Philly’s Finest: The Top 5 Public Golf Courses You Need to Play

 

Philadelphia might be famous for its historic private clubs (looking at you, Merion and Aronimink), but the public golf scene here is quietly one of the best in the Northeast. From Donald Ross gems to dramatic quarry holes, the “City of Brotherly Love” offers plenty of options that don’t require a six-figure initiation fee.

Whether you are a scratch golfer or just trying to break 100, here are the top five public courses in the Philadelphia area that deserve a spot on your tee sheet this season.

 

1. The Golf Course at Glen Mills

Location: Glen Mills, PA

If there is a undisputed king of public golf in the Philadelphia suburbs, it is Glen Mills. Located just west of the city, this course provides a "private club for a day" experience that is hard to beat. The layout is maintained by the students of the Glen Mills Schools, and the conditioning is consistently immaculate.

• Designer: Bobby Weed
• Style of Play: Parkland/Forest. The course feels secluded, winding through rolling hills and dense woods with almost no houses in sight.
• Difficulty: High. With a slope rating hovering around 141 from the tips, this is a serious test. Expect uneven lies, large undulating greens, and plenty of bunkers.
• Known Greens Fee: $75 – $95
• Book a Tee Time: www.glenmillsgolf.com

 

2. Jeffersonville Golf Club

Location: West Norriton, PA

"The Jeff" is a love letter to golf history. Originally opened in 1931, this course has undergone massive restoration work to bring back the classic design features of its legendary architect. It is widely considered one of the best municipal courses in the country, offering championship pedigree at a muni price point.

• Designer: Donald Ross (Restored by Ron Pritchard)
• Style of Play: Classic Golden Age. It is a walkable, open layout that relies on strategy rather than brute force.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging. The length won't kill you, but the inverted saucer greens—a Donald Ross signature—will test your short game severely.
• Known Greens Fee: $60 – $85
• Book a Tee Time: www.jeffersonvillegolfclub.org

3. Wyncote Golf Club

Location: Oxford, PA

Drive a little further south into Chester County and you will find a slice of the British Isles at Wyncote. This course ditches the trees for fescue and wind, offering a distinct heathland links style that is rare for Pennsylvania. It is open, breezy, and visually stunning.

• Designer: Brian Ault
• Style of Play: Heathland/Links. Think rolling mounds, tall knee-high grasses, and wind that is always a factor.
• Difficulty: High. If the wind is up, this course plays long and tough. Keeping the ball out of the tall fescue is mandatory if you want to score well.
• Known Greens Fee: $50 – $80
• Book a Tee Time: www.wyncote.com

 

4. Scotland Run Golf Club

Location: Williamstown, NJ

Just across the bridge in South Jersey, Scotland Run offers a tale of two nines. The front side feels like a traditional links course, but the back nine takes you on a wild ride through an old sand quarry. The visuals on the back nine are some of the most unique in the region.

• Designer: Stephen Kay
• Style of Play: Hybrid. Open fields on the front; dramatic cliffs, water, and waste areas on the back.
• Difficulty: Moderate. The fairways are generous, but the forced carries over the quarry pits on the back nine will get your heart racing.
• Known Greens Fee: $60 – $95
• Book a Tee Time: www.scotlandrun.com

 

5. Broad Run Golfer’s Club

Location: West Chester, PA

Set amidst the rolling hills of Amish country, Broad Run is a visual masterpiece that features dramatic elevation changes. The views are expansive, and the course design demands you use every club in the bag. It is a big, bold layout that feels much grander than your typical daily-fee track.

• Designer: Rees Jones
• Style of Play: Modern Championship. Expect significant downhill tee shots and uphill approaches. It is a cart-ball course, but the scenery is worth the ride.
• Difficulty: Challenging. The elevation changes make club selection tricky, and the greens are large and complex.
• Known Greens Fee: $70 – $90
• Book a Tee Time: www.broadrungc.com

If you notice an error in our course details, think we missed a truly deserving course, or feel strongly that our ranking is out of order, please let us know in the comments below!