Omni Bedford Springs Resort

Awesome course. Yes it can be tight, and greens are very challenging, but what a pleasure to play. Great assortment of holes. A bit pricey, but have paid more to play courses that can't even be remotely comparable to this place. If you love playing between backyards don't go here; but if you love a beautiful golf course in beautiful setting it is a must play.

Playing the Old course at Bedford Springs twice in two days in May gave me a full appreciation for this special and endearing place located in a peaceful rural setting two hours west of Pittsburgh. The architecture team of Ron Forse and Jim Nagle did a bang-up job in the restoration of this Donald Ross/A.W. Tillinghast course about a decade ago. They remained true to classical architecture, while adding their own touches. Forse calls Bedford Springs a "museum" of course design.

It seems so straightforward until the five long par 5s and brutal rough pound you until submission. I'd like to see the rough kept a little shorter for pace of play and playability reasons, but it's a minor complaint.

The par 3s are as varied as any course I've ever seen. I don't think I've ever come across a par 3 rated the No. 1 handicap like the vaunted "volcano" hole - the 223-yard fourth. I needed driver to hit the green set on top of a hill. The 124-yard uphill 10th hole and 136-yard downhill 14th hole play completely different. The 14th - called "Tiny Tim" was taken from Tillinghast's book, The Course Beautiful, and features 11 tiny mounds to the left of the green that are called "chocolate drops", a staple of early architecture. Most golfers won't appreciate the history, but to us golf geeks, every round feels like a tour back in time.

My wife and I went on a weekend retreat to Bedford for the third time in the last 3 years. This is the third time I've played the Old Course and it is just a great experience. The staff is as friendly and as accommodating as you can ever imagine. Pace of play is well maintained. Perfect fairways, true greens and a great test of golf matched with a beautiful layout. I've played as a single twice and both rounds were around 2.5 hours for 18 holes. The practice area is close to PGA standards and is very well maintained. I can't say enough about this course and resort in general - it's worth the drive, the money and every minute of your time. The Par 3's can put you in a hole quickly, give them all the respect they deserve!

I played two rounds at the Old Course at Bedford Springs as part of a golf trip with a buddy. We had a wonderful time. The course is difficult, historic and beautiful. Highlights:
-- Course is extremely well maintained. One of the best I have ever seen in 30+ years of playing golf. In addition, the course has wonderful sightlines. It is not cluttered by ball washers, trash cans, park benchs, porta potties, etc. You won't find any of that.
-- Staff was very helpful and friendly.
-- Course was challenging. Anyone with a handicap of 18+ (or no handicap) should play the front tees.
-- Spend $10 and buy the yardage book in the pro shop. It's full of great notes about the history of the course, which is one of the oldest in the eastern U.S.
-- Most of the greens are small and all are very fast and difficult.

This course is really well kept. The rough is very difficult and you can easily lose a ball the rolls through the fairway. There is no shame in teeing it forward on this course. The green complexes are tiered and fast. Fun to play if you know what to expect. Not so fun if you are a beginner golfer.