The golf at Nemacolin resort south of Pittsburgh near Farmington, Pa., is exceptional. It’s 36 gorgeous holes designed by Pete Dye and Tim Liddy.
There was even a tour event there on the original Mystic Rock Course, which still stands out as a great test with impeccable conditioning, beautiful holes marked by ancient boulders, spectacular water features, and a great finishing stretch.
But the golf, as good as it is, really is just the beginning at Nemacolin. There are so many things to do and see there, and it all starts with stellar accommodations. There are three hotels at this 2,000-acre resort, which former founder and owner of 84 Lumber, Joseph Hardy, purchased in 1987.
Fly Fishing, whitewater rafting, tennis, pickleball, a car museum, a zoo, mini-golf, pools, archery, and trap shooting are just some of the many activities offered. You could stay there 10 times and not cover them all, not even close.
But we do need to take a look at the golf first. After all, we’re all golfers, so what is it that makes golf so special at Nemacolin?
Super enjoyable Pete Dye layouts
First off, these are two of the most playable Dye designs you will find anywhere. Fairways are generous, most holes offer several options on how to play them, and the greens aren’t crazy, though they are certainly challenging.
The original Mystic Rock, with its Allegheny Mountain setting, opened in 1985. It was the site of PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic from 2003-’06. Before it became a golf course, it was a field of boulders, many of which remain, giving the course much of its character. At more than 7,500 yards from the tips, it can play really long for most golfers. It was updated in 2021, and has never looked better.
The course has beautiful water features that include waterfalls and lakes. On the par-5 fifth, that’s on full display with a waterfall left of the green above a pond. There are also some statues on the course, including one of the resort’s namesake, Chief Nemacolin.
One of the coolest experiences comes when playing the long, par-8 18th. A large scoreboard from the tour event days (with the actual names of the competitors) remains behind the hole, giving you the feeling that you’re playing in a tour event yourself. It’s a great hole, too. The fairway slopes more than you might think to the right into several imposing bunkers, often swallowing up what appear to be good tee shots. The approach is over a series of bunkers as well, making this a great finishing hole.
The other course, Shepherd’s Rock, opened in 2017, and it’s probably the more dramatic of the two. This is perhaps the most innovative work from Liddy, a longtime Dye associate. There’s more elevation change, uneven lies, and larger greens with lots of undulation. And though the fairways are generous, It’s a little trickier Mystic Rock.
An early test comes on 619-yard, par-5 fourth, which ends with a green with a false front that can propel balls some 60 yards or more back down to a collection area in the fairway of this dogleg right. Another par-4, the 15th, plays off an island tee. The 16th is drivable, but there’s lots of risk. And the 18th, at 455 yards from the tips, is a tough finisher, playing around a large lake.
In addition to the course, the practice facilities and Nemacolin Golf Academy also make this experience top notch. Led by Director of Instruction Mike LaBella — the 2024 Tri-State PGA Teacher of the Year and a three-time honoree of Golf Digest’s list of Best Young Teachers — the Academy has everything you need to play your best, including TrackMan launch monitors and simulators, Foresight Sports’ GCQuad TM launch monitor, and Swing Catalyst’s Balance and Dual Force Plates.
Mystic Rock
Exceptional accommodations and dining
If you want to stay close to the golf shop and Mystic Rock, the incredible Falling Rock hotel is a great choice. It was inspired by the works of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, whose famous “Fallingwater” is also in Pennsylvania. It’s a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond hotel.
Another choice is The Grand Lodge, which reopened in 2023 as an all-suite, re-interpretation of the original lodge. It offers butler service and fantastic dining, including the farm-to-table Fawn & Fable Restaurant. It’s also where guests can enjoy the spectacularly elegant Circle Bar, which features some super imaginative craft cocktails.
And finally, there’s The Chateau, which was also renovated recently. Inspired by the Ritz Paris, this Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond hotel offers 124 rooms and suites. They have vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and marbled bathrooms with large soaking tubs. Inside the Chateau, there’s incredible shopping, including jewelry stores, apparel, a fancy cigar shop and lounge, an ice cream shop, and an elegant tea room. There’s also Nightcap, a late night lounge with live entertainment, such as vintage cabaret experiences.
This hotel is also where you’ll find much of the priceless Hardy Family Art Collection. It includes works by Chihuly, Fernando Botero, Clarice Smith, Tiffany Studios, and many others. Tours are available, and you could spend a whole day just admiring the pieces.
The restaurants at Nemacolin (which is a year-round resort offering winter activities) are among the best anywhere. Besides Fawn & Fable, other choices include Lautrec, a Forbes Five-Star restaurant in a setting that includes six first-print lithographs by French artist Henri de Toulouse. Other outstanding culinary experiences you can experience at Nemacolin include Aqueous, a modern seafood restaurant, and the new Gusto!, an Italian dining experience that opened last fall.
Exotic animals and treatments at Nemacolin
One of the things the Hardy Family has done over the years is collect exotic animals, and they are on full display outdoors for guests. There are lions, tigers, wolves, buffalo, red sheep, and silver foxes, just to name a few.
If going to a zoo isn’t your thing – or even if it is – you can also check the Hardys’ vintage airplanes and cars. The airplane museum is called The Pride & Joy Collection, and the pride is a 1931 Pitcairn PA-8 that is fully restored and airworty. This rare plane was once owned by iconic action actor Steve McQueen.
Located across from the airplanes is the Woodlands Auto Toy Store. In addition to it housing a variety of classic cars, some of them are even for sale if you’re interested.
There’s also a large casino at Nemacolin, which offers 26 table games as well as slots.
Of course no great resort is complete without an incredible spa, and Nemacolin is no exception. The three-level Woodlands Spa incorporates a Feng Shui design to “balance and harmonize the flow of energies using the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.” It has 40 treatment rooms, locker rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, men’s and women’s whirlpools, steam rooms, and sauna, and a private fireside lounge that you can reserve, complete with complimentary drinks and snacks..
There’s also an extensive fitness center that offers the latest equipment, fitness classes, and personal trainers. And if that wasn’t enough, Nemacolin offers The Holistic Healing Center, where you can take advantage of wellness packages, yoga, and acupuncture.
Getting to Nemacolin Resort
Nemacolin is located just above the West Virginia border about an hour and half drive south of Pittsburgh, which is usually the best option if you’re flying in to visit the resort. You could also catch a regional flight into LaTrobe Airport or Morgantown, which are 43 miles and 35 miles from the resort respectively.
For those who are driving, Cleveland is about 205 miles from Nemacolin; Philadelphia is just under 300 miles, and Washington D.C. is about 185 miles.
A variety of packages that include golf are offered.