Golf has a rich and complex history in the United States. While the sport has traditionally struggled with inclusion, a vibrant and essential part of its heritage stems from trailblazers who broke barriers to create spaces for everyone. Today, supporting Black-owned golf courses is a fantastic way to celebrate diversity in golf while experiencing some truly remarkable layouts.
Whether you want to walk the fairways of a historic landmark or tee off at a modern luxury resort, these destinations offer incredible experiences. We will explore the historical and cultural significance of these clubs, highlighting how they continue to shape the game.
Pack your clubs and get ready to add a few new destinations to your travel list. Here are some of the best Black-owned golf courses and historically significant greens you need to play.
Historic Black-Owned Golf Courses That Changed the Game
To understand the current landscape of diversity in golf, you have to look back at the pioneers who built their own fairways when other gates were closed to them. These historic Black-owned golf courses are more than just places to play a quick eighteen holes. They are living museums that celebrate resilience, community, and an enduring love for the sport.
Shady Rest Country Club: Where It All Began
Located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Shady Rest Country Club holds a monumental place in American history. Established in 1920, it stands proudly as the first African American-owned golf and country club in the United States. During an era of strict segregation, Shady Rest provided a haven for Black golfers, musicians, and cultural icons.
The club is famously known as the home course of John Shippen Jr., the first African American golf professional. Shippen competed in several U.S. Opens and served as the head pro at Shady Rest for decades. When you walk these greens, you are retracing the steps of true pioneers.
Beyond golf, the club served as a cultural epicenter. Legends like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald performed in its clubhouse. Today, the course remains a beloved local gem. It offers a quality layout that challenges amateur golfers while preserving a vital chapter of sports history.
Clearview Golf Club: A Vision Realized
You cannot discuss historic, diverse golf facilities without mentioning Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. In 1946, Bill Powell returned home from World War II. Despite serving his country, he faced racial discrimination on local golf courses. Instead of giving up the game he loved, Powell decided to build his own course.
Clearview is the first and only golf course in the United States designed, built, and owned by an African American. Powell carved the original nine holes by hand, creating a welcoming environment for players of all backgrounds. Today, his daughter, Renee Powellâthe second African American woman to play on the LPGA Tourâhelps run the facility. The club remains a powerful symbol of determination and equality.
Langston Golf Course: Driving Integration Forward
Situated in Washington, D.C., Langston Golf Course is another cornerstone of Black golf history. Named after John Mercer Langston, the first Black representative elected to Congress from Virginia, this course opened in 1939. It was initially built as a segregated facility for African Americans.
Over the decades, Langston played a pivotal role in the fight to integrate public golf courses in the nation’s capital. The course hosted numerous tournaments for Black professionals and amateurs who were barred from competing elsewhere. Today, it remains a bustling, community-focused course that honors its rich legacy while welcoming a diverse new generation of players.
Modern Icons of Diversity in Golf
While honoring the past is crucial, we must also celebrate the leaders shaping the future. Todayâs Black-owned golf facilities range from ultra-exclusive private enclaves to sprawling luxury resorts. These modern icons prove that diversity in golf is alive, well, and continuing to grow.
Innisbrook Golf Resort: Championship Quality
If you are looking for a world-class resort experience, look no further than Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. Owned by Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET and a prominent entrepreneur, Innisbrook is a massive property that sets a high standard for luxury. Johnson’s ownership makes Innisbrook one of the most significant Black-owned golf properties in the world.
The resort features four distinct courses, but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the Copperhead Course. Famous for its challenging “Snake Pit” finishing holes, Copperhead hosts the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship every year. The layout demands precision and strategy, winding through rolling terrain and mature pine forests.
Under Johnson’s leadership, Innisbrook not only offers top-tier golf but also champions inclusive hiring and community outreach. A visit here allows you to experience PGA-level golf while supporting a prominent Black female owner in the hospitality and sports industry.
Marlton Golf Club: A Public Gem
Located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Marlton Golf Club is a prominent Black-owned facility serving the greater Washington, D.C. area. Acquired by HWV Enterprises in 2015, this public 18-hole, par-71 course has become a vital hub for local golfers.
Marlton offers a tight, tree-lined layout that requires accuracy off the tee. The new ownership group has invested heavily in course conditions and clubhouse amenities, transforming it into a highly competitive public option. More importantly, Marlton focuses on accessibility and community engagement, working hard to introduce the game to minority youth in the surrounding area.
Expanding the Fairways: Martin Downs and The Grove XXIII
The landscape of Black golf ownership continues to expand into exciting new territories. In Palm City, Florida, Stanley Campbell owns Martin Downs Golf Club. This facility features a pristine PGA qualifying course and strongly emphasizes community health and wellness. Campbellâs vision integrates the sport with broader lifestyle and community benefits, making it a standout destination.
On the other end of the spectrum is The Grove XXIII in Hobe Sound, Florida. Owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan, this ultra-exclusive, private club represents the pinnacle of modern, high-tech golf architecture. While access is strictly limited to members and invited guests, The Grove XXIII highlights the diverse ways Black entrepreneurs are influencing the highest levels of the golf industry.
Why Supporting Diverse Golf Courses Matters
Playing at Black-owned golf courses does more than just fill out your scorecard. It directly supports businesses that are breaking down traditional barriers in a sport known for its exclusivity. When you book a tee time at these facilities, you help fund community programs, youth clinics, and historic preservation efforts.
Diversity in golf brings new perspectives, fresh talent, and wider audiences to the sport. Owners like Sheila Johnson and Stanley Campbell are redefining what golf management looks like. Meanwhile, historic sites like Shady Rest remind us of the sacrifices made by earlier generations.
By choosing to spend your time and money at these courses, you contribute to a more inclusive future for the game. You also get the chance to experience unique course layouts, incredible hospitality, and stories you will not find anywhere else.
Plan Your Next Golf Trip
The next time you plan a weekend golf getaway, consider adding a historically significant or Black-owned course to your itinerary.
Start by booking a tee time at Marlton Golf Club if you are in the Mid-Atlantic. If you want a luxury vacation, reserve a suite at Innisbrook Golf Resort and test your skills against the famous Copperhead Course. For history buffs, a pilgrimage to Shady Rest Country Club is an absolute must.
Golf is a game meant to be enjoyed by everyone. By celebrating these incredible courses, we ensure the sport continues to grow, welcome new players, and honor the diverse trailblazers who helped build it. Grab your clubs, hit the fairways, and become a part of this living history.
#BlackOwnedGolf #GolfHistory #DiversityInSports
