The labels are not decoration
Turning up at a private club without a member is a wasted drive, and the distinction is not always obvious from a course name. Plenty of places called "country club" around here sell public tee times, and at least one place with "golf course" in the name does not.
Of the 187 courses we track, 169 are open to the public in some form, 13 are semi-private and 5 are private.
What each one means in practice
Public and municipal. Anyone can book. Municipal courses are run by a county or borough and are usually the cheapest golf in the area. Resort courses take public play alongside guests.
Semi-private. There is a membership, and the course also sells tee times to the public. Members get first call on the sheet, so midweek is much easier than a Saturday morning. Worth calling ahead rather than assuming.
Private. Play runs through membership. You need a member to sign you in, and no amount of calling the pro shop changes that.
The private clubs in our directory
- Laurel Valley Golf Club · Ligonier, PA
- Pikewood National Golf Club · Morgantown, WV
- Rolling Rock Club · Laughlintown, PA
- Sycamore Hills Golf Club · Darlington, PA, 9 holes, par 35
- The Salem Golf Club · Salem, OH, 18 holes, par 72
The semi-private clubs
- 1781 Club · Finleyville, PA, 18 holes, semi-private
- Beaver Valley Golf Club · Patterson Heights, PA, 18 holes, par 72, semi-private
- Firestone Golf Course · Akron, OH, semi-private
- Hannastown Golf Club · Greensburg, PA, 18 holes, par 70, semi-private
- Lake Arthur Country Club · Butler, PA, 18 holes, par 72, semi-private
- Latrobe Elks Country Club · Latrobe, PA, 18 holes, par 72, semi-private
- Middlecreek Golf Course · Rockwood, PA, 9 holes, par 36, semi-private
- Mt. Lebanon Golf Course · Pittsburgh, PA, 9 holes, par 35, semi-private
- Northwinds Peninsula Golf Club · Central City, PA, 18 holes, semi-private
- Oak Tree Golf Club · West Middlesex, PA, 18 holes, semi-private
- Pleasant Valley Golf Club · Connellsville, PA, 18 holes, semi-private
- The Madison Club · Madison, PA, 9 holes, par 72, semi-private
- Totteridge Golf Club · Greensburg, PA, 18 holes, par 71, from $40, semi-private
How we work this out
We check each course's own website for what it publishes: whether there is a member login, a membership application, a public tee sheet, published green fees. A club with membership machinery and a public tee sheet is semi-private, which is exactly what the term describes.
This is not perfect. Some courses have no website beyond a Facebook page, and those we leave alone rather than guess. If we have a course wrong, tell us and we will fix it.
Common questions
Can I play a semi-private course as a non-member?
Usually yes, particularly midweek. Members get priority on the tee sheet, so weekend mornings are harder. Call ahead.
How do I play a private club?
You need a member to host you. Some clubs also have reciprocal arrangements if you belong to another private club.
Which courses are cheapest?
Municipal courses, generally. They are run by counties and boroughs and priced accordingly.
Find your next round
Browse all courses or use Quick Book to see what is available near you. Every course page has contact details, amenities and a direct booking link where the course offers one.