The best golf courses in Pennsylvania, USA

Merion Golf Club’s famed East Course in Ardmore, Pennsylvania was designed by Hugh Wilson and opened in 1912. Consistently ranked among the world's best, Merion (East) features unique bunkering, contoured greens, and tight fairways across 126 acres. The club has hosted numerous major championships, including five U.S. Opens. Players encounter a challenging, cerebral experience that demands precise shot-making.

Oakmont Country Club, designed by Henry C. Fownes in 1903, is renowned worldwide for its fast, undulating greens and challenging layout. Host to more USGA championships than any U.S. club besides Augusta National, Oakmont’s reputation for difficulty is built on its strategic bunkering, rolling parkland terrain, absence of water hazards, and thick rough.

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.

Laurel Valley Golf Club is a prestigious private course nestled in the scenic Laurel Highlands, designed by Dick Wilson in 1959 and later renovated by Arnold Palmer. Renowned for its exclusivity and challenging parkland layout, the course has hosted major tournaments including the 1965 PGA Championship and 1975 Ryder Cup, drawing national recognition for its demanding design and beautiful surroundings.

Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course is an A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece opened in 1922. Fully restored in 2013–14 by Keith Foster, the course showcases classic parkland architecture and strategic greens. Wissahickon has hosted several major events, including a PGA Tour signature event and the Senior Players Championship. The course is renowned for its bold bunkering, rich history, and championship pedigree.

Aronimink Golf Club is a prestigious private championship course in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, designed by Donald Ross and recently renovated by Gil Hanse. Established in 1896, Aronimink hosted the 1962 PGA Championship, the 2003 Senior PGA Championship, and was selected to host the 2026 PGA Championship, highlighting its continued prominence in major tournament golf.

Lancaster Country Club’s Flynn Course is a 1920 William Flynn design, renowned for its classic parkland style across rolling terrain and strategic routing alongside the Conestoga River. Recently restored, the course is regularly ranked among America’s top 100 classics and has hosted multiple U.S. Women’s Open Championships. The club features 27 holes and outstanding practice amenities, offering a premier experience for discerning golfers.

Saucon Valley Country Club's Old Course in Bethlehem, designed by Herbert Strong, is regarded as one of America’s finest parkland courses. Host to multiple USGA championships, it features classic architecture, strategic bunkering, tree-lined fairways, and pristine conditions across rolling Pennsylvania countryside. Private membership ensures a world-class, championship-caliber golf experience for those fortunate to play.

Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Resort is a Pete Dye-designed, mountain-style course in western Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. Opened in 1995, it is known for dramatic elevation changes, challenge, and tour-tested architecture. Renowned for conditioning and hospitality, Mystic Rock has hosted PGA events and is consistently ranked among the top public courses in the United States.

Longue Vue Club, designed in 1920 by Robert White and later restored by A.W. Tillinghast and others, is a private, historic golf course near Pittsburgh. Renowned for its panoramic Allegheny River views, classic design with Scottish template holes and slick greens, it delivers a challenging and memorable parkland layout. The course spans 6,563 yards and features subtle elevation and mature trees.

Rolling Green Golf Club, designed by William Flynn and Howard Toomey in 1926, is a classic parkland course near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for its undulating topography, strategic bunkers, and greens that reward accuracy, the layout emphasizes natural land movement and has undergone major tree removal and restoration to preserve its original design intent.

Sunnehanna Country Club is a private, historic course in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, designed by acclaimed architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1923. The classic parkland layout features significant elevation changes and demanding green complexes. It is renowned for hosting the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur and is celebrated for its rich history, strategic design, and scenic setting among Western Pennsylvania’s hills.

The Country Club of Scranton (Old) in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, is a classic parkland course originally designed by Walter Travis in 1927. Known for its large, undulating Bentgrass greens and traditional layout, the Old Course blends artistry and challenge, providing a rewarding test for golfers of all skill levels in a picturesque, tree-lined setting.

Philadelphia Country Club, established in 1890 and now situated in Gladwyne, is renowned for its classic William S. Flynn and Howard C. Toomey design. The club boasts a meticulously restored main 18-hole course, with nine additional holes designed by Tom Fazio, creating a 27-hole championship complex. Famed for its rich tournament history and refined member experience, it consistently ranks among top classic American courses.

Huntingdon Valley Country Club is a classic, private club set on 300 acres outside Philadelphia, featuring 27 holes designed in the 1920s by legendary architect William S. Flynn. Prized for its strategic routing, mature parkland setting, and authentic preservation of Flynn’s principles, HVCC is considered among Pennsylvania’s elite venues with an exclusive, traditional atmosphere.

Jack Frost National Golf Club, designed by Terry LaGree, is a public 18-hole track nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Spanning more than 7,200 yards from the back tees, it is known for its generous, tree-lined fairways, strategic layout, and panoramic mountain views. This mountain course distinguishes itself with few uneven lies, minimal blind shots, and excellent playability for all skill levels.

Shepherd's Rock at Nemacolin is a Pete Dye and Tim Liddy design debuting in 2017 atop the Allegheny Mountains. Featuring panoramic scenery across the Laurel Highlands, the course is known for its bold routing, dramatic terrain, and fun yet demanding play. Each nine offers distinct character, with wide-open front nine vistas and tighter, strategic holes in the wooded back nine.

Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa features a historic 18-hole, par-72 course nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, originally designed by Spencer Oldham and later refined by A.W. Tillinghast and Donald Ross, then restored by Ron Forse. With bentgrass surfaces and mountain scenery, it offers classic architecture and strategic variety.

Lehigh Country Club is a classic parkland layout designed by renowned architect William S. Flynn, nestled along the Little Lehigh Creek in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Known for its rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, and strategic bunkering, the course provides a true test for players of all skill levels. Its blend of tradition and natural beauty makes it one of the top 15 ranked golf courses in Pennsylvania.

Glen Brook Golf Club is an 18-hole municipal course in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, designed by Robert White. Established in 1924, it offers scenic mountain views, undulating greens, gently rolling fairways, and water hazards. It's renowned for its history and welcoming atmosphere, combining a country club experience at accessible rates.

Dauphin Highlands Golf Course is a par-72 public course located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, designed by Bill Love and Brian Ault in 1995. The 18-hole layout stretches over 7,000 yards, offering a mix of wide fairways, mature trees, picturesque ponds, and a variety of strategic challenges. Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest, it is known for country club quality at public access and user-friendly amenities.