PA top 5 I played this year

[luxman]

[quote name='KMeloney' timestamp='1312902177' post='3466010']
[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1312900946' post='3465928']
[quote name='flyersfan25' timestamp='1312869350' post='3465032']
I really want to play Glen Mills this fall when it cools off a bit. I have never been to a course that nice before though so I am a little hesitant. How intimidating is the course for a low to mid 90s player?
[/quote]

There's a couple of holes there that are extremely difficult (the par 3 7th comes to mind immediately), but play the right tees and you'll be fine.

Personally I'm not a fan of the course and think that much of its reputation is based on the fact that it's part of the school and not the actual golf course.
[/quote]

Interesting take, Lux.

I enjoy the course. It's visually intimidating (you'll wonder where you're going/where you can land the ball) on a number of holes, can be pretty narrow at times, and has lots of danger areas you won't want your ball to go into. [b] And some of the greens are crazy (7, 8, and 15 are just missing a clown mouth or windmill[/b]). But it's always in great shape, it's challenging but fair, and is an interesting layout. You'll need a couple rounds before you get comfortable with it, I'm sure.
[/quote]

With greens like that, I can't agree with your comment that it's challenging but "fair". There is nothing fair about those greens, especially 7 which is one of the worst par 3's (completely unfair from tee to green) I have ever played.

[flyersfan25]

[quote name='KMeloney' timestamp='1312902177' post='3466010']
[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1312900946' post='3465928']
[quote name='flyersfan25' timestamp='1312869350' post='3465032']
I really want to play Glen Mills this fall when it cools off a bit. I have never been to a course that nice before though so I am a little hesitant. How intimidating is the course for a low to mid 90s player?
[/quote]

There's a couple of holes there that are extremely difficult (the par 3 7th comes to mind immediately), but play the right tees and you'll be fine.

Personally I'm not a fan of the course and think that much of its reputation is based on the fact that it's part of the school and not the actual golf course.
[/quote]

Interesting take, Lux.

I enjoy the course. It's visually intimidating (you'll wonder where you're going/where you can land the ball) on a number of holes, can be pretty narrow at times, and has lots of danger areas you won't want your ball to go into. And some of the greens are crazy (7, 8, and 15 are just missing a clown mouth or windmill). But it's always in great shape, it's challenging but fair, and is an interesting layout. You'll need a couple rounds before you get comfortable with it, I'm sure.

FlyersFan -- no problem taking a low-to-mid-90s game there. I'd say that most of the people I've been paired up with out there have been that (or "worse"). Play the white tees. I think you'll enjoy it.

Oh, and if you're not as big an Eagles fan as you are a Flyers fan, consider going out when there's an Eagles game on. Although I've never played the course when I'd call it "crowded," there will be even fewer people there when a game is on.
[/quote]


Awesome, thanks for the info! I am going to try it out in September.

[gpt104]

Glen Mills is a great course. While #7 is a crazy green, I find #8's shallow green depth harder in terms of hitting, not putting (do not go long). #17 and #18 have always killed me off the tee. On #15 - its a big two tier green so make sure you know the day's pin placement. Love the front 9 - posted a personal best 39 late last year, only to have the back eat me up

I usually get the opportunity to play there a few times a year. Like most courses, the more you play, the more you know it, the more enjoyable it can be.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I played IRon Valley this summer and it was AWESOME. I also played Pinecrest CC and Eagle Rock Resort, both were SOLID.

[lazyjc4]

I'm from VA, but my wife was born near Philly, so I get to play some golf around there. The only five PA courses I've played (I have been spoiled):

Merion
Overbrook
Country Club of York
Edgemont
Paxson Hollow

[_MS22_]

[quote name='lazyjc4' timestamp='1313631561' post='3497584']
I'm from VA, but my wife was born near Philly, so I get to play some golf around there. The only five PA courses I've played (I have been spoiled):

Merion
Overbrook
Country Club of York
Edgemont
Paxson Hollow
[/quote]

I played Overbrook for the first time a few weeks ago. Great place and met a bunch of really nice people there. Love the bowling lanes!

[lazyjc4]

[quote name='_MS22_' timestamp='1313632270' post='3497619']
[quote name='lazyjc4' timestamp='1313631561' post='3497584']
I'm from VA, but my wife was born near Philly, so I get to play some golf around there. The only five PA courses I've played (I have been spoiled):

Merion
Overbrook
Country Club of York
Edgemont
Paxson Hollow
[/quote]

I played Overbrook for the first time a few weeks ago. Great place and met a bunch of really nice people there. Love the bowling lanes!
[/quote]

Bowling lanes!?!? I've been there a handful of times and never knew that!!!

