Bala Golf Course ☆ Follow

Bala Golf Club is an 18-hole course located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, designed by William S. Flynn and Howard C. Toomey, and opened in 1900. The course plays to 5,430 yards from the longest tees with a par of 68 and a course rating of 65.9 with a slope rating of 122. The design embodies the great traditions of golf and the classic Philadelphia School of Golf Architecture, with Flynn expanding the original nine-hole routing to create a challenging eighteen-hole course on rolling terrain.

The course is characterized as quite short with no par 4s reaching 400 yards and only one par 5, featuring an unusual par of 68. The course features small greens, deep bunkers, and water on four holes. Although short by today's standards, Bala continues to challenge members and guests, placing a premium on sound strategy and skillful shot-making.

The course hosted the 1952 US Women's Open and is the current home of the St. Joe's Hawks Golf Team. William Flynn is recognized as one of the all-time great golf course architects, responsible for many of the Philadelphia area's greatest golf courses including Shinnecock Hills and Cherry Hills Country Club.