Poconos recommendations

jls667 · July 25, 2017

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to find a decent course for a bachelor party at a cabin in the Poconos in about a month. More specifically we will be in the White Haven area.

I've searched on here and Google for suggestions and everyone's opinions are all over the place. Jack Frost is the most recommended but I doubt I'll convince a bunch of non/irregular golfers to pony up for JFN. We appear to be staying near Mountain Laurel but I can't find much info on them and whether its worth the money. I also don't want a dog track since the bachelor (and myself) is a more avid golfer and I don't want to book anything that he'll (and myself, again) will know is just a pasture with some flags.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent course that's not too much of a drive from the White Haven area and isn't too pricey for guys who play once per month, at most?

Thanks in advance.

totes570 · July 31, 2017

Not sure when you plan to play but Jack Frost is $60 peak during the week which is pretty reasonable. Mountain Laurel is a decent course and should fit your needs. We played as a group of 12 last year and essentially had the course to ourselves on a weekday afternoon. Others you may want to check out are Split Rock in Lake Harmony or Blue Ridge Trail in Mountaintop which is about 20 minutes in the other direction.

Its peak season for these courses so if you're planning to play early on weekend they will be crowded.

eagles20 · August 6, 2017

Your best two courses would be Jack Frost and Blue Ridge Trail. I make the drive (close to an hour and a half) from where I live in PA to Blue Ridge Trail every year and play all 27 holes with a group of friends. I haven't played this year so I can't comment on current course conditions, but I never left feeling the conditions were not very good. It is by far one of my favorite places and the price is very reasonable. Jack Frost is a close second and always in good shape. I would not recommend Split Rock if you have friends who do not play alot of golf. I only played it once, but played with friends who don't play a lot of golf and they lost a ton of balls. Mount laurel is a nice course, decent lay out, more open from what I remember from when i played two summers ago. Course conditions were not the best, but very playable. It might be the best option having friends who don't get out very often. Another option not discussed is Mt. Airy golf course at the casino. From what i remember they were on golfnow and you can get a good deal on the round. Course has a pretty nice lay-out (some quirky holes) and conditions are fair. Plus after the round you guys can head over to the casino and get some food and a drink.

BEND OF THE RIVER GC · August 6, 2017

We have played Shawnee Inn and Skytop Lodge. Both are classic courses with cool, old hotels attached. We really liked them, but they are not like some of the newer courses. The Poconos, although, fun, is not the best "golf destination."

We also played the CC of the Poconos, but I would NOT recommend that course. It's different.

TUGolfer06 · August 6, 2017

We have played Shawnee Inn and Skytop Lodge. Both are classic courses with cool, old hotels attached. We really liked them, but they are not like some of the newer courses. The Poconos, although, fun, is not the best "golf destination."

We also played the CC of the Poconos, but I woukd NOT recommend that course. It's different.

Surprised you didn't play Buck Hill! It's a pretty good Ross (Blue/White) course about 10 minutes from Skytop. It has a pretty loyal membership base so the conditions are generally pretty good. I really like it personally. My family has a cabin at Promised Land (about 20 minutes from BH) so it's always been my go to course when I spend time in the area. The Red Course isn't bad but if you play you got to get on the original 18.

Shawnee is a fun course. It's a little overpriced at peak time but if you catch a deal its worth playing just because of the history. I plan on going there within the next few weeks. I've been itching to play it again.

CC of Poconos is a clown course. Cart paths that traverse all over the place and several poorly designed golf holes is not my cup of tea. Add in "meh" conditions and I'll go back.

Mt. Airy could be good with a fairly major renovation. There's several dumb holes (par 5's especially) that need to blown up. The conditions are what you would expect. It's solid but far from what it could be.

JFN and Blue Ridge are both great. I'm partial to JFN but you can't go wrong with either one.

If you'll be in the Northern Poconos check out Woodloch. Great course in a really upscale community. A lot of NYC money passes through it. Course isn't overly long and is extremely playable. It is really remote though!

BEND OF THE RIVER GC · August 6, 2017

We tried to play Buck Hill first (we were traveling) but they could not accomodate us! We played CC of Poconos as they were wide open; it was only $12 w a cart for 9. We got lost the holes are so far apart!!!

Chadwickog · August 7, 2017

Blue Ridge Trail, Jack Frost are your best bets for the area you'll be in. Sugarloaf is also a nice course about 30 minutes from Mountain Laurel. Sand Springs used to be a great track but has fallen a bit in recent years. If you can get on at Buck Hill you will enjoy it.