The courses Black golfers built, owned, and defended — and the venues where the game's next chapters are being written.
9 results
Historic Course
Bartow, FLThe Polk County municipal course where Herbert Dixon learned the game as a caddie during segregation — barred from playing it because of his color. Its driving range now bears his name: the Herbert Dixon Driving Range, dedicated by the City of Bartow in 2020.
Visit →Historic Course · Est. 1946
East Canton, OHThe only golf course in America designed, built, and owned by an African American. Bill Powell seeded its first nine holes by hand after WWII; it is on the National Register of Historic Places and still run by the Powell family.
Visit →Tournament Venue · Est. 1899
Detroit, MIHost of the PGA Tour's Rocket Classic and The John Shippen National Invitational — where Black professional golf takes its biggest annual stage in Detroit.
Historic Course · Est. 1926
Indianapolis, INA historic Indianapolis municipal course created during segregation as a place where Black golfers could play. The nine-hole course remains active with youth programming, affordable access, and a mission centered on minority junior development.
Visit →Historic Course · Est. 1939
Washington, DCOpened in 1939 for Black golfers shut out of Washington's courses, Langston became the capital's home of Black golf and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Course · Est. 1926
Stow, MAThe Black-owned country club and golf course Robert H. Hawkins built in 1926. Mapledale hosted the first three UGA Negro National Open championships in New England; its original land and first nine holes remain in operation at Stow Acres.
Visit →Historic Course
Detroit, MIA Detroit muni at the heart of the city's Black golf community for generations.
Historic Course · Est. 1923
Huntington Woods, MIThe Detroit-area public course where Joe Louis played and bankrolled Black professional golf — a cornerstone of the city's deep golf history.
Historic Course · Est. 1921
Scotch Plains, NJThe first Black-owned country club in the United States, and the professional home of John Shippen — the man Detroit's national invitational honors.
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