[Png78]

I have enjoyed some good golf this year. Wyncote is great! I like Pilgrims Oak as well. I didn't care for Loch Naire and Broad was in great shape but has just lost it this summer.

[sheppy335]

Top 5

1. Oakmont
2. Southpointe
3. Allegheny CC
4. Cranberry Highlands
5. Birdsfoot

i know there is a drop off but ran out of friends that belonged to nice clubs.

[nitram]

No love for Mystic Rock???

[MDCallaway]

[quote name='nitram' timestamp='1315575913' post='3552846']
No love for Mystic Rock???
[/quote]

I was reading this and was going to post thy exact same thing. I've never played the others I saw mentioned but mystic has to be on this list. Great course

[nitram]

[quote name='MDCallaway' timestamp='1315921494' post='3560994']
[quote name='nitram' timestamp='1315575913' post='3552846']
No love for Mystic Rock???
[/quote]

I was reading this and was going to post thy exact same thing. I've never played the others I saw mentioned but mystic has to be on this list. Great course
[/quote]


'tis indeed

One of the "coolest" places I've ever encountered.

[MDCallaway]

[quote name='nitram' timestamp='1315928574' post='3561249']
[quote name='MDCallaway' timestamp='1315921494' post='3560994']
[quote name='nitram' timestamp='1315575913' post='3552846']
No love for Mystic Rock???
[/quote]

I was reading this and was going to post thy exact same thing. I've never played the others I saw mentioned but mystic has to be on this list. Great course
[/quote]


'tis indeed

One of the "coolest" places I've ever encountered.
[/quote]

I just played mystic over labor day weekend. There is another great course about 45 minutes away from there called lodestone. It's at deep creek lake maryland. Hale Irwin design and a great track. Huge greens so it's a putters course.

[Evolved]

[quote name='flyersfan25' timestamp='1312869350' post='3465032']
I really want to play Glen Mills this fall when it cools off a bit. I have never been to a course that nice before though so I am a little hesitant. How intimidating is the course for a low to mid 90s player?
[/quote]

Be prepared for numerous blind shots. Play with someone who has been there a few times if you can.

[nitram]

Heard about it but never made it. I'll try it next time through.

[MDCallaway]

[quote name='nitram' timestamp='1315942902' post='3561892']
Heard about it but never made it. I'll try it next time through.
[/quote]

Not sure what will happen with it. There having issues and I think the bank is pulling the loan. I'm sure someone will buy it. To nice of a place to just sit there.

[amish]

Update from the summer -

1. Iron Valley, Lebanon, almost every shot is challenged by the course. Rates are very low right now if you can get a nice day to play.
1a. Hershey Links, V fast greens, lots of forced carries which can be a lot of trouble if you miss the fairway even slightly as the rough is very thick. If you sign
up on their website they send out offers for as low as $59 to play. 1st class operation. They have some nice buy in bulk specials right now.
2. Blue Ridge Trail, Wilkes Barre, tight layout, speedy greens
3. Jack Frost, Lake Harmony, difficult but playable
4. Royal Manchester near York. Nice layout, must keep the ball in play or it is lost in the grasses. No truly intimidating holes but the 2 par 5s on the back 9 are very tight off the tee.
4a. Dauphin Highlands, gets a lot of play making the greens a bit marked up but otherwise a lot of fun.
5. Hershey CC East. PGA club pros beat it up pretty good last summer. Might need a redo to keep it relevant. Links is a far better course now.
6. Felicita, Harrisburg

[bp29]

[quote name='amish' timestamp='1322755424' post='3875915']
1a. Hershey Links, V fast greens, lots of forced carries which can be a lot of trouble if you miss the fairway even slightly as the rough is very thick. If you sign
up on their website they send out offers for as low as $59 to play. 1st class operation. They have some nice buy in bulk specials right now.
.
5. Hershey CC East. PGA club pros beat it up pretty good last summer. Might need a redo to keep it relevant. Links is a far better course
[/quote]


While I agree the PGA Club Professionals did enjoy the East Course (Scoring Wise). I was there during the final two days & noticed the course was there for the taking. I do beg to differ on the conparison. The East IMO doesn't need a revise and can play a lot harder than the links. Length wise there the same but landing area and greens make it harder. I'v seen the East play a lot harder and on a scale of 1 - 10 during the PGA it played a 6. But then again there different course.

