Nemacolin Woodlands Resort - Mystic Rock Course

Mystic Rock, which hosted the PGA Tour's 84 Lumber Classic from 2003-06, remains one tough hombre, rolling up and down those rural Pennsylvania hills. Mystic Rock certainly plays longer (7,526 yards to 7,290) than the newer Shepherd's Rock with water lurking on twice as many holes. It's also home to more artwork, a staple throughout the resort. Statues stand guard at multiple tees at Mystic Rock and other surprises reveal themselves throughout the journey. If you can shoot your handicap on Mystic Rock, you've had yourself a day.

Played both courses during father-son getaway. Nice challenging layout; not too gimmicky. Rain previous day softened greens tho lengthened the course. Group in front of us were horrible as far as time management. They just did not care. Yes, it is a resort but they were too focused on ordering Fireball from cart girl (who seemed to always show up and slow the pace). Did not take long for a 1+ Hole gap to open up. At end of round, which was a few minutes short of 5 hours, the attendant was almost dismissive when I asked about whether they used Rangers (they do not), and said a 5 hour round is typical of a resort course. Wow. So disappointing after we got first tee time the day before on Shepherd’s Rick and finished just within 3 hours without rushing. Tough ending for a good trip.

The best course in PA and I have played 90 in state. Every thing perfect go and play any real golfer will love it.

The course itself is nice but battling millions of gnats made this less than enjoyable. No response from management when I contacted them. It appears they don't care! Save your money and play a local course that sprays for bugs.

A group of 16 friends attended Nemacolin Woodlands for a guy's weekend and couldn't be happier with our experience at the resort and the golf played. Mystic Rock is a challenging, but fair course that demands you bring your A-game. The facilities give you every chance to get your game tuned up before the first tee. I would recommend this course/resort for anyone ever in the Pittsburgh area and worth the trip to the resort. The staff takes as good care of the players as they do of the courses. A+ all around.

Pete Dye's place in the golf firmament is well-cemented, and it's because of courses like Mystic Rock. It's maximalist but playable. It's thrilling but gettable, though on its own terms. It's at a relaxing resort, but if you take a one-swing vacation you're likely to pay dearly.

This is evident from the first tee. You can play safely out to the left and have a longer approach, or you can challenge the right side and risk going down into one of many deep, big bunkers, which are juxtaposed nicely with typical Dye pot bunkers, as well as profuse rock outcroppings that sometimes and sometimes obscure the best path to a given hole. For a course with so much blatant visual drama, there's a lot of subtlety, too, and that's what makes Mystic Rock stand out.

I love this course. It is extremely challenging from the tips but there are holes out there that you can take advantage of. Every hole is one of a kind and it takes you up and around big boulders that have been strategically placed on the course. Plus, the course was in fantastic shape. The greens were quick and the fairway were cut beautifully.

Courses are in great condition consistently throughout the year. Membership rates are such a strong value for the money. Off course amenities are unmatched from Five star lodging and a five star restaurant--only 18 such combinations in the country. Casino on site.

I played this course 2 years ago for a $99 twilight rate in June and it was one of the best rounds ever for the value so I couldn't wait to go back. Then I find out that the prices this summer would be $235 during the day and still over $160 for twilight! And the new Shepherd's Rock course rates are the same so no more deals to be had at the old Links course. It's prices like these that are certainly adding to the declining participation in golf. So it looks like fall weekdays are the only time either course is somewhat affordable going forward at $135/$80 twilight. And their website doesn't even publish the rates anymore because they're so embarrassed most likely. So next summer when the price is likely $250, do yourself a favor and buy a Masters ticket, or a round at Oakmont or Bandon Dunes, or any other nationally ranked or major championship host course for the same price. Or if you're playing on a corporate dime, like I'm sure 99% of their clientele are these days, by all means, do it. The course is beautiful.

Sometimes resort courses are too scenic and not tests of golf. This course, played from the blues, is scenic and a true test. Hit every club in my bag.

Course was in great shape with greens smooth even though the area had been pounded by rain.

Forecaddie made the round even better.

My wife and I played several times on this course which she enjoyed as well.

Mystic is a very nice course but I preferred the Sheperds course. The conditions were typical resort level, very nice but played hard by below average players; divots unfilled and ball marks not fixed. The greens were nice with good movement and undulation. The tee boxes were okay, fairly beaten. The holes are very well done and fit the terrain very well. This is a very nice setup but doesn't warrant anywhere near the price point they have implemented. The resort is very nice and upscale but Mystic is not a 200 dollar course.

I had high expectations going playing this former host course of the PGA Tour's 84 Lumber Classic and I wasn't disappointed. Every hole is interesting, the views are great and conditions, especially the greens, are impeccable. While it's difficult, though, Pete Dye doesn't kill you on this one., There are places you can miss. Key is to play it from the right tees, though. You don't want to be coming in with long clubs all day. Still, the fairways are certainly generous enough. The key to scoring is having a good short game and flatstick,

Played at Nemacolin for the first time on a gorgeous fall day. All I can say is wow. Even with just aerating the fairways I can't think of one negative thing about the course. Tough course but playable. Punishes wild shots but if you can keep it in play it will reward. Can't wait to come back.

I visited this former PGA TOUR stop fully expecting to be pummeled by those "mystic rocks" you see in all the online photos and brochures and came away dumb-founded at how playable and interesting Pete Dye made this course.

It's hard, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't have the intimidating shots of a TPC Sawgrass Stadium course or the Dye course at French Lick Resort. There's always a safer route, and for resort guests who are middle to high handicaps, that's comforting. If you want to take on a fairway bunker you can, but it's not necessary.

Seven holes feature water, the most memorable being the par-5 11th hole that stretches to 634 yards.

Dye built alternating greens on the par-5 fifth and par-3 12th holes, although the secondary greens aren't used much, according to my playing partners who work at the resort.

Sculptures and random works of art add a bit of whimsy to this fantasy land in the mountains.

Played both the Links and Mystic courses and was very impressed. Links course is the lesser of the two but still nice. It is not visually dramatic but it is very hilly with tight greens. I wasn't hitting it straight that day and I paid for it. The rough is thick and the greens are challenging to hit even from the fairway. Several blind shots making a caddy worthwhile.
The Mystic course is the championship course and has hosted PGA events in the past and it shows. Visually dramatic course with great views and interesting holes with a lot of character. Par 5s were very challenging and visually stunning, especially on the back 9. Caddy again was very helpful here as the greens were hard to read, there are some blind shots, and the distances didn't always play as listed. The course saves the best for last though as it has 3 amazing finishing holes. I read that these are the architects (Pete Dye) favorite three finishing holes of all of his courses, and I can see why. First is a dramatic par 5 to a green surrounded by mostly water. Then a long par 3 over water with the green running along the water on the left side. And the final is a dramatic par 4 with a long uphill tee shot with a dramatic drop off on the left and bunkers on the right. Course still has a huge scoreboard behind 18 which adds to the drama.

enjoyed the whole mystic rock experience from fast true prostyle greens&bunkers to supernice clubhouse&locker areas-must play this beautiful mtn resort golfcourse-thankx