SL 322 Habit - FINAL_Layout 1 3 / 30 / 22 5 : 28 PM Page 1 H A B I T Courses of Action With spring’s return , the area’s many fine golf clubs get in the swing of things . BY JENNIFER UPDIKE It has arrived : Spring — when the robins sing more loudly , the flowers poke through the a day at Fiddler’s Elbow will not only test soil , and the area’s golf courses return to life . Golfers have been eager for their game’s golfers ’ determination , but it will also leave a return , not only for the chance to hone their skills and build relationships both on and off lasting impression . fiddlerselbowcc.com the course , but also for the reprieve from the world’s many ills . Golfers of every skill level have plenty of local courses at which to enjoy the thrills of HUNTINGDON VALLEY open space , camaraderie , and competition . Dozens of exceptional golf courses are within COUNTRY CLUB an hour’s drive of Philadelphia — Havertown’s Llanerch Country Club in Havertown , Springfield’s Another William Flynn stunner , HVCC offers Rolling Green Golf Club , Gladwyne’s Philadelphia Country Club , etc . Likewise , each of the 10 27 holes of championship golf — the Toomey highlighted here aims to test every golfer , regardless of his or her age , style , or handicap . Nine , the Flynn Nine , and the Centennial Nine . Flynn used the area’s distinctive property ARONIMINK GOLF CLUB ( a bowl - shaped layout surrounded by woods , Aronimink’s roots stretch back to 1896 , when it was founded as a cricket club . This sloping toward a stream ) to his advantage , Newtown Square club has become one of the region’s — if not the nation’s — premier golf much to the delight of golfers who can ap - destinations . Designed by the inimitable Donald Ross , Aronimink’s course abounds with preciate a challenge . Philadelphia - area golf generous fairways , mischievously placed bunkers , and perfectly tended greens for the authority Phil Sokol described HVCC , simply , final approach to the hole . Forbes recently ranked Aronimink No . 9 spot in top 50 golf as “ a masterpiece . ” hvccpa.org clubs in the nation . aronimink.org GULPH MILLS GOLF CLUB BALA GOLF CLUB In describing this private King of Prussia This picturesque course sits right on the edge between Philadelphia and its suburbs . Bala club , members use superlatives such as Golf Club was designed by William Flynn , who architected several of the finest clubs in “ ideal , ” “ understated , ” and “ timeless . ” There’s the region and across the nation . Although considered diminutive by some standards , a good reason why its name often turns up Bala Golf Club is known for its rolling conditions and well - placed hazards , requiring on lists of the area’s finest courses . Originally golfers to choose their shots carefully . The club recently underwent a $ 2 million in designed by Donald Ross , the course at clubhouse renovations . balagolfclub.com Gulph Mills offers a gentle reprieve from the outside world , even in a densely popu - CHERRY VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB lated area such as KOP . Like many Ross Considered a jewel of Princeton , New Jersey , Cherry Valley’s 18 - hole championship golf courses , the course has a two - sided per - course stands out with its undulating greens and contoured fairways , all hewn from the sonality : playable enough for beginners , yet mind of architect Rees Jones . Cherry Valley also has one of the area’s most established challenging enough to entertain even the juniors programs for bringing up the next generation , as well as a state - of - the - art practice most seasoned golfer . gulphmillsgc.com facility to help golfers finetune their short game . cherryvalleycc.com JERICHO NATIONAL GOLF FIDDLER’S ELBOW COUNTRY CLUB CLUB Although it’s closer to New York than Philadelphia , Fiddler’s Elbow is well worth the drive . Bucks County is known for its dramatic The 54 - hole club , which is located in Bedminster Township , New Jersey , features three pro - scenery , and the area surrounding Jericho fessionally designed and maintained golf courses — one designed by Rees Jones , two National Golf Club is no exception . Designed designed by Hal Purdy . Each course is wholly unique in terms of course design and scenery ; by the team of Dana Fry and Michael Hurdzan , SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 13 ISSUE 7 24 |