Question:
I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any
suggestions Are you going to be here for the Republican Convention? Here are some more sugestions: Mainland Golf Course, near the Lansdale exit of the PA turnpike Skippack Golf Club Sycamore Ridge Golf Course Center Square Golf Club Pinecrest Country Club Hickory Valley Golf club. I’m a golf writer for a local paper. If you want a full description of any of these, I may have already done a review. If you know where you’re staying while you’re here, I can give you a better recommendation. e-mail me for more info. Hope you enjoy your stay here!
Response:
You’re right on both counts. I played in June after the 1st was repaired (guys ran over the green with a motorcycle) and it was pretty decent. But all Philadelphians (and ex-philadelphians) have seen the munis in Philly operated by hundreds of management cos., and none of them do too well. For the same amount, you can go out way west in Limerick and find Skippack, Arrowhead, or Turtle Creek (my favorite). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – True Dan, Cobbs Creek is definitely in a transitional area, but that is the only course that is in the city limits that is even worth playing, but I will tell you though, it has been taken over by a management company that has done a pretty good job with the course overall, I played it in May and it was in great shape, except for the tire skids on the 18th green. 
. Also, we should mention Wyncote, which I would put just slightly behind Hartefeld, and maybe about 15 minutes from Hartefeld. You will love Turtle Creek in Limerick. Also nice, about an hour drive in Lehigh Valley, are Center Valley and Saucon Valley. Downingtown is fantastic. Cobbs is a great design, but it’s in a bad neighborhood and it’s not kept up nice. At the end of the summer, it’s probably in brutal shape. Hartefeld National in Avondale is tops. I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
I left out the best course, Bulle Rock in Maryland. It’s only 1:10 from Philly, just off I-95. It’s worth the drive. — John
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Cross the bridge into NJ and play Scotland Run in Williamstown, NJ. If you want to stay in PA, play Hartefeld or Wyncote. — John I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
Pat… I also second Hartefeld National in Avondale, but bring your long game if you want to score. I’m about 20 minutes away in Wilmington, DE… if you end up needing a 4th on any occasion during your visit, let me know. This is my slow time of the year and I play 3-5 times a week. Hope you enjoy your visit to Philly. RJ … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
There are a slew of very good public courses within an hour of Philadelphia. If cost is not an object, then I would suggest Hartefield National in Avondale, PA which is about 45 minutes away, it goes for about 95-120. There is Cobbs Creek, which is in Philadelphia, which is a Donald Ross designed municipal course that goes around 35-40. Also, there is Turtle Creek, which is 20 minutes north of Philadelphia. I could go on and on, but these are my three favorites. There are at least 35-40 public courses within an hour’s drive from Philly, so alot of it depends on exactly where you are going to be in Philly, and then, there would be some good suggestions form there.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
You will love Turtle Creek in Limerick. Also nice, about an hour drive in Lehigh Valley, are Center Valley and Saucon Valley. Downingtown is fantastic. Cobbs is a great design, but it’s in a bad neighborhood and it’s not kept up nice. At the end of the summer, it’s probably in brutal shape. Hartefeld National in Avondale is tops. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
True Dan, Cobbs Creek is definitely in a transitional area, but that is the only course that is in the city limits that is even worth playing, but I will tell you though, it has been taken over by a management company that has done a pretty good job with the course overall, I played it in May and it was in great shape, except for the tire skids on the 18th green. . Also, we should mention Wyncote, which I would put just slightly behind Hartefeld, and maybe about 15 minutes from Hartefeld. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You will love Turtle Creek in Limerick. Also nice, about an hour drive in Lehigh Valley, are Center Valley and Saucon Valley. Downingtown is fantastic. Cobbs is a great design, but it’s in a bad neighborhood and it’s not kept up nice. At the end of the summer, it’s probably in brutal shape. Hartefeld National in Avondale is tops. I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat
Response:
Cross the bridge into NJ and play Scotland Run in Williamstown, NJ. If you want to stay in PA, play Hartefeld or Wyncote. — John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in Philadelphia at the beginning of August. Any suggestions for a good public course, within about an hour’s drive? Cost not that important. Thanks, Pat