Pocono's Courses

socccer4life3 · March 21, 2017

Going to be taking a golf trip with my dad and 2 of his buddies up to the poconos in late june, staying at Mt. Airy Lodge and doing some gambling as well. Anybody have recommendations of courses in the area?

DrOldSchool · March 21, 2017

I got married at Great Bear last year, and played it the day before. Nice layout, conditions were a little rough around the edges in August. It's a little pricy, but worth a go if it's in good shape.

Shawnee is a solid round on a classic course.

The Country Club of the Poconos has the most insane path layout ever (I think they stuck the course between the houses rather than the other way around), but also has some interesting holes.

Mt. Airy Lodge's course is alright, nothing special, but definitely playable.

I never played Jack Frost but have never heard a bad word about it.

All except GB are on golf now, and I always got on cheap via hot deals.

TUGolfer06 · March 21, 2017

Jack Frost is, imo, the best public course in the Poconos by a wide margin. It's a fantastic mountain layout that offers wide fairways and plenty of tee box options. You can spray the ball some and not spend the day in the woods looking for the your ball. The conditions are also always in great excellent. The bunkers are well kept and the greens are among my favorite anywhere. The clubhouse is nothing more than a double wide trailer but it gets the job done. They built a really nice outdoor pavilion last year which offers some great views. The practice area is also really nice relative to other public facilities in the region. The driving range might be my favorite in the area.

Mt Airy needs to be blown up and rebuilt from scratch. It was modeled after some of the best holes in golf when it was originally built in the 1970's. Since then a lack of overall upkeep and tree cutting has resulted in a quirky, rather annoying design. There's two terrible par fives that require layups off the tee. The back 9 is a little better than the front imo but still leaves quite a bit be desired. I really think at some point the course is going to be completely overhauled. It's simply not as nice as it could/should be. Mt. Airy needs to have a Turning Stone level course imo.

Great Bear and Shawnee are worth playing imo. They're under the same ownership umbrella. Great Bear use to be a private club. Shawnee would be my pick if you catch a deal on Golf Now. It's got quite a bit of history behind it (Sam Sneads old hangout) and is generally in pretty good shape. 25 of 27 holes iirc sit on an island in the middle of the Delaware River. It's quite flat and playable but most of the holes are well framed and the views are generally pretty good. Great Bear is usually a little more pricey and offers a more modern, aggressive layout.

I'd stay away from the CC of the Poconos. The best part of that place is the insane drives between holes through the neighborhoods. The conditions last year were rather poor and the layout in general is subpar.

My sleeper would be Buck Hill if you can play the original Donald Ross Blue/White route. It's only about 20 minutes from Mt. Airy up 390. I haven't played it in a couple of years but the last time I did I was satisfied. The combination of being semi-private and having a very loyal membership base ensures the conditions are kept above average. The greens are what you would expect from Ross and the overall design is excellent. Great par 3's, par 5's and few tremendous short 4 pars. The views are outstanding.

Skytop is a few miles up the road from Buck Hill and is another place with great history. However the conditions seem to fluctuate quite a bit. It's a cool course but I'd play Buck Hill instead

Woodloch is a gem but it's a hike (hour +) from Mt Airy. That's one of the best public courses in all of NEPA and imo the second best course in the Pocono region with JFN being the best. The only drawback there is it does go through a housing development and the par 5's are "meh".

Golf in the Poconos should be better than it is. Jack Frost is only place that is a true must play. It's a Top 100'ish type public course. Outside of JFN there's a lot of courses with historical value but lack the pristine conditions. Skytop, Buck Hill and Shawnee easily could be a Leatherstocking/Taconic/Bedford Spring level course if they had more resources. Water Gap is another historical place (Walter Hagen's folly) with great potential.

flushem · March 21, 2017

What Pocono course has blind cliff short 80 yds par 3 hole?

Also another course with zig zag par 6 hole?

totes570 · March 22, 2017

My favorite is Great Bear, it was a very fair course with wide fairways (wider than typical Jack courses) - played last summer as part of our 12-man buddies trip.

As others mentioned, Mt Airy is not great. There are several holes/layouts that left us scratching our head. Would also avoid CC of Poconos.

We liked the 18-hole course at Split Rock also - they have a second nine-hole course that was not as well kept. I missed the Jack Frost round have heard many good things about it. They are both around 20 minutes from Mount Airy and close together, so if you're interested in 36 you can easily do Split Rock/Jack Frost.

TUGolfer06 · March 22, 2017

What Pocono course has blind cliff short 80 yds par 3 hole?

Also another course with zig zag par 6 hole?

The short par 3 you're referring to is #4 at Water Gap Country Club I believe? The site of "Hagen's Folly" in 1926 during the Eastern Open.

The par 6 (685 yards iirc) was on the silver course at the now defunct Mountain Manor Resort.

Buck Hill, Shawnee, Skytop, Pocono Manor and Water Gap were some best courses in the country during the first half of the 20th century. All played host to numerous events and world famous golf personalities.

flushem · March 22, 2017

What Pocono course has blind cliff short 80 yds par 3 hole?

Also another course with zig zag par 6 hole?

The short par 3 you're referring to is #4 at Water Gap Country Club I believe? The site of "Hagen's Folly" in 1926 during the Eastern Open.

The par 6 (685 yards iirc) was on the silver course at the now defunct Mountain Manor Resort.

Buck Hill, Shawnee, Skytop, Pocono Manor and Water Gap were some best courses in the country during the first half of the 20th century. All played host to numerous events and world famous golf personalities.

