Philly golf review: Jeffersonville GC a historic, top 10 course (don’t be fooled)

Don’t be fooled, Jeffersonville Golf Club in Norristown is a really, really nice course.

Pulling up to the old, warn down and antiquated clubhouse and restaurant (which has fantastic food by the way) might make you hesitate. From the first tee through the 18th green, the track holds its own against any in the area.

“The golf course itself is fantastic,” PGA professional Michael Housleysaid.”The problem is our parking lot, our buildings, our bathrooms, we are in the process of trying to do some things about that.”

Housely is cautiously optimistic that recent money approved to improve the facilities will yield some results. But in the meantime, he’s focused on runningthe 10th best public golf course in the state — as voted by several golf publications.

“The greens are really small and really undulating and have good speed for them,” Housely said of the Donald Ross design.”Usually our greens have speed as good as country club greens.

“With Donald Ross courses it’s all bout the green surrounds. You have to have some semblance of a short game with the false fronts and the run-offs. It’s not so much about the tee shot here. You’ve got to have some short game.”

Not exactly a links course, Jeffersonville is pretty wide open and on most holes, an errant tee shot still gives a player a good chance at making par.

Interestingly, there is some local history buried inside the finely manicured fairways and greens. Literally.

“They did live horse racing here in the late 1800s and early 1900s, thoroughbred horse racing steeplechase,” Housley said.”The oval is where the 11th and 16th holes are now. I got a 1942 aerial shot of the golf course which was built in 1931, you can still see the outline of the oval very clearly.”

Local knowledge tip: “Trust your yardage on your rangefinder and, with Donald Ross courses, short is always better than long. All 18 holes, if you go over the green you’re going to have a lot of problems.”

Price range: From $10 to walk (supertwilight) to $58 to ride (weekend mornings)