The course's original construction coincided with a surge in golf course construction in the country at the turn of the 20th century. Scarsdale's original nine holes were designed by Willie Dunn of Musselburgh, Scotland, who was the professional at Shinnecock Hills and winner of the unofficial US Open in 1894. In the early 1920's, renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast created SGC's back nine and redesigned the remainder of the course.

Despite Tillinghast declaring the property as one of the toughest pieces of land devoted to golf, Scarsdale GC was designed to be very playable. Known for its tight driving areas, fast greens and hilly terrain, Scarsdale is a quintessential shot maker's course. An errant tee or approach shot often assures bogey, or worse.