Makefield Highlands Golf Club

I had heard that this course was overpriced and not that good. I decided to judge it for myself and was pleasantly surprised. Course layout is pretty nice, some drivable par 4s and some really long par 4s. It was really hot and it seems they ran out of water in almost all water coolers throughout the course in the late afternoon. Cart girl was making rounds which helped. We were stuck behind two slow groups that led to a 5 hour round. Greens were fast and tricky. Fairways were in really good shape, some bunkers were not raked but that’s on the players. I’d definitely come back.

I have literally played MH hundreds of times and consider it my “home” course so it pains me to write this. But the truth of the matter is, the conditioning is not up to par with other area courses like Heron Glen or the Bucks Club.

Case in point: The greens were aerated over a month ago - and yet most of them still look like they were punched last week. Also, the traps are a mess here. Rarely do I play here when they’ve been raked. And the ball mark situation, while not the fault of management, is one of the worst in the area.

I played Heron Glen last week and was BLOWN AWAY by the disparity in the two courses. Heron Glen is vastly superior conditioning-wise. And yet they are both “links-style” courses, both opened up around the same time (2004) and both were initially managed by Kemper. The difference I feel is that Heron Glen is *still* managed by Kemper (who obviously does a great job) and the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors decided many years ago to have Makefield Highlands run by a different outfit. That was a short-sighted mistake, IMO.

Speaking of the LMT Board of Supervisors, its obvious they’re asleep at the wheel regarding the golf course. As long as MH is generating substantial revenue (which there can be no disputing given the number of rounds played there on an annual basis - 40,000+), they don’t seem to care that the course conditioning is sub-standard. They are supposed to be stewards of this wonderful recreational resource and yet they continue to renew the contract of the management company that is running this course into the ground. Maybe they’re not golfers, but they need to wake up and see the situation for what it is.

I still love the layout and love the employees. But you’d have to be crazy to spend $80 to play here on a weekend ($30 to walk during the week is not bad). It’s not an $80 course.

This course could be (and at times in the past, has been) a wonderful public golf course. But in its current condition, it falls well short of its potential. Hopefully things will turn around soon.

This course is great, it has a little bit of everything. Links style layout with some long holes for big hitter and some holes that require touch and fineness. The staff is kind and courteous. A must play if you are in the Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs!!!!

If you’re looking to play golf at a public course in Lower Bucks county, this is the course you should play. It’s the best in the area. A little pricey, and some of the rangers can be a bit snippy, but a solid experience overall. The bar/restaurant has improved dramatically in the last couple of years, and it’s a great pace to hang out even if you’re not playing golf. Good short game practice area and grass driving range rounds out a nice practice area.

A great links style course; generous fairways; solid course condition given a muni-owned facility. Based on tee box preference, you can make the course as easy/hard as you prefer. Lesser experienced golfers enjoy the white tees (and forward), while the long bombers will appreciate the blue and black tees for a legitimate challenge. The short par 4s can back up due to going for the green off tee. Where Makefield leans easier on the short par 4s, they present more challenging and longer par 4s on the first two holes of front and back nines. The greens and fairways are usually in solid shape. The staff is very friendly and the bar/restaurant has recently undergone a nice change of menu. The food is superb for a public golf course. Non-residents complain about the price ($85 in season w/cart on weekend for non-resident) which I understand. If that bothers you, then at least play this course ONE time as it is fun, challenging at times, and an overall great venue. Conveniently located right off I-95 in Yardley. NOTE: the wind is always stronger at course than local forecast reading.

Best way to enjoy Makefield: play on a day not too windy whether alone or with a group. If hungry at the turn, the hotdogs are legit. After enjoying the course, including the signature par 4 - 15th hole, and the difficult 18th final hole, head in for a cup of chili or some wings as they are fantastic. For those avoiding carbs, order the "ribbets" which are a fan favorite and think about the holes you wish you could have played better.

Course in good great shape especially for a public course. Pace of play was pushing 5 hours and the greens were slow. Would definitely come back.

On a normal busy weekday it was still a 4 hour round for our foursome following other golfers. Greens don't look pristine but they putted very well with speed. Course overall is in great shape.

