Courtesy of Stonehouse Golf
Courtesy of Stonehouse Golf
Laurel Valley Golf Club
Ligonier, PA • Private
Laurel Valley Golf Club
175 Palmer Dr
Ligonier, PA 15658-1274
United States
Overview
Considered by some to be Dick Wilson’s consummate design, Laurel Valley Golf Club was founded by a group that included Arnold Palmer, who lived a few miles from the site. In fact, the group tried to persuade Arnie to quit the PGA Tour and become the club’s head professional and manager. Palmer reportedly mulled over the prospect for a time before rejecting it. Imagine how different the tour would have been had Arnie not become the dashing head of Arnie’s Army in the early 1960s. Instead, Palmer won seven majors, 52 titles overall and founded a golf design company that thrice remodeled the lovely Laurel Valley for major events.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2019.
Previous ranking: 123rd.
2025-'26 ranking: 118th.
100 Greatest: Ranked 1966-2018.
Highest ranking: 22nd, 1989-'90.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 10 since 1977.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 4th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Laurel Valley may be the best setting for golf in the State of Pennyslvania. The Ligonier Valley is stunning. The course is a special experience that the golfer will long remember. However, the golf course lacks much excitement, as the golfer will leave remembering mostly the 7th, 10th and 18th holes. A renovation from an architect willing to take chances and schooled in strategic design would take this club into the elite clubs in the US."
Read More2025
Review
“Very good flow to the course. Good routing. 10 is a terrific golf holes the view from 12 tee on down into the valley is a terrific stretch. The bunkering is a bit much. Greens are very good and hard too."
Read More2025
Review
“Gorgeous property with a phenomenal layout. If given the opportunity it is a must play."
Read More2025
Review
“Having not played the course prior to the removal of all the trees, it was a serene environment surrounded by the mountains. Being able to see from one end of the property to the other provided perspective as to how great of a plot of land the course was built on. Although there has been a lot of rain throughout the Spring, the fairways had enough run and the greens rolled extremely well to make the 7300 yard course very playable. The false fronts and subtle crowns on several greens made for precise approach play or really tested ones short game. Each green complex was unique. The bunkers throughout the course were nearly flawless and the trees that do remain are very strategic."
Read More2025
Review
“Very special place. Was able to play with club president who gave a great description of every hole and the numerous changes over the years and upcoming. This old course continues to evolve and evokes a great sense of history, as you could imagine. The layout is amazing. The ability to see very unique holes on same course was also fun."
Read More2024
Review
“A private club with fast fairways, speedy greens, and good views of the mountain foothills."
Read More2023
Review
“This is a really great place to go as it is modelled after the Augusta and Muirfield Village models...great accomodations and dining to go along with a very nice golf course."
Read More2023
Review
“Absolute must play if in the Pittsburg area!"
Read More2023
Review
“A gorgeous setting for a golf course."
Read More2022
Review
“A beautiful piece of property. A wonderful, classic-looking layout in a serene setting. The only downside is the greens are usually a little on the slow side because of all the corporate outings they have here. Other than that it's an absolute joy to play."
Read More2021
