Best Golf Courses Near Cook Forest PA

We are Michael and Amanda, local hosts at Hemlock Haven Retreats. Golf and Cook Forest go together better than most people expect. The courses out here are unpretentious, set against rolling Pennsylvania hills and open skies, and close enough to the forest that you can play a morning round and still make it back for a hike before sunset.

This guide covers every course worth knowing in the area, with honest notes to help you pick the right one for your trip.

The 4 Best Golf Courses Near Cook Forest

Pinecrest Country Club (Brookville)

If you only have time for one round on your Cook Forest trip and you want it to be the round you remember, drive to Pinecrest Country Club in Brookville. It is a semi-private course that consistently earns rave reviews from western Pennsylvania golfers for its conditioning and challenge. Andrew Spaid put it plainly in a recent Google review: “Man oh man was this place worth the drive and money. The greens and fairways are meticulous. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of the fastest greens I’ve played around western and central PA.”

Pinecrest tends to attract more serious players, but the staff is welcoming to visiting golfers, and the clubhouse is open most days for a post-round meal and drink. If you are a short hitter who relies on accuracy, you will love the way the course rewards smart shot placement.

• Rating: 4.5 stars on Google (104 reviews)
• Address: 29 W Pinecrest Ln, Brookville, PA 15825
• Phone: (814) 849-4666
• Website: pinecrestcc.com
• Distance from Cook Forest: Roughly 35 miles south, about 45 minutes via PA-36
• Best for: Avid golfers who want the best-conditioned course in the region
• What to know: Call ahead for guest tee times. Clubhouse hours run 11 AM to 8 PM on weekdays, with shorter hours on Monday and Sunday
• Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Clarion Oaks Golf Course (Clarion)

Clarion Oaks is the workhorse course of the area: affordable, walkable, and refreshingly relaxed. It is the spot we send first-time visitors who just want a clean, friendly 18 holes without the pressure of a country club setting. Recent reviewer Andy Fritz nailed the value: “18 holes to walk is $25, $35 for 18 with a cart, so price is hard to beat. The greens are well groomed, putt very true, and I found the course design challenging.” A second review from Christopher Lischerelli adds that the course is “in good condition from tee to green” with “lots of hidden breaks and slopes on the greens but very fair.”

The course is open enough to forgive newer players, but the rolling Clarion County hills and dogleg holes still give experienced golfers plenty to think about. The driving range is a nice bonus, and the staff is genuinely friendly.

• Rating: 4.2 stars on Google (118 reviews)
• Address: 694 Mayfield Rd, Clarion, PA 16214
• Phone: (814) 226-8888
• Distance from Cook Forest: Roughly 25 miles southwest, about 35 minutes via PA-66
• Best for: Affordable 18 holes, beginners and intermediates, walking golfers
• What to know: No fancy online booking system, so call directly to lock in a tee time, especially on weekends
• Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Hi Level Golf Course (Kossuth)

If you are bringing kids who are just learning the game, Hi Level Golf Course in Kossuth is our top pick. It is the closest “real” course to Cook Forest, only about 25 minutes from our cabins, and the welcoming family vibe makes it perfect for first-timers. As reviewer Mike Park wrote: “An absolute blast playing this course. The greens were great. The guy in the pro shop was great to chat with. All around great time.” Another guest praised the family focus directly: “This is the best place for kids to learn to love this sport. Mindy is wonderful and caring. She makes sure all kiddos feel welcome.”

The course is open 8 AM to 8 PM every day, so it is easy to fit in a quick round before or after a hike along the Longfellow Trail. The pro shop sells snacks and basic supplies if you forgot anything at the cabin.

• Rating: 4.5 stars on Google (160 reviews)
• Address: 148 High Level Ln, Kossuth, PA 16331
• Phone: (814) 797-1813
• Website: hilevelgc.com
• Distance from Cook Forest: Roughly 20 miles, about 25 to 30 minutes via PA-66
• Best for: Families, kids learning the game, casual rounds close to home base
• What to know: Open 8 AM to 8 PM seven days a week (seasonal)
• Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Foxburg Country Club (Foxburg)

Foxburg Country Club is a bucket-list visit even if you do not play golf, because it is widely considered the oldest continuously operating golf course in the United States. Founded in 1887, it sits on a bluff overlooking the Allegheny River in the tiny historic town of Foxburg. Reviewer Clayre Mook called it “a must do. The oldest continuing golf course in America. Basically 9 holes, even though they say 10. The course and the town of Foxburg is very historical. Great restaurant, winery, pizza shop, candy, hotel. Beautiful library and auditorium. Spend some time, enjoy!”

