The Inside Swing

Best Golf Courses in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh sits at the center of one of America's richest golf regions. Oakmont Country Club — with nine U.S. Opens, more than any course in the world — is the crown jewel, but Laurel Valley, Fox Chapel, and a growing roster of quality public courses make the Steel City a serious golf destination wrapped in stunning Appalachian scenery.

Our Methodology: Courses are ranked by an expert panel evaluating design quality, conditioning, challenge, aesthetics, and overall experience. Both private and public courses are considered on merit.
1

Oakmont, Pennsylvania · Henry Fownes (1903) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,255 yards

Host of nine U.S. Opens and five PGA Championships, Oakmont is one of the most demanding and historic courses in golf. The Henry Fownes design features over 200 bunkers, the famous Church Pews bunker complex, lightning-fast greens, and a relentless par-71 that has humbled the greatest players in history.

Nine-time U.S. Open host — most of any courseOver 200 bunkers including the iconic Church PewsOne of the most demanding courses in golf history
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.9/5
2

Ligonier, Pennsylvania · Dick Wilson (1959) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,305 yards

A Dick Wilson design in the Laurel Highlands east of Pittsburgh, Laurel Valley hosted the 1965 PGA Championship and 1975 Ryder Cup, with Arnold Palmer serving as head professional. The mountainside layout through towering hardwoods features Wilson's signature dramatic bunkering and challenging green complexes.

1965 PGA Championship and 1975 Ryder Cup hostArnold Palmer served as head professionalDick Wilson mountain design through Laurel Highlands
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.7/5
3

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Seth Raynor (1923) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,587 yards

A Seth Raynor gem in the affluent Fox Chapel borough of Pittsburgh, this intimate private club features Raynor's classic template holes including Redan, Biarritz, and Eden on a rolling wooded property. The compact par-70 rewards precision and shotmaking in a serene woodland setting along the Allegheny River.

Seth Raynor template hole designIntimate woodland setting along Allegheny RiverClassic Golden Age private club in Fox Chapel
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.5/5
4

Midway, Pennsylvania · Arnold Palmer Design (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,120 yards

An Arnold Palmer design west of Pittsburgh, Quicksilver has hosted the Champions Tour's Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship. The rolling layout through western Pennsylvania ridges features Palmer's aggressive, challenging style with strategic water hazards and panoramic mountain views.

Champions Tour host venueArnold Palmer design through western PA ridgesPanoramic mountain views at public pricing
Green Fee: $40–$75 Rating: 4.2/5
5

Ellwood City, Pennsylvania · Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (2002) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,514 yards

A Hurdzan-Fry design north of Pittsburgh, Olde Stonewall is consistently ranked the top public course in the Pittsburgh area. The dramatic layout on 250 acres of Connoquenessing Creek valley features 200 feet of elevation change, natural stone outcroppings, waterfall features, and stunning fall foliage.

Top-ranked public course in Pittsburgh area200 feet of elevation change and natural stoneStunning Connoquenessing Creek valley setting
Green Fee: $55–$100 Rating: 4.4/5
6

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Donald Ross / Ron Prichard (restoration) (1903) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,658 yards

One of Pittsburgh's oldest private clubs with a Donald Ross layout beautifully restored by Ron Prichard, Pittsburgh Field Club winds through the rolling hills of Fox Chapel. The restored Ross design features his characteristic crowned greens, strategic bunkering, and a classic parkland character preserved through careful renovation.

Donald Ross design restored by Ron PrichardOne of Pittsburgh's oldest private clubs since 1903Classic parkland character in Fox Chapel hills
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.3/5
7

Farmington, Pennsylvania · Pete Dye (1995) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,514 yards

A Pete Dye design at the Nemacolin resort in the Laurel Highlands, Mystic Rock is a championship mountain course that hosted the PGA Tour's 84 Lumber Classic. The dramatic 7,514-yard layout through dense Appalachian forest features Dye's bold design elements with significant elevation changes and stunning mountain scenery.

Former PGA Tour 84 Lumber Classic hostPete Dye mountain design at 7,514 yardsNemacolin luxury resort in Laurel Highlands
Green Fee: $100–$200 Rating: 4.4/5
8

Sewickley, Pennsylvania · Robert White / William Flynn (1904) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,849 yards

A historic private club in Sewickley with a William Flynn redesign, Allegheny Country Club has hosted the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Women's Amateur. The classic parkland layout through rolling terrain along the Ohio River features Flynn's strategic bunkering and naturalistic design philosophy.

U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Women's Amateur hostWilliam Flynn parkland redesignHistoric Sewickley club along Ohio River
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.4/5

Public Courses in Pittsburgh

Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Pittsburgh .

Overview

Western Pennsylvania's rolling Appalachian terrain creates dramatic golf landscapes with significant elevation changes, mature hardwood forests, and creek valleys that architects have leveraged for over a century. The region's deep golf history is anchored by Oakmont's unmatched championship pedigree, and the surrounding Laurel Highlands provide mountain golf experiences within easy reach of the city.

Best Time to Play

May through October, with June and September offering the best conditions. Fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands (October) is spectacular. Western Pennsylvania summers are warm but rarely excessive, making midday rounds comfortable.

Travel Tips & Getting There

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is 25 minutes from downtown. Oakmont is 15 minutes northeast. Laurel Valley in Ligonier is about 60 minutes east in the Laurel Highlands. The city's revitalized food scene and craft breweries make it an excellent golf trip base.

Nearest Airport: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play Oakmont Country Club?
Oakmont is a private club and not open to public play. U.S. Opens and other major championships held there are the best opportunity to walk the grounds. The course has hosted nine U.S. Opens — more than any other venue.
What is the best public golf course near Pittsburgh?
Olde Stonewall Golf Club in Ellwood City, a Hurdzan-Fry design with dramatic elevation changes and natural stone features, is consistently ranked the top public course in the Pittsburgh area.

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