Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Stevens, Pennsylvania, Foxchase Golf Club is a hidden gem in Lancaster County. Located just a short 20-minute drive from the bustling heart of downtown Lancaster City. This public golf club is well-designed with stunning countryside surroundings. Playing as a par-72 at 6,606 yards, with a course rating of 71.5 and a slope rating of 125, Fox Chase beckons golfers of all levels to experience its challenging yet accessible layout.
Foxchase Course History
Foxchase Golf Club opened in 1991 on land owned by the Graybill family for over a century. They used to have a dairy farm and later added a supermarket. In 1990, they decided to make it a golf course. They met Arnold Palmer in 1986, which inspired them to create the course. The family sees the course as a blessing from God and works to take care of it. They’ve been in the golf business for over 32 years and believe golf is more than a sport. It’s a way to have fun, make friends, and stay active outdoors. The Graybill family plans to keep the course for many more generations to enjoy.
Foxchase Golf Club Features & Amenities
Foxchase Golf Club boasts an array of fantastic amenities, including a top-notch driving range perfect for honing your skills or warming up before your round. This expansive range offers both grass-hitting areas and 18 high-quality turf-hitting mats. Adjacent to the range, you’ll discover a dedicated short-game area featuring a bunker and ample space to practice pitch shots up to 40 yards onto a regulation-sized green. Further details on additional features will be covered in the following sections!
Driving Range (Natural Grass & Hitting Mats)
Short Game Area
Practice Putting Green
Pro Shop
Indoor Golf Simulators
The Fox Den/Grubbery
Lessons and Training
Fox Chase Golf Club Ratings
While Fox Chase is conveniently located in my local area, I don’t have the opportunity to play there as often as I’d prefer. Nevertheless, it holds a special charm as a welcoming public club. Having grown up in the vicinity of Amish country, surrounded by farms, it never fails to evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort, reminiscent of home.
Course Design – ★★★
Every hole at Foxchase boasts its own distinctive character, offering golfers both strategic challenges and awe-inspiring views. Negotiate narrow fairways that demand precision, navigate strategically placed bunkers, and conquer water hazards strategically positioned throughout the course. Every element has been thoughtfully crafted to put your skills to the test and ignite your passion for the game.
Par-3’s: Foxchase Golf Club features distinctive par-3 holes that present an array of distances, challenging players with shots ranging from long irons to wedges. The course layout strategically places three out of the four par-3s on the front nine, with the shortest par-3 found on the back nine. Among them, my personal favorite is Hole #8, which demands a precise mid-iron shot over a sizable pond. Make sure you take enough club!
Par-4’s: The Par 4 holes at Foxchase provide a diverse and enjoyable experience. Like the par-3s, they test the capabilities of every club in your bag. While accuracy with your driver is important, Foxchase isn’t overly demanding in this regard. Among my personal favorites is Hole #16. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can attempt to navigate your drive to the left of the pond, setting up a manageable flip wedge shot. Alternatively, you can play it safe by laying up before the pond to stay dry, but this will result in a longer iron approach to a small green. The choice is yours!
Par-5’s: Foxchase boasts four challenging par-5 holes: #7, #9, #11, and #14. Among them, Hole #14 stands as the longest and most demanding. A powerful drive is essential, followed by a blind second shot over a hill, leading to a small green. Personally, I have a soft spot for Hole #9. With its short distance and generously wide fairway, it presents a prime opportunity for success, offering a substantial chance at nabbing an eagle if with an accurate second shot into a large green.
Course Difficulty – ★★★
Foxchase Golf Club offers a balanced level of difficulty. While it doesn’t rank as the most challenging course in Lancaster, it’s not a walk in the park either. The fairways are forgiving, allowing for some leeway in driving accuracy. There are opportunities for birdies on both the front and back nine, providing a chance to turn your scorecard in your favor. However, it’s worth noting that a few tricky holes require strategic thinking. Opting for aggressive drives or approaches without careful consideration can lead to a sudden increase in your score. It’s a course that strikes a fair balance between friendly and challenging play.
Course Amenities & Price – ★★★½
Foxchase Golf Club takes great pride in providing exceptional amenities for its valued players and guests. The clubhouse offers a warm and inviting ambiance, with plenty of food options from the restaurant The Grubbery, and if you need a snack stop by The Den on your way to the back. Their pro shop is impressively stocked with a wide range of top-quality golfing equipment and apparel, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your round.
Furthermore, Foxchase boasts outstanding practice facilities. Their beautiful driving range features both natural grass and 18 turf-hitting mats. What sets Foxchase apart is its dedicated short-game area, complete with a regulation-size green and a bunker to refine your short-game skills. Additionally, a spacious putting green is available to help you fine-tune your putting speeds before heading out onto the course.
For those visiting in the winter months, Foxchase has you covered with three indoor hitting bays. This unique offering allows you to practice or even play virtual rounds on top 100 courses from around the world. Be sure to secure your reservation and keep your game sharp throughout the winter season.
The price to play Foxchase is a bit pricey for the area. I have talked about this in the past with fellow players and friends. We feel that with its positioning close to the PA Turnpike and a hop skip and a jump from Philadelphia they are trying to compete with clubs closer to Philadelphia.
Course Conditions- ★★★
Foxchase consistently maintains excellent course conditions, never encountering problems with too much water or droughts. While the greens tend to be on the slower side for regular play, they amp up the speed during tournaments. The rough is forgiving and doesn’t overly penalize errant shots. While most of the ponds on the course are decorative, they do come into play on holes #8, #16, and #17, adding an extra element of challenge to those specific holes.
Looking to book a Tee Time at Foxchase click here, and go low!
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