Raven's Claw Golf Club

I really liked the layout-of the 13 holes I played before I left due to slow play. Took almost 4 hours to play 13 holes. We did not see 1 Ranger the whole time. The 4-some in front of us were playing the tips, and had to be on pace to shoot 110+ each. In fairness, they couldn't go much faster because of the 4-some in front of them. Played the front nine with a couple members, but they left after 9 because of slow play, as well as the 2 members that were right behind us. I'm not sure if the tee times are too close or if the lack of a Ranger slowed things up, but if you drive an hour each way, it was simply not a pleasureable experience.
If you do play, bring extra balls!

Since moving to Philadelphia 3 years ago, I have had the chance to play Raven's Claw about 20 times. As far as public courses within the greater Philadelphia area are concerned, Raven's Claw is one of the more maintained, challenging and fun courses. Nevertheless, there are some major impediments that take away from the experience at Raven's Claw.

The biggest issue with this course is the pace of play. Often times, there is no starter present and groups are free to tee off at their leisure. Because of this, I have had countless rounds take over 5 hours and was not able to finish 18 holes during some late afternoon outings. It seems as though the staff is more concerned with the number of rounds they are able to squeeze in each day and not with the experience they are able to provide their customers.

Additionally, the last time I played, the staff members at the restaurant and bar were extremely rude. From what I understand, the restaurant and golf are separate entities, but regardless, my experience as a whole was greatly affected by the extremely low level of customer service I received from the staff. I hope this occurrence was an outlier and does not happen in the future.

If Raven's Claw wants to be considered one of the premier public courses in the Philadelphia region, they need to address the pace of play issue. If I continue to experience slow, drawn out rounds, I will take my business elsewhere.

Conditions were much better earlier in the season and its beginning to show.

I love this course but simply can't afford the regular $71 weekend charge so I always look on GolfNow for deals. I was about to grab one for $33 at 10:10 on a Saturday. Now THAT'S a hot deal. The course has a great variety of holes, both in length and design. The only 2 holes I don't really care for are 16 and 17.

16 is just a ho hum straight ahead tee shot then a downhill shot to the green. I've always thought that a large bunker in the fairway with a deep face would be a great addition to this hole tempting the player to go long or lay up short for a longer approach. The rough could also be grown in further to shrink the landing area. 17, in my opinion is just too long and narrow for a par 3. 210 uphill through a chute of trees from the middle (white) tees is a poke and a half. Back tees are 242. You can't go anywhere near right or the ball will hit and roll right across the path and mostly likely lost. Left isn't much better with high grass on the hill. The wind usually blows left to right here too. Other than 16 and 17, I LOVE this course!

8th, 9th, 10th and 11th holes are always backed up. Ruts on the cart paths have been in existence for 5 years, which makes cart travel not only bumpy but unsafe. Time to invest in some black top or crushed stones.

More emphasis on their bar facilities than the golf course.

Overall, I liked the course, but there are some things that I'd like to change. First, due to course configurations, they let 9-holers start on the first hole. Not really a problem unless they are 4-somes and the groups behind them or 2's or 3's and they don't let them play through. Front nine took 2 1/3 hours; back nine was around 1 1/2 hours. There weren't marshals on the course.

Second, the pin positions all seems to be on slopes or very close to them. There really weren't many that were on flat sections of the greens. One in the group plays there often and never saw positions like this.

Third, on one hole, my ball stopped just in front of a patch of crab grass - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FAIRWAY. Granted, the fairways were nice, but this wasn't acceptable.

Finally, two holes on the back (11 & 17) didn't fit. Hole 11 is a hard dog leg right. They tell you the distance to the 150 marker, but you have a forced carry with minimal landing area where too long is blocked from the green. Hole 17 doesn't fit as it is a 210 yard par 3 to an elevated green with trouble left AND right and bunkers in front. This hole is 70 yards longer than the longest par 3 on the course.

This is a beautiful and challenging layout. Small landing areas on several holes, combined with British Open style tall fescue if you stray too far from the fairway, requires you to keep it under control. Undulating greens leave you with very few straight puts outside of 2 ft.

This is approx. the third time I have had theoportunity to play Raven's Claw. Tee boxes & fairways were in good condition the greens were a little rough & slow for being so large in area. New homes are being built way too close to the playing area. Sign on the 13th tee asked golfers to keep tee shots to right of left cart path- path runs parallel touching tee box. well duh! don't we all wish we can control that. houses are less than 20 yards left. All in all a great layout with interesting holes and in good condition.

Each hole presents something a little different with some requiring target shots rather than shots to long open fairways. Driver is not always the best choice for tee shots which makes for a more interesting round. Good course fitted among a housing development that I would play again.

Would recommend to golfers with experience as the difficult holes could send a new golfer to a new level of frustration

Course is fine especially for the money, however there is no pace of play requirements except for the clocks at the tees. We played at 3pm on a Sunday and took over 5 hours. That is unacceptable for any course. We never saw a ranger or anyone to address the slow play. The group behind us quit after 8 holes.

I would need some assurance that pace of play controls have been put in place before I would return.

Overall the course can present a challenge, there are probably 6-8 holes where if you play smart golf shold hit to the 150 and play in from there, on those holes to the 150 is about 150-200 yard shot from tee. Biggest disappointment is the quality of the greens, grass is not well kept and very "viney". If they were to maintain them better this course would be awesome, and test your skill on approach shots to get to the right level. With the greens the way they are now, a 10' putt u are not sure how it will roll let alone a 40' putt from a different level.

Course was in Great Shape!!! Alot of Holes you can score on if you are in the fairway

Course was in really great shape, a ton of rain has been in our area, and what a job from the grounds crew. Plenty of different types of holes, I am going back for sure!!!

Raven’s Claw is a beautiful course with a modern design. The wide fairways and huge greens make it very playable; however, the use of natural land contours presents several difficult shots. The course is in pristine condition, although the greens are fairly slow and don’t necessarily take the break (compared to Bella Vista for example). Regardless, it’s very fun to play!

Excellent course. Pace of play a little slow. Well worth the money.

If you are off the fairway in any tall grass consider your ball lost. Good challenge and one tricked up hole that most people hit into the hillside (too much club) cause the distance is difficult to tell.

I played this course for 50 bucks over Fourth of July weekend which I found to be a pretty good deal. It's not an easy golf course and definitely has some tricks to it. It was in good shape.

RC is a beautiful course with nice elevation changes and a great layout. The course has been in great shape any time I've played it. Twilight times are some of the best in the area, and pace is quick. A weekend round can tend to get backed up.

Last time out, we got caught in the lightning, but the pro shop was closed, and therefore unable to offer a rain check. This still won't stop me from making it back out.

Raven's Claw is a tough track but definitely worth the play. Play forward tees if you cannot carry your drives 200+, as the tips are VERY demanding. Course was quite wet as of 7/4/2013, but there has been a ton of rain. Greens slow and soft, but once again, expected cuz of recent weather. Love this course and would reccomend anyone in greater philly area to play at least once. Course is usually in great shape, decent rates for how nice of an 18 they have.