Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park

I am the GM of this course and I appreciate reading the reviews that are posted. All of the reviewers make good points. Yes, we do have tee mats since the 18 hole course is on only 55 acres. It is also a short course at Par 67, all true.
The course is operated by The nonprofit First Tee of Pittsburgh for the primary purpose of having a facility for our youth development program. The First Tee uses golf as platform to teach kids life skills, core values and healthy habits. The course is also open to the public and with free parking, a central city location, and top green fees of $ 15 it provides affordable access for students, seniors and our golfing juniors.
We host many regulars, who are pass holders and many of these golfers become volunteer coaches for First Tee clinics. Not surprisingly a good number of country club members golf here during the week when they are unable to get out of town. I should also share that The Bob O’Connor Golf Course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course, a big achievement in positive environmental management.
I like to think our course is a «hidden gem» as Mike C. noted, but we know we are not without our blemishes which John B dramatically described.

Golfed the Bob O’Connor «Schenley Park» course for the first time this morning. If you approach this course with a basic understanding of what kind of course it is, you will have a great day on the course.
First off, this is a short golf course located in Schenley Park that plays at 4620 yards from a universal tee box. The tee boxes are made of artificial turf, so you need to insert your tee into one of the three tee holders embedded in the tee box, or use a rubber tee. If you keep in mind that this is pretty much a practice course, and the home of The First Tee Pittsburgh, it might help you get past one of the biggest cons of playing this course.
The second issue that may deter a large selection of golfers is that this course is walk only, and in all honesty a pretty brutal, hilly walk at times. During my round this morning I observed some of the older players on the course completely skip certain holes because of the terrain.
Now onto the positives of this course that will keep me coming back regularly:
Price. The rates here are very affordable. As of this posting, it is $ 15 to play 18 holes. $ 10 for a twilight round, if you are a student with a valid student ID, or are police, fireperson, or military.
Greens. I have played a handful of practice courses like this, and typically the greens are horrendously maintained and aside from debris or patches, not challenging at all. That is not the case at the Bob. The greens here are immaculate and surprising for a course like this. A little slow and on the longer side because of rain the night before, but ultimately a good putting challenge. On a dryer day with a closer cut, these greens are probably better and faster then a lot of other courses where you’re paying a premium rate.
The course also has memberships for those who decide they want to play a whole lot of practice rounds for a cheap price.
The bottom line is, get the early season kinks out of your game by practicing here before you go spend a bunch of money hacking it up at a nicer course.
See you out there. –S

I’ve golfed a lot, and never have I thrown up on a course like I did here.
I golfed here when I went to pitt, I didnt have a car, so the fact I could walk here was awesome. When i saw the first tee I should have ran back to my dorm.
I dont think I have ever seen a golf course with turf tee boxes (if you even wanna call em tee boxes). Picture a driving range mat at the beginning of each tee.
I really can’t write any more about this corse as it seems to be bringing gag reflexes back.
Don’t pay good money for this.

The Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park is one of those hidden gems that, for some reason or another, doesn’t get the credit it deserves. I’ve played there quite a few times this past summer and was blown away by the value. For $ 10 (9 holes) or $ 15 (18 holes) you get a view of the Pittsburgh skyline and some great golf.
While it definitely isn’t country club quality with turf tee boxes and the occasional over-​the-​road or fence obstacles, the value really can’t be beat. For this price, I was really expecting the worst but was really surprised by the quality of the fairways and greens. Whether you’re a low handicap player or a newbie, I think everyone would have a good time.
Just watch out for balls, some days it feels like you’re standing in a shooting gallery. 5-​stars for an unbeatable value.