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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
318 Reviews (318)
5 Stars
122
4 Stars
133
3 Stars
38
2 Stars
19
1 Stars
6
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.3
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.6
87.6%
Recommend this course
285 out of 318 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.7
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
9 out of 9 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
18 Reviews (18)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.4
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.9
88.9%
Recommend this course
16 out of 18 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Galen Hall's century-old layout delivers a uniquely quirky, character-filled round with memorable elevation changes and challenging par 3s. Exceptionally friendly staff and outstanding value make this historic course worth the drive.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 6271 yards
Slope 127
Rating 69.1
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Galen Hall Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1910
Fairways Bentgrass
Greens Bentgrass
Golf Season Year round
Architect A. W. Tillinghast (1917) Alex Findlay (1910)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Lounge

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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GolfPass Member Pricing
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Reviews

4.2
318 Reviews (318)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 16
Dinner 9
Amazing Food 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 26
Undulating Greens 17
Water Hazards 17
This course/club is great for:
Locals 20
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 16
Advanced Golfers 15
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 18
Worth the Drive 18

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging course, A lot of fun to play

I was impressed by the course layout and the way the greens were maintained. The "Moat" hole was a great experience as well! Definitely would recommend this course to others.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

great undulations

the course is a lot of fun, many blind shots. hills, slopes, par 5s

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice layout, well kept.

Very nice layout, quick greens that roll very true. Staff were not very friendly, acted as though we were bothering them. Also, be sure to take plenty of drinks and any food you may need as you do not return to the clubhouse after 9. There is a snack shack after 10, but they are only open limited hours and basically handle chips and soda.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Went to Galen hall for the first time yesterday and I was shocked by how much the course is on a hill. Was very challenging. A lot of elevated tees and greens. Greens looked pretty good and were super fast. And the fairways were great. Very well cut and maintained. Went there and it was very wet due to all the rain but was drying up nicely. All kinds of great views to see as u walk/ride around. A lot of the hills really push your fitness level and your ability to hit the ball above/below your feet. The staff that worked the bar were very friendly and quick to fill up your adult beverage. Will go back again for another challenging 18

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Alice in Wonderland

My friends and I often refer to Galen Hall as a psychedelic golf experience. Of course, this typically draws some laughs, but it is a true original. I can't say I've played a public course with downhill putts as fast as they are here and that's only the start. It's about as close to Meadows Farms in Virginia(google it) as you can get without intentionally being quirky. (By quirky I mean a large scale miniature golf course) Two holes have roads running through them, there's the infamous moat hole, a green-side barn, a straight up-hill par 3, built-in-the-bar chilled coasters, and I love it...There's nothing cookie cutter about Galen Hall. It was designed, redesigned and altered again before the idea of "what a golf course should be" by today's standards. Whenever anyone I play with complains about GH I often ask, "What do you think of the 17th at St. Andrews?" It's completely unique and that's what I think makes it great. My Favorite holes are 1,4,7,8,12,14,15. If you haven't played it before check it out.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

A hidden gem in Berks County

I generally shoot in the low 100's (I've only been playing for a little over a year). Went to GHGC this weekend because I wanted to play the "moat" hole and it was my birthday. What a nice course! Well maintained, spectacular fairways and gorgeous views. The greens are very fast and if you don't get the right read, you will roll off at least 5 during the course of your day!

Very challenging but a wonderful course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

very nice

long drive but worth it and will be playing this again

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful country scenery and fine golf course

Galen Hall is challenging for the average golfer even though the yardage is not obscene. Galen Hall always has had fast greens. 10 feet first putts become 15 feet comebackers. Putted right off the green three times. Fairways and greens were well maintained, but a few tees were shabby with some being worked on with seed planted. Many scenic holes and side hill vistas. Surprised that there were very few golfing mid-morning, mid-week. Hot day and no water available on course, and snack shack was closed at the turn and the soda machine did not accept bills. Overall, the course is one of the best ones in the area.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hilly wooded course with fast maintained greens

Multiple elevated tee shots with beautiful views.
Holes go in & out of the woods.
Country club fast & well-maintained greens.
Several unique holes.
Relatively short.
One drivable par 4.
Ist island green in USA

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Old school layout that rewards placement.

Most challenging local course I've played. Moderate to high rough, fast greens that are difficult to read, and uneven lies.
Length isn't a factor but putting the ball in the proper spot is.
Overall good conditioning. Some basic distance markers would be helpful and the cart paths are sub par. Staff is friendly.
The turn is remote but food and drink are available.
In short, this course is a great test. Old school layout in a scenic area, a good value and definitely worth playing.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course is old style short but a good test

I really enjoyed the rolling terrain and challenging greens. Although short it made me use all of my clubs. Reachable par 5's are always fun for us weekend golfers. The rough was US Open like but without the staff and fans to find your ball. The "Moat" was the reason I went and I loved it. And got par unlike my playing partners who were local..

