06/30/09

TITLE: REVIEW - THE NEWLY OPENED USGA MUSEUM IN FAR HILLS
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 08:36:29

ARTICLE

By Christian F. D'Annunzio

Far Hills - On Tuesday June 3, 2008, the United States Golf Association opened the doors of its newly renovated historic museum, which includes the newly christened Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History and the Bobby Jones Wing.

The first thing you notice pulling through the front gate is that this is one beautiful property located just outside the village of Far Hills. The lawns are long and rolling and as you pull up in front of the large brick building that houses the museum, you get the feel that you are somehow passing into a time warp that will take you to historic matches of the past.

Dottie Pepper Mc's the Palmer Dedication

For those of you who have been here in the past, the museum closed almost three years ago, you will not recognize the place. The USGA has put 20 million dollars into the facility to not only refurbish the building but to also change what the museum represents. The old museum had an old time feel with lots of information about the origins of golf from Scotland and the UK. There was a void of American golf history, thankfully that void does not exist anymore.

Simply stated, the museum is now a fantastic walk down the history of American amateur and professional golf. Walking through the front door you are faced with the choice to stroll through the Palmer gallery to the right and the Jones Gallery to the left. On this opening day there were lots of ceremonies/press conferences/ tours to get through so I knew I was only going to get a limited glimpse of what the museum was offering so I decided on the palmer gallery and wing since Arnie was present and being honored.

Mr. Palmer reflecting on a long life in golf

If you love golf you can spend hour upon hour watching every movie, reading every plaque, examining every piece of art. If you are a casual observer the museum is set up in a meandering fashion that allows one to take a moderately paced walk through the annals of this special game.  Towards the back of the palmer wing is a new exhibit that takes you through the dawn of American golf, to the Bob Jones era, through World War two into the comeback age of Ben Hogan and then into the Palmer and Nicklaus era, and they don't forget that guy named Tiger either.

Another fascinating part of this wing is the trophy room. While the modern day trophies are fairly conservative, one can't help but marvel at the uniqueness of some of the older trophies, including one spectacular version from a woman's amateur championship which is seen on the right below with Jake Black.

This is only scratching the surface of what the place has to offer, but I can guarantee you one thing. You will not be disappointed. This is the home of American Golf. It is the oldest American Sports Museum. There is so much to do that you really have to plan several hours just to get through the museum. And then if you want to shift gears you have the testing center to tour where the USGA tests, balls and clubs so as to set a standard f fairness for all American Golfers. It's fascinating to watch the Iron Byron machine swing perfectly over and over again while knocking balls all over the outdoor 300 yard driving range.

  The club tester in action

The HC NEWS highly recommends a tour of this entire facility, not only for golf fans but for all. This is a place that a 12 year old can enjoy the same amount as a 70 year old grand father. It is fun, it is educational, it is inexpensive, and it is nearby. If you need something to do with the family during the summer, give this  a try, you won't be disappointed.

HCNEWS   FIVE STAR RECOMMENDATION

If you go - 

Museum Hours

Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Closed Monday and major holidays

Admission

Adults — $7
USGA Members — $5
Group Rate (10 and over) — $5
Children (13-17 years) — $3.50
Children 12 and under — Free

Visitors will be able to purchase a USGA Membership on-site. The reduced admission fee for USGA Members and discount in the gift shop will apply immediately.

Admissions and Visitor Information

Museum Hours

Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Closed Monday and major holidays

Admission

Adults — $7
USGA Members — $5
Group Rate (10 and over) — $5
Children (13-17 years) — $3.50
Children 12 and under — Free

Visitors will be able to purchase a USGA Membership on-site. The reduced admission fee for USGA Members and discount in the gift shop will apply immediately.

To become a USGA Member now, please click here.

Group Tours

For groups of 10 or more individuals, the USGA Museum offers a 60-minute guided tour, conducted by members of the Museum staff. The group rate is $5 per person. For additional information on scheduling a tour, please contact the Museum at 908-234-2300; or by email at museum@usga.org.

The Putting Course

The Putting Course will be available to visitors during regular museum hours beginning in September 2008. Starting in 2009, the Putting Course will be open annually from April to October.

Tee times are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Visitors should allow 45 minutes to play the nine-hole course.

Green Fee: $5 with admission to the Museum.

Putters are provided by the Museum; a souvenir golf ball is included with the green fee. Appropriate footwear is required—no high heels or heavy-soled boots will be permitted.

Due to the popularity of the Putting Course, visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve a tee time prior to arrival or immediately upon entering the Museum.

For additional information, or to reserve a tee time, please contact Kim Gianetti, the Museum Receptionist, at 908-234-2300, ext. 1057; or by email at KGianetti@usga.org.

USGA Research and Test Center

Tours of the USGA Research and Test Center are offered Tuesday through Friday at 2 p.m. Visitors should allow 45 minutes to one hour to visit the Research and Test Center.

Tours of the Test Center are included with the admission price for the Museum.

We strongly encourage visitors to make a reservation prior to arrival or immediately upon entering the Museum.

For additional information, or to reserve a tour, please contact Kim Gianetti, the Museum Receptionist, at 908-234-2300, ext. 1057; or by email at KGianetti@usga.org.

Research Center

The USGA Museum Research Center, located in the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History, is home to the world’s most comprehensive golf library and research collections. The Research Center is open to visitors Monday through Friday, and by appointment.

For additional information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Nancy Stulack, Librarian, at 908-234-2300, ext. 1107; or by email at NStulack@usga.org.

For more information about the Research Center, click here.

Museum Shop

The USGA Museum Shop offers a unique range of items—dozens of books, souvenirs and unique items for the entire family—so that every visitor is sure to find the perfect gift for their favorite golfer.

The USGA Museum Shop is open during regular Museum hours.

USGA Members receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

For Families

To provide an engaging and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages, a Family Guide filled with fun activities and information is available free of charge to all visitors. Please ask for copies at the Museum’s Reception Desk.

From I-78 Eastbound

Take Exit 33 - Martinsville Road/Bernardsville. Turn left at end of exit ramp and proceed to fifth traffic light. Turn left onto Valley Road. Proceed one-third of a mile and turn left onto Liberty Corner Road. Proceed 1.8 miles to USGA on left.