GOLF COURSE REVIEW - JACK FROST NATIONAL
Course Architect: Terry LaGree
Year Opened: 2007
Location: Blakeslee, Pennsylvania
Slope: 137. Rating: 74.2
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,256
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 451 Yds 10 - Par 4 461 Yds
2 - Par 4 431 Yds 11 - Par 3 169 Yds
3 - Par 3 181 Yds 12 - Par 5 599 Yds
4 - Par 5 552 Yds 13 - Par 4 376 Yds
5 - Par 4 362 Yds 14 - Par 4 491 Yds
6 - Par 4 470 Yds 15 - Par 4 381 Yds
7 - Par 4 445 Yds 16 - Par 3 199 Yds
8 - Par 3 222 Yds 17 - Par 4 414 Yds
9 - Par 5 516 Yds 18 - Par 5 525 Yds
Par 36 3,630 Yds Par 36 3,626 Yds
Key Events Held: Sturm Cup (2008-present).
Awards Won: Best New Course by GolfWeek (2007), Top Courses in Pennsylvania by GolfAdvisor (Ranked #13, 2024), #23, (2022), #5 (2021), #13 (2020), #1 (2014).
Website: jackfrostnational.com
HISTORY: Little-known architect Terry LaGree was chosen to design Jack Frost National in the Pocono Mountains.
LaGree, who has four total courses to his credit, including three in the state of Florida, carved a beautiful layout through the mountains of the region. Encompassing over 200 acres, Jack Frost National boasts five sets of tee ranging from 5,100 yards to a whopping 7,256 yards.
COURSE REVIEW: Jack Frost National opens with a sweeping downhill dogleg left par four. Reaching 451 yards from the championship markers, this hole features a bunker down the left side, guarding the landing area. You’ll need to be accurate with your approach, as it plays downhill to the green. Another bunker protects the left portion of the putting surface, that runs from back to front. This is the first of seven par fours over 400 yards!
Bending the opposite way, the second hole is a bit shorter, but also features a fairway bunker down the left. Trees guard both sides of the fairway all the way to the green. The smallish putting surface is guarded on the right and wetlands protect the left and deep. Talk about a tough opening stretch.
The par three third can be stretched to 181 yards and plays uphill to the green. The putting surface is protected by three bunkers front the promised land. The elevated green features severe slope, so select your the correct club.
The first of four par-5s measuring over 500 yards, come by way of the fourth hole. The S-shaped hole needs to be played precisely, as the hole is guarded off the tee by a bunker down the right corner and of course, trees on both sides. Your layup needs to be right of the three fairway bunkers that guard the left. A short iron should be able to handle the downhill approach to the very long putting surface. A bunker short-right should deter the aggressive player for going for the green in two.
Next up is the dogleg left, uphill fifth. Although just 362 from the tips, this hole plays deceptively longer, not to mention the fairway slopes to the right on this dogleg. The landing area is fairly generous, but a short iron should be able to handle the challenge. The green slopes from front to back, so be wary of the slope.
The straightaway sixth is one of the harder holes on the course at 470 yards. Avoid the bunker on the right and you’ll be left with a medium to long iron to a bunkerless putting surface. Once again, trees guard both sides, putting a premium on driving accuracy.
The seventh, although 445 yards long, is fairly benign. The fairway is tight at the landing area, as two bunkers on the left tighten the zone. One fronting bunker protects a back-right pin, so play towards the center and rely on the putter.
The only par three on the course over 200 yards is the eighth at 222 from the gold markers. Your tee shot is all carry over wetlands to the putting surface. Three deep traps guard the left and one pot bunker protects the right, making a front pin quite difficult. The green slopes from back to front, so be mindful and stay below the hole.
