Thank you for the insight, I’ll definitely do so!
@PurpleCobra619 I didn’t really consider how tough walking there would be, that’s hard to swallow.
Anyone else off next Thursday the 2nd and wanna play anywhere. I can host at my club or head out somewhere in the area to meet up. Found out today that we are getting the day off! Woohoo.
Interested to hear what they did to 17! I used to play tournaments over there in high school, I thought it was tough enough for the young guns and felt bad for the older players who had to hit up that hill. Impossible par for some
Saw a good break down on the renovation here. I usually ended up in the left green side bunker. Lots more options now around the green and way easier to lay up for the shorter hitters. https://golfadelphia.com/2018/07/15/ledgerock-gc/
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Hello refugees of the Philadelphia area. The family is headed down to stone harbor nj next week, any advice on where the good golf is down there and where I should be playing the two or three rounds that I have. Looking to travel less than 45 minutes preferably.
My two favorite courses to play down there are Twisted Dunes and Atlantic City Country Club
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I would like to give td another try, it was hard to enjoy the course due to the horrendously slow play. Maybe I’ll try and get out there earlier in the morning next time. Thanks!
Which one has the slow play?
Oh wow. I’ve played Twisted Dunes a handful of times and never had a pace of play issue. It’s def one of my favorites down there.
Avalon was a decent course too but haven played there in a few years so not sure if it’s changed at all.
Hey - have a few suggestions based on courses some courses I’ve played…and some I haven’t but heard good things. To echo; I’ve played Twisted Dune and enjoyed it there.
Seaview - 2 18 hole courses here (Bay and Pines) both awesome
Ballamor GC - heard really good things
McCullough’s Links - fun links style course
Vineyard National - little bit of a hike from Stone harbor, but really fun course in good condition
Avalon GC - solid course right off of Route 9
Laguna Oaks - fun but difficult par 3 course (10 holes) always in good shape and good way to get a quick round in before the beach
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Did Seaview Bay course for my bachelor party. Great Donald Ross course and the host of the LPGA’s Shoprite Open (if that is still the name).
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Don’t think there’s a DE thread of it’s own, just curious–I lived in Wilmington from 2005-'12. How’s the scene down there these days? Played Rock Manor a lot after the redo. Fun course but pace was awful. Patriot’s Glen wasn’t bad, but I hear that closed. Wyncote was solid, I’ve read that it’s gotten really good. How’s Porky’s? Played that a lot, and have heard it’s gotten better. Personal favorite was Deerfield–fun mix of holes, tight but getable if you hit it straight.
Hey all,
New to the board. Based in Haddonfield. I’m looking to join a local club on a “young professional” type membership. Any recommendations for the best value in membership?
Cheers!
Hey everyone. New to the Refuge and relatively new to Philly (been here about 2 years). Looks like this is the most appropriate Philly-area thread though it seems a bit dormant the last couple weeks. Wanted to pop in and see if folks are interested in playing nearby soon or had any suggestions for local tracks.
I’ve been playing a lot of solo rounds lately, which is nice but always great to meet others in the area who play. I am also likely moving this time next year so want to hit as many “must-plays” as I can fit before then. Over the last couple years these are the courses I’ve played so far in no particular order:
-Pennsauken
-Skippack
-Shannondell
-Middletown
-Scotland Run
-Inniscrone
-Walnut Lane
-Jeffersonville
-Cobbs Creek Olde course
-White Manor (private)
-Laurel Creek (private)
And these a little further out:
-Penn National: Iron Forge and Founders
-Galen Hall
-Bethpage Red and Black
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In-laws live down the street from Skippack so I play it a few times a year. Always cool seeing that little course mentioned. I played Jeffersonville last year. Won’t be able to make it out there this year but definitely one I want to play again!
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Holy hell, so my in-laws live around the corner from Lederach and I drive by it all the time. Haven’t played it yet and don’t really want to?
I do play Rolling Turf every time I visit Why? Because it is the ultimate golf is for everyone course. I love that there are kids who have never played before learning, guys who you’d be surprised are into golf (ripped jean shorts, tank tops, miller lites, and a random ass set of clubs), and everything else. It is the ultimate young kids place to learn and pay next to nothing. I played it yesterday and there are 10 par 3s (one 215 yards) and 2 par 4s (both 300ish) and as a 10 handicap I end up hitting almost every club in my bag.
It’s a dump, but it’s everyone’s dump and I’m just amazed to see it turn up here considering it isn’t well known. Like I said, if I lived nearby, I’d live there practicing my game and teaching my son on it. It’s perfect. For what it is.
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Helpful list, thanks for taking the time!
Yeah absolutely. It isn’t much of a course, but it serves its purpose. I’m amused by what you must have thought playing it not knowing what to expect. I just know when I play and pair up with people I feel like Tiger Woods for a little bit.
