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Fox Chapel hosted the 32nd Curtis Cup in 2002, where the USA team bested Great Britain & Ireland. The club features more of Raynor’s classic template holes on the front nine than the back nine.
About
Fox Chapel Golf Club, designed by Seth Raynor and Charles Banks in 1923, is a classic parkland course northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The layout features celebrated Raynor template holes such as Punchbowl, Eden, Cape, Redan, Alps, and Biarritz, and is revered for its strategic architecture, walkability, and appeal to golfers of all skill levels. The club is private with a historic, elegant clubhouse.
Caddie Tip
Take time to study the pronounced green contours and Raynor’s bold template features before every approach. On the par 3 11th, choose enough club to clear the front bunkers, as missing short almost always leads to a bogey. The course rewards thoughtful plays and favors accuracy over power.
The Main Challenge
The toughest element is mastering Raynor’s signature green complexes and deep, strategically placed bunkers. The par 3s, including the daunting 11th, demand precise iron play, and the elevation and contouring throughout the parkland routing require thoughtful club selection off the tee and on approach shots.
The Good
Golfers praise the authentic Seth Raynor design, with renowned template holes offering strategic depth and variety. The course is widely loved for its walkable routing, fun and challenging layout, historic ambience, and the sense of classic golf tradition maintained throughout both the grounds and the clubhouse.
The Not So Good
While the course’s classic design is appreciated, some members and players have commented on the impact of periodic course renovation projects, particularly the tree clearing and some bunker restoration work, which can occasionally affect aesthetics or playability during the updates.
Signature Hole:
#
11
The 11th hole at Fox Chapel Golf Club is a memorable par 3 featuring an island green ringed by sand, not water. Ranging from 138 to 181 yards, its Seth Raynor design pays homage to the template concept, delivering a challenging tee shot over daunting bunkers to a target green—a visually dramatic and thrilling hole that tests both accuracy and nerve.
Clubhouse
The elegant clubhouse features fine and casual dining, luxurious locker rooms, event spaces, and a grill room. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, and family-friendly social facilities, making it a vibrant and welcoming private club setting.
Practice Facilities
Fox Chapel offers a full-service practice area with a driving range, pitching and chipping areas, and a well-maintained putting green. Lessons are available from a teaching professional, and caddie services enhance the traditional private club experience.
Dress Code:
Strict
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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