Updating the list of earliest golf courses (Pre-1895) again. I've separated out the courses that I do not have a definite date for at this point that have enough evidence to suggest that they may have been built prior to 1895. The third group contains courses that are worthy of note but there does not exist enough substantiating information to add them to either of the other two groups.
Oakhurst Golf Links White Sulphur Springs (1884/?? Montague)
York CC York, PA (1885/?? Hersh)
-1885 date for Hershs first course comes from the Club History.
Sarasota GC Sarasota, FL (1886/?? Gillespie)
-Started as a two hole practice course.
Dorset Field Club - Dorset, VT (1886/1886 Unknown)
Merchiston Ranch (aka Kemp) Nance County, NE (1887/?? Findlay)
-Legend of Findlay building a small course while visiting family in Nebraska.
Onteora GC Tannersville, NY (1887?/1887 Unknown)
-Sources have the golf course established in the 1890s
Quogue Field Club - Quogue, NY (1887/1887 Unknown)
Foxburg CC - Foxburg, PA (1887/1887 Fox)
St. Andrew's GG - Hastings-on-Hudson, NY (1888/1888 - Reid)
-Noted in 10/91 NYT article and Golf In America (1895).
Middlesboro Club - Middlesboro, KY (1889/1889 Unknown)
Kineo GC Kineo, ME (1889 Unknown)
Tuxedo GC - Tuxedo Park, NY (1889/1885 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Franklin Park GC - Boston, MA (1890/NA - Wright/Smith)
Lawrenceville School GC Lawrenceville, NJ (1890/?? Unknown)
Plainfield GC Plainfield, NJ (1890/1890 Unknown)
Dutcher Golf Course Pawling, NY (1890/?? Unknown)
Bluff Point CC Plattsburgh, NY (1890/1890 Unknown)
Philadelphia CC Philadelphia, PA (1890/1890 - Unknown)
-2nd course built in 1894 by Tucker.
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Newport GC - Newport, RI (1890/1893 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Burlington CC Burlington, VT (1890/?? Unknown)
Meadow Brook Club - Jericho, NY (Pre-1891/1881 Unknown)
-Noted in October 4, 1891 NYT article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Aetna Springs GC Pope Valley, CA (1891/?? Unknown)
Colorado Springs GC (aka Cheyenne Mountain GC) Colorado Springs, CO (1891/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Grindstone Neck GC - Winter Harbor, ME (1891/1891 Unknown)
Kebo Valley GC Bar Harbor, ME (1891/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article (as Bar Harbor) and 6/95 The Sun article.
Maidstone Club - East Hampton, NY (1891/1891 Unknown)
Shinnecock Hills GC - Southampton, NY (1891/1891 Davis)
-Noted in October 4, 1891 NYT article, 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Mare Island GC Vallejo, CA (1892/?? Unknown)
Greenwich CC - Greenwich, CT (1892/1892 Curtiss)
Glen Arven CC - Thomasville, Georgia (1892/1892 Unknown)
Sioux City Boat Club Sioux City, IA (1892/1887 Unknown)
-Same as Dakota Dunes CC?
Downers Grove Golf Course aka Belmont GC/Chicago GC - Downers Grove, IL (1892/1892 Macdonald)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Senator John B. Farwell Estate (aka Lake Forest GC) Lake Forest, IL (1892/?? Macdonald)
-Noted in Golf In America (1895).
Highland Golf Links North Truro, MA (1892/1892 Unknown)
The Country Club - Brookline, MA (1892/1882 Curtis/Bacon/Hunnewell)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Lakewood GC Lakewood, NJ (1892/?? Dunn)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and 6/95 The Sun article.
Merchantville CC Merchantville, NJ (1892/1892 Unknown)
Moorestown Field Club - Moorestown, New Jersey (1892/1892 Findlay)
Otsego GC - Otsego, NY (1892/1894 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.
Gearhart Golf Links - Gearhart, Oregon (1892/1892 Unknown)
-Other sources have 1891
Warren GC Warren, PA (1892/?? Unknown)
Palmetto Club - Aiken, South Carolina (1892/1892 Hitchcock)
-1892 date from the club's online history.