Hey, welcome aboard. I’m a little biased about the best value, because I only know about a couple options. I did a little research recently for my friend’s son who just moved back to town after graduating college. He was looking at the Scotland Run/ACCC/ Ballamor package, which is spelled out here- https://ottingergolf.com/pages/membership-offerings?utm_source=accountryclub.com&utm_medium=referrer&utm_campaign=membership%20signup
He ended up joining Running Deer (full disclosure - my home club) as a Jr Young Exec. It’s $2290 for the year, or pay monthly $200. The part that makes it the best value in my opinion is that it not only includes unlimited golf and range balls at Running Deer, but it also includes greens fees at Riverwinds, Ramblewood, Valleybrook, Downingtown, and you can add on Blue Heron pines for $500 - which makes sense for guys who spend time at the shore.
I don’t have any interest in playing Ramblewood or Valleybrook ,and I wouldn’t recommend that you consider them part of the value proposition (a nice way of saying they stink). I hear good things about Downingtown, but unless you’re going to be out that way, it isn’t relevant. What you’re really paying for is Running Deer and Riverwinds (and BHP if that makes sense for you).
Here’s the flyer - https://www.runningdeergolfclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eagle_Pass_Offerings.pdf
RD is meant to be walked. The pace of play is always brisk, and the people are great. Riverwinds is walkable, but almost everyone rides, and the pace of play on weekends can bog down sometimes.
Lastly, I’ll say that it wouldn’t surprise me that in the aftermath of Covid, a lot of the private clubs in the area will be eager to welcome some new young members. You have a few pretty good options not far from Haddonfield, - Riverton, Trump National, Tavistock, Medford Village, Pine Valley - make some calls and see what they have to say.
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I am also new to the board, and am brand new to golf (been playing ~9 months)
But I’ve been playing a ton this summer, and have already hit a few of these courses, and others.
-Skippack - this one is pretty quirky, and a lot of the fairways are stacked right on top of each other. The main negative here is the organization, as tee times can have as many as 8 people at the same time, as the clubhouse doesn’t seem to pay too much attention to what is going on when people start showing up.
-JC Melrose (Cheltenham) - agreed with @69kv on this. It’s a real tight course, only ~6000 from the back tees, but even with it being tight, you won’t be risking lost balls unless you’re suuuuuuper wayward off the tee. It does have back-to-back par 3s, which is always a weird sight. Plus the cart path can easily wash out if it is raining/has rained quite a bit recently.
-Makefield Highlands (Yardley) - probably my favorite course I’ve played, granted my list is not that long. It’s very open and has a lot of fun greens/pins.
-Gilbertsville - this is the one I’ve played most, as my main golfing buddy lives right next to it, and it’s where I’ve learned the most, as it isn’t super busy, and it allows me to learn the basics, while letting me try out new things.
-Fairways (Warrington) - played with a bunch of friends since this is their local. Insanely short, only around 4500. It’s right through a neighborhood, and you don’t really get to hit driver much due to its length. Nothing much to this place.
-Kimberton (Phoenixville) - not a fan. Ditches all over the place while in the golf cart, and even without those, the course itself was not in the best condition.
-Riverwinds (Deptford, NJ) - the first course I ever played, last autumn. I had no idea what I was doing, but still had a blast on a fun course, that has great views of Philly and has a super fun downhill par 3 17th.
-Rock Manor (Wilmington) - I’ve played this a few times, and it is real good for the price. Folks tend to play pretty fast there. I’ve had people up my ass both times, and I’m not the slowest player.
-Iron Valley (Lebanon) - Wow. Such a beautiful course. Front 9 is links play, and has a par 3 island green on the 5th. It’s real short and the green is humongous, so even a noob like me got it on no problem. Toooooons of undulation on the back 9
-Broad Run (West Chester) - I played this the same day as IV. Also a ton of undulation, and a ton of fun. The par 3 17th is a huuuuge downhill that plays around 100, but with the wind/slope really sets up a tough shot. I’m not sure if they even let folks to walk this one as it is a ginormous course, but if they do, make sure to get a cart. It’s a 5 minute drive back to the clubhouse from 18 alone.
-Rivercrest (Phoenixville) - The one private I’ve played. I lost a ton of balls here, as there are trees/hills all over the place, but that is because of my abilities, not the course. There are a few tough blind tee shots here, so playing with someone with experience here is very useful.
What I want to play soon:
PA:
-Jeffersonville - my buddy swears by this place, and loves it there. Tee times get scooped up quickly, so it’s a pretty popular spot.
-Glen Mills
-Galen Hall
-Turtle Creek
-Hershey
-Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands
NJ:
-Atlantic City
-Scotland Run
-Heron Glen
-Neshanic Valley
-Mercer Oaks
DE:
-Bayside Resort
-Delcastle
-White Clay Creek
-Deerfield
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