Website: www.penngolf.com

Personnel: General manager — Bill Klimkiewicz; Director of golf — Dave Beegle; Asst. pros — Darin 

Peart, Kevin Reiber; Superintendent — Ray Farber.

Yardage: Blue — 3,511, 3,461—6,972; Dark green — 3,289, 3,222—6,511; Gray — 2,993, 2,911—5,904; Light green — 2,655, 2,705—5,360 (all par 72).

Rates: To walk — Monday-Thursday is $47 (18 holes), $29 (after 2 p.m.), $24 (for 9 holes); Friday-Sunday is $61 (18), $38 (after 2 p.m.), $31 (for 9 holes). With cart — Monday-Thursday is $65 (18 holes), $36 (after 2 p.m.), $33 (for nine holes); Friday-Sunday is $79 (18), $45 (after 2 p.m.), $40 (for nine holes). Replays (with cart) are $35 Monday-Thursday and $45 weekends. Seniors (60+) — $55 Monday-Thursday.

Tee-time policy: Required; up to 30 days in advance.

PENN NATIONAL IRON FORGE

Penn National Golf Club & Inn was shooting for a different look when it decided to build a second 18-hole course.

Iron Forge is exactly that.

While Penn National Founders is inundated with mature trees, Iron Forge, except for some new plantings, has almost none.

It is a wide-open, wind-swept layout that straddles Pa. 997. The hazards include some water, but mostly high natural grasses and fescues, and bunkers.If you’re playing well and the wind is calm, you can post a good score on Iron Forge. However, if the wind is up — and it usually is to some extent — the Forge will definitely play tougher.

Iron Forge, designed by Bill Love, was opened in April of 1997. The course’s name is derived from the fact that the land near Mont Alto was a major producer of iron ore in the early 1800s.

During construction, an old limestone kiln was discovered behind what is now the green on No. 8.

BEST HOLE: The course’s signature hole is No. 15, a par 4 with yardages of 404, 384, 347, 330 and 278.

From an elevated tee you get a great look at the entire hole, from a steep hill on the right, to a series of bunkers on the left, to a pond along the right side of the green, to a large mound on the left side of the green. The hole plays shorter than its yardage because the tee shot is downhill.

Penn National director of golf Dave Beegle said, “It’s got a 40-foot drop from the tee to the green and you can look right down the valley and see everything, including the farmland beyond. I’ve played it frequently with the sun setting in the background and it’s just a great-looking hole.’’

AMENITIES: Driving range at the course that features new high-tech matting, and also at nearby Penn National Sports Center, putting green, restaurant/snack bar, soft coolers (available at the course, with ice) are allowed, pavilion for outings, lessons at course and at sports center with Bumble Bee Hollow Golf Academy.

Penn National Iron Forge

Location: 3720 Clubhouse Dr., Fayetteville, 17222. Off Pa. 997, one mile north of Mont Alto and four miles south of Fayetteville.

Phone: 352-3000, 1-800-221-7366. 

Website: www.penngolf.com

Personnel: General manager — Bill Klimkiewicz; Director of golf — Dave Beegle; Asst. pros — Darin Peart, Kevin Reiber; Superintendent — Dave DeWitt.

Yardage: Black — 3,552, 3,457—7,009; Blue — 3,384, 3,218—6,602; White — 3,218, 3,082—6,300; Gold — 3,046, 2,955—6,001; Red — 2,708, 2,538—5,246 (all par 72).

Rates: To walk — Monday-Thursday is $47 (18 holes), $29 (after 2 p.m.), $24 (for 9 holes); Friday-Sunday is $61 (18), $38 (after 2 p.m.), $31 (for 9 holes). With cart — Monday-Thursday is $65 (18 holes), $36 (after 2 p.m.), $33 (for nine holes); Friday-Sunday is $79 (18), $45 (after 2 p.m.), $40 (for nine holes). Replays (with cart) are $35 Monday-Thursday and $45 weekends. Seniors (60+) — $55 Monday-Thursday.

Tee-time policy: Required; up to 30 days in advance.

