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Golf
June 12, 2025
NEPA’s Top Rated Signature Golf Holes
Explore Northeastern PA’s top-rated signature golf holes, hand-picked for their scenic views, unique challenges, and standout design features. From dramatic elevation changes to water-lined fairways, these iconic holes highlight what makes golfing in NEPA unforgettable.
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Top Rated Golf Holes: Tricky Play and Stunning Sights in NEPA

Whatever your reason for loving golf—whether it’s the competition, the camaraderie, or simply escaping into nature—there’s no denying the serene beauty that defines the sport. Golf courses in NEPA offer a uniquely scenic backdrop, blending rolling landscapes, lush forests, and elevated mountain views into every round. Here, the game transcends sport and becomes an immersive outdoor experience, highlighted by top rated golf holes that challenge and inspire.

From meticulously manicured fairways that seem to flow effortlessly into tree-lined vistas to perfectly contoured greens framed by natural stone and water features, NEPA golf courses stand out for their visual charm and thoughtfully designed layouts. Scattered throughout the region are must-try golf holes—from wide-open drives with dramatic elevation changes to secluded tee boxes surrounded by towering pines and sweeping meadows. It’s golf, elevated—on every level.

We’ve curated a list of some of NEPA’s must-play golf holes—a showcase of signature shots and challenging designs, handpicked with insight from local golf pros who know these courses inside and out.

 

Explore Top Rated Golf Holes in Northeastern PA

01
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Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club
A picturesque view of the Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club, a 27-hole championship course located in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania.

Public Course — Mountain Top, PA

Hole # 7 (Ridge Course)
Par 5
Yardage – 475

“This hole is reachable in two for most golfers due to the fact that it plays relatively downhill. The fairway slopes from left to right and is guarded up the left side with three large fairway bunkers and fescue grass. A block to the right off the tee, or your second shot will land you out of play in the wetlands. The hole is a true risk reward, and any score from 3-8 is possible.”
Tyler Papura, Assistant General Manager at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club

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02
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Fox Hill Country Club
Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter, Pennsylvania, featuring a lush green golf course, a sand bunker in the foreground, and the clubhouse with a flagpole in the background.

Private Course – Exeter, PA

Hole #8
Par 4
Yardage — 392

“This spectacular hole presents a difficult drive to a narrow fairway protected by a right-side bunker. A slight left to right dog leg brings you close to yet another bunker. The green predominantly slopes from back to front. If you leave your ball above the hole, it’s a near impossible putt without the perfect line. The two fairway bunkers were added during a bunker renovation in 2017 which returned the hole back to its original A.W. Tillinghast design.”
Shane Bradley, General Manager at Fox Hill Country Club

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03
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Glenmaura National Golf Club
Scenic view of Glenmaura National Golf Club, located in Moosic, Pennsylvania, with lush green fairways, a sand trap, and a pond.

Private Course – Moosic, PA

Hole #18
Par 4
Yardage — 385

“This signature hole features a 250 yard carry over natural wetlands from the back tee. The fairway is the widest on the course at just under 100 yards, however the fairway has 2 grass bunkers in the middle of it.  The most interesting part about the hole is the fact that it finishes with a split green.  Why a split green?  A natural waterfall runs behind the green and the water bisects the 2 greens. When they were building the course, they couldn’t decide which side of the green the water should run on so they decided “let’s just build 2 greens!”
Philip E. Mahasky, CEO at Glenmaura National Golf Club

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04
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Glen Oak Country Club
A trio of golfers get ready for tee shots among the rolling green fairway at Glen Oak Country Club in Clarks Summit, PA.

Private Course – Clarks Summit, PA

Hole # 11
Par 5
Yardage – Gold – 515/ White – 387

“This complicated hole is a model of risk / reward design. On the tee shot the player must decide to lay up short of the creek, or risk the longer carry onto “the island” which sets up a look at the well-protected green complex. The course boundary runs up the right side of the entire hole, so the aggressive player must be very precise.”
Bob Sedlak, Head Golf Professional at Glen Oak Country Club

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05
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Huntsville Golf Club
Overlooking the greens at Huntsville Golf Club in Shavertown, PA.

Private Course – Dallas, PA

Hole # 11
Par 4
Yardage – Back – 448/Forward – 365

“The eleventh hole at Huntsville is the #2 handicapped hole on the course.  It features elevation from the tee and a split fairway, offering players the option to go left or right.  Players who miss the 11th fairway will find themselves scrambling for a par putt.  The green is two tiered and well-guarded with bunkers on both sides. The hole is as beautiful as it is difficult.”
Matt Occhiato, Head Golf Professional/Director of Instruction at Huntsville Golf Club

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06
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Jack Frost National Golf Club
A scenic view of Jack Frost National Golf Club is located in Blakeslee, PA, in the autumn, with vibrant fall foliage surrounding the green fairway.

