Best Golf Courses in Philadelphia

Updated February 2024 to update booking information.

When I think of Philadelphia, I think of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, brotherly love, the Eagles, Flyers, and 76ers. 

One thing that doesn’t immediately come to mind is golf.  Sure, I’m familiar with some of the iconic private clubs Philadelphia Country Club and Bala Golf Club.  What I didn’t know until recently is that the city is also home to some fine public tracks.

At the insistence of our readers, I’ve come up with a list of the best courses anyone can play in this great city. 

Located in the vibrant metro area of Philadelphia, Rock Manor Golf Course, designed by Lester George, offers golfers a premier public track with a state-of-the-art irrigation system. Renovated into one of the best-kept courses in the region, Rock Manor provides a fun layout and exceptional value for golfers. Its two-tiered driving range and short game area cater to all skill levels, making it an ideal practice ground. The course’s strategic design and well-maintained greens add to the overall appeal. Rock Manor Golf Course stands out as a gem among the array of golf courses in Pennsylvania.

With its rich history and exceptional design, Rock Manor Golf Course has earned its place among the best in Philadelphia. Its legacy is further enhanced by the fact that it was designed by William Flynn, a renowned architect known for his work on some of the most prestigious golf courses in the country. This course offers an unforgettable golfing event, combining the beauty of its surroundings with the challenge of its layout. Whether you’re a trained golfer or a newcomer to the game, Rock Manor Golf Course promises an enjoyable and rewarding day on the greens.

 

Golden Pheasant Golf Club offers golfers a parkland-style layout known for its true greens and bold shot-making requirements. The course features subtle quirks, humps, and bumps on the fairways, providing a challenging and rewarding encounter for golfers. It demands shot-making skills and offers a charming setting cutting through heavy woods.

Spanning over 6,000 yards, the course presents demanding fairways, water hazards, and sand traps. Voted #1 in Burlington County by the Burlington County Times, Golden Pheasant Golf Club provides a bold yet beautiful golf experience.

When visiting Golden Pheasant Golf Club, golfers can expect:

• A parkland-style layout with true greens
• Subtle quirks, humps, and bumps on the fairways
• Demanding shot-making requirements
• A picturesque setting cutting through heavy woods

Whether you’re a skillful golfer looking for a challenge or a newcomer eager to improve your skills, Golden Pheasant Golf Club in the Philadelphia area promises an engaging and rewarding event on its well-regarded course.

 

 

Take shelter in the heart of Philadelphia, Northampton Country Club beckons golf fans with its rich history and meticulously maintained course. Established in 1899, this Country Club offers an exclusive private club adventure at a public course price.

The undulating and fast greens provide a tough game, emphasizing accuracy over distance. The classic American design features narrow fairways and punishing rough, demanding shot-making skills for a rewarding experience. Known for its immaculate condition, this course delivers a visually stunning and enjoyable playing event in a beautiful setting.

Northampton Country Club is renowned for providing a premier public golfing adventure with a rich history and a demanding yet rewarding layout. The club’s emphasis on maintaining the course in top-notch condition ensures that golfers can expect a high-quality happening.

Whether you’re a local enthusiast or visiting Philadelphia, securing a tee time at Northampton Country Club is a must for those seeking a memorable round of golf. With its combination of history, challenging layout, and beautiful setting, this Philadelphia Country Club offers an exceptional golfing experience for players of all skill levels.

 

   

Teeing off at Rancocas Golf Club promises a bold and rewarding adventure. The course, located in New Jersey, is one of the best public golf courses in the area. It offers an opportunity for golfers to showcase their skills. Here’s what you can expect at Rancocas Golf Club:

• Precision over distance: The layout of the course demands accurate shots, making it ideal for golfers who prioritize precision and strategic play.
• Small greens and hazards: The small greens are well-protected by bunkers and water hazards. This requires golfers to carefully plan their approach shots.
• Challenging layout: Rancocas Golf Club is known for its narrow fairways. These fairways test a golfer’s ability to navigate and place shots precisely.
• Rewarding experience: While the course presents significant challenges, it offers a rewarding experience for those who can effectively navigate the layout with accuracy.

Rancocas Golf Club, open to the public, provides a unique opportunity for golfers to test their skills on a course that emphasizes accuracy and precision.

Known for its demanding layout and demand for precision, Cross Creek Resort offers 27 memorable holes of golf with distinct features on each nine, providing numerous risk and reward opportunities for golfers of all skill levels. The course demands accuracy to keep the ball in play, as tall fir trees penalize errant shots. Located in the scenic Amish countryside, the resort offers a beautiful backdrop for a bold round of golf. The course’s unique design ensures an engaging adventure, with each hole presenting its own set of challenges and rewards.