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When it opened in 2001, and for the first few years, Whitetail Golf Resort faced several financial hurdles.

But with the purchase of the golf course by Snow Time, Inc., which also owns the nearby Whitetail Ski Resort, those issues have been solved and a new clubhouse was completed three years ago.

“The only negative I hear is that it takes a while to get here,” director of golf Rich Hogan said. “But people are willing to drive to play a good golf course and this place is beautiful.”

The golf course can hold its own with the top courses in the region. Spread over 255 acres southwest of Mercersburg, the Rick Robbins design challenges every level of golfer.

The first 11 holes and the last two are set on rolling land that’s fairly open, other than areas of thick native grass and several streams. But holes 12 through 16 are set on the side of the mountain and are framed by thick woods.

The streams and some ravines come into play on nine holes and make club selection very important, and you don’t want your golf ball to make any trips into the native grasses.

Hogan said, “One of its strengths is that the course is all bent grass. And the neat part is that’s a mountain course, but the majority of holes sit down in the valley, with five up in the wooded areas. We have six holes with ravines — we have more of that while other courses have more water. But the landing areas are reasonable and the greens are spacious.”

Because of the terrain and its location, several holes offer excellent views of the valley.

BEST HOLE: No. 15, a par 5 with yardages of 530, 499, 464, 439 and 434 yards.

The view from the tee box, down the valley toward Mercersburg, is nice just about any day, but spectacular on a clear day. Your tee shot must clear a pair of bunkers in the center of the fairway and avoid trees on both sides. Your second shot must carry a ravine and stay clear of a large tree on the right side of the fairway. The green has two tiers and plenty of undulations.

Hogan’s favorite is No. 12, a downhill par 3. “It’s a great little par 3,” Hogan said, “that requires a medium iron shot to a fairly sizeable green. But once you’re on the putting surface it’s not over because of its size and several undulations.”

AMENITIES: Driving range, putting green, full-service snack bar, lessons available, full-service banquet facility, club fitting and club repair services.

Whitetail

Location: 11573 Blairs Valley Rd., Mercersburg, 17236. Southwest of Mercersburg on Blairs Valley Road, 2.5 miles before the ski resort.

Phone: 328-4169. 

Website: www.golfatwhitetail.com

Personnel: Pro — Rich Hogan; Superintendent — Jeff Hall.

Yardage: Black — 3,449, 3,501—6,950; Blue — 3,208, 3,225—6,433; White — 3,051, 3,078—6,129; Gold — 2,898, 2,919—5,817; Red — 2,579, 2,484—5,063 (all par 72).

Rates: All fees include cart. Weekdays — $49 (before 10:50 a.m.), $44 (11-1:50 p.m.), $36 (after 2). Weekends & holidays — $58 (before 10:50), $53 (11-1:50), $45 (after 2). Seniors (55+) — Monday-Thursday $29, Friday $34, weekends $34 (after 2 p.m.) Adult with junior (14-under) after 4 p.m. — $38 weekdays, $40 weekends. Juniors (18-under) — $20 to walk weekdays ($30 to ride), $25 to walk weekends after noon ($30 to ride).

Tee-time policy: Required, may book tee times online.

 

Positive changes keep happening at what is now called Greencastle Golf Club. What golfers will notice most are the redone cart paths, a fleet of new carts and lower rates.

Now in the second year under Spirit Golf Management, Mike Porter is back as the general manager, as is Scott Giles as the superintendent — and their aim is to get the public to give the course a try.

Porter said, “The big thing is getting people to come back and give us another shot. We are aware that the course was not in the best shape before, but we’ve made some huge investments and we’re trying to class the place up and add to the customer service.

We’d like golfers to come see the changes we’ve made, and we’ve lowered our rates, too.”

The club is now offering a full-service golf shop, instruction and new membership options, and added a banquet facility at the clubhouse last year.

Greencastle debuted in 1991 on a tract of hilly land just northwest of Greencastle. The clubhouse sits on the highest piece of land and has a nice view looking out over the course and toward the town.

