Donald Ross and His Top 4 Signature Traits

Updated November 2, 2022
Donald Ross (far right) in Pinehurst, North Carolina

Donald Ross (far right) in Pinehurst, North Carolina

  • DESCRIPTION
    Donald Ross (far right) in Pinehurst, North Carolina
  • SOURCE
    Bettmann
  • PERMISSION
    getty image license

At the age of 27, Donald Ross left St. Andrews, and his mentor Old Tom Morris, and boarded a ship to New York for new opportunities. He made it to the United States with just $2 in his pocket, and the rest is history.

The Scottish golf course designer was a pioneer of his craft and paved the way for so many that his true commitment to golf is immeasurable. Ross left the game of golf with his brilliance that will last for generations to come.

About Donald Ross

Donald Ross was born November 23, 1872 in Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland in 1872 and lived until April 26, 1948. His father, Murdoch, was a stone mason by trade and was commissioned in the 1870s to leave Scotland and come to the U.S. to help build the New York State Capitol building.

Ross started working around golf courses when he was just 14, eventually making his way to St. Andrews. That’s where he worked under Old Tom Morris and began to shape his methods for golf course design. Between St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and his home club Dornoch Golf Club, Ross held every position from greenkeeper to head professional.

Despite working at some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, Ross ventured to the United States dreaming of creating his own. He landed a job at Oakley Country Club outside of Boston, and within his first year, he had completely reworked the golf course’s layout.

Ross returned to Scotland in 1904 to marry his wife, Janet, and the couple had one child (Lillian).

Ross was no slouch on the golf course. He won five times, including two Massachusetts Opens, and finished in the top-10 in the 1903 U.S. Open and the 1910 British Open. His brother, Alex Ross, actually won the 1907 U.S. Open.

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Donald Ross Signature Traits

Signature Ross Turtleback green at Pinehurst No. 2

Signature Ross Turtleback green at Pinehurst No. 2

  • DESCRIPTION
    Signature Ross Turtleback green at Pinehurst No. 2
  • SOURCE
    David Cannon
  • PERMISSION
    getty image license

Donald Ross’ forte was clearly in the architectural design space of golf rather than in competition. He is, perhaps, the first golf course designer to make art out of his designs. Ross’ signature turtleback greens ensure that when you reach the green, your work is just getting started. Donald Ross’ signature traits include:

  • Turtleback greens, which feature a higher center and fall away to each side
  • Fun, elevated green complexes
  • Bunkers and collection areas short of the green
  • Routing that requires little walking from the green to the next tee box

Donald Ross Golf Course List

With a resume of about 400 golf courses, it's nearly impossible to draw a line that separates his greatest courses from the rest. His famed accomplishments include designs of Pinehurst No. 2, Inverness Club, Oakland Hills (South and East), East Lake, and Seminole, helping cement him as one of the greatest golf course designers ever.

Course Year Opened Public/Private/Resort City, State

Mountain Brook Country Club

1929 Private Birmingham, Alabama

Country Club Of Mobile

1928 Private Mobile, Alabama

Peninsula Golf & Country Club

1915 Private San Mateo, California

Broadmoor Golf Club (East and West)

1918 Resort Colorado Springs, Colorado

Wellshire Golf Course

1926 Public Denver, Colorado

Shennecossett Golf Club

1898 Public Groton, Connecticut,

Banner Country Club

1923 Public Moodus, Connecticut,

Country Club of Waterbury

1899  Private Waterbury, Connecticut

Hartford Golf Club

1896 Private West Hartford, Connecticut

Wampanoag Country Club

1926

Private

West Hartford, Connecticut

Pinecrest Golf Club

1926 Public Avon Park, Florida
Bartow Golf Course 1921 Public Bartow, Florida

Bradenton Country Club

1924 Private Bradenton, Florida

Palma Sola Golf Course

1924 Semi-Private Bradenton, Florida,

Granada Golf Course

1926 Public Coral Gables, Florida

The Biltmore Golf Course

1925 Resort Coral Gables, Florida,

Daytona Beach Golf & Country Club

1921 Public Daytona Beach, Florida,

Deland Country Club

1957 Private Deland, Florida

Delray Beach Golf Club

1923 Public Delray Beach, Florida,

Gulf Stream Golf Course

1923

Private

Delray Beach, Florida,

Dunedin Country Club,

1926 Public Dunedin, Florida,

Fort Myers Country Club

1917 Public Fort Myers, Florida,

University of Florida Golf Course

1921

Private

Gainesville, Florida,

Hollywood Beach Golf Resort

1925

Public

Hollywood, Florida,

Hyde Park Golf Club

1925

Public

Jacksonville, Florida,

San Jose Country Club

1925

Private

Jacksonville, Florida

Timuquana Country Club

1923

Private

Jacksonville, Florida,

Seminole Golf Club

1929

Private

Juno Beach, Florida,

Lakeside Links Golf Club 

1928 Public Keystone Heights, Florida,

Lake Wales Country Club

1923 Private Lake Wales, Florida

Panama Country Club

1927

Private

Lynn Haven, Florida,

Crane Creek Reserve

1926 Public

Crane Creek, Florida

Country Club of Orlando

1911

Private

Orlando, Florida
Palm Beach Country Club 1917 Private Palm Beach, Florida
Pensacola Country Club 1910 Private Pensacola, Florida
Renaissance Vinoy Resort 1927 Resort St. Petersburg, Florida
East Lake Golf Club 1906 Private Atlanta, Georgia
Brunswick Country Club 1936 Private Brunswick, Georgia
Beverly Country Club 1908 Private Chicago, Illinois
Skokie Country Club 1897 Private Glencoe, Illinois
Bob O'Link Golf Club 1916 Private Highland Park, Illinois
Exmoor Country Club 1896 Private Highland Park, Illinois
Old Elm Golf Club 1913 Private Highland Park, Illinois
Oak Park Country Club 1914 Private River Grove, Illinois
Donald Ross Golf Club 1927 Public Fort Wayne, Indiana
French Lick Resort 1917 Resort French Lick, Indiana
Broadmoor Country Club 1922 Private Indianapolis, Indiana
Cedar Rapids Country Club 1915 Private Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Idle Hour Country Club 1924 Private Lexington, Kentucky
Augusta Country Club 1916 Private Manchester, Maine
Chevy Chase Club 1910 Private Chevy Chase, Maryland
North Andover Country Club 1920 Private North Andover, Massachusetts
Oakley Country Club 1898 Private Watertown, Massachusetts
Barton Hill Country Club 1922 Private Ann Arbor, Michigan
White Bear Yacht Club 1915 Resort Dellwood, Minnesota
Mountain Ridge Country Club 1931 Private West Caldwell, New Jersey
Rip Van Winkle Country Club 1928 Private Palenville, New York
Bellevue Country Club 1918 Private Syracuse, New York
Pinehurst Resort No.1 1898 Resort Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst Resort No. 2 1907 Resort Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst No. 3 1910 Resort Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst No. 4 1919 Resort Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pine Needles Resort 1927 Resort Southern Pines, North Carolina
Inverness Club 1903 Private Toledo, Ohio
Aronimink Golf Club 1928 Private Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Country Club 1911 Private Barrington, Rhode Island
Metacomet Country Club 1926 Private East Providence, Rhode Island