Glen Oak Golf Club ☆ Follow

Located in East Amherst, New York, just 25 minutes from downtown Buffalo, Glen Oak Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The layout is characterized by a demanding strategic test that relies heavily on precise shot placement and careful club selection. The course features large, often multi-tiered greens and a variety of hole designs that challenge golfers of all skill levels, with a par structure that includes several reachable par 5s and difficult par 3s. Water hazards are a defining characteristic of the Glen Oak layout, appearing on numerous holes to penalize errant shots. The second hole presents a deceptive par 3 surrounded by a pond in front of the green and a creek behind it, while the eighth hole is described as a daunting par 3 played entirely over water. The front nine concludes with water on the right side of the ninth hole, setting up a challenging back nine that includes the 15th, a long par 3 where avoiding bunkers is critical, and the 18th, a three-shot par 5 requiring two creek crossings. Out of bounds and fairway bunkers add further complexity to the design. The fourth hole features out of bounds down the entire left side and an extremely deep green that can create significant distance discrepancies depending on pin placement. The 13th hole requires a tee shot that avoids out of bounds on the left, while the 10th hole features a three-tiered green that is noted as one of the toughest on the course, with out of bounds over the green. The 17th is a short par 4 where position off the tee is crucial, with water on the left reachable for long hitters. The course is rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest and offers a large practice area with natural grass practice tees and a practice green with putting and chipping areas. Golfers play with GPS-equipped Club Car golf carts, and the facility includes a full-service golf shop and PGA professional instruction. For winter play, the club offers an indoor simulator room equipped with GCHawk Premium launch monitor technology.