Skytop Lodge - Poconos Golf Course

Conditions at Skytop when we played were unbelievable. Greens and fairways were fast and firm. Bunkers were respectable and tees were in mint condition. There is not a single scar on this course despite the weather conditions over the past few weeks. Tremendous value for a private club level course.

Check out the hotel! What a beautiful building! We will be back.

Passing through from Pittsburgh to New York City. Googled what the best public courses were in Pennsylvania and this course came up. Showed up stunned by the course. Unbelievable value for money. Firm greens firm Fairways. Delightful experience. You need to hit your shots in the right place on the fairways or the natural incline of the fairway will pull your ball right into the fescue. Enjoy !

Pros - The course itself was well-kept. Fairways were nicely maintained and the rough was thick and punitive. Greens were smooth, fast, and well-maintained. The greens complexes were challenging and really made you manage your approach shots to avoid being punished. Most of the staff was kind and courteous.

Cons - The groups on the course were poorly managed. There was no one at the turn to ensure pace of play led to an enormous back up on the back nine. At one point, there was 12 carts on the last two holes (including a six some). When we finished 18, the starter was just hanging out on his phone behind the 18th green and when I told him the course was backed up, there was no apology or a show of concern, just a "yep." The back nine took 3 hours and could have easily been solved by a ranger.

The sand traps were mostly hardpacked sand and poorly maintained.

A hot dog cost $8--just an ordinary hot dog. I realize this is a resort course, but that should be a crime.

The beverage cart only found us twice in 18 holes. Drink prices were average.

The layout itself was pretty ordinary. With the exception of the above average greens, I was not impressed. A few nice views along the way, but that's it.

Some of the cart paths could use work and there needs to be more signage. There were a few holes that were difficult to find.

I love golf and I love exploring new courses, but this was one of the few times in my 20+ years of playing golf that I wanted to walk off a course before my round was over.

Lastly: Upon arriving, my GPS took us to the hotel lodge, not the golf course. When I entered the hotel to ask the front desk staff where do we go for golf, the front desk clerk responded snottily "Ummmm...the golf course?" That is not the introduction any new paying customer should receive from a welcoming business.

I will not be returning.

The course is in fantastic shape, greens are amazing and very tricky. Tee to green this is a top course in the Poconos for sure. Best I have played in this area!

I've been going to the Poconos for many years and for some reason have never played this jewel. The course is in perfect shape all around, and the greens are quick and true. We thoroughly enjoyed our day right from the start. Wayne who works the carts is a great representative for Skytop with his fun, informative and friendly personality.

Best public in the Golfers Choice list for 2024 for a reason. Classic Robert White course. He designed Water Gap which sadly closed. Hilly course with small built up greens.

Staff and conditions are top notch. Must okay if in the Poconos.

Skytop has been around since the late 20's. The grounds and amenities are old-world fabulous, though leaning toward the spendy side. The course is in surprisingly great shape for this time of year. The greens were almost fully back after an early season aeration. Stay below the hole as downhill putts and approach shots long will be very difficult to manage, but rewarding when done so...worth a visit and definitely stay for a meal at the hotel.

What an awesome place, the views were amazing, the course was perfect! Highly recommend a cart, it's a long and hilly but worth it!

First time playing at Skytop. Shout out to the Groundskeeper manager, Brian, for the fantastic maintenance of the course. It exceeded my expectations and I will return next year with my family. These ratings are a reflection of the passion of the workers involved. Kudos. - Maxx.

It's mid-November and the course is in great condition. The course itself is interesting (but not overly long) and the fairways are wider (never pinched by trees) than most Poconos mountain courses. As others commented, the greens are tiny. All the par 3s are on the long side, so I missed a lot of greens.

Beautiful views and the staff was super-freindly and helpful.

Just make sure if you are bringing a junior golfer you play after two o’clock. Course makes no provisions for a junior before two o’clock

Not the best policy.

Hadn’t been in 2-3 years but the conditions have greatly improved.

Glad I had my golfnow discounts though. They be gettin’ pricey.

Course is in perfect condition. Make sure you listen to the starter. Let you know when you have to cross the road instead of going to the closest Teebox. Insane the place is pristine and the layout itself. This song has some challenges that are really fun to navigate.