Best Golf Courses in Pennsylvania
The Keystone State offers a great breadth of scenery and incredible spaces for every kind of outdoor activity – including golf. Pennsylvania golf courses take advantage of the beauty and features of the state, from Appalachian mountain terrain to the shores of Lake Erie. While a complete list of the great golf courses in Pennsylvania would take several pages to fill, our golfers have rounded up these seven tracks as some of their top recommendations for avid golfers.
Just minutes away from the main campus of Penn State University, Toftrees Resort golf course makes its way through oak and white pine forest land, giving golfers a scenic setting for their round. The greens are exceptionally well maintained, but also tricky to read – your driver isn’t the only club that will get a workout here. And the eighth hole, coming in at over 600 yards, makes for a challenging par-5 even for long drivers.
Consistently ranked and reviewed as one of the best golf courses in Berks County, Golden Oaks Golf Club combines wide and inviting fairways with changes in elevation and rolling terrain, all providing a welcome challenge for every golfer. Bunker placement here is impressive, and it will take some careful planning to avoid spending too much time on the beach.
Iron Valley Golf Club, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, offers golfers two unique experiences all in one round of golf. The front nine and back nine have been designed by P.B. Dye to have their own distinct flavor, meaning plenty to enjoy and plenty of challenges for golfers of every skill level. Rock formations, rolling terrain, and even an island green round out this one-of-a-kind Pennsylvania golf experience.
York, Pennsylvania’s Heritage Hills Golf Resort makes excellent use of the rolling hillsides that make up much of the terrain in this area of Pennsylvania. Perfectly kept grounds complement the undulating layout, giving you a fighting chance at a great round of golf each time you play. Be mindful of the water hazards and the native vegetation and you’re certain to have a great time.
First opened in 1990, Bavarian Hills Golf Course has been the pride of St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania golfers since. Like many other courses in Pennsylvania, the elevation changes present a challenge for your game, but the shorter yardage makes it possible to score well. Place your approaches nicely and your putting will reward you, too, but be mindful of the bunkers and a bit of water you may encounter.
Trail/Blue at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club
Three nine-hole layouts make up the full course at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, allowing for three different 18-hole combinations. Our golfers favor the Trail/Blue combination, bringing together the shortest nine-hole track with the longest one to create a one-of-a-kind day on the course. Stunning woodland scenery, a couple of well-placed water hazards, and a secluded feel give you a peaceful setting for this charming course.
Skytop Mountain Golf Club is regularly mentioned as a particularly challenging golf course for players who want a real test of their game. Sloping fairways give you yet another factor to consider with every drive, and each green can be deceptive to read. But in between these tests, your views will reward you each time you look around, with beautiful valley views, mature trees, wildlife and more.