The round itself is short, charming, and not overly punishing. After your round, walk the village to see the American Golf Hall of Fame and grab dinner at the Allegheny Grille on the river. It is more of a half-day or even full-day outing than a quick stop, but worth every minute.

• Rating: 4.3 stars on Google (78 reviews)
• Address: 369 Harvey Rd, Foxburg, PA 16036
• Phone: (724) 659-3196
• Website: foxburgcountryclub.com
• Distance from Cook Forest: Roughly 40 miles southwest, about 50 minutes
• Best for: Golf history buffs, couples who want a scenic day trip, casual 9 holes
• What to know: Pair your round with a visit to the American Golf Hall of Fame and lunch in Foxburg village
• Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Local Tips for Golfing the Cook Forest Region

After eight years of hosting guests who play out here, we have picked up a few habits worth sharing.

1. Book by phone. Most of these courses are small, family-run operations. Phone reservations are faster and more reliable than chasing an online booking system that may not exist.
2. Play early or late. Mornings (8 to 10 AM) and twilight (after 3 to 4 PM) are the most comfortable times. Twilight rates can run 10 to 30 percent below midday prices.
3. Dress is casual but sensible. A collared shirt, golf or khaki shorts, and soft-spike shoes will be welcomed anywhere. Cut-offs, tank tops, and metal spikes are usually not.
4. Pack for the weather. Western Pennsylvania weather flips quickly. A light rain jacket, an extra layer, and a towel for the bag are wise. Frost delays are common on early spring and late fall mornings.
5. Bring cash. Some clubhouses and grills are still cash-friendly for snacks, beverages, and pull-cart rentals.
6. Aim for shoulder season. Mid-September through early October is our favorite golf window. The greens are still in shape, the air is crisp, and the surrounding hills explode into fall color.

The Best Time of Year to Play Golf Near Cook Forest

The Cook Forest golf season runs from roughly mid-April through late October. Within that window:

• Late May to early July: Lush green fairways, long days, comfortable temperatures
• Mid-July to August: Warmest weather; plan for early-morning or twilight rounds
• Mid-September to early October: Peak foliage, cool dry air, the most photogenic conditions
• April and late October: Cheaper rates and quiet courses, but expect soft ground and occasional frost delays

If your trip is built around the fall colors of Cook Forest, plan to bracket a round of golf with a morning hike on the Longfellow Trail to the Forest Cathedral. The 400-year-old hemlocks frame your day beautifully.

Plan Your Cook Forest Golf Trip

A “hemlock golf course” trip in the Cook Forest region is really a whole-day experience: a round of golf, a meal at a local spot, an evening on the deck with the pines, and the option to fold in a hike, a paddle, or a sunrise drive through the forest. Whether you head south to Hemlock View, west to Clarion Oaks, or just down PA-36 to Hi Level, you will find courses that are welcoming, scenic, and easy on the wallet.

If you are ready to build the trip around a stay in the woods, we would love to host you. Check our available treehouses and cabins and see why guests keep coming back to Hemlock Haven Retreats year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which course is closest to Vowinckel, Lucinda, or Marienville?
Hi Level Golf Course in Kossuth is the closest to all three, followed by Clarion Oaks in Clarion. Both are under 40 minutes from Marienville and under 30 from Vowinckel and Lucinda.

What is the most affordable course near Cook Forest? Clarion Oaks at roughly $25 to walk 18 holes. Hi Level is close in price and adds the most beginner-friendly atmosphere.

Which course is best for a serious golfer?
Pinecrest Country Club in Brookville. Best-conditioned course in the area with fast, challenging greens and a full clubhouse.

Do I need to book ahead?
For weekends and peak season (June through August and October), book 3 to 7 days out. Weekdays, 1 to 3 days is usually plenty.