Anyone here from PA??

[InTheRough]

19 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

Nice. I recently moved to Pittsburgh from Philly (Center City)...most of my favorite courses were out towards KoP. Jeffersonville and Turtle Creek were my go-to's...would also play Shannondell when I wanted a quick round after work.

Turtle Creek is a good one! Some really well placed water on that course to play with your head a bit.  I've only played Jeffersonville once or twice because it always seems to be packed when i look to book a tee time.  My go-to's tend to be Pickering Valley and Spring Hollow if I'm trying to play 9 after work and on weekends I'll try to rotate what course i play among 9-10 others in the philly area.

[Noles20]

I used to play Turtle Creek all the time.  I love that course.  

[Noles20]

Anyone play Iron Valley and know what kind of shape it is in?  I played it when it first opened and loved the layout.  Went back a few years later and it was in terrible shape.  Haven't been back since.  The philly jrpga tour has an event there in a few weeks and was considering signing my son up to play but not sure if it worth the trip if it is not in good shape.

[Lefty-Golfer]

18 hours ago, Noles20 said:

Anyone play Iron Valley and know what kind of shape it is in?  I played it when it first opened and loved the layout.  Went back a few years later and it was in terrible shape.  Haven't been back since.  The philly jrpga tour has an event there in a few weeks and was considering signing my son up to play but not sure if it worth the trip if it is not in good shape.

haven't played it since last summer, I have played it once a year for the last couple years. my experience has been it is a fine course in good condition.

[Noles20]

3 hours ago, Lefty-Golfer said:

haven't played it since last summer, I have played it once a year for the last couple years. my experience has been it is a fine course in good condition.

Thanks.  I think it is a great layout.  Some unique holes.

[TrimTheCap]

I played IV on Labor Day of 2015, and in late December. On both occasions the course seemed to be in good shape.  I loved the layout.  One of my favorite marathon-golf weekday outings is Galen Hall in the AM, lunch, than IV in afternoon.   For what it's worth, I play mostly publics and munis.  

Love the number of the courses on the "422 Stretch" as well.  Linfield, Gilbertsville, etc

[InTheRough]

10 hours ago, TrimTheCap said:

I played IV on Labor Day of 2015, and in late December. On both occasions the course seemed to be in good shape.  I loved the layout.  One of my favorite marathon-golf weekday outings is Galen Hall in the AM, lunch, than IV in afternoon.   For what it's worth, I play mostly publics and munis.  

Love the number of the courses on the "422 Stretch" as well.  Linfield, Gilbertsville, etc

Linfield is a good one--The power plant next to the course creates some interesting views and the course tends to be in pretty good shape.  Have to keep your head on a swivel on that course though.  It feels like every tee box is in danger of being hit from another tee box or on an approach shot.

[Noles20]

If it weren't for Twining Valley, Linfield and Limerick would be the 2 worst courses I have ever played.  Turtle Creek has it all over those 2.  Gilbertsville is ok.  The 422 courses host a ton of US Kids and Jr Pga events so I am a little sick of them by now.  

10 hours ago, TrimTheCap said:

I played IV on Labor Day of 2015, and in late December. On both occasions the course seemed to be in good shape.  I loved the layout.  One of my favorite marathon-golf weekday outings is Galen Hall in the AM, lunch, than IV in afternoon.   For what it's worth, I play mostly publics and munis.  

Love the number of the courses on the "422 Stretch" as well.  Linfield, Gilbertsville, etc

Thanks.  I think I may skip the tournament and just take my son out there for us both to play some time this summer.

[TrimTheCap]

The comparison of Linfield to Twining in my mind was startling.  IMO they are notably different.  But u know what they say about the eyes of the beholders.  All good.

  I'd agree Twining holds a spot in the top 5 worst kept courses I've played. Quintet, and maybe Manor also hold that distinction.  

I'm recalling at Manor, I should have made a u turn when I pulled in and the access road to the 'clubhouse' crosses prime first-shot landing area of the 17th or 18th hole.  Then once you get to 17, after a 5 hour durge, as u tee, you are a target for driving range shots (without a net between the range and you).  The welcoming committee consisted of 3 leather-tanned half-tanked guys sitting at the first tee on a bench critiquing every swing of everyone as they hit their first shots.  Brilliant stuff. 

1 minute ago, TrimTheCap said:

The comparison of Linfield to Twining in my mind was startling.  IMO they are notably different.  But u know what they say about the eyes of the beholders.  All good.

