From courses punctuated with natural rolling knolls, glistening lakes, and leafy forests to hangouts of legends like Arnold Palmer, Pennsylvania is full of storied greens. A few of our favorite courses are spotlighted below, but for much more, view the full list of Pennsylvania golf courses.
1. TURTLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
Limerick
This impeccably maintained Montgomery County golf course, Turtle Creek Golf Club, is one of the only 2 golf courses in the area to receive 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest Best Places to Play. The golf course was built on turf originally owned by William Penn and compromises 165 acres of maintained open greenspace within the community.
Fun Feature: The course’s focal point, a Virginia-style colonial farmhouse built in 1734, stands near the 18th hole.
2. LATROBE COUNTRY CLUB
Latrobe
Arnold Palmer learned to play the game that brought him fame on the fairways and greens at the small-town Latrobe Country Club. While the establishment is private, guests at Springhill Suites Pittsburgh Latrobe enjoy special golfing privileges at the country club.
Fun Feature: Latrobe Country Club’s restaurant, which was designed and decorated by Palmer’s late wife Winnie, still serves up the legendary golfer’s favorite dishes like crab cakes and special mashed potatoes made with horseradish and scallions.
3. STONEHEDGE COUNTRY CLUB
Factoryville
The mature links and strategically positioned tees through wide-open, forested, and manicured fairways of Stonehedge Country Club make this Endless Mountains course a test for amateur and professional golfers alike.
Fun Feature: Situated on 125 scenic acres, Stonehedge Country Club’s lengthy links are a treat for long hitters.
4. TYOGA COUNTRY CLUB
Wellsboro
Designed to highlight the beauty of northern Pennsylvania’s wooded rolling hills, players at Tyoga Country Club must use creativity and skill to conquer this course’s scenic holes.
Fun Feature: Take advantage of the country club’s proximity to Pine Creek Gorge or Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, a gorgeous 50-mile-wide, 1,500-foot-deep gap in Tioga State Forest.
5. TOFTREES GOLF RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
State College
Golf course architect, Edmund Ault, left his mark on Toftrees golf course, which features smooth and tree-bordered fairways and an abundance of bunkers and uphill obstacles.
Fun Feature: With 102 guest rooms and suites, the resort is fully equipped for a relaxing golf getaway.
6. HAILWOOD GOLF COURSE
Meadville
Pat yourself on the back if you can score big on the hilly course’s signature 14th hole at Hailwood Golf Course, which requires a tee shot over a miniature valley to reach an elevated green.
Fun Feature: Hailwood Golf Course’s Safari Bar is decorated with an extensive collection of hunting trophies from the owners’ travels to Africa, New Zealand, Alaska, Russia, and other exotic locales.
7. KANE COUNTRY CLUB
Kane
Notable holes at this well-maintained course include No. 12, where a fairway is guarded by a rock formation and large pond, and No. 14, an uphill challenge framed by thick woods. The course at Kane Country Club can stymie even the most seasoned golfer.
Fun Feature: Play Monday through Thursday for the best green fees; the $25 rate includes 18 holes and a cart rental.
8. FOXBURG COUNTRY CLUB
Foxburg
Built amid a grove of ancient oaks above the Allegheny River, the Foxburg Country Club was established in 1887 and is the oldest continually played golf course in the U.S.
Fun Feature: Visit the American Golf Hall of Fame on the clubhouse’s second floor to view a priceless collection of golf clubs and investigate the 400-year history of the sport.
9. THE LINKS AT GETTYSBURG
Gettysburg
Artfully crafted obstacles, water features at almost every hole, and greens fronting red rock cliffs are just the beginning of the fun at this lovely European-style links course in Gettysburg.
Fun Feature: Hole 13 requires straight shooting to escape a fairway sandwiched by a lake to the left and river to the right.
10. BRIARWOOD GOLF CLUBS
York
Offering 36 holes on two different courses, Briarwood is a golfer’s delight. The east course has expansive, contoured fairways, while the west course challenges with well-bunkered, flat and bent-grass greens.
Fun Feature: Improve your game by signing up for a private lesson from one of the establishment’s licensed PGA Teaching Professionals.
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