Any list of the best public golf courses in the Philadelphia area is incomplete without Makefield Highlands.The Yardley track is long, open and fast. For many golfers that means it's a course you can attack. For many more it's an exercise in humility."We tip out at about 7,200 yards," Makefield's assistant golf professional Vincent Piazza said."It's a good challenge. It's a typical links course, wide open and what you see is what you get: rolling hills, big fairways, big greens but undulating , well-protected by bunkers. Trouble is on the golf course ."If you know your game enough to know you won't be keeping it on the fairway, wearing knee-high socks might be a good idea. We aren't kidding. Most holes have strategically places heather —tall, weedy grass that acts as a brutal hazard. The course also has a bevy of bunkers that will cost you a shot."You can grip it and rip it but you better be sure you find the fairways and greens," Piazza said.RELATED LINK: Five Ponds is a hidden gem in Warmister, PAThe course has a nice mix of extremely long holes (like the 600-yard seventh hole) and the drivable par 4 13th . Piazza says the course, which routinely is toward the top of public golf course rankings, has two signature holes ."Hole 7 is the long par 5 up the hill with water on the right, guarded by bunkers and heather," Piazza said,and 15 is a dogleg left par 4, with a water hazard on the approach and heather to the right. They are two demanding holes right there."Club selection can be tricky too. As a links course it's open to be sure, but landing and keeping the ball where you intend for it to go is a tough task. Taking less club is often the answer."We don't mind if the fairways get firm," Piazza said."The course is firm and fast for sure."Local knowledge tip: "If youhit it into one of those fairway bunkers, it's almost a penalty. It's hard to get it over those lips."Price range: From $28 (for a resident at twilight) to $80 (for a nonresident on a weekend morning)Website:makefieldhighlandsgolf.com
