Philadelphia Cricket Club Review- Philadelphia, PA

I'm fortunate to not only have great friends but great friends who are willing to invite me to their club to play golf.  A friend of mine is a member at Philadelphia Cricket Club and invited me out to play the Wissahickon Course (there are 2.5 courses) a couple about 10 days ago.  This is one of the best courses I have played and I'm thankful every time I'm invited to play.

Philadelphia Cricket Club: Wissahickon Course

From the time you arrive you can tell this place is going to be something special.  The service is outstanding here.  I was shown to a locker by one of the best locker room attendants (I believe his name is Chris) who grabbed my shoes and shined them up for me as I changed.  Having only been here for a few minutes I can tell this is going to be a great time.

 

(The Men's Locker room behind the 2nd green)

 

(The restaurant which overlooks the 18th green and practice green)

The Course

A beautiful layout playing 6,867 yards from the tips.  There are a total five (5) sets of tees to play from, we played the Yellow which are a step in from the back.  They play 6,354 yards and have a slope & rating of 71.6/134. 

I played with two members who immediately pointed out some changes the course was going through.  In the off season the club removed 100's of trees and is going to grow out the rough.  When I asked them if they liked it better they responded with "it's very different".  A great non answer I think.  I had played this course once before with the trees in place and I really like the new look.  Once the rough grows the punishment for missing the fairway will be massive and the sweeping winds are in your face the majority of the time. 

 

(A view of the 18th green & restaurant from the 18th fairway... which I didn't play from)

What Else?

The course is challenging but fair.  The Wissahickon River creates havoc on a few holes and the par 3 8th hole is a challenge especially if you miss the green long.  You'll have a down hill chip to a green sloping away (This is me speaking from experience).  Miss the green short and you could be in the river... left or right offer bunkers.  My advice, hit the green. 

It's early in the season and the course was in excellent shape as I'm sure it always is.  The greens had a good pace to them and the fairways were short.  As I mentioned before, once they grow out the rough there will be serious punishment for missing the fairway.

The driving range is a short cart ride away regardless of which course you play on.  It offers state of the art mats to hit off as well as grass and a short game area. 

(A view from the mats at the range)

An Added Bonus

We didn't play with caddies because, well, it's expensive.  The round cost me $95 (the member has to put it on his account and we pay him) and is worth every penny.  Since we didn't have caddies they give us a pin sheet which lets us know how many paces from the center the pin is, what's guarding the green, and which way it slopes.  The fairways are well marked by sprinklers so this became a handy tool.  It would be great to see some public courses offer this... I'd pay 50 cents or $1 for this.  See the sheet below:

 

(Pin Sheet & Scorecard)

Overall

This was a real treat to play and I'd liked to thank JS for taking me out.  Everyone who has played here raves about it and I can see why.  It's a challenging course but very fair.  Playing with members also helps as they know the ins and outs of the course.  

Location: Flourtown, PA

Cost: Private club but I paid $90 to walk with a member.

Slope/Rating: 71.6/134

Proshop: Yes, the last time I played I bought two shirts.

Range: Complete practice facility.  The member will know all about it.

My Score:  95

Play Again:  I would play this course any time I am invited (hint JS!- just kidding). 

Website: www.philacricket.com

Notes:  The 45 hole club is made up of two 18 hole courses and a 9 hole course.  If you're playing for the first time make sure you go to the right place.  Again the member will know and the website (above) is pretty helpful. 

Thanks again to the member who invited me and to the guy who set it up!

Comments

[Ryan]

I love the pic of the pin placment card you put up. Watching the Masters last weekend I saw 3 different golfers using their own pin placement cards. Of course their cards have been designed over years of playing the same course, but I remeber specificaly Phil Mickelson referrring to his placement card for a put during the last round.

The announcer made mention of how Phil and "Bones" had come to Augusta months before and spent 3 days rolling puts from all angles of every green, all in the name of building their own pin placement card for moments just like this on Sunday.

I had never actually seen a placement card before, so thanks for the pic, very cool!

[Percy Leaper]

I noted that you played up at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY. Another interesting course that you might enjoy is Leatherstocking in Cooperstown, NY. Although not long it's a good test of your golfing skills. It is host each Fall to the Senior Club Pro Tour and the facilities are excellent. The course is always in excellent shape.

[WAM Golf]

Thanks Percy! I'll be sure to add that club to my list. It's always good to hear about new courses I should check out. Thanks for reading and commenting!