The course is not long, but can be challenging because of all the hills and valleys — very few holes are flat and most go either uphill or downhill.

The course is perhaps best known for two holes. No. 3 is a unique uphill par 3 that features a pair of waterfalls, one in front of and one behind the green. No. 10 is a downhill bruiser of a par 4 (434 from the tips) with a two-level, hourglass-shaped green surrounded by water.

BEST HOLE: No. 4, a par 5 with yardages of 556, 528, 519 and 492.

From an elevated tee, a downhill drive must not stray too far right because of out-of-bounds stakes and must avoid a large bunker on the left. The second shot is challenged by a series of bunkers and the third shot is uphill to a green that slopes back to front and is guarded by bunkers.

AMENITIES: Driving range, putting green, snack bar, pro shop, lessons, club repair.

Greencastle Golf Club

Location: 2000 Castlegreen Drive, Greencastle, 17225. On Williamson Avenue, 2 miles north of Greencastle (off U.S. 11).

Phone: 597-1188. 

Website: www.greencastlegolf.com

Personnel: General manager — Mike Porter; Superintendent — Scott Giles.

Yardage: Blue — 3,367, 3,525—6,892; White — 3,058, 3,260—6,318; Gold — 2,900, 3,002—5,992 (all par 72); Red (par 74) — 2,552, 2,753—5,305.

Rates: All rates include cart. Weekdays until noon, $34; seniors (55+) and ladies $25; noon to 4 p.m. $30; twilight (after 4) $25. Weekends until noon $39; seniors (55+) and ladies $29; noon to 4 p.m. $35; twilight (after 4) $30. To ride 9 holes is $22 during the week and $25 on weekends.

Tee-time policy: Required; may book tee times online.

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GREAT COVE GOLF CLUB

Great Cove Golf Club can be a nice playground for the big hitters. Except for a handful of holes on the back nine, the fairways are wide and inviting and with the length of the course, you need a big tee shot to score well.

The course’s front nine opened in 1969. Of the five par 4s, four are at least 400 yards, even from the white tees. But unless you spray the ball wide left or wide right, there’s a lot of landing area available.

With a good drive, both par 5s are reachable in two shots, even the 508-yard No. 9, because a good tee ball will get you some extra roll down the hill.

The back nine was completed in 1990 and has a different character. Nos. 10, 11 and 18 are long par 4s, but the three par 4s in the middle of the nine are 343, 298 and 300 from the tips. Good placement replaces brute power as the best play.

At 453 yards from the white tees, No. 18 is one of the area’s toughest finishing holes.

Nestled in the valley west of Tuscarora Mountain, Great Cove offers several vantage points with excellent views down the valley.

The club has gone through some financial difficulties in recent years, but club president Rod Mellott said, “We now have a good, solid financial plan that will allow the course to stay open indefinitely.”

BEST HOLE: No. 17, a par 5 with yardages of 551, 541 and 531.

With out of bounds all along the right side and thick trees for the first 250-plus yards down the left, this hole is a rarity at Great Cove — a straight drive is necessary. The second shot must be well-placed and the shot to the green must take into account where the pin is, because a ridge bisects the green, creating a tier at the back and a big slope to the front.

AMENITIES: Driving range, putting green, restaurant/snack bar with beer.

Great Cove

Location: 366 Riggs Drive, McConnellsburg, 17233. Off Cito Road (Seventh Street), 3 miles south of McConnellsburg.

Phone: 485-4157.

Website: www.greatcovegolfclub.com

Personnel: Manager: Mickey Ochs. Superintendent: Mark White.

Yardage: Blue — 3,375, 3,529—6,904; White — 3,285, 3,038—6,323; Gold — 3,195, 2,944—6,139 (all par 71); Red (par 72) — 3,195, 2,944—6,139.

Rates: To walk, Monday-Friday — $10 for 9 holes, $15 for 18. To ride, Monday-Friday — $13 for 9 holes, $20 for 18. To walk, on weekends & holidays, $12 for 9 holes, $17 for 18. To ride, on weekends & holidays — $15 for 9 holes, $25 for 18.

