speak to Rochester's old-money elegance, the landscape gradually opening to reveal the rolling terrain of the Genesee Valley. The final approach along East Avenue - one of the city's most gracious boulevards - delivers you to the club's understated entrance, where a discreet turn off the road reveals manicured grounds that have hosted championship golf since 1895, the transition from urban refinement to pastoral sanctuary both swift and seamless.

FAQ
Common questions about Rochester
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Rochester has a Course Vaults score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 17 logged golfers.
Rochester was designed by Donald Ross, Gil Hanse, and Robert Trent Jones Sr..
Rochester is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Rochester is 70.
Rochester plays 6,584 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Rochester is 127.



