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Guide To Suburban Fall Golf

Suburban golf courses are alive and well. The difference between courses in the inner suburban ring near heavily populated areas and the rural outer ring is often a few dollars and highway traffic. Let's take a brisk tour of some popular suburban golf getaway stops. -- Jay Lloyd

springfield
Springfield Country Club (credit: Jay Lloyd)

SPRINGFIELD COUNTRY CLUB

A long time favorite, the name implies exclusive clubby status, but the Springfield Country Club, now operated by Springfield Township is a public course with a recent major overhaul on the property and the fairways. There's now a Marriott Hotel, revved up dining options and an immaculately manicured 18 hole course that's challenging and fun to play. Most of the fairways are open, but care is needed to avoid some stroke adding rolls. Delaware County rates tend to the high side with Monday through Thursday morning fees at $50, seniors pay $34. Weekend rates go to $60 with no senior discount. Find all the costs here: www.springfieldgolf.org/rates/

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Paxon Hollow (credit: Jay Lloyd)

PAXON HOLLOW

Another municipal owned golf course, this one under the ownership of Marple Township gives residents a healthy discount, but draws golfers from throughout the region for its scenic, wooded challenge and pleasant community vibe. The challenge here is to avoid the slice and the hook, depending on the hole, or risk a walk in the woods. Rates for non-Marpleites are $51 on Monday through Thursday mornings. Seniors pay $41. On weekends the tariff goes to $62 with no senior discount. See all the rates and resident discounts here: www.paxonhollowgolf.com/-daily-rates

spring-hollow
Spring Hollow (credit: Jay Lloyd)

SPRING HOLLOW

For challenge, eye-filling scenery and an after-the-round eatery, Spring Hollow is a perennial favorite. This par 70 course starts out with a thread-the-needle first tee, starts an uphill action on the second and fourth before producing a few forgiving holes leading up to a water and marsh hazard 9th. There's variety throughout the back nine with another pond to ford on the 10th. Just try not to hit the swan. The tariff here is $45 on Mondays through Thursdays. Friday fees are $48 and weekends climb to $53. Seniors play Monday through Friday for $34, $50 on weekends. Tee up all the rates here: www.spring-hollow.com/-rates

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Bella Vista (credit: Jay Lloyd)

BELLA VISTA

Take a ride to Gilbertsville in the wide open space of Montgomery County to the Relatively new (2002) Bella Vista Golf Course. From the whites there's a little over 6,000 yards of play for a par 70 card. The course is a combination of open fairways, challenging water hazards, a blind dog leg and man eating bunkers. A favorite here is the "Island". The 14th is a keyhole in a pond. If you don't land the tee shot on the flat, you'll likely watch it roll to a drowning. If you land right, it'll make your day. Morning Fall rates Monday through Thursday check in at $49, Seniors pay $37. Friday prices are $52 and $42. The Weekend tab is $67 - no senior rate. Here's the full rate card: www.bellavistagc.com/course-rates

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Hickory Valley (credit: Jay Lloyd)

HICKORY VALLEY GOLF CLUB

Another Gilbertsville area magnet during the week for retired seniors and a working folks who can get away from the job for a day of golf, Hickory Valley blends 36 holes over 2 adjacent courses. "The Presidential" offers wider fairways but a slice on several back nine holes can have your orb swimming in a babbling brook. The "Ambassador" gives you a tighter path to plough in the early going, then widens out to more forgiving play. The idea here is to alternate rounds. Play one week on the Presidential and the next on Ambassador. For budget minded golfers, the Ambassador provides a price incentive. At $30, one of the region's best senior rates. Compare the tariffs here: www.hickoryvalley.com/rates/

worcester
Worcester (credit: Jay Lloyd)

WORCESTER GOLF CLUB

Only up for nine or have a new player in the group. Go for a course designed for nine but with full course features and par 35 play over 3,047 yards. You'll have forgiving terrain, but experience dog legs, water hazards and a bit of bush-hunting. Worcester Golf Club offers lessons, club rentals, a driving range and a casual vibe. Try it. You'll like it. Play nine with a cart any day for $23. Seniors pay $15. Big discount if you walk and rent a $2 pull cart. All the rates are right here: www.worcestergolfclubpa.com/rates/

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