Taking on the Monster
Golfers speak in hushed tones about the 643-yard, par-5 14th—Jericho National’s ultimate three-shot test. Even the bravest are forced to strategize meticulously just to grab a par on this valley-hugging beast.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Jericho National Golf Club
New Hope, Pennsylvania
Established
1999
Architect
Dr. Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry
Access
Semi-Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,130 – 7,127 yds
Green Fees
$$$
The verdict
A Modern Bucks County Standout
Jericho National delivers strategic golf with dramatic bunkering, contoured greens, and a routing shaped by Hurdzan and Fry's architectural muscle. While local in reputation, it's a fixture among the region's most challenging and visually engaging courses. Expect both variety and muscle, especially on the long par 3s and testy par 5s.
Course DNA
Difficulty
83
Scenery76
Conditioning80
Shot Variety81
Walkability69
Green Complexity84
Wow Factor74
Design Quality78
Don't miss
After your round, check out the panoramic views of Jericho Mountain from the patio—a hidden highlight for first-timers.
At a glance
Quick facts
Course architects
Dr. Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry
Longest hole
No. 14 – 643 yards
Bunkering theme
Dramatic, visually striking
Major qualifier host
2025 U.S. Open qualifying
Setting
Rolling valley below Jericho Mountain
Guest access
By invitation and limited public times
The design
The architecture
Jericho National weaves a demanding yet fair journey through Bucks County countryside, leveraging dramatic bunkering and bold green contours to keep golfers guessing—and grinding—on every shot. Architect duo Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry deploy expansive valleys, changing elevations, and a blend of hero carries and strategic layups, creating a modern test that blends muscle and mind. The greens demand attention, the bunkers dictate strategy, and the routing ensures you face the wind and land from every angle.
Hurdzan and Fry combine bold landforms with punishing green contours and modern risk/reward strategy, resulting in a championship-caliber test for every skill set.
Defining features
- Expansive, sculpted bunkers providing visual drama and challenge
- Strong use of elevation through valleys and up Jericho Mountain's lower slopes
- Contoured greens with significant movement and runoffs
- Risk-reward opportunities on short par 4s and reachable par 5s
- Strategic doglegs and forced carries challenging decision-making
- Mix of classic-feeling and modern architectural touches
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
The Demanding Starter
PAR
5
YARDAGE
577
Jericho’s opener stretches to 577 yards from the Gold tees, immediately challenging players with a long, gently bending par 5 framed by bunkers and subtle elevation shifts. Position off the tee is critical—a reckless approach can spell disaster before your round finds rhythm.
Play it smart
Play conservatively and favor positioning for your layup to leave your best yardage into the contoured green.
Where it bites
Over-aggression courts bunkers and misjudged roll, quickly adding up a big number.
Course management
Shots to think about
Teeing off on the narrow 8th
Resist chasing the green; lay up and leave a wedge into a receptive but well-guarded putting surface.
Approaching the uphill 4th
Take enough club for the uphill approach—being short almost always means trouble.
Second shot on the 14th
Don’t over-commit; make a measured layup to set up your ideal third rather than heroics.
Long par 3s early in the round
Aim for large targets and accept par—trying to chase pins can lead to compound errors.
Short-sided in a greenside bunker
Play for a safe, controllable out—Jericho’s bunkers are deep and aggressively sloped.
Sidehill lies on the back nine
Adjust your stance and setup to match the valley's slope; play for center green.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Championship-level turf and sharply defined bunkering with consistent greens.
Pace
Generally 4:15–4:45 per round, with rush hour play on weekends.
Vibe
Upscale, clubby, and welcoming to guests with a serious golf culture.
Dress code
Traditional country club attire—collared shirts and proper golf pants/shorts recommended.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Study the scorecard
Plot your approach to the long par 3s and epic par 5s, where both distance and layup strategy are critical.
02
Bring your sand game
Practice bunker shots before the round—the course is renowned for dramatic, deep bunkering.
03
Arrive early
Allow extra time to navigate the rolling property and get comfortable with the practice green's size and pace.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1999
Course opens to acclaim as Bucks County's standout new private club
- 2025
Chosen as a U.S. Open qualifying site
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Hurdzan-Fry Showpiece
Jericho National spotlights the Hurdzan-Fry design identity: bold landforms, risk/reward angle play, and green sites that welcome the creative mind as much as the confident swing. Their fingerprints show from the first tee to the final putt.
Qualifying Proven
When the USGA picked Jericho National as a U.S. Open qualifying site, it cemented the course’s reputation as a demanding test that can expose nerves and reward smart, disciplined play under pressure.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The 14th hole stretches a jaw-dropping 643 yards from the Gold tees.
2
Both the opening and closing stretches utilize the natural valley to test every part of your game.
3
Jericho National’s greens are famous locally for their internal movement and tricky contours.
4
The course has served as a U.S. Open qualifying test, challenging regional pros and top amateurs alike.
5
The property offers dramatic Bucks County scenery without sacrificing demanding golf.
Build the trip
If you're planning a Bucks County golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Talamore at Eagle's Landing
Public
A creative, resort-style challenge that's bookable for all.
Five Ponds Golf Club
Public
Solid municipal value with playable yardage and accessible tee times.
Makefield Highlands
Public
Convenient, fun, and always playable—great warmup or late-afternoon round.
Ridge at Back Brook
Private
Highly regarded by architecture buffs—secure an invite if you can.
Trenton Country Club
Private
Classic club history and a taste of regional tradition.
New Hope or Lambertville for convenient access and charming downtown stays.
Course DNA
If You Like Jericho National Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Wollaston Golf Club
Milton, MassachusettsWhy it matches: If Jericho National Golf Club is your kind of course, Wollaston Golf Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys)
Kohler, WisconsinWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Jericho National Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Vesper Country Club
Tyngsborough, MassachusettsWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Vesper Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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