Donegal Highlands Golf Course

Terrible conditions. Staff calls you slurs if you have complaints. Don’t go here.

We had an 8am tee time.

Drive 68 miles from Pgh

Arrived at 735a and no workers there.

I called the pro shop and left a message.

We left at 820a and went back to Pgh.

150+ miles and $30 in tolls.

I got a call later in the day (the course was open) and talked to the manager.

He said he closed the course but didn’t call any golfers.

I asked why he wouldn’t notify us and he said he was busy…..even though the course was closed.

Them he goes on to say “it’s your fault for not checking the weather “

I said we did and there was zero rain and it was 75 and sunny.

He said “it rained yesterday”

I said how would we know that and if it did, and he closed, why not notify the golfers not to waste their time driving there?

I said “can you at least send us a rain check” so we can come back to play and he said “we are giving you nothing because we were closed and don’t call back. Have a nice day” and hung up

I’ll never play there again

I played this course about once a year over the last 5 years or so. The first few times I played (2019-2021ish) I was not pleased with the course conditions. This summer, I was very happy to see noticeable improvements throughout the course. Greens are back to good speed and conditions, fairways were very lush and nice, and some sand traps have been refilled in with new sand. I love the design of the course, and it's great to see ownership taking it seriously again. I highly recommend playing here so the course can continue making improvements.

I played for the second time this year. I think the diversity of the two nines is unmatched by any course in the area. Going from the front nine to the back nine is almost like playing two different golf courses which I think is great. Unfortunately the course was in awful shape a few years ago and I think the new owners are working very hard to get it back to where it was. Obviously that is going to take time and money. I am encouraged by the progress they are making and I definitely will return and invite my friends and hope they can continue to improve the course.

Greens are much better than 2 years ago, but a few still need work and are bad. Sand traps are all unplayable. With some work this course could be brought back to the gem it once was. The new ownership seems dedicated to that. It's getting very little play and is great for a fast round.

Donegal Highlands used to be a great course about 10 years ago, but each year it has gotten worse. The course has just been neglected in many aspects, especially near the greens. Sand traps have been eroded entirely and are basically unusable, and greens themselves are choppy, slow, and unpredictable.

I think management knows that the course is nearing the end of its life, because a small group of us only had to pay $20 a person for 18 holes + cart on a weekend. Staff in the pro shop was very friendly, but more work needs to be done around the course itself for this place to survive.

I am hoping that someone can save this course like what has happened with Pleasant Valley nearby - someone with money turns the course around and shows proper care. Donegal's layout is great, including long and short holes, doglegs, water and trees. It just needs much more care to be able to live past this summer.

I played 9 with my son today, beautiful day 75 and sunny. I must say that I reached a milestone in my game this afternoon. I played the worst condition golf course I have ever played in 35 years of trying. Many of the front nine hole should not be open, the green conditions were just that bad. I have never seen anything like it in a course that was actually open for business. I am not a private course player and enjoy a natural course layout and condition. This was pure abandonment of care. The price is not cheap and the course condition were not mentioned on line or in conversation with the staff. If so I would have not been surprised or felt ripped off. I asked that the manager call me at least to explain the course, new ownership etc, no call. I don’t leave reviews often but felt I needed to in this case.

I’ve played many many times over the years. This year they have new management. All the bankers are empty of sand. Just clay and rocks. How does this happen? They raised the prices to $40 for 18 w/cart. Are you kidding me??? What’s this course has turned into breaks my heart. My only advice is to stay away

I played an outing here. The greens were very slow and pretty chopped up. The fairways were fine, considering the weather we’ve been experiencing. The sand traps were atrocious. They hadn’t been touched in sometime. No rakes available either in the traps or on the carts. There was grass growing in some of them. Very disappointing. I used to love this course. I like the challenge of the tight second nine.

Played Donegal Highlands last Sunday afternoon and it did not disappoint.. Course condition was excellent and the pace of play was perfect.. Not overly busy for a Sunday afternoon so we played 18 holes in about 3 1/2 hrs. Greens rolled terrific not too slow or fast... Fairways were very nice for a public course and the rough was fair...Very enjoyable golf course to play.. Definite recommendation!!

The course isn't overly difficult but there are holes that require some shot shaping and strategy. Greens are receptive and still have a nice pace to them. Putts don't break as much they appear. Overall a very enjoyable round and I'll be back again for sure.

Went on exchange day members had with Cherry Creek so course more crowded than normal. But did not slow pace of play. Tee through green, course in very good condition. Will definitely come back

Had played Donegal Highlands before.....The rate we received for 2 golfers was exceptional and had a great day on a well maintained course !

The course is really 2 different courses, a links style course on the front nine, and a narrow, tree-lined target course on the back. The greens ran true, and the fairways were well defined and well groomed. The course plays longer than the yardage listed. I would have given it 5 stars but for the fact that even though I played it on a Wednesday , and my tee time was at 11:30, it took over 5 hours to play, and the back nine was especially slow, every shot was almost a 5 minute wait.

Course was in EXCELLENT shape.
One of the best in Western Pa.
Look forward to playing it again.

The front 9 is pretty open and straight. The back is tighter and more challenging. It is like playing two different courses in one round. Very nice condition. Friendly staff. Great food in the Black Dog Pub and the outdoor pavilion. Will certainly play this course again.

This course is easy to get to and has very friendly staff. The speed of the greens vary and the it can get windy quickly