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Great Value - Wish it was closer to home!

I stopped here on my way back to the Philadelphia for a late afternoon round (Thanks GolfNow!) and had a great time. It was a really fun course to play for the first time. There are a lot of long, blind holes and a spectacular island green par three as well. I played in the lat Fall and found the course to be in immaculate condition. Everyone at the Clubhouse was super friendly, and they have some pretty neat built in beverage coolers recessed into the bar.

Best summary of this place is that if it wasn't more than 90 minutes from my house I would definitely be playing here a lot more!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Well maintained course, especially for the time of year.

. Overall, course was in decent shape, especially for the season. Value for the money was great. Staff friendliness is hard to rate because they were hard to find and rarely in the shop.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

BEAUTIFUL OLD COURSE

A WONDERFUL OLD WELL MAINTAINED GOLF COURSE THAT IS NOT ONLY CHALLENGING BUT SITS IN A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION.THE GREENS ARE FAST AND VERY DECEIVING GEAT COURSE

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Very fast greens

Definitely will play it again. Greens are tough and fast. I love the moat hole.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

A very unusual course

Of all the courses I've played, this one stands out because of some very unusual holes.

Hole #2 is a par 5 with a blind uphill drive that goes about 120 yards, then a 45 degree slope downhill for 350 yards. And you have to hit it over a road. Then on hole #3, you get to hit an approach shot over another hidden road that's carved out from the slopes.

Hole #4 is a 195 yard downhill par 3 if played from the back tees (170 from whites). The green is protected by a creek about 35 yards in front. If you don't know your club distances, your ball might take a bath, or have to settle for a layup.

Hole #15 is a 193 yard par 3 if played from the back tees (132 from whites). Unless you can positively land it on this 30 yard diameter island green completely surrounded by water, you have to lay it up.

Hole #14 is a long 453 par 4. On your drive, there is a diagonal creek that requires you to either curb your drive or hit a super long drive. That leaves a 195 - 220 yard second shot. But then there's a second creek that runs about 100 yards in front of the green, plus a hazard right in the middle of the fairway. Needless to say, this is the toughest hole on the course.

Hole #17 is a steep 184 yard uphill par 3 from the back tees (168 from whites). Most people may hit a driver and overshoot it. If the pin is placed in the front side of the green, chances are any over-putting will see your ball roll off the green.

In many occasions, the greens are carved out from the base of hills. If you happen to land your shots on the banks, it will take imagination and luck to make a good shot.

Overall it's a pretty tough test. You are constantly hitting either uphill or downhill. The fairways are in good shape. On the greens, the colors look patchy but putt smooth with good speed. This might be the ultimate test of your skills.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 58
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Pennsylvania Advisor
Verified Purchaser

Very challenging greens and pin placements are brutal

This course is madenning and fun at the same time. If I did not know better, a masachistic Scottsman (more likely PA Dutchman in that area) is responsible for this root canal of a course. There is not a flat spot on this course and especially the greens are extremely challenging and the pin placements were brutally ridiculous and unfair. The cart paths need a ton of work - especially on the back nine. The carts themselves need major attention to the brakes due to severe downhill extremes on this course on the front and back.
There was no water on the course till hole 17 and the snack shack and the availability of hot dogs that were supposedly on special were non-existent. The snack shack was unmanned and closed. The vending machine at the snack shack did not even work. They comped us some fries at the bar after the round to compensate which was not neccessary but appreciated.
You cannot be in some of the rough and score. The bunkers are brutal around some of the greens and the slope on some of them - especially the par 3s will break your hot on even good shots! This course will make you curse and seduce you into thinking that you can shoot so much better the next time. This is not reality because I went back later that week for an even better price through golfnow.com and I was even worse on this flipping mess of a course. I will go back though and shave off at least 10 strokes.
You have to be straight and long is not a big requirement here. Accuracy is vital and very difficult with the lies you will have - even in the fairway. Enjoy!

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/16/2025

Thank you for your review. I’m looking into a serious injury that may have involved the cart path at this course. If you had any issues or concerns with the cart path during your visit, please reach out to me with information about your experience. Your input could be very helpful. You can contact me at jmorace@mtvlaw.com or (267) 581-6226.

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Challenging and forgiving

the course as a whole has many surprises from a terrain perspective but overall the course is a joy to play and a challenge for all skill levels

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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