Shady Rest Golf and Country Clubhouse — Attraction in Scotch Plains

This site also contains a historic building. The former Clubhouse now renamed Shady Rest after its name in the 1930s has been restored outside and inside 2 show several arrows of history in the building. This includes the original 1740s Tucker farmhouse which sits in the middle of the later editions that became Shady Rest in the 1930s. It was the very first African American Golf Club in the United States. And very first american-born professional golf pro was hired here from 1930 to 1960 his name was John shippen. John played in the 1896 US Open at Shinnecock NY at age 16 and for the first three rounds was in first place using his homemade golf clubs playing against the Great's from Scotland. In the near future a museum about John shipping will be within the building. The building is also used somewhat as a community center for events...

It wan an honor and pleasure to host our golf fundraiser at the Shady Rest Country Club and Scotch Hills Golf Course. We got rained out originally. Everyone was working together to reorganize and carry forth. There were reports of agitation coming from the rental office which is managed by Kemper Sports and is separate from the club house. Shady Rest is the first African American owned course in the U.S. It is now owned and operated by Scotch Plains recreation department. Renting can be challenging but you have to keep calling and the point person who is very friendly and accommodating will guide you through. I’m new to golf but we had fun. The other golfers were patient and giggled with us. This venue is great for small crowds under 100 and who want a historical...

I most likely will NEVER return here. I do not like the course layout as the holes are on top of each other. One golfer told us people always joke here that you need a helmet. A beginner golfer could easily hit someone on another hole since they are on top of each other. Another issue is I tried to book directly through the course, but they dont guarantee 18. We were not driving 2 hours round trip to not play 18 holes. They said if there is no line after 9, they charge $8 each for cart fee and we can play another 9. However, through Golf Now they had a deal where it was guaranteed 18 for only $25 each golfer (no extra cart fee for back 9. I hate to take away business from these courses, but they need to get with the times... Poor course management...