Tee-time policy: They are recommended.

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CALEDONIA GOLF COURSE

Caledonia Golf Club is an 18-hole course that winds through Caledonia State Park and straddles Franklin and Adams counties. The third-oldest course in Franklin County, Caledonia’s first nine holes were built in 1922 and the second nine was added in 1926.

At one time, the clubhouse was situated along U.S. 30, but it moved to its present location, behind the Totem Pole Playhouse, in 1976.

If you play Caledonia, you must follow one simple rule to score well — you need to hit the ball straight.

It’s not long (5,154 yards for men), and it’s only a par 68 (seven par 3s and three par 5s), but with plenty of trees and streams and narrow fairways, you must keep the ball in play.

In fact, you could almost leave your driver at home. To post a low score, you’d better be hitting your irons well and you’d better be able to put your shots in the right place to be able to aim for the smallish greens.

Caledonia is historically one of the last courses in the area to open each spring. The course has plenty of small streams that criss-cross the fairways and some of its land, despite plenty of elevation, is low-lying enough that it takes a while to dry out.

Plus, as general manager Jim Renninger said, “We’re usually about 10 degrees colder here once you come over the mountain.’’

That works well in the summer heat when Caledonia can be a little refreshing.

BEST HOLE: No. 9, a par 3 with a yardage of 169 yards.

The finish to the front nine is a picturesque downhill par 3. A stand of trees left and right of the front of the green make it appear to be a little smaller than it actually is. It plays shorter because of its downhill nature.

Renninger said, “It’s the prettiest hole on the course, especially in the fall. Tee to green, it’s probably a 60-foot drop. I think it’s the easiest par 3 green to hit, too.’’

AMENITIES: Putting green, snack bar, pavilion for outings.

Caledonia

Location: 9515 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville, 17222. Just off U.S. 30, off Pa. 233 beside Totem Pole Playhouse in Caledonia State Park.

Phone: 352-7271.

Personnel: Manager and superintendent — Jim Renninger.

Yardage: White (par 68) — 2,305, 2,849—5,154; Red (par 70) — 2,243, 2,664—4,907.

Rates: Weekday — $12 (9 holes), $16 (18); Weekend — $15 (9), $20 (18). Carts — $11 (9 holes), $17 (18). Seniors (55+) — Monday-Friday $24 for 18 holes with cart, $16 for 9 holes, $14 to walk Monday-Friday. Ladies special (Wednesday) — 18 holes with cart $24, $16 (9 holes). Monday special — 18 holes with cart $20.

Tee-time policy: Recommended. No restrictions on advance tee times.

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Rocky Spring Golf Course, previously a private club for military personnel at Letterkenny Army Depot, has been a public golf course since the beginning of 2001 and more golfers are discovering its charms — the number of rounds played there has increased.

The nine-hole course has several things going for it — smooth greens, its exceptional walkability, a lack of hazards (except for a pond at the No. 2 green) and wide-open holes make it difficult to lose a ball, and its low fees.

Manager John McDowell said, “We try to give people a country club feel for a lot lower price. We want to give you good service and a good golf experience, but do it economically.’’

Rocky Spring was built by U.S. Army engineers and local depot workers in the early 1960s. It opened for play in 1968 and was reserved strictly for depot employees and military personnel until the depot opened up in 2001.

Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority (LIDA), which owns the land, leases it to CV Golf Inc. and McDowell and his wife Denise manage it.

One unique feature at Rocky Spring is that it has one extra hole, in the area that was the old No. 1. Some leagues use all 10 holes and sometimes tournaments play 20-hole events.

In addition, six of the nine holes have alternate tee boxes, so you get a different look for your second nine.

BEST HOLE: No. 4, a par 4 with yardages of 387 (or 290 on the back nine) and 313.

From the back tees your drive must avoid a stand of pine trees on the right, while from the front tees, you drive through a chute of trees. The second shot is mostly uphill and it’s hard to judge the depth of the green.

