Best Public Golf Courses in Western PA

Updated February 2024 to update booking information.

My time in Western Pennsylvania is somewhat limited.  I’ve spent some time in Pittsburgh on business, but I’ve played only minimal golf.  Even at that, I never thought of the western part of the state as a hotbed for golf. 

Was I ever wrong?  Folks in this part of the world love their golf.  Whether they live in the city, or in the country, they can’t seem to be enough of this crazy game.  So much so, that they asked our staff to showcase their region’s public golf options.  We obliged.

Located just 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, Quicksilver Golf Club stands out as a premier destination for golf fans in Western Pennsylvania. The club’s distinction is underscored by its reputation for hosting events on both the PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.

Quicksilver Golf Club offers generous fairways and receptive greens, with the added challenge of water hazards and penal bunkers on most holes. This blend ensures an engaging event for golfers of all levels.

Additionally, the club boasts a bar and grill that serves a delectable menu, providing a convenient and satisfying dining option.

Voted the Best Public Golf Course in Western Pennsylvania by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and recognized among the Top 15 Courses in PA by Golf Week Magazine, Quicksilver Golf Club consistently delivers a top-tier golfing adventure.

Notably, the lush and lengthy fairways feature fast greens, and the club’s location amidst rolling hills adds to the picturesque and tranquil setting.

For those seeking mastery and challenge, Quicksilver Golf Club is undoubtedly a compelling choice.

 

Situated in a picturesque parkland setting with tree-lined fairways and serene lakes, Conley Resort and Golf Club offers a family-friendly vacation spot with exceptional amenities and a first-class golfing encounter.

The golf course features two 18-hole golf courses, providing ample opportunities for a bold round of golf. The shorter course demands precise shots for a good score, making it an excellent option for players looking to test their skills.

The resort is nestled in a beautiful area surrounded by rolling hills, providing a serene and scenic backdrop for your golfing experience. Conveniently located outside the city, the club offers a peaceful retreat with top-notch facilities.

The combination of stunning natural surroundings and well-maintained courses makes Conley Resort and Golf Club one of the top choices for golf lovers seeking an enjoyable and rewarding golfing adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner looking to improve your game, this public golf club provides an inviting and well-rounded experience for all skill levels.

Nestled within the Allegheny Mountains of Westmoreland County, Meadowink Golf Course presents golf enthusiasts with a traditional layout bordered by a beautiful deciduous forest. This course, considered one of Western Pennsylvania’s best, offers a unique and enjoyable round of golf.

With a mix of short and long holes, golfers have birdie opportunities and face demanding holes. The fairways are narrow, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the game. Additionally, the course features original holes with panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscape. Water hazards and Bent grass further contribute to the course’s challenging nature.

Meadowink Golf Course provides a blend of natural beauty and a test of skill, making it a must-visit for golfers seeking an exciting and memorable golfing event in Western Pennsylvania.

Harmony Ridge Golf Club, like Meadowink Golf Course, offers golfers a demanding and rewarding event in Western Pennsylvania, with its narrow fairways and small, tricky greens. Positioned overlooking the Ohio River Valley, it’s often referred to as Oakmont’s Little Brother and is highly esteemed for its old-school layout.

Precision over length is crucial on this must-play course, which is considered one of the area’s best-kept secrets. The club’s layout features generous teeing areas and receptive greens, but water hazards and penal bunkers on most holes demand accuracy and strategy.

Moreover, the club provides a bar and grill with a menu full of delicious options, all conveniently located outside the city amidst rolling hills.

Harmony Ridge Golf Club stands as a testament to classic golfing challenges and is an essential stop for any golfer seeking an authentic and demanding round.

Tucked away in Washington County, Fort Cherry Golf Club stands as a premier destination for golfers seeking a bold and scenic round of golf in Western Pennsylvania. The golf course offers an old-school design with narrow, undulating fairways and sloped greens, providing a challenging yet rewarding adventure for players. With the greens becoming particularly quick in the summer, local knowledge is essential for a successful round.

Fort Cherry Golf Club isn’t only highly recommended for its course layout but also for its top-notch practice facilities and affordability. Conveniently located outside the city, the club’s rolling hills add to the scenic and accessible nature of the course. Moreover, the club offers multiple facilities and amenities, including a bar and grill with a menu stacked with tasty treats, enhancing the overall golfing experience.

For golfers seeking a memorable round in Western Pennsylvania, Fort Cherry Golf Club provides a blend of challenge, natural beauty, and quality amenities.

