Buhl Farm Golf Course (Sharon, PA)

Have you ever wondered what a free golf course would look like? It surely couldn’t be that good?!  I mean, isn’t quality and price connected? All these questions, and more, entered my mind as I walked up to sign in for my free nine holes. 

(The 148 yard par three ninth displays the rich texture of this free course. Mature trees dot the landscape, giving the Farm a “stroll in the park” feel.) 

Buhl Farm is part of Buhl Park, a 300 acre oasis that serves the Sharon Pennsylvania community with multiple free activities including golf. It was funded by Industrialist Frank Buhl who wanted to share his good fortune with everyone. Today, it is being promoted as the answer to golf’s elitist reputation. A place where inclusion is the main characteristic and everyone can play. 

(The 352 yard par four second is the longest hole at Buhl Farms. A valley creases across the fairway with the green atop its slope…
…the putting surface slopes away from the golfer, demanding a shot that lands short and trundles to the pin. It’s a quality par four that any course would proudly claim.) 

Skratch Golf and Erik Anders Lang did a video documentary on Buhl Farms a couple years ago. They rightfully discussed the allure and advantages of free golf, its opportunity to grow the game, and the powerful impact it has on the community. I agree with everything they proclaim however they didn’t discuss what I feel is the most important tenant of any course. 

I’m referencing the ablilty to engage the golfer with challenging shots. 

I feel Buhl Farm’s best attribute is its capability to entice beginners to learn golf and get better. Everyone loves to hit the long ball, and what better way to stir the soul than to watch your ball take flight and carry over a wide valley. Tee shots on 3,4,5,6 each have this feature, and while accomplished golfers won’t give it second thought, the youngsters, seniors, and ladies will all be euphoric seeing their ball land on the other side. 

(The 267 yard par four sixth is a really cool hole for its yardage. From the tee, it’s 220 yards to carry the ball to the same level as the green, but anything that comes up short or goes left bounces off the hillside and kicks towards the lone tree. This is the type of architecture that makes people want to play golf!) 

Buhl Farms has six original holes from 1914. (2-6, 9)

I’m really curious about who designed it for Buhl. Maybe Bendelow considering he did Sharon Country Club (now Buhl Park CC) across the street. The other three holes (1, 7-8) were done by Fred Garbin. 

For those wondering how this works, it’s simple. Just sign up at the desk, then go to the first tee and wait to play. It’s a par three so once the group clears the green, you’re free to hit. One and nine are both par threes, and the rest are par fours. How many friendships are formed at number one tee, only God knows, but the camaraderie people share is what makes golf a great game! I wouldn’t dare disparage Buhl Farm by giving it a rating. Eric Anders Lang commented “…a nine hole course, that within its soil, may have the answer to the future of golf it’s looking for.”