Pittsburgh is known as the ‘Steel City’ or the ‘City of Bridges’ for its role in developing the steel industry in the US and its 446 bridges. Besides this, it’s famous for its art, nature, great food, and sports. As a golfer, you’ll be pleased to know Pittsburgh is a hotbed of golf courses.
It has more private clubs than public, but you’re in luck as I share some of the best public options you can try.
Top 10 best public golf courses in Pittsburgh
Bob O’Connor Golf Course
Bob O’Connor Golf Course is a hidden gem located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. The 18-hole 67-par course was designed by Mark Ormison and opened in 1902 and has two sets of equal-length tees.
However, the men’s tee has a 104 slope while the women’s tee has a 114 slope. The course is named after former Pittsburgh mayor Bob O’Connor, a big advocate for the city’s parks and recreation. He was also an avid golfer, and the course is a tribute to his legacy.
One of the things I love about Bob O’Connor Golf Course is its beautiful setting in Schenley Park. Trees surround the course, offering stunning views of the park’s rolling hills and skyline. The course layout is also interesting, with some challenging holes that require accuracy off the tee and others that offer opportunities for birdies.
As for the service, Bob O’Connor Golf Course staff are friendly and welcoming. The pro shop has a good selection of golf equipment and apparel, and the snack bar serves tasty food and drinks.
Olde Stonewall Golf Club
Olde Stonewall Golf Club is a must-visit public golf course in Ellwood City, just a short drive from Pittsburgh. The course is known for its beautiful setting, challenging design, and exceptional service, making it a favorite among local and visiting golfers.
Designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, Olde Stonewall offers golfers an unforgettable experience with its stunning views and unique layout. The course features several elevation changes, water hazards, and sand bunkers, which make it a challenge for even the most seasoned golfers. However, it also offers many opportunities for birdies and rewarding shots, which makes it a fun experience for all skill levels.
Some of the holes that stand out include the 4th hole, a challenging par 3 that requires a precise shot over a large water hazard. The 10th hole is also noteworthy, with its elevated tee box and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
One thing that sets Olde Stonewall apart from other golf courses is its exceptional service. When you arrive at the course, you are greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff committed to making your experience as enjoyable as possible.
Olde Stonewall Golf Club has received numerous accolades over the years, including being named one of the top Golf Digest’s public golf courses in the country since 2016.
Meadowink Golf Course
If you’re looking for a top-notch public golf course near Pittsburgh, look no further than Meadowink Golf Course in Murrysville. This 18-hole 72-par course is 20 miles from Pittsburgh and offers golfers of all levels a challenging and enjoyable golf experience.
Meadowink Golf Course was built in 1970 under the instruction of Ferdinand Garbin. Over the years, it has had several renovations to keep it up-to-date and well-maintained. Despite the renovations, it retains its classic charm and character, making it a unique and enjoyable place to play golf.
The course is open all year round when the weather allows for it. Playing at the course is challenging and fun, with elevation changes, water hazards, and bunkers gracing the green. It’s worth mentioning that the 6139-yard course has 5 sets of tees with slopes between 114 and 127.
One of the standout features of Meadowink Golf Course is its excellent value for money.
Grand View Golf Club
The Grand View Golf Club is a stunning course in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, USA, just 17 minutes from downtown. The course was built in 1996 by the well-known golf course architect Ferdinand Garbin.
The course lies on 160 acres that Ferdinand carved into a beauty. For the perch, you get a breathtaking view of the Mon Valley. You can even see the Edgar Thompson Facility, a major steel mill in Pennsylvania. With a par of 70, the course has 18 holes designed with dramatic elevation changes, forced carries, and narrow fairways to test every aspect of a golfer’s game.
The course has four tee sets with slopes between 119 and 133 to accommodate different skill levels. The black tee is the longest and most challenging, while the gold is more forgiving.
There are several holes on the course that are particularly memorable. Hole 7, a par 5, offers a stunning view of the valley below and requires a well-placed tee shot to set up a potential birdie opportunity. Hole 16, a par 4, is a challenging hole that requires a precise approach shot to a green that is guarded by water.
Quicksilver Golf Club
If you play a round of golf at Quicksilver Golf Club, you’ll be impressed with the course and facilities. The course is 25 minutes from the city and is tucked away in the rolling hills in Western Pennsylvania. You can enjoy fast and true greens and lush fairways at an affordable price.