Continuing our exploration of premier golf courses in Western Pennsylvania, Olde Stonewall Golf Club in Ellwood City offers a renowned 7,100-yard course designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, providing golfers with a challenging yet rewarding experience.

The course is nationally acclaimed, with fast greens and strategically placed hazards that make for an exhilarating round. Recognized as a top ten new course in 1999 by Golf Magazine and ranked as the number one public course in the state by Golf Digest, Olde Stonewall Golf Club lives up to its reputation.

The club’s striking 33,000-square-foot gray castle clubhouse, constructed from nearly 750,000 tons of stone, offers remarkable views and an extraordinary atmosphere for golf fans. Moreover, the club is celebrated for its well-maintained greens and fairways, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and opportunities for wildlife sightings.

For those interested in membership, Olde Stonewall Golf Club provides various options, including special rates for seniors, juniors, and military personnel. Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, Olde Stonewall Golf Club promises a golfing adventure that’s as demanding as it’s enjoyable.

Nestled amidst the picturesque rolling hills, Birdsfoot Golf Club presents golfers with generous fairways and receptive greens for an enjoyable round of golf. This course provides a unique club experience, featuring water hazards and penal bunkers on most holes.

The club, open to the public, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, providing a peaceful and scenic backdrop for your game. The bar and grill at Birdsfoot Golf Club ensure that you can refuel with delicious treats after your round.

Conveniently located outside the city, this course offers an interesting and demanding golf event. If you’re looking to book a tee time, Birdsfoot Golf Club provides an excellent option for golfers in Pennsylvania.

With its combination of open fairways, challenging bunkers, and beautiful surroundings, it’s a must-visit for golf lovers. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting from out of town, this course promises an enjoyable and memorable golfing encounter.

Cranberry Highlands Golf Course, located in Cranberry Township, PA, offers a par-70 course with 90 sand bunkers and water hazards. This picturesque golf course is built on gently rolling terrain and overlooks the Youghiogheny River, providing a classic design that’s playable for everyone.

Here’s what makes Cranberry Highlands Golf Course a favorite for golfers:

• Varied Landscape: The course is surrounded by wooded hills and ravines, featuring fairways and roughs outlined in 14 varieties of grass, creating a visually stunning and diverse landscape.
• Challenging Layout: Golfers can expect a demanding yet enjoyable playing experience with a variety of hole designs and strategically placed hazards, adding an exciting dimension to the game.
• Amenities: The course provides a fully equipped pro shop, practice facilities, and an on-site restaurant or snack bar, ensuring a complete and convenient golfing experience.
• Affordable Options: Cranberry Highlands Golf Course offers affordable green fees, various membership options, and special rates for seniors, juniors, and military personnel, making it accessible to a wide range of golf enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a local or visiting the area, consider exploring Cranberry Highlands Golf Course and its stay-and-play packages.

If you’re seeking a challenging and picturesque 18-hole golf course in Western PA, Cedarbrook Golf Course is a top choice. This course features rolling hills, tree-lined fairways, and strategically placed hazards, providing an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels.

The serene and picturesque setting enhances the overall golfing adventure

, making Cedarbrook a favorite among golfers in the area. The well-maintained facilities and friendly staff further contribute to the appeal of this course.

Cedarbrook Golf Course offers affordable green fees and various membership options for frequent players, accommodating both occasional visitors and dedicated golf enthusiasts. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting the area, Cedarbrook Golf Course is a must-visit for those seeking an exceptional golfing event in Western PA.

Golfers Authority, a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, provides valuable insights and recommendations for the best golf equipment and courses across the United States, ensuring that golfers love their adventure on the course.

The historic community of Thornbury Township is home to the Golf Course at Glen Mills.

This award-winning track has hosted a multitude of important tournaments including U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, and U.S. Public Links Qualifiers.

Though it’s a stern test for the game’s best players, it’s playable for everyone thanks to a variety of different tee boxes and course yardages. 

The course meanders through densely wooded forests that creep to the fairways’ edge.  Straight is the name of the game off the tee and into the green.

For an enjoyable round that will test every facet of your game, there’s no better choice than The Golf Course at Glen Mills.

Conclusion

Until I wrote this course guide, I had no idea just how much quality public golf there was to be found in Western Pennsylvania.  Our readers were quick to point that out.

Whether you’re looking for a windswept links, or a tree lined course high up in the mountains, it can be found here.

To all of our readers that made this course guide possible, thank you.  You know who you are, and I couldn’t have done without your help.

If you have additional comments about golf in this part of the country, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.