John McDowell said, “That’s our signature hole. It’s very different from the two different tees and it goes past the historical brick barn on the right side.’’

AMENITIES: Grass driving range, putting green, snack bar, lessons available, leagues and outings.

Rocky Spring

Location: 1580 Bloom Ave., Chambersburg, 17202. At Letterkenny Army Depot, opposite the fire department off Coffey Avenue.

Phone: 264-7742.

Website: www.rockyspringgc.com

Personnel: Owner — CV Golf Inc.; General manager — John McDowell.

Yardage: White/Blue — 2,872, 2,896—5,768; Red/Yellow — 2,489, 2,532—5,021 (both par 71).

Rates: Weekdays — to walk is $11 (9 holes), $13 (18); to ride is $16 (9 holes), $22 (18). Weekends — to walk is $12 (9 holes), $16 (18); to ride is $18 (9 holes), $25 (18). For seniors (55+) and juniors (under 16), during the week costs $14 to ride 9 holes ($9 to walk) and $20 to ride 18 ($11 to walk).

Tee-time policy: Recommended; not required.

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CONOCODELL GOLF COURSE

Conocodell Golf Club may have been the first course many area golfers played when they picked up the sport.

The nine-hole course in Fayetteville is easy to get to, it’s flat, so it’s an easy walk and it’s never been expensive. Plus, you learn not to slice the ball at Conocodell, or else you’ll lose a bunch of balls. Seven of the nine holes have trouble off the tee for big-time slicers.

The Conococheague Creek bisects the course. There is also a smaller creek and several ponds that add to the list of potential watery graves.

Because the property is level, it’s an easy course to walk and many people take advantage of that situation.

One of the owners, Jim Gordon, said, “We’re probably one of the best courses in the area for seniors to walk. We know that’s a big part of the play here.”

Conocodell is slowly making improvements to the course, including turf management, clearing out some trees, adjusting some tee boxes and adding some cart paths. There are a few routing changes in the works for the future.

As for the past, local developer Frank Hartzok decided to build a course and consulted with several area golfers, including the late pro at Caledonia, Ed Brown. The course opened in June 1962 and Doug Orr arrived from Colonial Country Club near Harrisburg that fall to run the operation.

Though Conocodell is not a long course (3,105 for the front nine), its two par 3s are 200 and 190 yards and its lone par 5 is a robust 550 yards.

BEST HOLE: No. 4, a par 4 with yardages of 405 (men) and 350 (ladies).

This is also the toughest hole. A stand of trees blocks any drive hit left. A creek along the right will eat up a wayward drive to that side. The second shot, which likely won’t be with a short iron, must hit a green that is guarded by a pond.

AMENITIES: Putting green, snack bar.

Conocodell

Location: 112 Cold Spring Road, Fayetteville, 17222. Just north of Main Street.

Phone: 352-3222.

Website: www.conocodellgolfclub.com

Personnel: General manager — Jim Gordon; Superintendent — Pat Ingle.

Yardage: White/blue (par 70) — 3,105, 2,985—6,090; Red (par 72) — 2,495, 2,495—4,990.

Rates: Any day to walk — $12 (for 9 holes), $15 (for 18); seniors (55+), military and juniors (16-under) is $8 (for 9), $12 (for 18). Any day to ride — $18 (9 holes), $23.50 (18); seniors are $14 (9 holes), $20.50 (18). For replays, customers pay only for the cart.

Tee-time policy: Not required.

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Possibly no course in the area has gone through as many changes as South Mountain Golf Course.

Fortunately, the best changes have been the most recent ones, so the course is in its best shape ever. And new owner David George and his brother Dick George, the manager, are hoping to make it even better.

“We’re going to work to upgrade the course,” Dick said. “Our goal is to make it the best nine-hole course in the area.”

In 1921, a group of doctors at the nearby South Mountain Sanatorium built three holes for a recreation area so patients could use golf as therapy. Six more holes were added between 1930 and 1931.

The course remained in that state — nine holes, each with a sand “green’’ — until 1964 when the land passed to what is now the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Then it sat idle for three years.

