Good Value Private Course Memberships in Chester County PA

[nosef06]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to put out a post asking for some help/insight to some good value memberships for clubs in Chester County PA. Specifically, the Exton/Downingtown area. I just moved to the area this past spring and have done some light research on Whitford and Coatesville CC and was wondering if there was any more that I should check out. I'd like to keep it within 20ish minutes if possible of the Exton/Downingtown area since that is where I live and work.

 

This would be the first time that I would potentially be joining a private club, so, admittedly I am a little cautious/anxious about the process and getting a good deal is very important to me (recently married, recently bought my first house, have to justify it to the wife, etc. etc.) if that is possible. If anyone would be willing to share some pricing points for various clubs (worth noting I'm turning 30 in the fall), as well as any tips or hints to help me throughout the process would be very awesome and I'd be very grateful!

 

Also, if anyone has any input as to the courses themselves in terms of course fairness (is it a trick course?), playability, and walkability that would be very much appreciated too! I enjoy walking whenever possible so I don't know how interested I might be in courses with huge ravines and elevation changes. Finally, opinions of clubs' atmosphere would be appreciated as well! Again, it's my first time joining a club so a more laid back, casual/down to earth, and welcoming club would probably be for the best. I appreciate your honest opinions!

 

Thank you to everyone who replies in advance, I VERY much appreciate it and I look forward to the discussion.

 

Thanks again!

[Drudersh]

Kennett Square Golf and CC is about 20 minutes ( maybe a little less) from the Downingtown area. It's a Donald Ross course, maxes out at about 6400 yards and almost always in immaculate condition. Very walkable, I only ever ride when I'm forced to take a cart. There is a pretty good stable of younger guys (25-35ish) that play a lot of golf, so it'd be easy to get a game as well. It's definitely a more laid back, family oriented club and they have discounted pricing for guys under 35. All the amenities are included with the golf membership, pool, tennis, paddle etc.

 

Shoot me a PM if you want any additional details or have any questions you'd like answered.

[C-Law]

Older thread but recently bumped, start here:

 

[Noles]

Of the 2 you mentioned, they are both good courses. I would say Whitford is better than Coatesville but probably comes with a much higher price tag. Coatesville is not a long course but is an interesting layout with really challenging but fair greens. The GAP Junior was just there and every kid I spoke to enjoyed the course. Check out Applecross. Different from most clubs in that they have an owner. In some ways that is good but in others, not so much. They have varying levels of membership so you can easily find one that will fit you. If you become a tier 1 member, carts are included in the membership as well as playing privileges at Club Corp courses, Talamore in Ambler and the owner's 2 courses in Pinehurst.

[tw422]

Not a huge fan of either Whitford and Coatesville. IMO Whitford's layout is boring and not very challenging. Coatesville was an old school course and the facilities seemed a bit tired to me (I played it in 2010-11 timeframe so it may have changed since). Chester Valley CC is a pretty good course/club except for the power lines that run through some of the holes. French Creek is also an interesting layout with nice facilities and would be doable from Exton/Downingtown. Might as well add Stonewall to the list as it's right across the street from French Creek. Much more exclusive and $$$$ but two great courses with great clubhouse/facilities.

[Drudersh]

> @tw422 said:

> Not a huge fan of either Whitford and Coatesville. IMO Whitford's layout is boring and not very challenging. Coatesville was an old school course and the facilities seemed a bit tired to me (I played it in 2010-11 timeframe so it may have changed since). Chester Valley CC is a pretty good course/club except for the power lines that run through some of the holes. French Creek is also an interesting layout with nice facilities and would be doable from Exton/Downingtown. Might as well add Stonewall to the list as it's right across the street from French Creek. Much more exclusive and $$$$ but two great courses with great clubhouse/facilities.

 

French Creek would be a good one to check out. Stonewall is absolutely phenomenal and I know they have a lower priced membership category for younger guys, but I wouldn't describe it as laid back and down to earth.

[nosef06]

> @Noles said:

> Of the 2 you mentioned, they are both good courses. I would say Whitford is better than Coatesville but probably comes with a much higher price tag. Coatesville is not a long course but is an interesting layout with really challenging but fair greens. The GAP Junior was just there and every kid I spoke to enjoyed the course. Check out Applecross. Different from most clubs in that they have an owner. In some ways that is good but in others, not so much. They have varying levels of membership so you can easily find one that will fit you. If you become a tier 1 member, carts are included in the membership as well as playing privileges at Club Corp courses, Talamore in Ambler and the owner's 2 courses in Pinehurst.

 

 

 

First of all, thanks so much to everyone for the input! I appreciate the heck out of it and will certainly look into all the clubs that people mentioned, so a huge thanks again for that.

 

I actually didn't think about Applecross, or even realize it was out this way. It's actually the closest to me in terms of distance, so that would be an added bonus. Upon looking at their website, it appears as if French Creek and Hartefeld National are part of the courses listed that are all under the same ownership?? Does anyone have any idea or input about this? If those two courses (especially French Creek), as well as the others listed, are all part of some reciprocal play program that Applecross offers, it might be hard to pass their offer up especially if they have some good membership deals at the junior/intermediate levels. The only downside is that the course itself at Applecross appears that it's in a housing development, which isn't ideal, but it does look very walkable and playable. Again, any input to this would be much appreciated, but I think I'm going to hit them up and see what they have to say nonetheless.

 

Thanks again for the input guys!

[Noles]

> @nosef06 said:

> > @Noles said:

> > Of the 2 you mentioned, they are both good courses. I would say Whitford is better than Coatesville but probably comes with a much higher price tag. Coatesville is not a long course but is an interesting layout with really challenging but fair greens. The GAP Junior was just there and every kid I spoke to enjoyed the course. Check out Applecross. Different from most clubs in that they have an owner. In some ways that is good but in others, not so much. They have varying levels of membership so you can easily find one that will fit you. If you become a tier 1 member, carts are included in the membership as well as playing privileges at Club Corp courses, Talamore in Ambler and the owner's 2 courses in Pinehurst.

>

>

>

> First of all, thanks so much to everyone for the input! I appreciate the heck out of it and will certainly look into all the clubs that people mentioned, so a huge thanks again for that.

>

> I actually didn't think about Applecross, or even realize it was out this way. It's actually the closest to me in terms of distance, so that would be an added bonus. Upon looking at their website, it appears as if French Creek and Hartefeld National are part of the courses listed that are all under the same ownership?? Does anyone have any idea or input about this? If those two courses (especially French Creek), as well as the others listed, are all part of some reciprocal play program that Applecross offers, it might be hard to pass their offer up especially if they have some good membership deals at the junior/intermediate levels. The only downside is that the course itself at Applecross appears that it's in a housing development, which isn't ideal, but it does look very walkable and playable. Again, any input to this would be much appreciated, but I think I'm going to hit them up and see what they have to say nonetheless.

>

> Thanks again for the input guys!

 

Hartefeld and French Creek are not owned by the owner of Applecross/Talamore. They are part of the Club Corp network. You can play Hartefeld for only a cart fee. I have done this several times. I believe French Creek has a different designation in the Club Corp Network so you would have to pay greens fees to pay there. I have not done this so I am not certain about this.