Golf in Western Pennsylvania is a bit of a grind. If you’ve ever tried to find a tee time on a Saturday morning in Gibsonia or Allison Park, you know exactly what I mean. You’re usually looking at a choice between overpriced country clubs or municipal tracks that look like they’ve been maintained by a herd of confused goats. Then there’s Pittsburgh National Golf Club. It sits out in Gibsonia, tucked away on over 180 acres of what used to be called Deer Lakes Golf Club. Honestly, the place has a weirdly loyal following, and for good reason. It’s not just another cookie-cutter course; it’s a championship-style layout that actually challenges you without feeling like a total gimmick.
People get confused about the name. They hear "National" and think it’s some ultra-private, members-only enclave where you need a recommendation from a former President just to get through the gate. Not true. It’s a public-access course. Always has been. But the "National" part of the name speaks to the ambition of the design.
The Reality of Playing Pittsburgh National Golf Club
Let’s talk about the layout because that’s where most people either fall in love with the place or swear they’ll never come back after losing three sleeves of balls. Ron Forse designed this course. If you follow golf architecture, you know Forse is the guy people call when they need to restore a classic Donald Ross or William Flynn course. He knows what he’s doing. At Pittsburgh National Golf Club, he leaned into the natural topography of the region. That means hills. Lots of them.
You aren't just hitting flat shots from a fairway to a green. You’re dealing with side-hill lies that make you rethink your entire stance. It’s a par 72 that plays long. If you're playing from the tips, you’re looking at over 7,000 yards. That’s a lot of golf for a casual weekend. Most locals stick to the whites or blues, and even then, the course doesn't give anything away. The greens are huge. Seriously, some of them feel like they have their own zip codes. If you end up on the wrong tier of a green here, you’re basically looking at a guaranteed three-putt unless you're some kind of wizard with the flat stick.
Why the Conditioning is a Moving Target
Conditioning is the one thing golfers always argue about when it comes to this course. It’s been through several ownership changes and management shifts over the last decade. There was a time when the bunkers were a bit of a mess and the rough was patchy. But lately? It’s been on an upswing. The bentgrass fairways are usually kept in decent shape, and the greens—when they’re rolling fast—are some of the best in the North Hills.
Maintenance is expensive. Especially on a property this big. 189 acres is a massive footprint to mow, water, and weed. You’ll notice the difference between early spring and mid-July. Like most Pittsburgh courses, it struggles with the humidity and the heavy rain that turns Western PA into a swamp every June. But when the weather stabilizes, the drainage here actually holds up better than some of the lower-lying courses closer to the city.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Difficulty
A lot of golfers complain that Pittsburgh National Golf Club is "unfair." I’ve heard it at the 19th hole a thousand times. "The trees are too tight." "The bunkers are too deep."
Look.
It’s a tough course. But it’s not unfair. The problem is that most people don't play for their skill level. They see a 400-yard par 4 and try to crush a driver through a narrow gap when a 3-wood or a hybrid would leave them a much safer approach. The course rewards strategy over brute force. You have to think your way around the hazards. If you just spray and pray, the woods will eat your Pro-V1s for breakfast.
- The elevation changes are real. You might need to club up two full sizes on some of the uphill shots.
- The wind picks up on the back nine because it’s more exposed than the front.
- Don't ignore the practice range; it’s actually one of the better ones in the area if you need to work out a slice before you hit the first tee.
The Business Side: Ownership and Changes
The history of Pittsburgh National Golf Club is kinda rocky. It opened back in 1994 as Deer Lakes. It was meant to be this high-end, daily-fee destination. Then, in the mid-2000s, it rebranded. There was a period of transition where the clubhouse felt a bit neglected and the vibe was... off.
Ownership changed hands, and there was a renewed focus on making the place a venue for more than just golf. The banquet facilities are actually a big part of why the course stays afloat. They do weddings, corporate outings, and local fundraisers. If you’re a golfer, you might find the "wedding crowd" annoying on a Saturday afternoon, but those events are what fund the new mowers and the bunker sand you’re enjoying. It’s a trade-off.
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The Competition in the North Hills
If you’re driving out to Gibsonia, you’re passing a few other spots. You’ve got Pheasant Ridge nearby, and you’ve got the more "executive" feel of some smaller courses. Pittsburgh National Golf Club occupies a weird middle ground. It’s more "serious" than a goat track but more accessible than the private clubs like Wildwood or Treesdale.
It competes on value. You’re getting a championship layout for a fraction of what you’d pay at a top-tier resort course. Is it perfect? No. But for a $50-$70 round depending on the time of day, you’re getting a lot of golf course for your money.
Practical Advice for Your First Round
Don't show up five minutes before your tee time. The drive into the property takes a minute, and the parking lot can get crowded.
- Bring a Rangefinder. Seriously. The yardage markers are there, but with the elevation changes, you need to know the "plays like" distance. A shot that says 150 might actually be 170 if it’s playing three stories uphill.
- Watch the Slope. The greens break toward the valleys. Even if it looks like it’s breaking left, if the valley is to the right, that’s where the ball is going.
- Tee Selection. If you're a double-digit handicap, stay away from the back tees. You won't have fun. You'll just spend four hours looking for balls in the fescue.
- The Clubhouse Food. Honestly? It’s better than you’d expect. The burgers are solid, and the beer is cold. It’s exactly what you want after a 4.5-hour round.
The Environmental Impact and Layout
One thing people rarely talk about is how the course integrates with the local ecosystem. Because it’s so spread out, it acts as a bit of a nature preserve. You’ll see deer, hawks, and the occasional turkey. It’s quiet out there. You don’t have the constant drone of highway traffic like you do at courses closer to I-79 or the Turnpike.
The front nine and back nine have distinct personalities. The front is a bit more wooded and requires precision. The back opens up a bit more, but that’s where the wind starts to mess with your head. It’s a well-balanced 18 holes that keeps you engaged. You never feel like you’re playing the same hole twice.
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What’s the Verdict?
Pittsburgh National Golf Club isn't for everyone. If you want a perfectly manicured, flat, easy-breezy round of golf, go somewhere else. If you want to test your game on a course that actually requires you to use every club in your bag, this is the spot. It’s a rugged, beautiful, and sometimes frustrating piece of Pennsylvania landscape that has managed to survive the ups and downs of the golf industry.
It stays relevant because it doesn't try to be something it's not. It’s a blue-collar championship course. It’s got some rough edges, but that’s part of the charm. If you haven't played it in a few years, it’s worth a return trip just to see how the course has matured.
Actionable Steps for Golfers
If you're planning to head out to Gibsonia soon, here is how you should handle it. Check the weather report at least 48 hours in advance. If it has been pouring rain for three days straight, the course will be "cart path only," and that is a long walk given the hills. You should also book your tee time online through their portal rather than calling, as you can often find "hot deals" during the weekdays that save you twenty bucks.
Once you get there, spend ten minutes on the putting green. The speed of the practice green at Pittsburgh National Golf Club is usually a very accurate reflection of the course. If you can't stop the ball on the practice green, you’re going to have a long day on the course. Lastly, pay attention to the pin sheets if they have them. Because the greens are so large, being on the wrong side of the hole can literally be a 60-foot putt difference. Play smart, club up on the hills, and enjoy the views of the Gibsonia countryside.