Stonewall North or South

[John Blain]

My wife and I have been invited down to Philly to play Merion (east)and Stonewall in a couple of weeks. I didn't realize that Stonewall has two courses. Does anyone out there have an opinion as to what course at Stonewall is more appealing? I'm not even sure we will have a choice but in case we do which is the preferred choice?  If this helps we are both low handicap golfers.

Thanks for the help -

John

[Mike Sweeney]

Beechtree, but I have not played the New course at Stonewall to be fair.

[Sean Leary]

I prefer the south, but you can't go wrong either way. Norths greens are tremendously fun.

[Dan Herrmann]

I play across the street, and most of our guys prefer the south course.  But they're both really good.

Be sure to stop in at French Creek for a look around while you're at Stonewall.

[Tom Dunne]

Just to clarify (and I was confused on this point until about 30 seconds ago, when I checked the club website, stonewalllinks.com), the two courses at Stonewall are the Old and the North. I've played the Old twice--it's excellent. I especially like the sequence from 3 through 6, and 18 is one of the more stylish finishing holes that I've seen.

The North I have only seen by buzz-around in a golf cart but am hoping to play it this fall--it is much more open off the tee, but as Sean Leary says, it has some really neat, creative greens.

I'd recommend the Old for first timers to Stonewall, especially if they're good players.

[astavrides]

Beechtree, but I have not played the New course at Stonewall to be fair.

Do other people agree that Beechtree is better than the Stonewall courses?  I haven't played the latters.

[Mitch Hantman]

Just one opinion, but I've played Beechtree and Stonewall Old, and prefer Stonewall Old.

[Dan Herrmann]

Stonewall old is better.

Just bring some extra golf balls if you tend to be wild - the long stuff is pretty thick this year.

[Bob Harris]

I prefer the Old also.  Best case scenario, walk the Old course then take a cart on the North.

[George Pazin]

My read of the people who've posted on the 2 Stonewall courses in the past is that the Old course is a bit sterner of a test, and the North course (affectionately referred to by some as the Udder course ) is a bit more quirky and fun. Also, the North course is an entirely  Renaissance design (Tom Doak's firm), whereas the Old course is an inherited routing from Fazio built by the Renaissance team.

Hopefully a few more Philly guys will chime in.

[Sean Leary]

Is Stonewall Old Doak's toughest course in the US besides Sebonack?

I just love everything about that place.

[Mike_Cirba]

Both courses are quite good, and quite different.

If anything, I think the North is quite underrated, probably due to the fact that it seems to get very little play, even among membership.   

I also think both are better than Beechtree but all are worthy of play.

The Old course is more challlenging from a shotmaking standpoint, while the North is tougher on and around the greens, for a simplistic summary.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I usually play Stonewall about once a year but I have never played the North. My host prefers the Old and rarely plays the North. The club is one of those "special places" we all mention in the world of golf.