In terms of value? There's nothing, in any area like it. 9 holes. Turtle Bridge!
4 months ago
EDIT 8/9/25: played here yesterday and got stuck behind an extra slow threesome. Almost intentionally slow, definitely the slowest group we’ve had the misfortune of being stuck behind. Never once did they offer us to play through. It took us well over 3 hours to play 9 holes yesterday. Until course management invests in hiring a marshal to move the slow groups along, I cannot in good faith recommend anyone play here during peak golf season, and I will be significantly reducing my review score as a result. The review score reflects the unenforced slow play, not the overall course layout or conditions.
This course is great, especially for the price. My wife and I have been golfing for 3 years…we just started playing at Oxford Valley last year so I can’t comment on how the course has improved based on how it was in the past. I’m having a hard time with the star rating here because while the course isn’t perfect, it’s unique and I genuinely do enjoy playing here. Even when my game is off, the course is flat and provides a nice walk.
Regarding course conditions: I wouldn’t go into this expecting Mountain View or Makefield Highlands, but for what you are paying it’s more than acceptable. The greens and bunkers are shockingly good for the price. In particular, the greens roll pretty fast and are quite a bit nicer than Neshaminy Valley’s greens (low bar to clear I know, but the greens really are in good shape at Oxford Valley). Fairways are not at the same level as nicer courses but still are playable and fine for the price. The tee boxes need a lot of work though…after a dry spell you’ll need a jackhammer to get your tees in on some of the holes. Some of the holes (especially 1, 3, and 4) have drainage issues and get pretty muddy/soupy after it rains, so the new management company would do well to invest in better drainage throughout the course.
The short length makes this course welcoming to beginners, but don’t be fooled, the course isn’t a cakewalk. The rough is intentionally thick and punishing. In particular, holes 5, 6, and 8 require surprising precision. Hole 3 is a very gettable short par 4, but newer golfers that struggle with getting the ball airborne will be on the struggle bus. You can learn a lot playing here…just bring plenty of extra balls because the layout is challenging!
As others have pointed out the single biggest issue with this course is pace of play. I too get frustrated when the first tee gets crowded, but that’s the price you pay for being able to walk up and play a round of golf whenever without having to make a tee time, so that’s not really my issue. There’s just a lot of groups that have no idea about proper etiquette regarding pace of play. If it’s taking you 6 shots just to get by the green you really shouldn’t be playing a game of Pong back and forth across the green when it’s time to putt. Oxford Valley would benefit immensely by having a Marshal/ranger supervising pace of play and moving the slow groups along. I get being beginner-friendly and welcoming but you have to know when it’s time to pick up your ball and move on too. If course management makes one change, getting a marshal to enforce pace of play should be it.
9-hole walking executive courses like this are so few and far between…in fact I don’t know any other courses like this in the area. In that sense, this track is a unicorn of sorts. Please consider playing here and supporting this course. I hope Spirit continues to invest in keeping Oxford Valley going, and I can’t wait to see if they make any future improvements.
7 months ago
Taught myself how to swing a club, hit a ball and basically play the game of golf on this course from about 1985 thru 1990. Played at least twice a week. Sometimes 7 days a week. I got so good at playing THIS course, I could shoot par fairly regularly. Nice to see it's still around. Looking in pretty good shape too.
8 months ago