Glenside, Pennsylvania
LuLu Country Club is a must-play for true architecture junkies, delivering strategic shot values and pure old-school charm across rolling land north of Philly. Fresh from a historically faithful bunker and greens restoration, it channels classic Donald Ross with bold, fun contours and a flair for memorable short par 4s and par 3s. Short-game artistry and thoughtful navigation are a must for scoring well on one of the region’s most storied layouts.
LuLu Country Club is a pure expression of Donald Ross’s genius for routing and subtlety, recently restored to its 1930s strategic glory. The course weaves over rolling farmland with minimal tree interference, emphasizing ground-game options, visual deception, and superbly sloping greens that command respect. The 2022 bunker and green upgrades—using vintage aerials as guides—have brought back lost contours, expanded strategic lines, and opened up vistas that reinforce the layout’s Golden Age drama. At LuLu, every shot must be planned: angles, run-ups, tricky recoveries, and nuanced approaches define the test, crowned by greens whose speeds and slopes are the final defense.
Donald Ross’s first Pennsylvania course, and one of his most charming regional works; recent restorations keep the Ross DNA front and center.
Kicking off the round is a par 5 that plays longer than its yardage, with strategic bunkering left off the tee and a green fiercely protected except from directly in front. The fairway ripples set up a daunting approach into a classic Ross green that makes even a wedge nervy.
Prioritize position off the tee—hugging the left bunker opens up the green, but accuracy matters more than length.
Poorly judged approach shots are punished by tight bunkers and severe green contours.
Fast, firm greens and generally excellent maintenance—especially after the recent restoration. Expect open vistas and minimal rough, with restored bunkers adding both beauty and bite.
Brisk for a classic private; typical rounds average 3:45 and rarely drag.
Quiet confidence—historic, local-member energy with a love for classic golf and course lore. The air feels distinctly “old North Philly,” but with an inclusive atmosphere.
Collared shirt & slacks required; traditional private club standards.
LuLu's greens have a reputation for serious speed and slope—practice your long-range touch to avoid three-putt disasters.
Greenside recoveries test your short game variety—work on chips, flops, and bump-and-runs.
Scoring comes on the shorter holes, but only with smart strategy; chart risk-reward options in advance.
While walkable, there are hilly approach shots and some uphill carries—factor in extra club on crucial holes.
Golf first played on farm owned by George S. Cox with LuLu Temple Shriners
LuLu Temple Country Club chartered
Club expands to 18 holes; Donald Ross completes full design
Hosts Philadelphia Open Championship
Hosts Philadelphia PGA Championship
Ron Prichard restoration to Ross specifications
Major bunker, green, tee, and tree restoration completed
LuLu’s famed putting surfaces are a Donald Ross masterclass—fast, canted, and demanding touch from every angle, especially after the recent restoration. A misjudged approach or a reckless chip can send your ball rolling for yards, making short-game nerves a regular feature.
Distinctive Ross touches like the punchbowl green at 8 and the volcano par 3 are not only architectural highlights, but also serve as rite-of-passage holes for first-timers. Their drama, visibility, and strategic nuances make them unforgettable whether you make birdie or bogey.
LuLu’s 1960s heyday was defined as much by who played there as the course itself—Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer both famously teed it up, bringing Tour-star cachet and securing the club’s status as a Philadelphia golf touchstone.
The 2022 restoration didn’t just clean up the course; it stripped away hundreds of trees and restored historic bunker shapes, making LuLu the most open, strategic, and true-to-Ross it’s been in generations.
LuLu Country Club takes its quirky name from the LuLu Shriners’ Temple that owned the original farmland.
Ross’s volcano green and punchbowl designs are rarely seen together on the same course.
Hundreds of trees have been removed in recent years, making LuLu truer to its original open farmland character.
Ross’s first-ever course in Pennsylvania—setting his Golden Age mark on Philly golf.
Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer were both regular visitors during the club’s 1960s heyday.
Historic muni, classic architecture, major renovation—a must for any Philly golf trip.
Donald Ross gem, elite regional walk, a benchmark in restored classic architecture.
The ultimate Philly legend—US Open pedigree and shotmaker’s dream.
Excellent value, accessible for all, and a strong regional reputation.
Stay in Chestnut Hill or Center City Philadelphia for the best balance of lodging, dining, and sub-30-minute drives to the best courses.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: Raleigh Country Club is a natural next stop after LuLu Country Club: it makes the greens a central strategic puzzle.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Worcester Country Club makes the greens a central strategic puzzle, making it a compelling counterpart to LuLu Country Club.
Why it matches: What links these two? Demands the same precision once you reach the putting surface — a familiar feeling, expressed in Youngstown Country Club's own setting.
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