Philly Area Courses for Buddies Trip

Our 14th annual Ryder Cup style gathering is going to be in Philly this September. We have a few players who only play a few times a year, so in terms of course selection, we like to try and keep forced carries to a minimum and generally prefer more open layouts that help us keep the pace of play up. We like to try and play a nicer course on Saturday afternoon (especially if they have a PM discount) and then need an early AM tee time at a course close to the airport to make sure folks get back home.

In doing some initial research on here and elsewhere it looks like some combination of Glen Mills, Wyncotte, Riverwinds, Lulu, or Jeffersonville might fit the bill. Any thoughts on these or other options we should consider?

All courses you mentioned would be good public options (Lulu and Wyncote are both very nice). However, they are not very close to each other. Where are you staying? Are you staying in a central location and branching off each day?

Yeah, we usually try to stay centrally within the city (close to bars/restaurants) and head out each day. We could travel up to an hour on Saturday, but try to keep Sunday closer because of the earlier tee time and the pressure to make flights.

Skip Riverwinds, nothing special there.

I'd try Lu Lu or Jeffersonville on Saturday afternoon. Maybe Glen Mills for Sunday morning due to airport proximity. I haven't played any of the three since 2-3 years ago so I don't know current conditions.

Jville can be (or at least a few years ago was) tough to get decent weekend morning tee times at, so I'd book them whenever the booking window opens (7 days?) . Great course.

I like Jeffersonville. The course is generally in good shape for how much play it sees, but does tend to get slow to very slow on weekends, especially in the afternoon when they start discounting the rate. And while the course (a Donald Ross) is a fun track, amenities there are totally non-existent and the surrounding area isn’t exactly great. I’d probably look elsewhere.

Maybe check out Broad Run. I’d consider it a bit of a trip from center city, but it is closer than Wyncotte. If you do play there, stop in at the Four Dogs tavern just down the road. Downtown West Chester also has good really great restaurants and bars.

I’d really consider Glen Mills too. Although, I don’t know what the status is with that as the school associated with the course had some problems (unrelated to golf) this spring.

There are more courses North of the city (Bucks county) and over the river in NJ, but since I’ve only played a handful of those, maybe someone else can chime in.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Broad Run hadn't been on my radar but I'll definitely check it out. Sounds like JVille is probably out.

In terms of the north of the city options, Makefield Highlands in Bucks Co. is a great option. Generally pretty open layout, and just a great track. Would take you about 35-40 minutes from center city.

Wyncote is very nice, but a long drive from Phila area.

Rock Manor in DE is pretty nice, fun and well maintained. It's about 30 minutes from Phila.

Thanks! I'll check it out. Hadn't been on my radar so much appreciated.

rock manor is pretty open too, and right by the highway, so it'd be an easy shot to the airport for your early morning round. but i'd suggest making it a real early morning tee time as pace of play there is really bad.

> @theD1 said:

> Yeah, we usually try to stay centrally within the city (close to bars/restaurants) and head out each day. We could travel up to an hour on Saturday, but try to keep Sunday closer because of the earlier tee time and the pressure to make flights.

> @WillMK5 said:

> Skip Riverwinds, nothing special there.

River winds actually fits what he is looking for- close to the airport/ open lay out and cheaper afternoon rounds... People tend to like that course, doesn't really have a real wow factor- but pretty cool to be on the water on a few holes over looking the skyline and the 17 "islandish" hole is cool hole.

*hard to get beers out there try byob if you can even tho they are tough on coolers.

> @"John.A@Nova" said:

> I like Jeffersonville. The course is generally in good shape for how much play it sees, but does tend to get slow to very slow on weekends, especially in the afternoon when they start discounting the rate. And while the course (a Donald Ross) is a fun track, amenities there are totally non-existent and the surrounding area isn’t exactly great. I’d probably look elsewhere.

>

The "surrounding area isn't exactly great" only if you don't know where to look. Norristown has some of the best Mexican food in SE PA, and super strong hoagies/zeps at Lou's and Eve's. Also, you're super close to King of Prussia, which has endless chain options from Shake Shack to the Capital Grille.

Jeffersonville over Broad Run any day of the week imo. Also, outside of Andiario, I think the WC restaurant scene sorta sucks.

Woodcrest in Cherry Hill is about 15 miles (or 20 to 30 minutes) from Center City. Worth consideration.

> @Johnny_Fairway said:

> Woodcrest in Cherry Hill is about 15 miles (or 20 to 30 minutes) from Center City. Worth consideration.

> @Johnny_Fairway said:

> Woodcrest in Cherry Hill is about 15 miles (or 20 to 30 minutes) from Center City. Worth consideration.

woodcrest is an awesome course just not good option for weaker players.... +20 handi guys will get cheeewed up there.

> @"Sir Larry Wildman" said:

> The "surrounding area isn't exactly great" only if you don't know where to look. Norristown has some of the best Mexican food in SE PA, and super strong hoagies/zeps at Lou's and Eve's. Also, you're super close to King of Prussia, which has endless chain options from Shake Shack to the Capital Grille.

>

> Jeffersonville over Broad Run any day of the week imo. Also, outside of Andiario, I think the WC restaurant scene sorta sucks.

>

>

I didn’t mean any offense by this, but I still think my comment is accurate in response to the OP’s question. While there are some good food spots in Norristown, if your not playing at Jeffersonville there is really no reason to visit when staying in the city. And these guys are flying into the area for a trip so I assumed (rightly or wrongly) they wouldn’t want the chain places in KOP.

I’d second what the other poster said that Riverwinds actually sounds like a pretty good fit.

Many excellent suggestions, but i’ll add to the options. Some driving involved, but Iron Valley or maybe Galen Hall if some of the others closer to Philadelphia get tight on tee times. IV def has the better restaurant but Galen’s isn’t bad. Galen is misted with ghosts when it was a more famous destination in bygone days. I’d say if Broad Run is on ur radar, those in Lancaster/Lebanon could be too. The Poconos have several destination type resorts, but that’s a bit of a travel commitment.

As others have hinted at, southeast PA is very fortunate to have such an abundance of good to excellent public golf courses. Of course there is all of the “Jersey Shore” options. Some pretty plush resort style stuff there as well. One could easily spend a week on a course tour of this area playing 2 courses a day and still run out of time before you hit all the good ones.

I’m sure whatever courses you choose will be a great time if only because you are with friends doing something you all enjoy.

Not sure if I am too late, but if you are playing Wyncote one day, Loch Nairn and Inniscrone are both good courses close by. They are sort of out there in the country, so there's not a whole bunch else to do, but Loch Nairn has got a pretty good restaurant for lunch.

If you want nice condition and wide open, try working in Turtle Creek

Also, I second iron valley and Galen Hall.

Iron Valley is awesome, Galen Hall and Glen Mills are also amazing but all 3 of those courses require bringing your "A" game