In 1967 a local group leased the land from the state and opened the course for play again in 1968. Greens fees for the day were $2.

Between 1975 and 1985 the group, South Mountain Golf Course Inc., gradually gussied up the course. It built nine new greens — using grass this time instead of sand — and constructed new tees and a new clubhouse, which was remodeled again recently.

Over the last few years more changes have been made — this time to the layout. No. 1 was changed from a short par 5 into a par 4 and a par 3. No. 7 (par 3) and 8 (par 4) merged to become a par 5.

Now the finish is more difficult, with a short but testy par 3 (No. 7), a dogleg left par 5 (No. 8) and a straight finishing hole with a tough green to hit (No. 9). That three-hole stretch has been dubbed “Hell’s Corner” by some course regulars.

BEST HOLE: No. 6, a dogleg par 5 with yardages of 458, 430 and 385.

From an elevated tee, the landing area is huge. But if you hit it too far left, you have no shot at the green and too far right will put you into some pine trees. The hole turns to the left and all along the left side are large trees you have to avoid. The small green is elevated and it’s hard to get an approach to stick.

AMENITIES: Putting green, snack bar, pavilion for outings.

South Mountain

Location: 9632 Swamp Road, South Mountain, 17261. Off Pa. 233, 1 mile west of South Mountain and 4 miles east of Mont Alto.

Phone: 749-3286.

Website: www.smgolfpa.com

Personnel: Owner — David George; Manager — Dick George.

Yardage: Blue — 2,907, 2,877—5,784; White — 2,755, 2,725—5,480; Red — 2,333, 2,428—4,761 (all par 72).

Rates: Weekday — to walk is $10 (9 holes), $14 (18); to ride a cart is $16.50 (9 holes), $24 (18). Weekends — to walk is $11 (9 holes), $15 (18); to ride is $17.50 (9 holes), $28 (18).

Tee-time policy: Recommended; not required.

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WAYNESBORO MUNICIPAL

Waynesboro Municipal Golf Course is in Franklin County, but it also feels like home to many golfers from Maryland and West Virginia.

About 50% of the course’s daily play is by golfers who live out of state.

Waynesboro Municipal is a nine-hole course on a hilly piece of land just south of the town and adjacent to Green Hill Cemetery.

Part of its appeal is the low rates it charges and the fact that no tee times are required.

The course is owned and operated by the Borough of Waynesboro and it was built as a borough project in 1957 and 1958. The borough used volunteer help as well as its own employees to construct the holes.

One thing that makes Waynesboro Municipal unusual for a nine-hole course is that even if you play 18 holes, you can find some variety.

Holes No. 6, 8 and 9 each have two greens, about 50 to 60 feet apart. That means you can play one of the greens on the front nine, then play the other on the back side.

It’s not quite like playing two different holes, but it’s different, anyway.

The course’s two longest holes, 513 yards and 436 yards, play as par 5s for the men and as par 6s for the ladies.

BEST HOLE: No. 4, a par 5 with yardage of 513.

The longest hole on the course is pretty much a straight shot, but with a slight dogleg to the left near the green.

Waynesboro Municipal’s manager, Mike Rouzer, said, “No. 4 is nice for the golfers, since we have a lot of shorter holes. It caters to every type of golfer, with hills and valleys, but it’s wide and there’s not much to put you out of play. And it’s a very forgiving green.”

AMENITIES: Putting green, snack bar.

Waynesboro Municipal

Location: 165 Cemetery Ave., Waynesboro, 17268. Off Pa. 316 just south of Waynesboro.

Phone: 762-3734

Personnel: Owner — Borough of Waynesboro; Manager — Mike Rouzer.

Yardage: Men’s par 72, ladies 76: 2,660, 2,678—5,338.

Rates: Weekdays, for players 18-under and 55+ — $10.25 (for 9 holes), $13.75 (18), cart is $15.75 for 9 holes and $22.25 for 18 holes; for players 19 to 54 — $10.75 (9 holes), $14.75 (18), carts are $16.75 (9 holes) or $24.25 (18). Weekends and holidays, greens fees are $12.50 for 9 and $17.25 for 18 holes; with carts it’s $18.50 for 9 holes, $26.75 for 18.