From tee to green, the ninth hole plays directly uphill towards the clubhouse. At 516 yards, you might as well add 40-50 yards to the hole, as the slope is quite severe. Although a wide fairway is afforded off the tee, two bunkers down the right pinch the landing area for the big hitters. You’ll need three-metal to get close to the green. Two bunkers and a tight fairway must be negotiated to have any shot at birdie, let alone par. The green is quite large with a pair of pot bunkers short left and right. Back to front sloping putting surface makes this hole the hardest ranked on the course.
After playing most of the opening nine in a valley, you’ll soon notice that the closing nine plays on mostly on the side of a mountain. Number 10 slopes down and to the right with a fairly generous landing area. No bunkers, however the fairway tightens the closer you get to the green. The putting surface sits well below the fairway, so take at least one club less when going for the green. Two traps guard the left, however this green is quite accessible.
In my estimation, the signature hole at Jack Frost National is the par three 11th. Just 169 yards, it plays directly downhill with a pond protecting the right portion of the long putting green. Your tee shot will be affected by the elements, as the wind always comes into play.
The longest hole on the course is the massive, 599-yard 12th. This par five is slightly uphill off the tee and is carved through the mountains and trees. A generous landing area gives way to a tight layup zone, with a pair of traps, one on either side. The green slopes from left to right and is one of the smallest on the course. Good luck!
Moving over to the par four 13th, this dogleg left plays slightly uphill off the tee to a very wide fairway, however be leery of the bunker situated in the center of the landing area. Your approach will play slightly uphill to the green that features sand, short-left of the green. The putting surface is one of the longest on the course, so pin placement will be key to your club selection.
Another dogleg left, the 14th reaches 491 yards from the back buttons. Thank goodness for downhill. This par four has plenty of space in the fairway, but you’ll need a fairway metal or long iron to reach the green. Not a lot of trouble, except for the distance and the narrow green!
Moving back towards the clubhouse, the 15th is a wonderful, dogleg right par four of just 381 yards. You’ll need to place your tee shot down the left side of the fairway to avoid the duo of bunkers down the right. Another long green remains for your approach, that plays uphill. Miss the greenside bunkers and you’ll have a shot at birdie.
The final par three on the course is the 199 yard 16th. Fairly benign hole with a bunker in the front of the green. Any shot missing right will fall of drastically due to the runoff from the green. The putting surface does slope from back to front, so try and stay below the hole.
Another dogleg, this one is the 17th as it moves to the right. Avoiding sand off the tee on the right is your first objective. Followed by a long iron to a green devoid of sand, but featuring a depression on the left side. A back-left will make it almost impossible to get close for a chance at birdie. The putting surface slopes hard from right to left with a wide ridge in the center.
Heading home, the closer at JFN is a wonderful dogleg left par five. The landing area runs out at 300 yards and plays uphill from there to the green. Four bunkers guard the end of the fairway as you steady yourself for your second shot. A pretty generous layup area is left for the player to negotiate. Now its time for a short wedge to a fairly simple green that features two rear traps. A definite birdie opportunity.
FINAL WORD: What a wonderful, fun golf course to play in the Pocono Mountains. Jack Frost National, with 2,000 feet of elevation, affords the player with sensational views of Northeast Pennsylvania.
Just over an hour from Philadelphia, Jack Frost National is worth the trip.
Let’s start off with the rates. With a high of $95 on weekends to a very low $65 during the week. For the elder golfers, just $40 and juniors after 2 PM, only $25! With that in mind, the course sees plenty of play, as they average over 200 rounds per day during the season.
Next up is the practice facility, complete with chipping areas with bunkers, a short-game area and a large putting green. Plus the range itself features a three-tee Kentucky Blue Grass hitting area. Need I say more.
Carved through the trees and Pocono Mountains, JFN has a little bit of this and plenty of that.
Tree-lined fairways, right and left doglegs, uphill and downhill holes and beautiful views of the region, JFN has it all. This is a golf course you can play over and over again and not get tired of it.
Let’s not forget a challenging golf course with wonderful conditions. Lush fairways and slick putting surfaces are in store for the golfer. Everything is right in front of you.
No excuses, just execute.