Fairly priced fairways: 10 great & affordable golf courses in Pennsylvania
Golf doesn’t have to be a pricy hobby — at least, not if you check out these Pa. golf courses that are easy on the wallet.
Golf is often considered a sport reserved for elites, given how synonymous the game is with country clubs. But lest we forget that Pennsylvania-born Arnold Palmer, famed golfer and summer drink inventor, grew up in working-class Latrobe.
Indeed, there are more than 600 golf courses in the state of Pennsylvania, and a number of these courses are open to the public and actually quite affordable. We’ve picked ten of our favorite inexpensive golf courses across the commonwealth — including a course that’s totally free to play.
1. Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park – Pittsburgh
The only golf course within the city limits of Pittsburgh, the Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park can be found among the trees and hills of one of the city’s favorite urban greenspaces.
The golf course is not only affordable, with the cheapest greens fees costing just $12, but the 9-hole course also affords you a lovely view of the Pittsburgh skyline in the distance. You don’t even need to have a set of golf clubs: you can rent them for just $10.
2. Buhl Park Golf Course – Hermitage
Pennsylvania is actually home to the most affordable golf course in the country, because Buhl Park Golf Course in Mercer County is the only free golf course in the United States! That’s right, there are no greens fees for this 9-hole course at all — and there haven’t been since the course was first established in 1914. You can spend a little money, though, by renting a cart for $10.
3. Berkleigh Golf Club – Kutztown
Berkleigh Golf Club is a championship course, with 18 holes to play at a course regularly ranked one of the top ten public golf courses in Pa., according to Golfweek Magazine. The club was actually private until 2007, so it boasts “a private club experience” at a public course.
The least expensive tee times cost roughly $40 for 18 holes, but you can also book a foursome at least a month in advance for a big discount! The “future golf” promotion is $140 for four, effectively $35 each, and the value never expires.
4. Shepherd Hills Golf Club – Allentown
Located in the Lehigh Valley, Shepherd Hills Golf Club is an affordable public course that advertises “country club greens.” As you might expect, walking a course is pretty much always going to be more affordable than renting a cart.
At Shepherd Hills, the least expensive tee times are for twilight ($25), weekday mornings ($30), and weekend afternoons ($30). Seniors pay just $25 and golfers ages 16 and under can play any day after noon for only $15.
5. Manor Golf Club – Sinking Spring
You can find Manor Golf Club in Sinking Spring, which is located near Philadelphia, Lancaster, and the Lehigh Valley. The views of the rolling hills surrounding the course are a lovely addition to a morning or afternoon spent golfing under the Pa. sun. The 1920s-era course, though affordable, was actually designed by the famous Scottish golf course designer Alexander Findlay.
The most affordable tee times are in the afternoon or at twilight on weekdays, where walkers pay $31 or $25, respectively. Plus, all golfers get to play for free on their birthday!
6. Walnut Lane Golf Club – Philadelphia
Found within the trees of the urban forest of Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia, Walnut Lane Golf Club is another Pa. course that was designed by the Scottish golf great Alexander Findlay. With exceptional par 3 holes within an urban park, the club promises a course that “is as scenic as it is challenging.”
During the week, pay just $35 to walk all 18 holes of the course or $27 for 9 holes.
7. Deer Valley Golf Course – Hummelstown
A central Pa. public golf course, Deer Valley Golf Course is located close to both Harrisburg and Hershey. The staff is friendly, the greens are lush and immaculate, and booking a tee time doesn’t break the bank!
Greens fees range from $20 to $45, depending on the day and time you play, whether you walk or ride, and whether you play 18 holes or 9 holes.
8. Treasure Lake Golf – DuBois
Treasure Lake Golf is located within the semi-private community of Treasure Lake, but Treasure Lake residents are not the only ones who can enjoy the community’s two golf courses, the Gold and the Silver. In fact, the Gold course in particular has previously received accolades as one of the best public golf courses in Pa.!
The Silver course is also a great play, though it is longer and not as forested as the Gold. For both courses, rates are much less expensive if golfers walk — for 18 holes, the cheapest greens fee is $39 on a weekday or $23 for 9 holes on a weekday.
9. Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club – Mountain Top
Golfers play the course at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club among the scenic woods and gorgeous vistas of northeastern Pa. The design of the 27-hole course is unique, with no parallel fairways. The course layout has helped Blue Ridge Trail win a number of awards — it’s been ranked as one of the best public golf courses not only in Pa., but across the entire country!
The least expensive rates are on weekdays, with $29 for 9 holes and $44 for 18 holes ($41 on Mondays), unless you’re playing at twilight, when rates are $32. Also, seniors enjoy reduced prices on weekdays and women pay just $34 on Thursdays. Note that all greens fees include cart rental fees — and the carts are electric, so no stinky fumes!
10. Stoughton Acres Golf Course – Butler
Stoughton Acres Golf Course was established in 1964 when the Stoughton dairy farm in Butler was converted into an engaging but affordable golf course. Today, the family-oriented golf course offers some of the least expensive greens fees in the commonwealth.
You can walk 9 holes for just $9 — a dollar a hole! Walking 18 holes costs $16, but at that price, you might as well rent a cart. Riding 9 holes is $16 while a cart for 18 holes is $30. Adding an additional nine holes adds just $6 for walkers or $13 if you have a cart.
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