With rolling terrains, cascading waterways, and lush farmlands providing the perfect backdrop, it’s no wonder why Pennsylvania is considered a golfer’s paradise. Golfers pursuing their happiness in Pennsylvania can tee up at the nation’s oldest golf course, as well as courses challenging enough to host professional championship tournaments. Offering more golf courses per capita than any other state, Pennsylvania has become a destination for diverse golf experiences – so dust off those clubs and see if you can stay under par in the Keystone State.
For more information on specific courses, visit www.golfinpa.com.
Aronimink Golf Club - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Newtown Square
Featuring 300 scenic acres full of fresh air and relaxation, the challenging course was designed by one of America's foremost golf architects, Donald Ross. Serenely nestled in the rolling hills of Newtown Square, the private club attracted the world’s attention when it hosted the 2010 and 2011 “AT&T National” and was named Platinum Club of the World 2015-2017.
Foxburg Country Club - Pennsylvania Wilds
Foxburg
Test your skills on the oldest golf course in continuous use in America. Established in 1887, the renovated Foxburg Country Club’s historic nine-hole course has challenging narrow fairways, deep roughs and fast greens. The country club’s log clubhouse is home to the American Golf Hall of Fame, featuring a priceless collection of golf clubs and memorabilia covering 400 years of golf. The golf course, clubhouse, and Hall of Fame are open to the public from April through October.
Bedford Springs Resort - The Alleghenies
Bedford
www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BedfordSprings/Golf.aspx
Home to one of the country’s first golf courses and spanning more than 100 years of history, this resort has won accolades from Golfweek.com, Golf Inc., and Golf Course Industry magazine for its remarkable renovations. Restored to its original layout, the course provides guests and members with small greens, classic bunkers, and breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains.
Latrobe Country Club - Laurel Highlands
Latrobe
Drive, pitch, and putt on the same course on which legendary Pennsylvanian Arnold Palmer grew up. The Latrobe Country Club in the Laurel Highlands, open to limited public play, gives guests the opportunity to walk the fairways where Palmer learned the game from his father. After a round of 18 holes, visitors can check out the memorabilia on display from Palmer’s amateur and professional golfing careers.
Oakmont Country Club - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
Oakmont
Ranked fifth out of America’s Top 100 courses by Golf Digest in 2019, the members-only Oakmont Country Club is one of the few courses in the world offering championship-caliber golf. Introduced in 1903, Oakmont has hosted 20 national championships, including nine U.S. Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, three PGA Championships and its second U.S. Women’s Open in 2010. The Oakmont is considered to be one of North America's toughest golf courses, challenging players with slick greens, 210 deep bunkers, and tight fairways.
Saucon Valley Country Club - Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem
Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2009 and is rated one of the top 100 courses in the country by Golf Digest. Club owners have expanded the original 205 acres of farmland along the Saucon Creek to an 850-acre complex boasting three championship golf courses, a six-hole Short Course, 16 tennis courts, swimming pools, squash courts, and other recreational facilities sure to keep anyone occupied at one of LINKS Magazine’s top 100 most prestigious private clubs in the world.
Whispering Woods Golf Club - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
Erie
Whispering Woods Golf Club accommodates all types of golfers by offering five sets of tees, chiseled fairways, 50 bunkers, and creatively shaped greens. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, golfers can relax and enjoy a round of golf while their senses take in the hallmarks of Pennsylvania golf – tall trees, wandering streams, soothing waterfalls, and rolling terrain. Not to mention, you’ll be teeing up at one of PGA.com’s best public golf courses in the state.
Scottish Heights Golf Club and Lodge - Pennsylvania Wilds
Brockport
Located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds, Scottish Heights Golf Club and Lodge adds to the rustic charm of this beautiful region with mature tree-lined fairways, sculpted landing areas, and well-protected, undulating greens. Water hazards come into play on five holes and the natural beauty of the area culminates on the 18th hole. The signature hole is Number 4, which requires a tee shot over Rattlesnake Creek, one of the state’s purest trout streams.
Nemacolin - Laurel Highlands
Farmington
Ranked as the number one “Best Public Courses in Pennsylvania” by Golfweek.com, Nemacolin offers 36 holes of championship golf against the backdrop of the Laurel Highlands, located just 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Guests can perfect their backswing on two courses at Nemacolin, Mystic Rock and Shephards Rock, both equally designed to challenge every part of the golf game, while the surroundings provide some of the most breathtaking scenery. The golf courses, paired with world-class facilities and a top-notch spa, make Nemacolin one of Pennsylvania’s best weekend getaway locations.
Woodloch Springs Golf Course - Upstate PA
Hawley
Woodloch Spring’s spectacular, 18-hole, championship, par-72 golf course winds over 6,579 yards of fern-carpeted forest, lush wetlands, and broad upland meadows. Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, the championship course hosts four sets of tees on every hole and alternative pin placements to accommodate all levels of play and provide a variety of challenges. Woodloch’s 16-acre, state-of-the-art teaching facility provides personal lessons tailored to individual needs and levels. The golf course is nationally recognized by GOLF Magazine as "one of the finest courses in America" and rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play.
Hershey Country Club - Dutch Country Roads
Hershey
Boasting 45 pristine fairways, Hershey Country Club’s three courses offer a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Golfers can play a quick nine-holes on the Spring Creek Golf Course, which stretches 2,200 yards and features a natural stream gently winding through the course. In 1932, the original course was built as the first in the United States open to players 17 and under. The 18-hole, par 71 East Course features three lakes and more than 100 bunkers weaving through the scenic Pennsylvania countryside. From the hilltops of the 18-hole, par 73 West Course, golfers will enjoy views of the town of Hershey below.
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort - Upstate PA
Delaware
On the banks of the wild and scenic Delaware River, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort’s 45-hole championship course boasts some of the best golf in the Pocono Mountains. Opened in 1911, golf legends like Walter Hagan and Arnold Palmer have graced the fairways at Shawnee. The Golf Resort opened the Tillinghast Golf Academy and its state-of-the-art golf practice facility in 2003 to instruct and inspire all players.