Upper Dublin Golf Club combines links and old style features

If you’re a golfer from Philly tired of city courses that play the same tune, Upper Dublin Golf Club is a nice change of pace.

It’s best conditions are in the spring and fall, when water is plentiful but the layout is challenging and forces golfers to make a variety of different shots year round.

It also has history.

According to Hugh Reilly Sr., father of the course’s head professional Hugh Jr., the course was founded and built by a man from Scotland in 1931.

“He build nine holes and opened it up,” Reilly Sr. said.

The course is kind of a links-style, old-style hybrid, and has a good combination of short, attackable holes with vast fairway undulation changes, making the course play long.

“There are trees here and there are holes that are tree-lined,” Reilly the younger said,”but one of the traits that a links golf course has is there’s nothing in front of the greens except for a lake occasionally. You can roll the ball up.”

When playing the course, clubbing down is often a good idea. The ball really, really runs in the fairway.

“You can try your skill with bump and run shots,” Reilly said. “One of the difficulties players have playing here is it requires a lot of discipline to hold back. Don’t try to hit the driver, and on the par 3s, don’t try and hit the green.”

Local knowledge tip: “Any shots that are hero shots are too penal, and will put you in position to make doubles and triples — the greens are small.”

Rates: From $12 (supertwilight, walking) to $40 (weekend morning)

Website:udgolf.com