Pittsburgh Public Courses

[tyarema]

Anyone know of some good public courses in the Pittsburgh area? Just moved here for grad school, and the only course I have played is a pretty nice one called 3 lakes.

[9ccat9]

Cranberry Highlands and Totterridge are much better layouts.

You may also like Churchill CC which I think is Semi-private if you liked 3 Lakes.

[GPoppaPump]

I've played over 140 courses in western PA (all public and a few private) and can provide the following recommendations:

Totteridge: Best bang for your buck and stout from the tips. Might be my favorite in western PA.
Olde Stonewall: If you catch it in early April, it can be affordable, otherwise $150 a round. Great course, always in good shape.
Quicksilver: Used to host a SR. PGA event in mid 90's. Worth the $75 they charge. Fast greens.
Cranberry Highlands: IMO I think it is slightly overpriced but I do enjoy the layout, it's always in good shape, and doesn't beat you up.
Birdsfoot: If you can travel north on 28, it can be a 45 minute drive. Catch their online deals and I think it's a solid play. Not many trees and different from most western PA courses.
Chestnut Ridge Tom's Run: Good solid course part of 36 hole complex about an hour east of Pittsburgh.
Mystic Rock: Best course in western PA, but you will pay $$$ to play it. 1-1.5 hours out of Pittsburgh.
Links at Spring Church: Can be a bargin and usually good conditions. Enjoyable layout.
Churchill CC: Open to public, pricey but quick greens. I always felt that the course was tight and some holes were forced into a smaller space. Worth a look but definitely not my favorite.

If you are looking not to drive too far or sell the farm, I'd say play in the following order and see which you like best:

Totteridge
Quicksilver
Birdsfoot
Cranberry Highlands
Olde Stonewall (Play it if weather is good in early April for a treat, although its a hike from Pittsburgh).

Other Pittsburgh Area Courses you may want to look at online:

Cedarbrook (36 hole facility)
Butler's (36 hole facility)
Blackthorne (9 holer with some length)
Grandview (If you don't ever want to hit driver)
Lindenwood (27 hole facility overpriced)
Murrysville
Pheasant Ridge
Pittsburgh National (My home course because its so close)
Westwood (Short short course)

PM me if you have any questions on any other western PA courses, as I know them all inside and out. I do enjoy 3 Lakes as well, got some length and a decent layout.

[jurr80]

You're a Pittsburgh National guy?
That's cool...I live very close to that course. Haven't played it for some odd reason.

LOVE Birdsfoot and Cranberry Highlands.

I play Pittsburgh North a good bit as a quiet practice spot. It is typically not crammed with people.
Its lies, even in the fairways, are tough.

To the OP, STAY AWAY from North Park if you have any interest in a brisk round.
It is jam packed with people during the summer, all driving through miles of high grass, looking for an 80 yard sliced drive.

[GPoppaPump]

jurr80: Pitt National conditions have been up and down since their bankruptcy over a year ago. Conditions appear to be on the upswing, as has their prices. Try to catch it after work during the week. Also enjoy their grass range and they are currently redoing their practice facility. I'm interested to see how it turns out. As for Pittsburgh North, in the 15 years of playing that course, I have never had a flat lie. Good practice spot as it usually is quiet.

Tyarema: Definitely stay away from North Park unless you want a 6 hour round. If you are looking for a cheap course for some good practice and to get done fairly quick, give Pheasant Ridge a try, I play it ~5 times a year as practice.

[jurr80]

[quote name='GPoppaPump' timestamp='1360529401' post='6401039']
jurr80: Pitt National conditions have been up and down since their bankruptcy over a year ago. Conditions appear to be on the upswing, as has their prices. Try to catch it after work during the week. Also enjoy their grass range and they are currently redoing their practice facility. I'm interested to see how it turns out. As for Pittsburgh North, in the 15 years of playing that course, I have never had a flat lie. Good practice spot as it usually is quiet.

Tyarema: Definitely stay away from North Park unless you want a 6 hour round. If you are looking for a cheap course for some good practice and to get done fairly quick, give Pheasant Ridge a try, I play it ~5 times a year as practice.
[/quote]
Haha...that is hilarious and SO true about Pittsburgh North.
You stand in a great finish position, admiring a beautiful drive that shoots straight down the fairway.
You are whistlin' Dixie as you stroll up to the next shot, birdies chirping in your mind.

Then - UGH. A 30 degree tilted lie awaits dead in the middle of the fairway.

This is the course I started on, and I assumed golf was the impossible mission.

To my relief, I found other courses to be much more rewarding in the fairway!

[Hateto3Putt]

You fellow Pittsburghers have got to check out The Club At Shadow Lakes this season.

http://www.clubatshadowlakes.com/

It started years ago as Aliquippa CC, then became Beaver Lakes CC, now it's semi-private. It's a great old school traditional track. Just a few minutes past the airport on [s]60[/s] 376.

Churchill just filed for bankruptcy, so call before heading over for a round.

Pittsburgh North. I'm forced to play in a charity event there once a year. 3 words: [i]Batteries Not Included[/i].

Here's a [url="http://old.post-gazette.com/sports/golf/courses/"]LINK [/url]to last years course guide with information, links and pricing.

