You’re standing on the 16th tee. It’s called "Epic." Honestly, the name isn't just marketing fluff. From this perch, you can see forever—or at least it feels that way—looking down at a fairway that seems roughly the size of a ribbon of dental floss winding through a jagged, vertical landscape. Your legs probably hurt by now. If you’re walking this course, you’re either a glutton for punishment or an elite athlete, because Olde Stonewall Golf Club isn't just a round of golf; it's a topographical assault.
Located in Ellwood City, about forty minutes north of Pittsburgh, this place doesn't feel like Pennsylvania. It feels like someone took a slice of the mountainous West and dropped it into the Rust Belt. It cost a fortune to build—somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million back in the late 90s—and you can see every cent of that in the literal tons of limestone stacked into the hillsides.
Most people come here expecting a nice day out. They leave with fewer balls in their bag and a strange sense of respect for a course that refuses to apologize for being difficult.
The Architecture of a Modern Legend
Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry are the names behind the madness. Before they hit the stratospheric heights of designing Erin Hills (a U.S. Open venue), they were given a blank check and a rugged piece of land in Lawrence County. The result was Olde Stonewall Golf Club, a par-70 masterpiece that opened in 1999 and immediately started vacuuming up awards from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.
The design philosophy here was basically "more is more." To create the massive walls that give the course its name, crews moved massive amounts of earth and stacked over 750,000 tons of real stone. It’s a castle-themed experience that actually works because they didn't go halfway. The clubhouse, Shakespeare’s Restaurant & Pub, looks like a medieval fortress. It’s imposing. It’s stone. It’s exactly the kind of place where you want to drink a heavy ale after losing four balls on the back nine.
The front nine and back nine are two different animals.
The front, often referred to as the "lowland" side, plays through a bit more of a traditional valley floor. Don't get comfortable, though. The water hazards are positioned with surgical precision. But once you cross over to the back nine? That's where the "Stonewall" identity really takes over. You climb. And then you climb some more.
📖 Related: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Why the Back Nine at Olde Stonewall Golf Club is Pure Drama
Let’s talk about the elevation.
If you have a fear of heights, holes 13 through 16 might give you a mild panic attack. The 14th hole, a par 4 known as "The Gulch," requires a tee shot over a massive chasm. It’s one of those shots where you don't even care if the ball finds the fairway; you just want to see it clear the rocks.
Then comes the 15th. "Stonewall." It’s a par 3 that drops significantly from tee to green, framed by a massive wall of—you guessed it—stone. It’s arguably one of the most photographed holes in the state of Pennsylvania.
But the real challenge is psychological. The course is rated at 74.3 with a slope of 145 from the "Stonewall" tees. For the uninitiated, that means it’s hard. Really hard. If you're a 15-handicap, you should probably play the "Epics" or the "Shields" tees. Trying to play the tips here if you don't carry the ball 280 yards in the air is basically an exercise in futility. You’ll spend the day hitting long irons into elevated greens that are protected by deep bunkers and false fronts. Not fun.
The "Public" Luxury Reality
There’s a common misconception that Olde Stonewall is a private enclave. It's not. It’s a daily-fee public course, but it operates with the "pro-for-a-day" mentality. You get the bag drop service, the high-end carts with GPS, and a practice facility that is actually kept in the same condition as the course.
The price tag reflects this. Depending on the day and the season, you’re looking at anywhere from $150 to over $200. In the Pittsburgh market, that’s top-tier pricing. Is it worth it?
👉 See also: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
Well, look at it this way: You’re paying for the maintenance. The bentgrass fairways are usually immaculate. The greens are notoriously fast—often running 11 or 12 on the stimpmeter. If they were any faster, the slopes on the back nine would make the ball roll back to your feet.
A Few Stats to Chew On:
- Total Yardage: 7,103 from the back tees.
- The Stone: Approximately 750,000 tons of limestone used in construction.
- The Ranking: Consistently ranked in the Top 50 Public Courses in the United States by major publications.
- The Vertical: Several holes feature elevation changes exceeding 80 feet.
What Most People Get Wrong About Playing Here
Most golfers think they can overpower this course. Big mistake. Olde Stonewall Golf Club rewards strategy over brute strength, especially on the shorter par 4s.
Take the 10th hole. It’s not long, but the landing area is a nightmare if you just pull driver and rip it. The course is full of "target golf" moments where the correct play is a 200-yard iron to a specific flat spot, leaving you a wedge in. If you try to cut corners, the fescue and the rock outcroppings will eat your scorecard alive.
Another thing: the wind. Because so much of the back nine is exposed on the ridge, the wind can swirl. A one-club wind in the parking lot can turn into a three-club gale once you get up to the 16th tee.
Shakespeare’s: More Than Just a 19th Hole
It’s rare that a golf course restaurant becomes a destination in its own right, but Shakespeare’s manages it. It’s built into the "castle" and features a lot of dark wood, medieval armor, and a menu that actually has some depth. It’s not just burgers and dogs. They do a solid steak, and the atmosphere is genuinely unique.
Even if you aren't golfing, people drive from Pittsburgh just to eat there. It adds to the "event" feel of the place. You aren't just going for 18 holes; you're going to a property that feels like an estate.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
Expert Tips for Your First Round
If you’re heading out to Ellwood City for the first time, keep these things in mind.
First, don't walk. Just don't. I know, you want the exercise and you’re a purist. Forget it. The distance between tees and the sheer verticality of the paths make it a miserable trek. The carts are high-quality for a reason; use them.
Second, trust the GPS. The distances at Olde Stonewall can be deceiving because of the elevation. A hole that says 150 yards might play like 130 if it’s a massive drop, or 170 if it’s severely uphill. The GPS units in the carts are generally calibrated for these changes. Trust the number, not your eyes.
Third, pack extra balls. Even the best players lose plastic here. The "native areas" (which is a polite way of saying waist-high grass and jagged rocks) are everywhere. If you hit it in there, don't go looking for it. There are snakes, thorns, and a high probability of a twisted ankle. Just drop and move on.
The Verdict on Olde Stonewall
There are plenty of great courses in Western Pennsylvania. You have Oakmont, but you can’t get on it. You have Nemacolin’s Mystic Rock, which is fantastic but even more expensive. Then you have the municipal gems.
Olde Stonewall Golf Club sits in that perfect, high-end "destination" sweet spot. It is a polarizing course—some people think it’s too "tricked out" or "artificial" because of the massive stone walls and dramatic drops. But if you appreciate bold architecture and a course that challenges every facet of your game, it’s hard to find anything better in the region.
It feels like a fantasy course brought to life. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it’s difficult. But you’ll be talking about the 16th hole for weeks after you play it.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
- Book early: Tee times on weekends fill up weeks in advance, especially during the peak fall foliage season when the views are insane.
- Check the weather: If it’s raining, the wooden bridges and stone paths can get slick. Plus, the wind on the heights becomes a major factor.
- Warm up: The range is excellent. Use it. You’ll need your "A" game from the very first tee shot, which is a demanding carry over a valley.
- Eat at the Castle: Budget an extra hour after your round for a meal at Shakespeare’s. The "Stonewall Fries" are a local staple for a reason.
- Manage Expectations: Your handicap will likely travel, but don't expect to beat it here. Aim for a "fun" score rather than a "career" score.
The beauty of Olde Stonewall is that it stays with you. Whether you shoot 75 or 105, you'll remember the sheer scale of the place. Just remember: aim for the green, stay off the rocks, and try not to stare too long at the view from the 16th. You still have to hit the ball.