A Pittsburgh Classic Turns 100
Chartiers celebrated its centennial in 2023, honoring its status as one of the city’s enduring golf institutions. The club’s rich heritage is felt from the iconic veranda to every tee box.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Chartiers Country Club
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Established
1923
Architect
Willie Park Jr. (original), Arthur Hills (renovation), 2021 refinements
Access
Private
Par
Par 70
Length
4,485 – 6,733 yds
The verdict
Elite Hillside Classic in Pittsburgh
Chartiers Country Club delivers the full private-club experience for those lucky enough to play. It's a tree-lined, topographically dramatic Willie Park Jr. original, energized by a robust Arthur Hills renovation and ongoing facility upgrades. This is traditional championship golf with a thoroughly Pittsburgh pulse.
Course DNA
Difficulty
82
Scenery83
Conditioning87
Shot Variety74
Walkability69
Green Complexity77
Wow Factor72
Design Quality75
Don't miss
Soak up the post-round view from the clubhouse veranda overlooking the closing holes and Pittsburgh skyline.
At a glance
Quick facts
Founded
1923
Architectural pedigree
Willie Park Jr., Arthur Hills refinements
Course setting
Wooded hills with Pittsburgh skyline views
Notable renovation
60 classic bunkers rebuilt in 2021
Toughest hole
1st, 470-yard par 4 opener
Membership
Traditional private club atmosphere
Longest hole
9th, 588-yard par 5
Frequent event host
Western Pennsylvania amateur championships
The design
The architecture
Chartiers Country Club’s course is a showcase of classic golf architecture adapted to western Pennsylvania’s rolling, wooded hills. Willie Park Jr.’s original routing leverages dramatic elevation changes and sweeping terrain, demanding accuracy and smart club selection on tree-lined, contour-rich holes. Arthur Hills’ 1991 renovation—further advanced in 2021 with the full restoration of over 60 bunkers and several greens—blends old-school shot values with contemporary playability. The result is a cohesive parkland test with city skyline backdrops and a strong sense of place.
Willie Park Jr., the two-time Open Champion and early American course designer, imbued Chartiers with natural flow and strategic interest; Arthur Hills elevated the course’s defenses and beauty for today’s players.
Defining features
- Wooded hills with panoramic city views
- Classic parkland routing with strategic bunker placement
- Rebuilt, deep bunkers and squared-off tees
- Diverse set of long par 3s and demanding par 4s
- Firm, well-protected greens favoring shot-making
- Historic clubhouse veranda overlooking closing holes
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Hillside First Impression
PAR
4
YARDAGE
470
A brawny 470-yard par 4 starts the round with a nerve-testing drive into a rising, wooded corridor that sets Chartiers’ tone instantly. The approach, often from a hanging lie, must hold a sloped green guarded by sculpted bunkers and mature trees.
Play it smart
Favor the left half off the tee for a level stance and better line to the green; take enough club on the uphill approach.
Where it bites
A ball right or short brings deep bunkers and tough recovery from downhill lies.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot on the uphill first
Opt for a controlled driver or strong hybrid—favor the left side for a manageable angle into an elevated green.
Long iron into the 225-yard 7th
Club up and take dead aim—par here feels like a birdie; avoid the left where the terrain falls away fast.
Approaching tight, bunker-flanked greens
Land short and let the ball release—many targets are elevated or sloped back-to-front with run-off areas.
Second shot on the 9th
Unless going for it in two, lay up to a flat spot and avoid tree lines for the best look at a receptive pin.
The downhill putt on firm greens
Read the slopes and control pace—firm, private club surfaces can make downhillers lightning fast.
Tee shot on newly renovated 15th
Play to the angle—fairway bunkers are in play; you’re rewarded by choosing your line carefully.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Tournament-quality bentgrass fairways and greens, precise bunkers, and a polished private-club standard.
Pace
Member-driven tee sheet generally keeps play steady but not rushed; weekends see steady action in the morning.
Vibe
Classic private-club tradition with a historic clubhouse atmosphere and a welcoming, tight-knit membership.
Dress code
Traditional private club attire—collared shirts and slacks recommended; confirm with the club directly.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring Your Long Game
With a set of formidable par 3s and stout par 4s, distance and accuracy are equally prized.
02
Plan for Hills
The routing’s elevation changes reward fit walkers and strong course management—expect uphills and sidehills.
03
Firm Greens, Fast Putts
Rebuilt greens run true and quick—spend extra time reading contours and practicing pace control.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1923
Club founded and original Willie Park Jr. course debuts
- 1991
Arthur Hills renovates layout with new bunkers and tees
- 2019
Host site for U.S. Women’s Open qualifying
- 2021
Major bunker and green renovation project completed
- 2024
Hosts Western Pennsylvania Amateur for centennial cycle
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Bunker Renaissance in 2021
A bold renovation reimagined 60 bunkers with a crisp Golden Age look, sharpening strategic choices and revitalizing visual drama across the course. The 15th hole especially showcases the new style and a challenging new green.
From Skyline to Skyline
Towering trees and hilltop exposures give players regular glimpses of the Pittsburgh skyline. The timeless charm blends natural elevation with memorable city vistas.
Tested by Champions
Chartiers has long served as battleground for the Western Pennsylvania Amateur, a proving ground for the region’s best, and was a stop on the road to the U.S. Women’s Open. Tradition runs deep in its fairways.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Chartiers’ first architect, Willie Park Jr., won two Open Championships and was a pioneer in early American golf course design.
2
The 2021 bunker restoration revived 60 original bunkers with a period-authentic look.
3
Chartiers was a qualifying site for the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open.
4
Skyline views of downtown Pittsburgh can be spotted from several tees and fairways.
5
The club’s signature veranda is a go-to spot for watching spectacular summer sunsets over the closing holes.
Build the trip
For a full Pittsburgh club-and-public adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Oakmont Country Club
Private
Iconic U.S. Open host and a true pilgrimage for architecture fans.
Pittsburgh Field Club
Private
Historic classic with rolling routing and top-tier Golden Age pedigree.
Longue Vue Club
Private
Elite parkland experience in Pittsburgh’s east corridor.
Birdsfoot Golf Club
Public
Highly regarded public course featuring strategic bunkers and open views.
Totteridge Golf Club
Public
Fun, semi-links experience with a friendly tee sheet for visitors.
Downtown Pittsburgh, North Shore, or Mt. Washington for central access and local flavor.
Course DNA
If You Like Chartiers Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Aldarra Golf Club
Sammamish, WashingtonConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Aldarra Golf Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Chartiers Country Club.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Black Rock Country Club
Hingham, MassachusettsWhy it matches: If Chartiers Country Club is your kind of course, Black Rock Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Golf Club of Georgia
Alpharetta, GeorgiaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Golf Club of Georgia a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Chartiers Country Club.
The architect's other work
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Community Sentiment
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