Westward Roots
The club's move to Conway Road traced the migration of St. Louis's Jewish community, establishing a golf haven when other clubs wouldn't welcome them. Walking the grounds means playing on both hallowed turf and hard-earned tradition.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Westwood Country Club
St. Louis, Missouri
Established
1928
Architect
Harold Paddock (original); Bill Diddell (layout changes); Art Schaupeter (renovations); Keith Foster (renovations)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,066 – 6,876 yds
The verdict
Classic, Challenging, Local Prestige
Westwood Country Club stands out as one of St. Louis’s most historic private golf experiences. It's a strong, tree-lined test with real tournament pedigree and classic strategic variety. Local members know: precision here will be rewarded, but power without placement gets punished.
Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery62
Conditioning76
Shot Variety74
Walkability74
Green Complexity68
Wow Factor68
Design Quality71
At a glance
Quick facts
Golf course opened
1928 (current site)
Longest tee
Black – 6,829 yards
Notable past event
Western Open (1938, 1952)
Course rating (Black tees)
73.7 / 139 Slope
Founding purpose
Founded as a Jewish club amid exclusion
Major course renovations
Bunker work mid-1990s & 2019
Clubhouse opened
Thanksgiving Day 1928
The design
The architecture
Westwood Country Club’s course reflects a century-long evolution: Harold Paddock’s 1928 blueprint delivered a classic, tree-lined parkland routing that’s been repeatedly refined for challenge, flow, and modern tastes. Bunkers were reshaped mid-1990s and again by 2019, and fairways demand positional tee shots to set up the best angles. The fabric of the course is defined by strategic options rather than forced carries, and its mature landscape rewards methodical play over brute force.
Paddock’s routing established the club’s foundation, but subsequent renovations have blended classic strategy with contemporary playability.
Defining features
- Balanced mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s with both short and long holes
- Bunkering evolution visible from Schaupeter and Foster renovations
- Mature tree corridors frame many fairways
- Classic doglegs and protected green sites
- Long par 3s place a premium on precise iron play
- Routing shifts direction, demanding varied shot shapes
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 5
Risk-Reward Double Dogleg
PAR
5
YARDAGE
538
This lengthy par 5 sweeps through tree corridors, with bunkers and a dogleg fairway channeling all eyes toward a subtly defended green. Laying up cleverly pays more dividends than a reckless gamble for the green in two.
Play it smart
Keep your tee shot in play and aim for a preferred layup distance to set up a stress-free approach—brute force seldom pays here.
Where it bites
Greedy second shots may find well-placed bunkers, while missing left or long leaves a tough recovery from mature trees.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching long par 5s (No. 5, No. 14)
Favor smart layups over risky second shots—conservative play reaps rewards on these multi-stage holes.
Teeing off on short par 3s
Dial in your club for precise distance—finesse, not muscle, gets you close when the target shrinks.
Second shots on tight dogleg par 4s
Place the drive for your preferred angle in, even if it means less club off the tee—shallow approaches are welcomed.
Facing slick bunker surrounds
Assess pin position and play for the safest bail—don’t go at a sucker flag without your best lie.
18th hole with the match on the line
Trust a controlled tee shot and take enough club for the approach—closing nerves make green-center the right play.
Windy conditions on long par 3s
Don’t fight the elements—use an extra club and trust your normal tempo for better accuracy.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Consistently strong private-club upkeep with greens running medium-fast and well-tended fairways.
Pace
Orderly, member-pace rounds—expect to move fluidly, but occasional waits near the clubhouse are possible.
Vibe
Traditional, understated, and history-laden—there’s a sense of local pride and club camaraderie throughout.
Dress code
Standard private-country-club attire; collared shirts and golf slacks are the norm.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Club-Approved Guest Access
Coordinate with a member and confirm tee times ahead—unaccompanied play is not permitted.
02
Check Practice Facility
Warm up on the range—Westwood’s opening stretch demands accuracy from the start.
03
Brush up on Bunker Play
Recent renovations mean fresh sand and updated traps; commit to bunker technique before the round.
04
Review Pin Position Sheet
Greens run at a club pace but have subtle tiers—know the day’s placements before you pull a wedge.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1907
Westwood Country Club originally founded
- 1927
Current Conway Road site purchased
- 1928
Course and clubhouse opened at present location
- 1938
Hosted the Western Open
- 1952
Hosted the Western Open for a second time
- 1995
Mid-1990s bunker renovation by Art Schaupeter
- 2019
Bunker overhaul by Art Schaupeter
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Western Open Legacy
Westwood hosted the PGA Tour’s Western Open twice, in eras decades apart. Its classic parkland test saw some of the Midwest’s fiercest tournament play long before TV cameras arrived.
Course in Flux
The Depression brought dramatic changes to the course, as club leaders closed nine holes before rallying to restore and modernize. Multiple architects, from Bill Diddell to Art Schaupeter, have shaped how the course challenges golfers today.
Bunkers Through the Years
Bunker styles have evolved almost as much as the club itself, with total overhauls in the 1990s and again two decades later. Every trip into the sand is a reminder of past and present design eras merging under your feet.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Founded specifically as a haven for St. Louis’s Jewish community during an era of exclusion.
2
Hosted the storied Western Open twice—one of golf’s original championship events.
3
Clubhouse opened on Thanksgiving Day, cementing its status as a social anchor.
4
Major bunker renovations in both the 1990s and 2010s completely reshaped playability.
5
No two consecutive par 3s or 5s—routing keeps golfers guessing shot to shot.
Build the trip
If You're Building a St. Louis Classic Golf Trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Bellerive Country Club
Private
Major championship pedigree and a peerless test if you can land an invite.
St. Louis Country Club
Private
Local legend with early American golf roots; a true architectural pilgrimage.
Far Oaks Golf Club
Public
Championship feel and a great fallback for those seeking public-access quality.
Gateway National Golf Links
Public
A favorite public option with a strong set of risk-reward holes and tournament conditioning.
Incline Village Golf Course
Public
Resort-style ease and friendly service—perfect for a laid-back round near the city.
Clayton, Ladue, or Central St. Louis County for best course access and amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Westwood Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match6.8
Irene Golf & Country Club
Memphis, TennesseeWhy it matches: If Westwood Country Club is your kind of course, Irene Golf & Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Lubbock Country Club
Lubbock, TexasWhy it matches: Lubbock Country Club is a natural next stop after Westwood Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.7
North Hills Country Club
Manhasset, New YorkWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in North Hills Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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