Tee-time policy: Not required.

The distinction of being the oldest golf course in the area goes to Monterey Country Club — by a healthy margin.

The 100th anniversary of the country club was in 2003, although the golf course itself was originally built about 1885 by the Monterey Inn. It is believed to be one of the 10 oldest golf courses in the country.

U.S. presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight Eisenhower have all played at Monterey.

The country club was formed in 1903 by a group of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. businessmen, who set it up as a private club. It remained that way until 1988 when it was opened to the public.

The course owner since 1990 is Monterey Country Club Inc. and Chuck Breed is the new general manager. Breed is a former PGA professional and former director of the Franklin County Junior Golf Association.

Breed said, “What we want to promote here is the walking game, with the historical value of the course. With the plan the club has set, they want this to become one of the premier nine-hole courses in the area.”

Monterey is still a walker’s course because it’s flat and not very long. The course is patterned after an old executive-style course, with five par 3s, three par 4s and one par 5 for a par of 64 for 18 holes.

For many years the course was wide open, with the biggest hazard being out of bounds to the right side on almost every hole — slicers beware. Lately, more trees have been planted to better define the holes.

BEST HOLE: No. 2, a par 3 with a yardage of 172.

The goal on this par 3 is to hit the ball straight. You don’t want to be right, left or long because you’ll either be in a hazard or have a tough pitch shot.

Breed said, “No. 2 is the most difficult hole. It’s a long par 3 that has trouble on the right and left. A big oak tree guards the left side.’’ On the right is a tree-lined hazard and a seasonal stream is in play on the left.

AMENITIES: Putting green, snack bar.

Monterey Country Club

Location: 12579 Monterey Lane, Blue Ridge Summit, 17214 From Pa. 16 in Blue Ridge Summit, turn north on Monterey Lane.

Phone: 794-2809. 

Website: www.montereycountryclub.net

Personnel: Owner — Monterey Country Club, Inc.; Manager — Chuck Breed.

Yardage: White — 2,160, 2,084—4,168; Red — 2,037, 2,050—4,100 (both par 64).

Rates: To walk — for 9 holes is $10 (weekday), $12 (weekend); for 18 is $15 (week), $17 (weekend). Carts cost $15 on weekdays and $17 on weekends.

Tee-time policy: Not required, but encouraged.

One fact of life for a country club is that it must make changes to keep up with the needs of its members. Chambersburg Country Club is a prime example of that situation.

The club began in 1921 with 41 members and a six-hole golf course. Three years later, three holes were added, and a clubhouse was built in 1925. In 1956, the golf course was redesigned and a pool was added.

Nine additional holes were constructed and the 18-hole layout debuted in 1976. A year later, four tennis courts and a pro shop became part of the club.

In 1998, new greens were built for four holes and several changes brought the par down from 74 to 73.

Then a new clubhouse was completed in 1999.

Jameson Wallace, who is the golf professional and club GM, said, “The economic times are forcing changes in the golf industry. The traditional country club must offer more non-traditional outlets for its members. Chambersburg C.C. will hope to provide many more reasons to join than just the outstanding golf. The fellowship, friendship and family atmosphere are at the heart of what we do best.”

The club has recently completely reworked its membership program. New members can join for $100, getting unlimited golf until June 30. After that it costs $100 per month and that includes 15 rounds of golf. Others programs are available for singles and intermediates. Complete details are available on the club’s website.

Chambersburg’s golf course is still the biggest drawing card. The course features three par 5s, a pair of par 3s and a wide variety of par 4s. From the tips the course measures 6,805 yards.

The club has always been known for its quick greens. Seven holes feature water hazards and the Conococheague Creek provides danger on four of those holes.

“Our course has undeniable character and history,” Wallace said. 

