How many times have you stood on a tee or green, looked ahead or looked back and thought, “What a great golf hole!” Of course, it usually happens after an incredible shot. But most golfers appreciate good routing, strategic bunkering, dramatic design and gorgeous views no matter what score they record.
Recognizing the unique nature of golf, I took on the considerable task of selecting the North Hills best 9 golf holes. The holes were selected from public courses (private courses weren’t included).
We spoke to the pros and greenskeepers of each course to get their opinions on what they think is the best hole on their course. The courses were just chosen at random.
So, what is the definition of a great golf hole, and which criteria did I use to judge my selections? In some cases, it was purely a case of a hole’s degree of difficulty or the aesthetic appeal. Other criteria include: play-ability, routing and overall design, differing topographical relief, trees, water hazards, etc.
See if you agree with the selections:
Hole #15
Hartman’s Deep Valley
According to Jason Bergstrom, Assistant Greenskeeper at Hartman’s Deep Valley, “Our most challenging hole is probably #15 on the back 9. It’s a par 3 hole that has a 175-yard carry over water. The green slopes towards the lake, but it doesn’t play too much of a factor as you would suspect. There’s also a mound that was recently put in, which is similar to a skiing mogul. The hole is also covered with a lot of marsh-type grass. It’s very thick.”
Hartman’s Deep Valley
169 Hartman Road
Harmony
(724) 452-8021
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $10 for nine holes; $18 for 18 holes
Weekdays: $7 for nine holes; $13 for 18 holes
Riding carts: $11 for nine holes; $14 for 18 holes
Tee times are not required.
Hole #15
Rittswood
“Our number 12 is probably the most difficult hole. It’s a par 4 that is over a lake. There are no sand traps. In fact none of our holes have sand. All the greens are surrounded by grass bunkers,” says Bob McDonough, one of the Greenskeepers at Rittswood.
Rittswood
239 Sheldon Road
Middlesex Township
(724) 586-2721
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $10.50 for nine holes walking; $15.75 for nine holes riding. Weekdays: $8.50 for nine holes walking; $13.75 for nine holes riding; $16 for 18 holes walking; $26.50 for 18 holes riding
Seniors receive a 10 percent discount during the weekdays.
Hole #11
Rose Ridge
With no hesitation, employee Jackie Mim of Rose Ridge golf course had no doubt what was their most challenging course. “Number 11. Because it is straight down a hill. There are woods on both sides and a lake in the front. It is our most challenging and difficult hole. Most of our players would agree. The hole is 165 yards and a par 3.”
Rose Ridge
4769 Route 910
West Deer Township
(724) 443-5020
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $12.00 for nine holes walking; $17 for nine holes riding. $16 for 18 holes walking; $25 for 18 holes riding.
Weekdays: $9 for nine holes walking; $14 for nine holes riding; $12 for 18 holes walking; $18 for 18 holes riding
Tee times are required on weekends and holidays.
Hole #11
Suncrest
It seems like hole number 11 is a popular hole for another golf course in the area. Rick Carkeek, an employee at Suncrest believes that their number 11 is challenging. “Number 11 is our toughest. There is an out-of-bounds on the left side. A lake is in front of the hole. And the tee-shot requires a perfect shot just to make the second. It’s a dog-leg left.”
Suncrest
137 Brownsdale Road
Penn Township
(724) 586-5508
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $11.00 for nine holes walking; $17 for nine holes riding. $20 for 18 holes walking; $31 for 18 holes riding.
Weekdays: $9.50 for nine holes walking; $15.50 for nine holes riding; $17 for 18 holes walking; $28 for 18 holes riding.
Seniors: $8 for nine holes walking; $14 for nine holes riding; $20 for 18 holes walking; $31 for 18 holes riding.
Tee times are required
Hole #14
Lake Vue North
“Our most challenging hole is definitely number 14. It’s 335 yards and a par 4. What makes it difficult is that you are hitting over a lake that carries 150 yards. And it’s a dog leg left up a hill and it contains an elevated green,“ says owner Greg Szazynski.
