It’s time to hit the links, and we’ve got you covered with the best golf courses in Philadelphia.
Aronimink Golf Club
Designed by the iconic Donald Ross, this private Platinum Golf Club presents even the best golfers with a significant challenge. In true Ross style, the 18-hole course emphasizes exceptional long iron play and requires endurance—this is especially evident on the 545-yard par-five challenge presented by the 16th hole. The ingenuity of the course’s design is a rewarding triumph to a skilled professional while giving average golfers a course they can confidently tackle. 3600 St. Davids Road, Newtown Square, aronimink.org
Merion Golf Club
Consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the country, championship golf and champion golfers intertwine with the glamour of Merion Golf Club’s East and West courses. As host to the most USGA Championships in America, Merion’s East course has seen some of golf’s greatest moments, from Robert Tyre Jones Jr.’s completion of the elusive Grand Slam at the 1930 U.S. Amateur to Justin Rose’s first major title win at the 2013 U.S. Open Championship. 450 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore, meriongolfclub.com
Philadelphia Country Club
Established in 1890, the private, member-owned club is home to two stunning golf courses offering 27 holes of championship golf. Just shy of 7,000 yards from the tee box, the par-71 Spring Mill course has hosted myriad championships since its inception in 1927, including the 1939 U.S. Open. The Centennial Nine course, which debuted on the 100th anniversary of the club, features stone walls built by the hands of Union soldiers around its nine holes. 1601 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, philadelphiacc.net
Pine Valley Golf Club
This invite-only, 18-hole golf course is considered one of the best in the country for good reason. Founder George Crump forged a unique course off the interstate in southwest New Jersey that blends penal, heroic and strategic golf into each hole. The highly exclusive club opens its doors to the public just once a year for the Crump Cup, played by elite amateur golfers each September. 1 E. Atlantic Ave., Pine Valley, N.J., njsga.org
Philadelphia Cricket Club
Founded in 1854, the nation’s oldest country club has a rich sporting heritage dedicated to preserving and enriching the game of golf—it is the only country club in America with a different golf course constructed in each of the last three centuries. The 18-hole championship Wissahickon Course was restored in 2013 to provide the world-class golf experience A.W. Tillinghast envisioned when he first built the course in 1920. Wissahickon has also hosted various golf championships, including the 2016 Philadelphia PGA Championship and the 2019 Men’s BIG Ten Championship. 6025 W. Valley Green Road, Flourtown, philacricket.com
Union League National Golf Club
Strategically designed to offer a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf for players of all levels, the Union League National Golf Club is the premier golf course at the Jersey Shore. The property boasts a 27-hole championship course constructed by the nation’s finest golf architecture team, as well as an expansive double-sided practice range fitted with grass tees and a beautiful clubhouse across its 236 acres. 1765 Route 9, North Swainton, N.J., unionleague.org
Photography by: JACOB LUND/ISTOCK
