Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Saucon Valley’s Old Course is history and challenge in pure form—a Herbert Strong layout that’s hosted the nation’s biggest games. Superb conditioning and strategic demands ensure every shot matters on this Pennsylvania gem.
Herbert Strong’s Old Course at Saucon Valley offers a timeless championship canvas—strategic, uncluttered lines cross rolling parkland, with mature trees and native Pennsylvania character. Subtle doglegs, well-placed bunkers, and defended greens challenge the best, while evolved touches from Maxwell, Gordon, and Marzolf retain the course’s original spirit. Tee shots demand precision, and angles matter more than muscle. The greens, reworked with modern drainage and contouring, are quick, true, and often devilish to decipher. Historic, well-proportioned, and always rewarding for thinkers and competitors, the Old is a paragon of the American classic school.
Herbert Strong’s routing remains the backbone, with respectful updates from Maxwell, Gordon, and the Fazio Group reinforcing its reputation as a fair, testing, and deeply strategic championship course.
This powerful par 5 launches the round with an inviting but exacting demand for long-game precision. From the opening tee, the fairway stretches away under the watchful gaze of the clubhouse, requiring disciplined play to set up a true birdie chance.
Position your layup to the left side for a cleaner look at the green, but watch the right-side bunkers. Aggressors may try for the green in two, but the angle is critical.
Straying right brings deep bunkers into play; overconfidence early will punish an errant approach and set a tough tone for the day.
Tour-quality, firm fairways and true, fast greens—always manicured for championship play.
Smooth, member-paced rounds typical, but tournament weeks can extend play.
Traditional, quietly elite private-club tradition—focused, understated, and golf-immersed.
Standard private club attire required—collared shirts, no denim, soft spikes recommended.
Iron accuracy is vital—several approaches require precise yardage control to tricky, firm greens.
The subtly contoured greens demand touch; bring your best lag putting game for two-putt survival.
If possible, walk a loop or check sight-lines before your round to understand key approach angles and hazards.
Work on shaping tee shots—position matters more than power on many key par 4s.
Old Course opens, designed by Herbert Strong
Hosts U.S. Amateur Championship
Hosts first of three U.S. Senior Opens
Major redesign by Tom Marzolf/Fazio Group
Hosts U.S. Women’s Open
Hosts third U.S. Senior Open; first club to do so
Scheduled to hold U.S. Junior Amateur
Saucon Valley's Old Course became the first club to host three U.S. Senior Opens, most recently in 2022 when Padraig Harrington claimed victory. The tournament has cemented the Old as an elite senior championship test, combining tradition and modern shotmaking.
The core routing remains true to Herbert Strong’s 1922 championship vision, even after updates from Perry Maxwell, William Gordon, and Tom Marzolf’s team. Strategic options and subtle green defenses define each round, captivating architecture fans and competitors alike.
In 2009, Eun-Hee Ji clinched the U.S. Women’s Open with a dramatic final-hole birdie. The Old Course’s green-side bunkers and strategic settings brought major drama, showcasing its championship heritage—and inspired a new generation of women’s events.
Hosting 13 USGA national championships, the Old Course holds a revered place among America’s private clubs. From the Amateur to the Women’s and Senior Opens, few venues boast a deeper competitive résumé.
First club to host three U.S. Senior Opens
Opened on land once owned by Bethlehem Steel’s Eugene Grace
Club has held thirteen USGA national championships and counting
Herbert Strong, a British-born architect, brought Scottish design influence to Pennsylvania
The 2008 Tom Marzolf project restored greens to their original size and challenged today’s best players
Acclaimed William Gordon/club design with championship routing and lush conditioning
Elite Allentown course; another classic test in close proximity
Best accessible municipal option in the area for a public round
Downtown Bethlehem for shortest drive and maximum Lehigh Valley access
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Saucon Valley Country Club – Old is your kind of course, Arrowhead Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: Guyan Golf & Country Club is a natural next stop after Saucon Valley Country Club – Old: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Why it matches: If Saucon Valley Country Club – Old is your kind of course, The Harvester Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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