Public Course – Blakeslee, PA

Hole # 11
Par 3
Yardage — 147

“This spectacular, downhill par 3 offers an unmatched panoramic view of the area. The green is two tiered with some nice breaks and is guarded to the right by the only pond on the course. You will also notice a huge lake behind the green with a large fountain that is quite the sight from up above. Number 11 is just a beautiful mountain hole!”
Keith DeVos, General Manager at Jack Frost National Golf Club

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07
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Mountain Valley Golf Course

Public Course – Barnesville, PA

Hole # 18 (Valley Course)
Par 4
Yardage — Gold – 312/Blue – 277/White – 247/Red – 237

“A solid tee shot will get you over Demko’s pond.  Your challenge then becomes avoiding the most severe bunkering at Mountain Valley.  The key to this hole is the approach shot getting the right distance up the hill to the flag stick. It is the second shot that will present the most challenge. If you hit a solid off the tee you will be okay.  You will end at our Clubhouse and Restaurant where you can enjoy wings, burgers, sandwich, pizza, a drink and an amazing view on the wraparound deck.”
David Linkchorst, PGA Professional at Mountain Valley Golf Course

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08
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Rolling Pines Golf Course
A scenic view of Rolling Pines Golf Course in Berwick, PA., with a red flag marking a hole on a green, and a cart path winding through the trees.

Public Course – Berwick, PA

*This course is temporarily closed and not currently open for play.*

Hole # 14
Par 5
Yardage – 410

“From the tee box, your line of sight carries over 4.5 miles across both Route 11 & Interstate 80. A well-struck tee shot will travel from an elevated tee box, down to a small ravine, and back up a steep hill to the green. Pine trees line the right side of the fairway and the spacious green is flanked on the left by a few sand traps.”
Brandon Fenstermacher, Director of Golf Operations at Rolling Pines Golf Course

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09
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Schuylkill Country Club
A lush green golf course at Schuylkill Country Club in Orwigsburg, PA, with a flowering dogwood tree in the foreground and a rolling, wooded landscape in the background.

Private Course – Orwigsburg, PA

Hole #11
Par 3
Yardage — 177 (back tees)

“A downhill par 3 guarded by a pond to the left of the green and a bunker to the right of the green. Long shots are also penalized by the creek that runs behind the green. The downhill shot usually requires one club less than the yardage indicates.”
Herb Redman, General Manager/COO at Schuylkill Country Club

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10
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Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
A golf ball on a red tee, with a golf club positioned behind it, all set against a green grass background at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA.

Public Course – Shawnee on the Delaware, PA

Hole # 7 Blue
Par 3
Yardage – Blue – 177/White – 166/Yellow – 146

“7 Blue is Shawnee’s signature hole. Our course is located on an island in the Middle of the Delaware River. 7 Blue’s tee is on the golf island. Our golfers hit across the Delaware River to a green on the main land. 7 Blue is a fun and challenging hole. It’s fun because it’s a fairly short hole with a gorgeous water feature. Don’t let it fool you though. Judging the distance is hard and the green offers an unforgiving slope.”
Jeromy Wo, Marketing Director at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

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11
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Split Rock Golf Club
A perfectly manicured fairway splits at the cart path where three large sand bunkers force a leftward approach to the green at Split Rock Golf Club in Lake Harmony, PA.

Public Course — Lake Harmony, PA

Hole # 11
Par 5
Yardage — 582

“This is the course’s signature hole! The breathtaking view is the backdrop to this par 5 and is one of the most scenic holes in the northeast. Don’t let this tee shot scare you, there is a wide fairway out there. This hole is reachable in two shots for the long hitters but an undulating green can lead to a 3 putt.”
Brian Patrick, PGA Golf Pro at Split Rock Golf Club

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12
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Stone Hedge Golf Course
A scenic view of Stone Hedge Golf Course in Tunkhannock, PA, featuring rolling green hills, a sand trap, and a pond with reflections.

Public Course – Tunkhannock, PA

Hole #2
Par 4
Yardage – Blue – 449/White – 433/Gold – 332/Red – 324

“This hole is the truest test of golf that we have on the property, and believe me it will test a golfer’s mental game every bit as their physical game. Usually, it plays into a strong prevailing wind, leaving a mid to long iron into the green for your second shot after a good drive (most players lay up!). Bunkers guard the left of the fairway and short left of the green. One of the toughest green complexes we have on the property makes for a challenging up and down. This hole was once touted as “the toughest hole in NEPA” and believe me it lives up to that reputation. Par here is like making birdie.”
Adam Charles, Head Golf Professional at Stone Hedge Golf Course

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13
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Tall Pines Players Club
The 14th hole at Tall Pines Players Club in Friendsville, Pennsylvania features a wide, green fairway lined with trees, with a blue tee marker in the foreground.