If you’re a golf enthusiast seeking a diverse range of courses, the Philadelphia area won’t disappoint. Jeffersonville Golf Club, designed by Donald Ross, emphasizes accuracy over distance and offers a classic eastern seaboard golf event at great value. For those who enjoy substantial elevation changes and immaculately kept bent grass greens and fairways, Broad Run Golfers Club is the ideal choice. Additionally, Pitman Golf Course, Valley Golf, and even the nearby Flying W Airport offer a variety of golfing adventures to suit different preferences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer, the options available in Philadelphia cater to every skill level.

Broad Run Golfer’s Club is set in the beautiful Amish countryside.  Built on some 372 acres, this Rees Jones layout is as fun to play as it is visually stunning. 

Even though the course is on the shorter side, substantial elevation changes, plenty of hazards, and 54 bunkers keep your attention and demand sound strategy. 

Golfers revere this facility for many reasons.  Perhaps the one that stands out the most though, is its condition.  The greens and fairways are bent grass and immaculately kept. 

Even though it’s a bit of drive to get to Broad Run, it’s more than worth the trip.

 

Nestled in Sewell, NJ, Pitman Golf Course offers an enjoyable and challenging game of golf suitable for all skill levels. This public course is a gem with affordable pricing options, making it a great choice for a weekend round at just $59.

The course may be relatively short, but don’t let that fool you – it provides an excellent opportunity for low scores and a fun, confidence-boosting round. Pitman Golf Course features small greens and sand traps that offer an exciting and varied challenge for golfers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this course is perfect for working on your short game and precision.

The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings make for a delightful golfing event. While it may not have the prestige of nearby Pine Valley or Manor Golf, Pitman Golf Course more than makes up for it with its enjoyable layout and fair pricing.

Jeffersonville Golf Club, designed by Donald Ross, offers a classic eastern seaboard golf adventure with narrow fairways and small, demanding greens. When you step onto the course, you’ll notice that it’s not long, but the narrow fairways demand precision and strategic shot placement off the tee. The small greens present a tough challenge, with subtle breaks and undulations that require careful reads.

Despite its modest length, this course provides a test for golfers of all skill levels, making it a great value for the quality of play it offers. The club’s setting amidst the beautiful scenery of West Chester enhances the overall experience, creating a serene and pleasant environment for your round.

Jeffersonville Golf Club is truly one of the standout places to play in the area, providing a bold and rewarding adventure for those who appreciate the artistry and strategy of golf.

• Designed by Donald Ross
• Narrow fairways demand precision
• Small, challenging greens
• Classic Eastern Seaboard golf experience

Located just 65 miles from downtown Philadelphia, Atlantic City Country Club offers a rich history and tradition dating back to 1897, making it a solid test of golf, especially in the afternoon coastal breezes.

This seaside links course is renowned for its demanding layout and picturesque coastal setting, having been ranked as the #1 Public Golf Course in New Jersey by Golf Week.

Despite the distance, the journey from Philadelphia to this private club in Bucks County is well worth it for golf lovers seeking a traditional and historic golfing environment.

The course provides an excellent opportunity for golfers to experience a unique and rewarding golfing adventure, with its rich heritage and challenging seaside conditions.

The Atlantic City Country Club features an immaculately kept putting green and offers a little course that’s perfect for golfers looking to sharpen their short-game skills.

The club’s commitment to preserving its heritage while providing a demanding and enjoyable golf event makes it a must-visit for avid golfers.

 

You’ll find Philmont Country Club, established in 1906, to be a semi-private facility renowned for its narrow fairways and small greens, offering an exceptional golfing event and top-notch amenities.

The bold layout of Philmont Country Club presents a test, especially if you shortside yourself or get above the hole. Considered one of the most underrated tests in the area, Philmont Country Club offers a challenging and rewarding golfing experience.

The narrow fairways and small greens at Philmont Country Club emphasize accuracy over distance, making it an ideal choice for precision-focused golfers.

Philmont Country Club provides a top-notch golf course with outstanding amenities, making it a standout option in Philadelphia.

Conclusion

If there’s a town that’s more American than Philadelphia, I haven’t heard of it.  Not only is this great city rich in history, tradition, and culture, the people here represent every creed and color. 

There’s also some great, iconic golf to be played here too.  And it’s more than clear that the people here take the game very seriously.  This is the place to be, especially if you have an appreciation for old school designs and golf history.

Thanks for all those who contributed to this guide.  If you have anything else to add, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.