via GooglePocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains are the most underrated buddies-trip bargain within striking distance of NYC and Philly, 6 courses in our catalog anchored by a Tillinghast gem and two Nicklaus designs, $$ pricing, AVP airport, best played April through October.
Two hours from NYC and Philly. Shawnee Inn (A.W. Tillinghast's first-ever design, host of the 1938 PGA Championship) anchors a historic Poconos trip with Jack Nicklaus' Great Bear and Jack Frost National. Cheap lodging and casino amenities round out a 3-day buddies weekend.
What are the top golf courses in Pocono Mountains?
6 courses
Pocono Mountains has 6 courses in Scramble's catalog, anchored by The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort - Red/Blue/White 27, Great Bear Golf Club, and Jack Frost National Golf Club. Multiple of these are nationally ranked. Each plays as a destination-quality round on its own. All three play within a normal trip itinerary out of the same lodging base.
$$The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort - Red/Blue/White 27
A.W. Tillinghast (1911), Bill Diddle expansion (1964)
$$Great Bear Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus (1997)
$$Jack Frost National Golf Club
Terry LaGree (2007)
$$Mount Airy Casino Resort Golf Club
Hal Purdy (1961)
$$Skytop Lodge Golf Course
Robert White (1928)
$Mountain Laurel Resort Golf Course
Russell Roberts (1966)
Photos by Google
How much does a 3-round Pocono Mountains golf trip cost?
A 3-round, 4-golfer trip to Pocono Mountains runs about $1,034 per person with mid-range ($$) lodging. That covers 3 peak-season green fees, lodging at roughly two golfers per room, and a daily food + ground-transit allowance. Flights are excluded since they depend on your home airport. Adjust the round count, group size, or tier on the trip calculator to see how the number moves. See the full breakdown →
Where is Pocono Mountains and how do I get there?
Pocono Mountains sits in Pennsylvania. The closest major airport is Scranton (AVP), which serves as the primary hub for most visitors. Most groups fly into AVP, rent one or two SUVs, and base out of a single resort or hotel for the entire trip.
What's the best month for golf in Pocono Mountains?
The strongest months for golf in Pocono Mountains are Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, based on 20-year playability scores combining temperature and precipitation. Pocono Mountains averages a 37°F high in January and a 85°F high in July, so playable conditions cluster in the shoulder months. Book early in those windows. Rates and tee-time inventory tighten as the season firms up.
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Pocono Mountains data is part of Scramble's catalog of 128 destinations and 971 independently researched courses. Weather data from 20 years of Open-Meteo; awards compiled from Golf Digest, Golfweek, and state-level rankings.
Published June 2026. Updated when the data or Scramble’s recommendations change.