I am a resident of Lower Makefield Township, so even with the discounted rate, they charge me 41$ for twilight 9 holes... A non resident would have paid close to 60$ for 9 holes and a cart. Not worth the primetime money. Greens looked beat up. I have seen the course in better condition. I'd say max to play here would be 50$ for 18 holes.

I played this course twice in ten days, and enjoyed it both times. The layout is varied and lots of good views and some tough pin placements. The greens were really fast the first time, medium speed the second but I’m guessing they were letting them grow for aeration that was about to occur. Lots of sand traps and visible from almost all shots so it’s no surprise if you enter one. It plays as long plays as long or short as you desire. Having played on a Friday the regulars were there, with a mix of men and women and ages, with everyone playing the appropriate tees for their skills (a rare courtesy on most courses and worth noting here).

The course conditions were good from tee to green. The only complaint I had was the rough had inconsistent plants, weeds, or whatever. Light and thick and deep and not. I’d recommend they spend time on the rough, something I’ve never recommended.

Staff were all really good, Marshalls were common and didn’t hassle folks. Just watching play and speed. Golf shop, restaurant, starter, everyone was polite and friendly. We ate a meal and it was decent.

It’s one of the most enjoyable courses I’ve played. I took three guests with me for their first time on my second visit, first time I went alone, and all three said they enjoyed the course more than normal. There’s no type a category for enjoying the round. I rated each category individually but I won’t over hype a category just t push up the numbers but it deserves more. I simply enjoyed it and will make the 90 minute ride again.

Always an enjoyable and fun course to play. It's links style works for players of all skill levels with five teeing areas. On this day the greens were still struggling from quirky weather but they putted OK.

I love Links-Style courses. There is a great blend of everything here, short par 4's, short/long par 3's and some great hole layouts. The course is maintained and ran very well.

Beverage carts make appearances 4-5 times during the summer. Range/Putting/Chipping greens are all nice. Walking and Riding are both great. I recommend any outings the course puts together.

Full Price Weekend/Summer is a bit too much, but anything less than $80 is worth it.

Shot a career round 76 and the course has recovered from mid season iffy conditioning issues. Recently aerated greens healed well.

On this day the course conditions were questionable. The greens were scarred up pretty badly and there was noticeable crab grass in several areas around the course. This is not normal for this course but over the course of this season there are two other public courses in the area in much better condition for lesser greens fee. Based on the course conditions today I would say this course is overpriced.

If you are not a senior, this course can get pricey - 86+cart on weekends. During week, cost reasonable provided you are > 60. Somewhat of a links style course. Make sure to check yardage as some holes are deceiving, especially on back 9.

I have played Makefield Highlands over 20 times and the condition of the course was the best I have seen it over the past 3 years. This is probably do to the cool and wet spring that we have had. The course was very green and the greens were rolling perfect and quick on this Saturday morning. Fairways were green and at a nice height.

I agree with past reviews that this course gets a ton of play, ( tee sheet filled from 6am till 1pm on this day) and sometimes there are a lot of divots on the fairways but right now there are not a lot. Hopefully with its good start the course can stand up to the tough summer months ahead and provide a great golfing season

Usually well conditioned, on this occasion mid Spring I was disappointed in slow greens and fairways not fully grown in. We were allowed preferred lies for GAP match this day in own fairway. Course is always a test and generally always with wind and direction affects play greatly on certain holes like 15 coming out of a chute up hill to the fairway then back down to a long thing green protected by water into the wind.

I've played at Makefield a handful of times mainly in the summer or fall and I've always had one issue with it, wear and tear. This track gets a ton of play in season and with the lack of trees on this pseudo-links design the hot summers absolutely nuke it. My friends and I decided to play Makefield on back to back weeks in January. While temps were cold to "way to cold to really be playing golf" the course conditions were absolutely perfect. Unlike many course in the area Makefield clearly punched their greens at the right time and had them grow in over the late fall/early winter. Even in the cold (38 degrees at tee) the fairways and greens were accepting of shots with a few inconsistencies here and there. The layout of Makefield is also a bright spot. Though fairly open off the tee MH has a few risk reward par 4s and some challenging par 3s. The most challenging hole, the par 4 15th, is a tough dog leg left to a narrow bean-shaped green over water. With that said there are 3 nearly drivable par 4s before you get to the tough closing stretch so make your hay before hand. Overall this course is awesome and honestly one of the best conditions wise I've ever played in the winter up here.