The 72-par golf course has 18 holes over 7012 yards. It was built by Don Nagode in 1971 and is open to the public all year round. The course caters to golfers with different skills with its five tees (Black, Blue, White, Gold, and Red(W)). As such, it was ranked #35 Golfers’ Choice in 2014 and one of the top courses in Pennsylvania in 2012, 2016, and 2017. The challenges contributing to these awards include undulating greens, play longs, and bunkers.
It’s worth noting that it’s close to the airport, so you may have distractions from planes landing and taking off, but it’s not that bad.
Cranberry Highlands Golf Course
Cranberry Highlands Golf Course is a beautiful public golf course just 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. Designed and built by Bill Love in 2002, this 18-hole course offers a challenging and enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.
For a municipal facility, Cranberry Highlands is quite impressive. The clubhouse has the basics, including clubs, soft goods, tees, and balls. There’s also a stocked snack and bat shop. Even better, its golf carts have above-average GPS systems, a huge plus for players.
When you are here, you’ll notice how peaceful and quiet it is. Usually, municipal golf courses are bordered by noisy roads and neighborhoods. But at the Cranberry Highlands, you’ll see nothing except for golfers and nature.
The course isn’t long (6,564 yards), and the fairways are average width. Challenges on the course include bunkers too.
Victory Hills Golf Course
Victory Hills Golf Course is a public golf course located just a short drive southeast of Pittsburgh in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. This 18-hole course offers a challenging and enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.
The course is owned and operated by the Rack family. In 1955, Edward J. Rack and Bill Sullivan (a real estate developer) bought land and built the 18-hole course. And since Bill was busy with other projects, he requested Eddie to run and manage the course.
The course features several exceptional holes, including the par-4 10th hole, one of the most challenging holes due to the narrow fairway and well-protected green.
Lindenwood Golf Club
Lindenwood Golf Club is a beautiful public golf course in Canonsburg, just 25 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh. This course includes an 18-hole Red course that’s 3465 yards and was opened in 1968. The 18-hole Gold course was opened in 1965 and has plenty of water hazards. It’s a 36-par course spanning over 3234 yards. There’s also an 18-hole 36-par blue Course opened in 1993 and a 9-hole executive course opened in 1999 that’s 1,700 yards long.
The course features several exceptional holes, including the par-5 18th hole, which requires a precise shot over water to reach the green. Aside from the golfing experience, Lindenwood Golf Club offers a range of amenities to keep you comfortable and entertained.
The Red and Blue courses cost $45 on weekdays and $55 on weekends and holidays. But on the Gold and Executive course, it’s $42 and $10 on the weekdays and $50 and $12 on the weekends. Besides the regular amenities, we loved that there are electro-carts for hire.
Butler’s Golf Course
Butler’s Golf Course is an excellent public golf course in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, just southeast of Pittsburgh. This 18-hole course offers a challenging and enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.
The course features several exceptional holes, including the par-5 10th hole, which requires a precise shot over a creek to reach the green. The course also features well-maintained fairways and greens that are both challenging and fair, making for an enjoyable round of golf.
It was built in 1963 by John W. Butler and Ed Ault. They added water hazards, bunkers, and elevation changes to make it more challenging and fun. The Scenic and wildlife views throughout the course make it an even more enjoyable experience.
Champion Lakes Golf Course
Champion Lakes Golf Course is a public golf course in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, just east of Pittsburgh. This 18-hole course was built in 1964 by Grote & Lynch. It’s available all year round and offers great amenities like carts, teaching pros, and a driving range.
The course features three tees as below:
- Blue – 6608 yards with a 133 slope
- White – 6205 yards with a 128 slope
- Red – 5556 yards with a 127 slope
The staff is friendly and welcoming, providing a personalized experience that ensures guests have a great time on and off the course.
Pittsburgh public golf courses
Pittsburgh has a wide range of excellent public golf courses, each with unique features and challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there is a course that will suit your needs and offer an enjoyable round of golf. We certainly have enjoyed quite a few at AEC Info.
Ultimately, the best public golf course in Pittsburgh will depend on your preferences and what you want in a golfing experience. However, all of the courses on this list offer exceptional service, well-maintained courses, and a commitment to providing a memorable round of golf for every player.
