Golf

A Classic Philadelphia Golf Course Designed by William Flynn

The design of Bala Golf Club embodies the great traditions of golf and the classic Philadelphia School of Golf Architecture. Tasked with expanding the original 9-hole routing, William Flynn succeeded admirably in creating a challenging 18-hole course on the small, rolling piece of property owned by Bala Golf Club. Although short by today's standards, Bala continues to challenge members and guests, placing a premium on sound strategy and skillful shot-making.

William Flynn is one of the all-time great golf course architects, whose impressive portfolio of classic designs includes the nationally-ranked Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and Cherry Hills Country Club. Locally, Flynn is responsible for many of the Philadelphia area's greatest golf courses, including Huntingdon Valley, Rolling Green, and the Lancaster and Philadelphia Country Clubs. Flynn is also credited with the 1925 redesign of Merion Golf Club's famed East Course (along with then-partner Hugh Wilson) and, along with other members of the Philadelphia School, had his hand in the design and construction of Pine Valley Golf Club and nearby Cobb’s Creek.

Combining the highest standards in maintenance with Flynn's classic design elements, the course provides a full examination of every player’s game and engages members and guests of all skill levels. Above all else, Bala is a golf course that is fun to play, and offers a different challenge each day.

Hole 1

Par: 4

Men's Handicap: 13

Red Handicap: 13

Yellow Handicap: 5
 336
 321
 305
 305
  • Guest Information

    • Rules and regulations for guests of Bala

      Welcome to Bala Golf Club! We are pleased to have you as our guest. Please take a moment to review the rules and regulations of our Club. Click here for a printable .pdf.


      Cell Phones

      Cellular phones may be carried on the course for use in an emergency or exceptional circumstance. Please be discreet when talking on your phones around others who are golfing and dining.


      Changing Shoes

      Shoes are not to be changed in either of Bala’s upper or lower parking lots. Please visit the Men’s or Women’s Locker Room, where our Locker Room Attendants will be happy to assist you with a locker.


      Attire

      Hats, caps, and visors worn by gentlemen should be removed while they are under cover (Clubhouse & Main Dining Room). Gentlemen are to have their shirts tucked in at all times. Bermuda shorts are permitted for men and women; knee length is preferred for both men and women, not to exceed 3” above the knee; golf skorts and skirts not to exceed 4” above the knee.

      The following items are considered inappropriate, and will not be permitted on the golf course or practice range, or in or around the clubhouse: tanktops, short-sleeve mock turtlenecks (men only), t-shirts, denim jeans, cut-offs, tennis-length skirts, short shorts, flip-flops, crocs, leather sandals (men only), cargo shorts/pants, and jogging attire.


      Smoking Policy

      Smoking is prohibited inside the Clubhouse. Smoking is only permitted in the designated areas on the outside patio.


      Golf

      Each day the course is open for play, either a “CART PATH’S ONLY” or a “90°” rule will be posted in the Pro Shop and on the 1st and 10th tee. If the cart rule is “90°” carts are expected to stay in the fairway until back on the cart path.


      Pace of Play

      Be prepared to play at all times. Always carry an extra ball. Be ready to hit when it is your turn and feel free to play ready golf. Always rake your own fairway or greenside bunker and replace your own divot. Repair ball marks and prepare to putt while others are playing their ball. Play from the appropriate tees (guests with a course handicap of 10 or higher may not play from the back tees). If you reach your maximum allowable score, pick up.  

  • Course Record

    • A true testament to the sound design of William Flynn, Bala's course record of 60 by Doug Adam has stood the test of time and modern equipment since 1960!

  • Local Rules

    • LOCAL RULES & CONDITIONS OF PLAY

      THE RULES OF GOLF AS APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION AND THE R&A GOVERN PLAY. Complete text of Rules and Local Rules may be found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, effective January 2019.

      OBSTRUCTIONS: Paved, dirt and mulched cart paths are immovable obstructions and relief may be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1a. Wood chipped and GUR areas leading into cart paths will have the same status as the path, that of obstructions.

      OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by the nearest inside points, at ground level, of white stakes along with white lines, boundary walls and fences. See Rule 18.
      • The driving range is Out of Bounds.
      • The parking lot is Out of Bounds.

      PRACTICE AREAS ON THE COURSE (see Rule 5.2): Includes the practice putting green and the hitting net.

      PENALTY AREAS: Artificial walls and pilings located in penalty areas are integral objects. When a penalty area is defined on only one side, it extends to infinity. When a penalty area is connected to out-of-bounds, the penalty area extends to and coincides with out of bounds.
      • Dropping Zone – Hole #6: If, during the play of hole #6, a ball is in or it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found lies in the Yellow Penalty Area, the player may proceed under Rule 17.1d; or as an additional option, drop the original ball or another ball, under penalty of one stroke in the designated Dropping Zone.
      • Relief on Opposite Side of a Penalty Area: When the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area on Hole #7 & #8, as an extra relief option adding one penalty stroke, the player may drop the original ball or another ball on the opposite side of the penalty area:

      Reference Point: The estimated point on the opposite edge of the penalty area that is the same distance from the hole as the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.

      Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:

      Limits on Location of Relief Area:
      1. Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
      2. May be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, but
      3. If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touches when dropped in the relief area.

      GROUND UNDER REPAIR: Defined by white lines. French drains are ground under repair. For grass-covered trenching, see Temporary Lines and Cables. Ground under repair may include areas of unusual damage, including areas where spectators or other traffic has combined with wet conditions to affect materially the ground surface, but only when so declared by an authorized member of the Committee. When immediately adjacent to an immovable obstruction, such an area is part of the obstruction.
      • No Play Zone: The following areas are No Play Zones defined as Ground Under Repair:
      (i) flower beds and other decorative plantings areas on the course
      Relief must be taken under Rule 16.1 when player has any interference as defined by Rule 16.1f.

      Click here to download a .pdf version

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