Homestead (The) Hot Springs, VA (1892/?? Unknown)
Burlingame CC - Hillsborough, CA (1893/1893 Unknown)
Riverside GC Riverside, CA (1893/?? Maud/Pedley)
-1899 OGG - Laid out in March, 1894.
Litchfield GC Litchfield, CT (1893/1892 Bendelow)
CC of New Canaan - New Canaan, CT (1893/1893 Unknown)
Riverside GC - Riverside, IL (1893/1893 Havemeyer)
-2nd course built in 1894 by Foulis
Essex CC - Manchester, MA (1893/1893 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Pride GC Prides Crossing, MA (1893/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Segregansett CC - Taunton, MA (1893/1893 Unknown)
Wollaston GC fka Quincy GC - Milton, MA (1893/1895 Campbell)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Town & Country Club - St. Paul MN (1893/1888 McRee/Peet)
Hohokus GC - Hohokus, NJ (1893/1893 - Rowbotham)
-Noted in 11/94 New York Sun article, 12/94 The Sun article and 6/95 The Sun article.
Bala GC Philadelphia, PA (1893/?? Dunn)
Clarion County GC fka Foxburg GC Foxburg, PA (1893/?? Fox/Harvey)
-1899 OGG - Laid out by J.M. Fox and F.L. Harvey in June 1893.
Overland Park Club Denver, CA (1893/?? Unkown)
-Noted in Golf In America (1895), but not by name, and in 6/95 The Sun article.
Morristown Field Club Morristown, NJ (1893/?? Brinley)
-1900 Harpers notes laid out in 1893 and 1894.
Town and Gown GC Colorado Springs, CO (1894/?? Unknown)
-1899 OGG - Laid out in Jan. 1894.
Hillandale GC Stamford, CT (1894/?? Phelps)
-1900 Harpers notes laid out in 1894.
Hinsdale GC Hinsdale, IL (1894/?? Coffeen)
Cohasset GC - Quincy, MA (1894/1894 Unknown)
-Noted in a July 11, 1894 The Evening Telegram article.
Myopia Hunt Club - Hamilton, MA (1894/1894 Members)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Nahant GC Nahant, MA (1894/?? Unknown)
-1899 OGG - Laid out in 1894.
Siasconset Golf Course - Siasconset, MA (1894/1894 Findlay)
Stockbridge GC - Stockbridge, MA (1894/1893 Unknown)
-1900 Harpers notes links laid out in 1894.
Weston GC - Weston, MA (1894/1894 Harland)
-1899 OGG - First laid out in 1894.
Baltimore GC - Baltimore, MD (1894/1894 Oldham)
-1899 OGG - Laid out in Nov. 1894 by S. Oldham.
Elkridge Hunt Club Baltimore, MD (1894/?? Chalk/Oldham)
-1900 Harper's notes links laid out in October, 1894.
Campobello GC Eastport, ME (1894/?? Unknown)
-1900 Harpers notes links laid out in June, 1894.
Kenwood Golf Links Kansas City, MO (1894/?? Unknown)
Wana Luna Club Hot Springs, NC (1894/?? Unknown)
-1900 Harper's notes links have been in use since 1894.
Glen Ridge GC Glen Ridge, NJ (1894/1894 Bendelow)
-Not sure if Bendelow did the original course. Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
Montclair GC - Montclair, NJ (1894/1893 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Morris Country GC - Morristown, NJ (1894/1894 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Orange Mountain GC Orange, NJ (1894/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Rutgers University GC Piscataway (1894/?? Unknown)
Albany CC - Albany, NY (1894/1890 Unknown)
-1899 OGG - Laid out in 1894.
H.M. Pratt Private Course Glen Cove, NY (1894/?? Bendelow)
Knollwood CC - Elmsford, NY (1894/1894 Park)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Richmond County CC - Staten Island, NY (1894/1888 Hunter/Armstrong/Park)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Staatsburgh GC - Staatsburgh, NY (1984/1896 - Davis/Dinsmore)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and 5/96 The Evening Post article.