  I'd agree Twining holds a spot in the top 5 worst kept courses I've played. Quintet, and maybe Manor also hold that distinction.  

I'm recalling at Manor, I should have made a u turn when I pulled in and the access road to the 'clubhouse' crosses prime first-shot landing area of the 17th or 18th hole.  Then once you get to 17, after a 5 hour durge, as u tee, you are a target for driving range shots (without a net between the range and you).  The welcoming committee consisted of 3 leather-tanned half-tanked guys sitting at the first tee on a bench critiquing every swing of everyone as they hit their first shots.  Brilliant stuff. I'm sure, with my beginner abilities, my tee shot provided a good bit of comic relief to alleviate their perpetual misery.  

 

[atb5079]

On 4/5/2016 at 3:19 PM, Noles20 said:

Anyone play Iron Valley and know what kind of shape it is in?  I played it when it first opened and loved the layout.  Went back a few years later and it was in terrible shape.  Haven't been back since.  The philly jrpga tour has an event there in a few weeks and was considering signing my son up to play but not sure if it worth the trip if it is not in good shape.

About a 25min drive for me so play there quite often. Its in pretty good shape for early in the year. Love that course.

[EMC2144]

If you're in the greater Philadelphia area, and are learning/teaching someone how to play, look into Blackwood.  I mostly learned to play there.  Fair and easy for beginners, but has some fun little quirks.  Also, very cheap, but in the best condition of the courses in that price range (I believe under $40 to ride on the weekend).  I have been eager to try Turtle Creek, but as someone who has been a college graduate for one day, I can't really afford it.  Does anybody know any other cheap-ish courses nearby (I'm moving to Bala Cynwyd, just outside the city) that are nice, as well as challenging?  I want courses that really make me think about how I choose clubs, like clearing bunkers and hazards, or having to lay up.  I played some nice courses in central PA while I was going to school, but I need something new.

[Grumpter]

On ‎5‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 7:42 PM, EMC2144 said:

If you're in the greater Philadelphia area, and are learning/teaching someone how to play, look into Blackwood.  I mostly learned to play there.  Fair and easy for beginners, but has some fun little quirks.  Also, very cheap, but in the best condition of the courses in that price range (I believe under $40 to ride on the weekend).  I have been eager to try Turtle Creek, but as someone who has been a college graduate for one day, I can't really afford it.  Does anybody know any other cheap-ish courses nearby (I'm moving to Bala Cynwyd, just outside the city) that are nice, as well as challenging?  I want courses that really make me think about how I choose clubs, like clearing bunkers and hazards, or having to lay up.  I played some nice courses in central PA while I was going to school, but I need something new.

Blackwood is OK. The price is certainly nice but the greens can be sssssllllllooooooowwwwwwwwww. They have some interesting holes though.

Closest courses to Bala Cynwyd that I have played would be Jeffersonville, Westover and The Club at Shannondell. Personally I am not a huge fan of any of them but have found Westover OK for a cheap round. Jeffersonville has some nice holes but the greens are a bit overdone which can lead to some poor pin placements. Not a fan of Shannondell but it is cheap. Haven't tried Paxon Hollow and have heard very mixed reviews.

[EMC2144]

You're certainly right about the greens. I was originally looking at some of the really close ones (like Cobb's Creek) but I've only heard trouble. My understanding is it would be better if more care was put into it, since apparently the layout is nice but it's not in good condition.

[Hardspoon]

15 minutes ago, EMC2144 said:

You're certainly right about the greens. I was originally looking at some of the really close ones (like Cobb's Creek) but I've only heard trouble. My understanding is it would be better if more care was put into it, since apparently the layout is nice but it's not in good condition.

Don't bother with Cobbs Creek.

You should definitely try Paxon Hollow - it was one of my favorites when I lived in Philly. Just a great layout, and well maintained. 

[GangGreen]

If you can get to just north of the city, give JC Melrose (my home course) a shot.  Used to be private for decades, went public a few years back.  Short but tight course and conditions are usually very good.  Only real knock is pace of play can be hit or miss, I've gotten on as a single late afternoon on a weekend and gotten a full round in in under 3 hours.  On the flip side, I've also been stuck behind some of the slowest (and oblivious) groups known to man and slugged along for a 6 hour round.  Not a lot of frills, but a good test and you don't need to be a bomber to enjoy it.