If you’ve ever driven through the rolling hills of Montgomery County, you know the vibe. It’s a mix of colonial history, narrow winding roads, and that specific "Greater Philadelphia" charm. Tucked right into the heart of this landscape is the Skippack Golf Course in Skippack, PA. It sits within the Evansburg State Park, which basically means you’re playing on land that’s protected from the suburban sprawl that’s swallowed up so much of the surrounding area.
But here’s the thing. Most people look at a par-70 layout that barely cracks 6,000 yards from the tips and think, "Oh, this will be a breeze."
They’re wrong.
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Skippack is sneaky. It’s the kind of place that lures you into a false sense of security with its shorter yardage, only to slap you with a side-hill lie or a tiny, undulating green that makes a three-putt feel inevitable. Honestly, if you can’t control your ball flight here, the course will eat your lunch. It doesn't matter that you can drive it 300 yards if you're stuck behind a massive oak tree on a dogleg.
The Weird History of the Land
The course actually has a bit of a gritty backstory. It wasn't always this polished. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, the reputation was... let's just say, "rugged." It was a diamond in the rough, literally. But over the last couple of decades, especially under the management of the Fairmont Golf group, the conditioning has done a complete 180.
Because it’s located on state park land, there’s a certain limitation to what they can do with the layout, but that’s actually a blessing. You won’t find any McMansions lining the fairways. You aren’t worried about slicing a ball through someone’s sliding glass door. It’s just you, the woods, and the occasionally frustrating Skipack Creek that winds its way through the property.
The creek is the real villain of the story.
It comes into play on several holes, most notably on the back nine. If you’re playing the Skippack Golf Course in Skippack, PA for the first time, you’ll notice the elevation changes immediately. It’s not flat. Not even a little bit. You’ll spend half your day standing with one foot higher than the other, trying to figure out how much "club up" you need for an uphill approach to a green you can only see the top of.
Understanding the "Short Course" Trap
Let’s talk about the scorecard. From the back tees (the Blue tees), the course plays about 6,007 yards. To a low handicapper, that sounds like a pitch-and-putt. But the slope rating is 123, which tells a more honest story. The difficulty isn't in the length; it's in the angles.
Take the first hole, for example. It’s a short par 4, but the fairway canted heavily. If you aim down the middle, you might end up in the rough on the right. You have to play for the "bounce."
The greens are historically small. Compared to modern courses where the greens are the size of a small parking lot, Skippack’s putting surfaces require precision. If you miss the green, you aren't just in a bunker; you're likely facing a delicate chip from a tight lie or a thick patch of rough that’s been baked in the Pennsylvania sun.
And the par 3s? They aren't "gimmies."
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The 15th hole is a beast. It’s one of those long par 3s where you’re staring at a long iron or even a hybrid into a green that feels like it’s shrinking as you stand on the tee box. There’s no room for error. It’s a classic "make your par and get out" kind of hole.
Why Locals Keep Coming Back
It’s not just the golf. It’s the atmosphere.
A lot of public courses in the Philly suburbs can feel a bit elitist or, conversely, completely neglected. Skippack hits that sweet spot. The clubhouse isn't a palace, but it's functional. The "Skippack Golf Club at Evansburg State Park" (its official name, though nobody calls it that) has a bar and grill that serves exactly what you want after 18 holes: cold beer and a decent burger.
The staff is usually pretty laid back. You don’t get that "hurry up and wait" feeling as often as you do at some of the higher-volume municipal tracks in the county.
Plus, you’re right next to the village of Skippack. If you haven't been, the town itself is a collection of independent shops, high-end Italian restaurants, and quirky boutiques. It’s the kind of place where you play a round in the morning and then walk over to the village for a massive dinner at Parc Bistro or Italian Market. It makes for a full day.
The Reality of the Conditions
Look, I’m being honest here: it’s a public course in the Northeast.
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If we have a drought in July, the fairways are going to get firm and fast. If we get a week of torrential rain, the low-lying areas near the creek are going to be soggy. That’s just the nature of the terrain. But the superintendent team there does a hell of a job keeping the greens consistent. They’re usually some of the truest-rolling public greens in the area for the price point.
The bunker sand can be a bit hit or miss depending on the season, but they've been making efforts to upgrade the drainage. It’s a work in progress, like any golf course.
A Quick Strategy Guide for Your First Round
If you're heading out to the Skippack Golf Course in Skippack, PA, keep these three things in mind to save your scorecard:
- Leave the driver in the bag on the short par 4s. Accuracy is king here. A 200-yard shot into the center of the fairway is infinitely better than a 280-yard shot that’s blocked by a tree.
- Watch the wind. Because the course is somewhat exposed in areas and high on ridges in others, the wind can swirl. Check the treetops, not just the flag.
- Putt aggressively but carefully. The breaks are subtle. They often pull toward the creek or the lower parts of the state park, even when they look flat.
The par 5s are where you have to make your move. They are reachable in two for longer hitters, but the risks are high. The 13th hole is a great example of a risk-reward scenario where a birdie is possible, but a double bogey is lurking if you get greedy with your approach over the hazard.
Dealing with the Pace of Play
Every public course has the "Saturday Morning Problem."
If you tee off at 9:00 AM on a beautiful Saturday in June, expect a four-and-a-half-hour round. It’s just the reality of a popular course. However, if you can sneak out on a Tuesday afternoon or a Sunday evening for a twilight round, you can fly through the course in under three hours. The twilight rates are actually some of the best deals in Montgomery County.
The Financials: Is It Worth the Green Fee?
In an era where some daily-fee courses are charging $120+ for a weekend morning, Skippack remains relatively affordable. You’re getting a professional experience without the "country club" price tag. They use dynamic pricing sometimes, so it pays to book online a few days in advance.
Is it a "destination" course? Maybe not in the sense that people fly across the country to play it. But for a golfer in the Tri-State area looking for a challenging, scenic, and well-maintained round, it’s a staple. It represents what Pennsylvania golf is all about: utilizing the natural, rugged topography to create a test of skill rather than just a test of strength.
Making the Most of Your Trip
When you finish your round, don’t just pack up and head straight for the PA Turnpike.
Walk through the village. Grab a coffee or a heavy lunch. There’s something about the pace of life in Skippack that feels slower than the rest of the Philly suburbs. The golf course reflects that. It’s not a "flashy" course. It doesn't have GPS in the carts or a locker room attendant. It’s just pure, local golf.
If you want to improve your game, this is the place to do it. The variety of lies you'll face will teach you more about ball striking than any flat driving range ever could. You’ll learn how to play the "knockdown" shot and how to navigate around trouble.
Next Steps for Your Round:
- Check the weather and the "AirNow" index. Being in a valley-like area within the state park, humidity can settle in heavy during the summer months.
- Book your tee time exactly 7 days out. The prime morning slots go fast, especially for local foursomes who have been playing here for thirty years.
- Bring an extra sleeve of balls. Even if you're a scratch golfer, the creek and the thick woods at the edges of the park are unforgiving.
- Download a yardage app. Since the course doesn't have on-cart GPS, having a basic app like 18Birdies or Grint will help you navigate the blind shots on the back nine.
Skippack Golf Course isn't trying to be Oakmont. It knows exactly what it is: a fun, tricky, accessible public track that rewards smart play and punishes ego. Whether you’re a local or just passing through MontCo, it’s a round worth playing at least once a season.