Portage Club - Akron, OH (1894/1894 Goodrich/Raymond)
Allegheny CC (aka CC of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA (1894/1895 Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
Cowanesque GC Lawrenceville, PA (1894/?? Smith)
-1900 Harper's notes laid out in September, 1894.
Washington Golf & CC - Arlington, VA (1894/1894 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and 6/95 The Sun article.
Spokane Unnamed GC - Spokane, WA (1894/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 7/94 Spokane Daily Chronicle article.
Tacoma GC - Tacoma, WA (1894/1894 Bailliee/Members)
-1899 OGG - Laid out in Dec. 1894.
Courses that may have been built prior to 1895:
Brooklawn CC - Fairfield, CT (Pre-1985/1895 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article (as Unquowa GC) and in 6/95 The Sun article (as Bridgeport GC).
Evanston GC - Evanston, IL (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.
Cambridge GC Cambridge, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Great Barrington GC Great Barrington, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Lenox Club Lenox, MA (Pre-1895/?? Nichols)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.
Nashawtuc GC Concord, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Newton Centre GC Newton Centre, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Newton GC Newton, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer
Stokes Private Course Lenox, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Daily Argus News article.
Warren Farm GC Brookline, MA (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Asbury Park GC - Asbury Park, NJ (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
Hollywood GC - Hollyood, NJ (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.
North Jersey CC aka Paterson GC Paterson, NJ (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article and 11/95 The Golfer.
South Orange Field Club South Orange, NJ (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Golfer.
Summit GC - Summit, NJ (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
Bayard Cutting Private Course - Islip, NY (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
Castleton GC Staten Island, NY (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted as a women's club in 11/95 The Golfer.
E.N. Howells Private Course - Poughkeepsie, NY (Pre-1895/?? -Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
John Jacob Astor Private Course - Rhinecliff, NY (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 6/95 The Sun article.
New Windsor GC New Windsor, NY (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.
Richfield Springs CC Richfield Springs, NY (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Daily Argus News article.
Rockaway Hunting Club - Cedarhurst, NY (Pre-1985/1878 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and 6/95 The Sun article.
Westchester CC (aka CC of Westchester) - Rye, NY (Pre-1895/1894 Sands)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article and 6/95 The Sun article.
Belmont Cricket Club - Philadelphia, PA (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.
Germantown Cricket Club Philadelphia, PA (Pre-1895/?? - Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Merion Cricket Club Haverford, PA (Pre-1895/1865 Unknown)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article, 6/95 The Sun article and Golf In America (1895).
Rudyard Kipling Private Course Brattleboro, VT (Pre-1895/?? Unknown)
-Noted in 11/95 The Daily Argus News article.
Others:
Albany, NY (1659/NA)
-Forbidden to play golf in the streets.
Fayetteville, NC (1728/NA)
-Reference to golf being played.
Harlestons Green Charleston, SC (1786/NA Unknown)
South Carolina GC Charleston, SC (1788/NA Unknown)
Savannah GC Savannah, GA (1794/?? Unknown)
Burlington GC Burlington, IA (1881/?? Unknown)
Princeton GC Princeton, IN (1883/?? Unknown)
Edgewood GC - Tivoli, NY (??/1884 - Unknown)
Kingman GC - _____, KS (1887/?? Unknown)
Castine GC Castine, ME (1887/?? Unknown)
-Club website has first reference to golf in 1896.
Wichita CC Wichita, KS (1890/?? Unknown)
-Club website notes club formed in 1900.
Ridgeway CC - _____, NJ (1890/?? Unknown)
Geneva Club - _____, NY (1890/?? Unknown)
Eagle Springs Golf Resort - Eagle, WI (club founded in 1893, golf course date unknown)
Harbor Point GC - Harbor Point, ME (club founded in 1893, golf course date unknown)
Montgomery - __________, ___ (1894/?? Unknown)
Springdale GC - Princeton, NJ (club founded in 1895)
Twin Lake Village GC - New London, NH (club founded in 1895, did course predate club?)
Nittany CC - Wayne, NJ (club founded in 1895, did course predate club?)
Kittenhouse GC - _______, ___ (Pre-1985/??)
-Noted in 12/94 The Sun article.