Westfield is a town that loves its history, but honestly, if you’re driving down Springfield Avenue and catch a glimpse of that high-perched clubhouse, you’re looking at more than just a local landmark. You’re looking at Echo Lake Country Club. It’s a place that carries a certain weight in the New Jersey golf scene. Not because it’s the flashiest or the most exclusive spot in the world, but because it’s one of those rare courses that actually lives up to the architectural hype. If you’ve spent any time in Union County, you know the name. But what’s it actually like behind the gates?
The history here isn't just fluff for a brochure. It’s real. We’re talking about a club that dates back to 1913, though the course as we know it today is largely the brainchild of Donald Ross. For the uninitiated, Ross is basically the godfather of American golf course design. He’s the guy who gave us Pinehurst No. 2. At Echo Lake, he took a piece of land with some pretty aggressive elevation changes and turned it into a strategic puzzle.
It’s not a long course by modern standards. It won't beat you up with 7,500 yards of grueling carries. Instead, it messes with your head.
The Donald Ross Signature at Echo Lake Golf Course Westfield NJ
You can't talk about this place without talking about the greens. That’s the Ross "secret sauce." If you’re playing the echo lake golf course westfield nj, you’ll quickly realize that getting to the green is only half the battle. Often, it's the easy half. The putting surfaces are notoriously tricky. They tilt, they slope, and they have those classic Ross "upturned saucer" edges that send a slightly offline approach trickling into a collection area twenty yards away. It’s frustrating. It’s brilliant.
The land itself is fascinating. It’s part of the Watchung Mountains foothills. You’ve got these massive ridges that run through the property. One minute you’re playing a hole that feels relatively level, and the next you’re staring up at a green that feels like it’s on the roof of a skyscraper.
Take the signature holes. Many locals and members will point to the par-3s. They are varied. Some are short and require a delicate touch; others require a long iron into a prevailing wind that feels like it’s coming straight off the Atlantic. The variety is what keeps people coming back. It’s never the same game twice because the wind and the firm conditions of the turf change the math every single day.
Renovations and Keeping the Legend Alive
Golf courses are living things. They grow. Trees get too big. Greens shrink. Over the last decade, Echo Lake has undergone some serious work to bring back the original Ross "intent." This usually means two things: cutting down a lot of trees and expanding the greens.
Why cut trees? Airflow. Turf needs to breathe. But more importantly, it opens up those sweeping vistas that make the property so visually striking. When you stand near the clubhouse now, the views are expansive. You can see the "echo" of the landscape.
👉 See also: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
The club brought in Rees Jones years ago for some work, but the more recent focus has been on restoration. The goal is to make sure the bunkers look like they belong in 1921 but function for a golfer in 2026. This means better drainage and more consistent sand, even if the "look" is rugged and classic.
Why the Location Matters
Westfield is a "golf town." You’ve got Shackamaxon right down the road. You’ve got Baltusrol—a major championship venue—just a few minutes away in Springfield.
This puts Echo Lake in a unique spot. It’s not trying to be Baltusrol. It doesn't need to host a PGA Championship to prove its worth. Instead, it serves as the quintessential high-end players' club. It’s where the "sticks" go to test their short game. Because the course is compact, it’s a great walking course. In an era where everyone wants to zoom around in a cart with a GPS screen, there’s something deeply satisfying about walking these fairways with a caddie.
The clubhouse itself is a piece of art. It sits on the highest point of the property. On a clear day, the view is spectacular. It’s a colonial-style building that feels grand without being stuffy. Well, maybe a little stuffy, but that’s the charm of a century-old Jersey club, right? It’s part of the experience.
The Membership Experience and "The Vibe"
Let’s be real: Echo Lake is private. You can’t just roll up on a Saturday morning and book a tee time on an app. It requires a process. But unlike some of the more corporate clubs in North Jersey, Echo Lake has a reputation for being a "family club."
You’ll see three generations of a family eating lunch on the patio. You’ll see a robust junior program. It’s a community. That said, the golf is taken very seriously. The club has hosted numerous NJSGA (New Jersey State Golf Association) and MGA (Metropolitan Golf Association) championships. If you win a tournament here, people respect it. You had to putt well to do it.