Public Course – Friendsville, PA

Hole #18
Par 4
Yardage — Blue – 268/White – 261/Gold – 246/Red – 230

“Hole #18 is a great representation of golf at Tall Pines Players Club.  The risk/reward is great and ball placement is important.  Overlooked by the clubhouse, this picturesque hole has a tricky dog leg left around water. It’s just the perfect ending to a round of golf.”
Chris O’Reilly, Golf Director at Tall Pines Players Club

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14
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The Country Club of Scranton
The Country Club of Scranton features a lush, green golf course with sand traps and a winding path in Clarks Summit, PA.

Private Course – Clark Summit, PA

Hole # 10
Par 4
Yardage – 406

“The tee box, situated directly behind the clubhouse, overlooks the property and offers arguably one of the best views anywhere. The fairway slants from left to right, which presents a bit of difficulty for the often-errant swing. The challenging second shot demands accuracy. The multi-tiered green is protected by runoffs on both the right and left, as well as long over the green. The 10th hole has been rated as one of the Ultimate 18 holes of the Dream Course by The Golf Association of Philadelphia.”
Mike Molino, PGA Head Golf Professional at The Country Club of Scranton

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15
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The Country Club at Woodloch Springs
A wide angle photo of a green and fairway with two sand traps to the right of the green and trees with fall foliage lining the fairway at The Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, PA.

Private Course — Hawley, PA

Hole #18
Par 72
Yardage – 6,579

The Country Club at Woodloch Springs offers an exceptional 18-hole golf experience in the Pocono Mountains. This championship par-72 course, designed by Rocky Roquemore and recognized nationally by Distinguished Golf Destinations and Golf Magazine, has consistently been rated among the finest in America by Golf Digest.

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16
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Valley Country Club
A scenic shot of Valley Country Club in Sugar Loaf, PA, with a green fairway and a backdrop of trees.

Private Course — Sugarloaf, PA

Hole #18
Par 4
Yardage — 344

Designed by renowned golf course architect A. W. Tillinghast, Valley Country Club offers exceptional greens, challenging fairways and amazing scenery. Nestled in the pristine valley of Sugarloaf just outside of Hazleton, this championship course boasts magnificent mountain views, fast greens and heavily guarded bunkers.

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17
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Wilkes-Barre Golf Club
A pond with a fountain sits at the center of Wilkes-Barre Golf Club in Bear Creek Township, PA, surrounded by trees with a white flag on the green.

Public Course — Wilkes-Barre, PA

Hole # 2
Par 4
Yardage – Blue – 452/White – 415/Gold – 353/Silver – 345/Red – 339

“The second hole presents a real challenge for all skill levels. It features a long, fairly straight fairway. The green is protected by three bunkers and fronted by a water hazard (penalty area). The hole’s main feature is a refreshing, awe-inspiring water fountain – depending on how well you play the hole, of course.”
John P. Kebles, Pro Shop Manager at Wilkes-Barre Golf Club

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18
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Wyoming Valley Country Club
Aerial view of fairways, green, and sand traps at Wyoming Valley Country Club in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Private Course – Wilkes-Barre, PA

Hole # 9
Par 4
Yardage – Blue – 391/White  -369/Gold – 336/Red – 332

“Our 9th hole is a classic A.W. Tillinghast design.  It’s a dogleg left with bunkering on the right, protecting the bail out tee shot and a lateral hazard down the entire left-hand side. A right to left sloping fairway to an elongated green that slopes toward the fairway for the first half of the green and slopes away from you on the upper/back of the green. This hole could be dropped on any Tillinghast course and immediately fit.”
Pete Korba, Golf Pro at Wyoming Valley Country Club

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Explore Golf in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Whether you’re chasing birdies, enjoying a casual round with friends, or just soaking in the views, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s golf scene offers something for every kind of player. With over 60 public and private courses scattered across the region there’s no shortage of places to challenge your skills, unwind in nature, and experience the area’s most scenic and top rated golf holes.

Ready to plan your next tee time? Explore DiscoverNEPA’s full guide to golf in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where you’ll find golf courses, local tips, and more must-try golf holes to add to your list. From rolling hills to forested fairways, your next unforgettable round is just a click away.

Explore NEPA Golf

Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 7/03/2020.

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