-3 natural tees on each hole
-nice Mach baskets
-tee signs on most holes (17 was missing)
-next tee arrows on each basket
-course map next to hole 1
-great terrain with lots of nice wooded holes, some tree lined meadows with trees dotted throughout the fairways, and a more open par 5 on hole 15
-there are some great natural fairways in the woods with fair lines and a number of different shapes
-subtle elevation in play on many holes and a really fun downhill ace run on hole 16
-restrooms next to the parking lot by hole 1
-great views of the Shenango River and the Mahaney Recreational Area

-there are a few natural tees that aren't entirely level and/or don't give much run-up space; concrete or flypads would be a huge improvement
-it looks like many holes that are under the canopy will remain wet for awhile after a rain
-the road is in play on 1, 14, & 18 but it's very manageable and there's not a lot of traffic on the road

The Pines is an excellent wooded course. There are tons of mature pine trees throughout the course and half the holes play through very tight fairways. Most of the remaining holes are grassy meadows with defined fairways dotted with more trees and low ceilings. Holes 14 and 15 are the two more open holes, with 15 being a 843' crush from the blues but also a good chance at eagle for the long thrower (it's a par 5).

I really like the flow of the course. The first 3 holes are a little more open before going into 8 straight very wooded holes. Holes 12-15 gradually get more open and longer before you get the awesome downhill ace run on hole 16. Hole 17 is a wooded anhyzer and 18 plays along the road with small valley in the middle of the narrow fairway. There is a nice variety of fairway shapes on the wooded holes, with left (4,6,8,10) and right (5,11,17) turning holes as well as long straight shots (7,9). I really liked hole 12 with a wide but tree-dotted fairway with a low ceiling on the first shot, then a right turning open shot over a small creek to an open green with tough rough if you go long. It's a cool, picturesque hole with a nice bridge over the creek.

The Pines is my kind of course so I really enjoyed my round here. With a wooded course, you know what you're getting into so the 3 tee levels allow you to choose your level of challenge and/or frustration. The tees are mostly serviceable but concrete or rubber flypads would really make this a top-level experience.

This is a must player for experienced players. It's a regional destination course for sure and makes a great contrast with the more open Buhl Park next door in Hermitage. I wish I had time to play Moraine on my trip so I could compare it but The Pines is still has to be one of the top courses in the area.


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Holes clearly marked, lots of different throws needed to complete the course. Wooded holes every where, making for a challenging, yet fun course. And since everything is pine trees, finding errant throws is easiee than normal.

No tee pads yet, but the natural tees are maintained

Great skills course that makes you bring everything you got. Tunnel shots, wooded shots, open shots. Two sets of tees for challenges. Great use of landscape.

Back 9 coming next year to round out a full 18 but for now it's only a great 9. A few hole locations could be confusing for someone new to the course but just follow the orange directional signs.