I can't wait for this winter to end!!!!!!

[GPoppaPump]

I played shadow lakes about two years ago. It was a rainy day and the course still presented itself very well. I also enjoy Beaver Valley up that way even though its a tad short.

As for the tee shot on number 2 at Pittsburgh North, I think it's garbage. And then the forced fade on number 3 from the tips because of that damn tree they have neglected since I had to lie about my age to get a cart.

Not to thread jack, but anyone know of any courses that might be flipping from private to semi private? I'm dying to find new courses to play in area.

[browne11]

Gpoppa has covered just about every course in Pittsburgh I would recommend. I would stress that Totteridge is a must play. It is a fantastic layout and tough as can be if you play from the tips. If you are willing to drive a little over an hour you can make it to Firestone Farms or Kennsington that are just over the PA border in Ohio. Both are around $45 due to location but would cost around $80 if they were in Pittsburgh. Always in great shape, and both can be long and challenging. I rate Firestone Farms right up there with Totteridge as far as bang for your buck goes.

[browne11]

And I just remembered The Madison Club as one I would recommend also. It's right on I-70 about 45 minutes south of the city. While not as nice as Totteridge, I would recommend that for $50 over quicksilver at $80. While not overly challenging, it's always in good shape and has a good layout besides the 2 identical dogleg left par 4s that you almost have to tee off with a 7 iron.

[GPoppaPump]

Browne11 - great idea bringing up Firestone farms and Kennsington (western Ohio loop). Kennsington from the tips is stout (I like the carry on number 10). Both great courses for the price. Anyone play Mill Creek recently? I forgot about Madison Club as I haven't played it in a few years.

One other one I forgot and it's a hike is St. Jude in Chicora PA. You can catch deals on Golfnow for less than 30 bucks occasionally and was in really good shape last time I played it (they claim to be the Oakmont of the north ha). Was a good solid course though. Remember guy working pro shop told me four times consecutively that "course is tough. It's a tough course. (Shrugs shoulders) It's tough, course is tough"

For any diehards, I just got an email from Firestone Farms that said they are open Valentines day. Think the fiancée will let me go play? Ha ha ha.

[Hateto3Putt]

I'm a Mill Creek fan too! It's one of the best walking tracks on the planet. (the "one" course?)

I played St. Judes last summer for the first time, for free. At that price it was worth every penny! Oakmont of the north?
Nah, Oakmont EAST maybe! (miss that one too)

Played Kensignton last year as well, nice track but it was a 6 HOUR round. No thanks.

Highlands CC just got sold out of bankruptcy...to a home-builder, another one bites the dust.

Once a year we take our roving skins game to Reserve Run (first turnpike exit in Ohio). Usually very nice condition, lots of par 3's, risk reward short par 4's. It makes for an interesting skins game, plus, it's a great ego builder for those guys who want to break their low round records! (put me down for a 67!)

[tyarema]

Wow thanks for all the suggestions guys. Had some laughs on a few of you talking about the side hill lies. Im from Long Island, so Ive never seen anything like the Pittsburgh hills on a course. Im also joining the club team at school and they are apparently looking for a new course since their previous CC went under. Not sure what that means in terms of private or semi private... open to suggestions in that area. I know[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/117613-gpoppapump/"] GPoppaPump[/url] asked the question. Checked out the website for Totterridge, that place looks great. Will be checking it out for sure.

Once the weather picks up, feel free to PM me and we can meet up during the week to play.

[ShortStack]

Just moved to Beaver, PA for the ATC program at CCBC, anyone have some pointers about what courses to play in my area???

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='ShortStack ' timestamp='1364951886' post='6748197']
Just moved to Beaver, PA for the ATC program at CCBC, anyone have some pointers about what courses to play in my area???
[/quote]

These are about the closest to you...

Blackhawk. 36 holes. Courses 1&2 are great for walking. Small greens, but usually in great shape.

Rolling Acres. 27 holes, great greens, wide open, grip it and rip it.

Firestone farms. Just over the border in Ohio. Links style golf, priced right!

Beaver Valley. Country club gone private. Old school layout, lots of trees, fun track.

Club at Shadow Lakes, Aliquippa. Another club gone public, Great course.

[ShortStack]

[quote name='Hateto3Putt' timestamp='1364987939' post='6749959']
[quote name='ShortStack ' timestamp='1364951886' post='6748197']
Just moved to Beaver, PA for the ATC program at CCBC, anyone have some pointers about what courses to play in my area???
[/quote]

These are about the closest to you...

Blackhawk. 36 holes. Courses 1&2 are great for walking. Small greens, but usually in great shape.

Rolling Acres. 27 holes, great greens, wide open, grip it and rip it.

Firestone farms. Just over the border in Ohio. Links style golf, priced right!

Beaver Valley. Country club gone private. Old school layout, lots of trees, fun track.

Club at Shadow Lakes, Aliquippa. Another club gone public, Great course.
[/quote]

Thanks for the help! Will have to try a few of these out!

[sheppy335]

You can try Yankee run also in Ohio just over the border nice place.

You can also go up to Tam O Shanter in Mercer which is nice.

Lots of nice courses listed and i agree about Totterridge Excellent course.