Lake Vue North
691 Pittsburgh Road
Butler, PA 16002
Penn Township
(724) 586-7097
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $10.00 for nine holes walking; $15.00 for nine holes riding. $16.00 for 18 holes walking; $25.00 for 18 holes riding.
Weekdays: $8.00 for nine holes walking; $13.00 for nine holes riding; $12 for 18 holes walking; $20 for 18 holes riding.
Pull carts are $1 for nine holes and $1.50 for 18 holes.
Tee times are recommended.
Hole #18
Lake Arthur
“Our hole 18 is supposedly the second hardest in the Pittsburgh area,”says Pro Shop manager Tim Uncapher. “To begin with, it’s 451 yards. And the wind seems to be blowing into you all the time. You’re always fighting the wind. The fairway itself funnels in between a small lake on the right and a larger lake on the left. The landing area itself is pretty short. Add to that a psychological factor of having a large oak tree 25 yards right in front of the green, over to the right. The tree doesn’t play much of a factor, but it gets golfers worried.”
Lake Arthur
255 Isle Road
Butler, PA 16001
Franklin Township
(724) 865-2765
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $15.00 for nine holes; $22.00 for 18 holes.
Weekdays: $7.50 for nine holes; $15.00 for 18 holes.
Riding carts are $33.00
There are also a weekly special that includes greens fees for 18 holes of golf and a cart for $23.
Tee times are required.
Hole #14
Hiland
“Hole number 14 is the most difficult,”says owner Allan Zedicker. “That particular hole is a par-4, 416 yards. It’s fairly new, and a dog leg was added to it. There are trees on the right hand side, and as you get closer to the green, you have tree on the left hand side. There’s also a pond just in front of the tee. It’s only 30 yards, but it’s still a hazard.”
Hiland
106 St. Wendolyn Road
Butler, PA 16002
Summit Township
(724) 287-9180
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $10.00 for nine holes; $18.00 for 18 holes.
Weekdays: $8.00 for nine holes; $14.00 for 18 holes.
Riding carts are $10 for nine holes and $20 for 18 holes.
Tee times are required.
Hole #16
North Park Golf Course
Assistant manager Dan O’Connor says most of the holes at the North Park Golf Course are not that difficult, however one hole seems to be the exception. “On the back 9, hole number 16 seems rather tough, but only because it’s 525 yards and a par-5. It’s a number 6 handicap. Very rarely will we ever see anyone hit it in two. There are no water hazards on our course, but we have plenty of sandtraps on this particular hole.”
North Park Golf Course
303 Pierce Hill Road
Allison Park, PA 15101
McCandless Township
(724) 935-1967
18-hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $10.00 for nine holes; $18.00 for 18 holes.
Weekdays: $8.00 for nine holes; $14.00 for 18 holes.
Riding carts are $10 for nine holes and $20 for 18 holes.
Tee times are required.
Hole #3
Pittsburgh North
According to PittsburghGolf.com, the No. 3 372 yards, Par 4 at Pittsburgh North GC is a classically simple risk/reward golf hole.
“The equation here is simple – how much water do you want to carry in order to shorten your approach to the green? The more you bite off on your drive, the less there is to carry on your approach and vice-versa. My driver has been ‘in the groove’ lately so I choose to go long and virtually eliminate the water on my approach to the green.”
Pittsburgh North
3800 Bakerstown Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Richland Township
(724) 443-3800
18 hole public golf course
Weekends and holidays: $18.50for nine holes. $32.50 for 18 holes, includes riding cart.
Weekdays: $9.50 for nine holes; $16.00 for 18 holes.
Seniors (Monday-Thursday before 11 a.m.); $7.75 for nine holes; $20 for 18 holes, includes riding cart.
Riding carts: $5 for nine holes; $10 for 18 holes.
Tee times are recommended on weekends and holidays.
