Royal Manchester Golf Links

I drove over 3 hours from Virginia to come play this course. It’s built a reputation for the very best Pennsylvania public golf has to offer, and it did not disappoint and in fact exceeded expectations.

Those expectations were topped first by the immaculate conditioning of the course. Even though they had recently had snowfall here (which had melted) the course looked fresh and well-maintained. It’s always a good sign when you can see the old mow patterns in the fairways as they are mowing them again! Bunkers were smooth and raked. The greens rolled beautifully. Some have complained about the number of ball marks but to be honest, the greens are firm enough that A) it’s hard to see your own ball mark even when you know where to look and B) old marks don’t affect putts nearly as much at courses with softer greens.

The layout here is also better than expected. A lot of courses claim to be “links” or “links-style” and half their holes are surrounded by trees. This course has no trees at all except along the property line and almost never come into play. Instead, you have lots of fescue and mounds framing each hole (the fescue has not yet grown in, which was nice for it being my first visit). The look and feel was every bit what I have seen of the original Scottish links and with the wind blowing like it was during my round, you really do have to keep the ball low and play along the ground. There are a few blind shots to greens but nothing that’s overly challenging or complex. I felt the course played a tad bit long but I started out playing the tips when I should have stuck with the white tees from the beginning. The only real hazards other than the long grass is water on holes 9 and 18 in front of each green. You definitely need a solid swing and good contact to keep it dry on your approaches there. Otherwise, this course is pretty good for beginners.

The practice facilities here maybe be the most underrated aspect of this great course. The chipping area is pretty epic and they have a full range and putting green too. The restaurant inside has a full menu plus one for golfers at the turn. The staff is very friendly and accomodating, they let me go out early on my own and I ended up breezing through in under 3 hours walking.

Speaking of walking, a word of caution for those who like the extra exercise: A) it’s only $5 off your round and B) while the course is generally easy to walk, the distance from the 15th green to 16th tee is substantial and there’s a long climb as well, just as your legs are starting to feel it during your round too!

For $50 walking on a weekday morning, the value isn’t going to blow your socks off but it’s far from a bad deal either, especially if you can snag a Hot Deal on GolfNow. This course will definitely be worth another long drive for me, and I’m excited to see it with the fescue grown in in all its glory!

With some rain coming any day now, the course is rounding into pristine form. I love this track!!!!

My best friend was in town and had not played it yet. While he has been spoiled playing the Stadium course at TPC Scottsdale and the like because he travels the country for “work.” He had some positive things to say about it so that is a good sign. Best part was I beat him so the allure of this place grows in my mind for sure!

Excellent chipping greens which are the best in the area too and a solid ore rice putting green of good size and I wish there were two of them. Driving range is good and could be improved. Good food and beer too - it has the whole package. The layout is fair and balanced for a Links style course because it is not too tight and not overly punishing. I love the layout as it varies so nicely in the types of challenges it presents all abilities. The heart of the season is the toughest because the mounds and fescue are brutal and penal then plus it is very hard to hold the greens then even with a higher ball flight than normal like mine. Always a great time! Shot my best round there ever this time and it could not have come at a better time!!!!

Generous off the tee, nicely manicured fairways, fairly flat fairways, bunkers were not too “sandy” and could play lower bounce clubs in green side bunkers without digging.

Greens were in good shape, a fair amount of un-fixed pitch marks, didn’t affect putts too drastically. Greens rolled well for dormant/cold weather, around a 9-10 on stimp

Overall the course was A LOT of fun, and I would play it everyday if I could! Some pretty challenging holes, and great course to improve playing in the wind. Overall A+, just wish the patrons fixed their ball marks a little better.

I drive 90 minutes on a routine basis to play Royal Manchester, so worth the drive. Conditions are always professional like, club House is beautiful, pro shop always well stocked!

Amazing conditions out on the course for winter and how much moisture needs managed!!!! This place drains better than any other course in the region and it is not even close!!!!

We had no cart restrictions today or yesterday where most places would have been cart path only! Greens are slower due to moisture and that is expected.

Still a premium on shot placement and short game as it is not a long course. It is challenging while being fair and enjoyable! Love this course!!!! It is my favorite in the region!!!!

Course was in great shape , however the frost from am held up teetimes by 30 mins but the day was still great

There was a light drizzle throughout the round. No standing water and no cart path only.

Greens very fast and ran true to slope or variations in greens.

Fairways so easy to hit off of.

Overall it's a 5 1/2 course.

Change in elevation is a welcome to play

Never any holes the same as others.

Ruff penalized you if you get there, which is the way it should be.

This course is amazing, simply put. The staff was very friendly to a first timer there; I asked for any pointers and the young man in the pro shop gave me some great tips on a few of the holes. The course was in stellar condition, even after a morning of rain.

Just keep it out of the really high stuff, and you will be fine.

Played here for the first time and it won't be my last time. I thoroughly enjoyed the conditions and layout. I live near Baltimore and this course down here would be either private or around $100 to play. The greens rolled true and the fairways and tee boxes were in great shape. It may be a little out of the way for some but it's worth the drive.

Played on an unseasonably hot day, however the course was impeccably manicured and in excellent condition. The facilities are first class and the staff friendly and professional. One of the best layouts I've played on.

Always an excellent course. Royal Manchester is my favorite course in south central PA. Greens were slower than the other times I played, but they rolled true and were in magnificent shape.

Have played here many times and it remains my favorite public course within an hour's drive. Every hole is interesting. We had just gone experienced a day of constant rain two days before this round, and the greens were unfortunately really chopped up with spike marks. Other than that the course was typically very good.

First. We Live this golf course. It is one of our favorites. But........ What we have noticed is that the course MEMBERS take advantage of their pace of play. We have noticed that the MEMBERS do not respect the pace of play. This makes for a very long round. Please tell your members that the rules apply to ALL. THANK YOU

They did aerate the greens... but, they are still the best greens in 50 miles even aerated outside of Lancaster Country Club. Course played well, fescue was down a bit, course was empty which meant a 3 hour ideal round! Great course, great conditions, great staff. What more can you ask for?

I am from Delaware and have played All the top public & private courses at the beach, I have also played some of the best courses in Las Vegas & AZ. The course conditions here are EXCELLENT, Royal Manchester's conditions where as good or better than any course I have played. The layout was challenging but not overly difficult, penalizing when hit off line, but a nice score is possible with straight shots. My wife is a beginner and was able to score well and enjoy her round, so I would say its a fair course. You CAN NOT beat the value of this course! We payed $37 for a Hot Deal, normally $45 for weekday, $68 weekend, $35 & $45 for twilight respectively, this course is as good or better than the $100-$120 resort courses here Delaware. Will Definitely play here next time I am in the area.

The course was great. Staff was super nice. Sandwich at the turn was tasty.

The course was in GREAT shape, except for all the ball marks on the greens. Greens were rolling pretty fast.

Weather was 95 degrees with high humidity. Too hot to finish the course. Can't wait to go back.