The No. 1 handicap hole, which deserves its ranking, is No. 4. The par 4 is 408 from the back, 396 from the white tees and 304 from the ladies’ tees. A long, straight drive is required and the second shot, usually with a mid- or long-iron, must be accurate. Anything short, left or right, could find a pond.

And the green is no picnic, because it slopes from back to front. Any putt from above the hole is an adventure.

Wallace said No. 10, a short par 4 that is 336 from the back tees, is his favorite hole.

“It’s just a great traditional Northeastern-style golf hole,” he said. “Uphill to the green, with a slight bend to the right. Late fall, with all the foliage, its just beautiful. It also offers a great risk reward. Hit a great tee shot, and you are looking to score. Hit it a little sideways, and it could be a bad start to a long back nine.”

Of the two par 3s, No. 11 is the most picturesque. It’s 189 yards from the back, although it’s all downhill. The green is closely guarded by bunkers on either side, plus two more in front, and the back of the green drops off sharply.

Chambersburg Country Club

Location: 3646 Scotland Road, Chambersburg, 17202. Just off Scotland Road in the village of Scotland.

Personnel: General manager and golf pro — Jameson Wallace; superintendent — Jonathan Suitch.

Yardage: (all par 73); Blue — 3,391, 3,414—6,805; White — 3,242, 3,254—6,496; Gold — 2,853, 2,889—5,742; Red — 2,757, 2,668—5,425.

Phones: Pro shop — 263-2931; business office — 263-8296.

Website: www.chambersburgcountryclub.org

Waynesboro Country Club has certainly come a long way since its formation in 1928 when it used a previously existing farm house as its clubhouse.

Today, Waynesboro Country Club is a thriving institution with a golf course, tennis courts and swimming pool, plus a clubhouse that in no way resembles a farm house.

The golf course began as a nine-hole course, built by local members and local construction crews, and it stayed that way until a second nine was designed by Ed Ault and opened in 1970.

Rob Bostic, the club’s general manager and director of golf, said, “It’s a fun course. With the mountains in the background and the streams, people enjoy playing it day in and day out.

“And it’s very playable for the average golfer. Because we have championship tees, plus white, gold and red, it offers something for everybody.’’

At 6,619 yards from the back tees and 6,266 from the white, Waynesboro is not a long course. A set of junior tees is new for 2012.

But because it’s a mature course and has a multitude of large trees, you can’t stray too far off the fairway without getting into trouble. While many holes have wide landing areas, others require a precise tee ball to be able to have a good shot at the green.

For big hitters, at least three of the four par 5s may be reachable in two and they are certainly considered “birdie’’ holes.

Waynesboro has a strong set of par 3s, particularly both on the back side — No. 10 and No. 17.

No. 10 is a slightly downhill shot of about 180 yards to a narrow green. Protected by two bunkers in front and three other sides that fall away from the green, an accurate shot is necessary.

Don’t be fooled by the short length of No. 17. The distances vary from 140 yards to 92 yards, but whatever tee box you hit from, you’d better pick the right club. The smallish green is protected on all sides by the Antietam Creek, with a rock wall surrounding the landing area.

Bostic said, “That little island hole is only 140 yards max, but I can tell you that a good many good rounds have ended right there.’’

Waynesboro Country Club has a limit of 325 golf memberships and for a limited time, a 50 percent reduction in fees is in place. In addition to golf, other memberships include the use of the pool, tennis facilities and clubhouse. A junior golf membership is also available.

The tennis courts were opened in 1977, while the clubhouse debuted in 1993.

Waynesboro Country Club

Location: 11000 Country Club Road, Waynesboro, 17268. Northeast of Waynesboro.

Personnel: Director of golf/general manager — Rob Bostic; golf pro — Darren Smith; superintendent — Faron Stoops.

Yardage: (all par 72); Blue — 3,326, 3,293—6,619; White — 3,149, 3,117—6,266; Gold — 2,755, 2,770—5,525; Red — 2,698, 2,761—5,459.

Phones: Pro shop — 762-2603; Business office — 762-8401.

Website: www.waynesborocc.com