It is indeed Water Gap CC. Too bad Mountain Manor gone outta business. Thank you very much.

socccer4life3 · March 22, 2017

thanks for the suggestions, looks like well be playing jack frost and big bear

aabcuue · March 23, 2017

Jack Frost is, imo, the best public course in the Poconos by a wide margin. It's a fantastic mountain layout that offers wide fairways and plenty of tee box options. You can spray the ball some and not spend the day in the woods looking for the your ball. The conditions are also always in great excellent. The bunkers are well kept and the greens are among my favorite anywhere. The clubhouse is nothing more than a double wide trailer but it gets the job done. They built a really nice outdoor pavilion last year which offers some great views. The practice area is also really nice relative to other public facilities in the region. The driving range might be my favorite in the area.

Mt Airy needs to be blown up and rebuilt from scratch. It was modeled after some of the best holes in golf when it was originally built in the 1970's. Since then a lack of overall upkeep and tree cutting has resulted in a quirky, rather annoying design. There's two terrible par fives that require layups off the tee. The back 9 is a little better than the front imo but still leaves quite a bit be desired. I really think at some point the course is going to be completely overhauled. It's simply not as nice as it could/should be. Mt. Airy needs to have a Turning Stone level course imo.

Great Bear and Shawnee are worth playing imo. They're under the same ownership umbrella. Great Bear use to be a private club. Shawnee would be my pick if you catch a deal on Golf Now. It's got quite a bit of history behind it (Sam Sneads old hangout) and is generally in pretty good shape. 25 of 27 holes iirc sit on an island in the middle of the Delaware River. It's quite flat and playable but most of the holes are well framed and the views are generally pretty good. Great Bear is usually a little more pricey and offers a more modern, aggressive layout.

I'd stay away from the CC of the Poconos. The best part of that place is the insane drives between holes through the neighborhoods. The conditions last year were rather poor and the layout in general is subpar.

My sleeper would be Buck Hill if you can play the original Donald Ross Blue/White route. It's only about 20 minutes from Mt. Airy up 390. I haven't played it in a couple of years but the last time I did I was satisfied. The combination of being semi-private and having a very loyal membership base ensures the conditions are kept above average. The greens are what you would expect from Ross and the overall design is excellent. Great par 3's, par 5's and few tremendous short 4 pars. The views are outstanding.

Skytop is a few miles up the road from Buck Hill and is another place with great history. However the conditions seem to fluctuate quite a bit. It's a cool course but I'd play Buck Hill instead

Woodloch is a gem but it's a hike (hour +) from Mt Airy. That's one of the best public courses in all of NEPA and imo the second best course in the Pocono region with JFN being the best. The only drawback there is it does go through a housing development and the par 5's are "meh".

Golf in the Poconos should be better than it is. Jack Frost is only place that is a true must play. It's a Top 100'ish type public course. Outside of JFN there's a lot of courses with historical value but lack the pristine conditions. Skytop, Buck Hill and Shawnee easily could be a Leatherstocking/Taconic/Bedford Spring level course if they had more resources. Water Gap is another historical place (Walter Hagen's folly) with great potential.

I agree on the above course ratings placing JFN and Woodloch @top. Pocono area course should and can be better with more $ and care. Unfortunately, turnout is low. Great Bear has new owners again and isn't a high end private course anymore.

Shawnee is Tillingast's 1st ever design. He did it as a favor for the owner & because Tilly was broke. This was before Tilly even wanted to be golf course architect/ designer. Its not a typical tilly and missing his mature structures.

CC of Pocono is often rl cheap. Its short and ultra tight. The rl high slope mid 140s and layout says don't miss or goodbye ball.

Water Gap has huge elevation gains and requires a cart unless your a ultra fit mtn goat. Nice course and pretty cheap.

mkunes01 · March 23, 2017

Jack Frost!! Awesome layout

TUGolfer06 · March 23, 2017

Jack Frost!! Awesome layout

It truly is! I'm surprised JFN's profile hasn't risen more given its proximity to NYC and Philly! For the money it's an incredible place. I think it's one of the Top 5 public courses in the state.

aabcuue · March 24, 2017

Jack Frost!! Awesome layout

It truly is! I'm surprised JFN's profile hasn't risen more given its proximity to NYC and Philly! For the money it's an incredible place. I think it's one of the Top 5 public courses in the state.

Golf Advisor JFN #8 in PA:

http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/best-of-2016-pennsylvania-16298.htm

Bonneville85308 · March 24, 2017

My gang played Water Gap last September and it was in poor condition, especially the fairways and tees. I should have known when I went to book a Saturday morning tee time two days ahead of time on what was going to be a beautiful day, and the tee sheet was wide open. I remember playing there 10+ years ago when it was in much better condition.

CC of Pocono, I wouldn't play that for free, awful design.

I liked Mount Airy and thought it was in good condition. Yeah, some holes could use a chainsaw bigtime. Obviously super convenient if you stay at the hotel/casino. If you are gambling there and have anyone in your group playing for a considerable amount of money, ask a casino host about getting a round of golf comped for at least the bigger gamblers in the group so long as they are using a player's card. Mount Airy is a little different from some other casinos in terms of comps in that if you don't ask for something, you definitely won't get offered it otherwise.

I am a fan of Shawnee, thought a few holes could use a chainsaw though. We last played it on a summer Friday when they had a bunch of huge groups of guys from NY staying/playing, but the staff managed to get us on the opposite nines of what those people were playing and we got around in 4 hours despite the property being pretty packed with people.

I've never played Jack Frost but have never heard anything negative about it.