[rrhowie]

1) Merion
2) Saucon Valley - Old
3) White Manor
4) Rolling Green
5) Llanerch

[KMeloney]

[quote name='rrhowie' timestamp='1323288706' post='3906535']
1) Merion
2) Saucon Valley - Old
3) White Manor
4) Rolling Green
5) Llanerch
[/quote]

Nice to see some Delco love, including my home course! Always interested to hear what folks have to say about Rolling Green...

[oatsjohn]

Eastern PA
1. Aronomink
2. Merion
3. Chester Valley
4. Manufacturers
5. Hartsfield National

[rrhowie]

[quote name='KMeloney' timestamp='1323291166' post='3906731']
[quote name='rrhowie' timestamp='1323288706' post='3906535']
1) Merion
2) Saucon Valley - Old
3) White Manor
4) Rolling Green
5) Llanerch
[/quote]

Nice to see some Delco love, including my home course! Always interested to hear what folks have to say about Rolling Green...
[/quote]
I love Rolling Green. One of my favorites in the area. It's one of those courses that never gets old. Great variety, no two holes are alike. #9 is great, #12 is a great short par 4. Awesome track.

[Grimace45]

Just relocated from Philly area to Long Island a few months ago, but spent the last 17 years playing in GAP events in the area. Now I have Bethpage in my back yard so I guess that is at least something.

In no ranked order:

1. Aronimink
2. Philly Cricket - Militia Hill
3. Applebrook CC
4. White Manor
5. Fieldstone CC

[Duff_Duffington]

glen mills has to be on any eastern pa list

[Temple23]

- Aronimink
- Glen Mills
- Broad Run
- Philmont CC (North)
- Mystic Rock

[oldpalchamp]

I only played one course in PA this year, but it is one of my all time favorites, The Country Club of York. A wonderful Donald Ross design that hosted the 1998 US Jr. Am. Hunter Mahan beat Camillo Villegas in the final.

[Sir Larry Wildman]

[quote name='Duff_Duffington' timestamp='1330130309' post='4370409']
glen mills has to be on any eastern pa list
[/quote]

Disagree...


Merion - East Course
Stonewall - Old Course
Aronimink
Philly Cricket - Militia Hill Course
Saucon Valley - Old Course

Glenn Mills is the top public course in the Phila area, but there are so many great (and I do emphasize [i]great[/i]) private clubs in eastern PA that it wouldn't even make the top 15. In addition to the above 5 I would rank the following ahead of Glenn Mills (in no order): Stonewall North, Saucon Valley Grace Course, Applebrook, Philly Country Club, Lancaster CC, Huntingdon Valley, French Creek, Rolling Green, White Manor, RiverCrest.

[warfelg]

For this summer I was quite limited due to my first year as an assistant pro. But based on the few I played my rankings:

1) Lancaster CC. - Absolutely amazing. Helps my dad is a starter there and knows the course inside and out.
2) Iron Valley - I always play my best golf there. Something about how challenging it is that makes me play better.
3) PSU Blue/White - I found it hard to separate these two. Great condition and a challenge no matter what
4) Gettysburg Links/Pilgrims Oak - Links style courses with a lot of contour. Both are long and challenging, but are worth the challenge
5) Lewistown CC. - Gotta show some love to my employer. We're actually much better now with our new super. Very classic Donald Ross design.

Dead Last - Highlands at Donegal - What happens when non-golfers try to run a golf course.

[Philly Golf Guy]

The top 5 courses I played in PA this year:

1. Glen Mills

2. LuLu

3. Bellewood

4. Iron Valley

5. Jeffersonville

Honorable mention: McCall

This is based on the round(s) I've played at these courses this year. PA is full of a ton of excellent public and private courses, so just glad there's so many to choose from.

[url="http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/"]http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/[/url]

[Padre John]

[quote name='nickdamm' timestamp='1288234094' post='2762787']
1. Aronimink
2. Huntingdon Valley
3. Phila Cricket Club
4. White Manor
5. Phila Country Club
[/quote]

Huntingdon Valley is one of my all time favorite courses. I was a member there from 1978-1990. Jack taught me how to play. Thanks for memories.