- The Practice Facility: They’ve invested heavily here. It’s not just a flat range; it’s designed to mimic the shots you actually face on the course.
- The Pool and Tennis: While golf is the soul, the pool area is the heartbeat during the humid Jersey summers.
- Dining: Think classic Northeast fare. Good steaks, fresh seafood, and a bar that knows how to make a proper drink after a rough round.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Course
There’s a misconception that because Echo Lake isn't "long," it’s "easy."
✨ Don't miss: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Talk to any low-handicapper who has played a mid-amateur event there. They’ll tell you horror stories about the 9th hole or the challenges of the back nine. The difficulty isn't in the distance; it’s in the angles. If you’re on the wrong side of the fairway, you might not have a shot at the pin because of a protruding bunker or a slope in the green that makes a landing almost impossible.
It’s a "thinking man’s" course. Or a "thinking woman’s" course. You have to plot your way around. If you just pull driver on every hole, the echo lake golf course westfield nj will eat you alive. You’ll find yourself in deep fescue or staring at a blind uphill shot that you have no business trying to pull off.
The Role of the Caddie
If you do get the chance to play as a guest, get a caddie. Seriously.
The greens here are notoriously hard to read. There’s a "general pull" toward the lower parts of the property that isn't always obvious to the naked eye. A local caddie who has walked those hills for ten years will save you five strokes just by telling you where not to aim.
Technical Details for the Golf Nerds
If we look at the scorecard, you're usually looking at a par 71. The slope and rating are high enough to keep your handicap honest.
- Turf Type: Usually a mix of bentgrass and poa annua on the greens. It’s kept fast. Very fast.
- Elevation Change: There is roughly a 100-foot difference between the high and low points of the course.
- The Bunkers: They aren't just sand traps; they are architectural features. Many are deep and require a true explosion shot to escape.
The par-5s are particularly interesting. Some are reachable in two for the long hitters, but the risk-reward ratio is skewed heavily toward "risk." Miss the green on a par-5 eagle attempt and you could easily walk away with a bogey. That’s the Ross way. He gives you hope and then snatches it away with a subtle 4-degree slope.
Environmental Stewardship
In recent years, the club has also moved toward more sustainable maintenance. This means using less water and allowing some of the "out of play" areas to return to a more natural state. This isn't just good for the planet; it looks better. The contrast between the emerald-green fairways and the golden tall grass in the summer is stunning. It gives the place a bit of a British Links feel, despite being in the middle of suburban New Jersey.
🔗 Read more: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
Actionable Steps for Visiting or Joining
If you are looking to engage with Echo Lake, it isn't as simple as a Google search, but there is a path.
If you want to play: Start networking. Because it’s a private club, you generally need to be the guest of a member. Check your LinkedIn or local business circles. Many Westfield residents are members. Alternatively, look for charity outings. Several local nonprofits host annual golf tournaments at Echo Lake, which is a great way to see the course while supporting a cause.
If you are considering membership: Don't just look at the golf. Visit the clubhouse during a social event. Talk to the membership director about the "waitlist" status, as many top-tier Jersey clubs have seen a surge in interest over the last few years. Ask about the "Legacy" programs if you have family ties to the club.
If you are a student of architecture: Read up on Donald Ross’s Golf Architecture in America. Understanding his philosophy on "naturalism" will make you appreciate the 13th hole much more. You’ll see how he used the existing mounds rather than moving thousands of tons of dirt.
For the casual observer: If you’re just a fan of local history, the club occasionally participates in town-wide historical events. Keep an eye on the Westfield Historical Society archives, as they often have fascinating photos of the club from the 1920s and 30s, showing just how much (and how little) has changed.
The echo lake golf course westfield nj remains a cornerstone of the community because it respects its past while keeping the course in championship condition. It’s a grueling, beautiful, and ultimately rewarding place to spend four or five hours. Just make sure you practice your downhill putts before you show up. You’re going to need them.