Short at Saucon Valley Country Club

The Short Course at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was designed by Herbert Strong and opened in the 1920s as part of the club's multi-course facility. Strong, a contemporary of the Golden Age architects, created this layout as a complement to the club's championship courses, providing members with a quicker playing option while maintaining strategic interest. The course sits on the same rolling terrain that characterizes Saucon Valley's property in the Lehigh Valley, with elevation changes and mature tree-lined corridors typical of the region's parkland settings.

The Short Course measures significantly less than a regulation eighteen holes, designed for members seeking practice rounds, family play, or a faster pace. Strong's routing takes advantage of the natural contours, incorporating modest greens and straightforward hazards that reward accurate iron play without the length demands of the club's longer layouts. The course reflects the era's approach to supplementary layouts—functional and playable rather than championship-caliber, but thoughtfully routed to maintain interest.

Saucon Valley Country Club is known primarily for its championship courses, which have hosted major USGA events including multiple U.S. Senior Opens and the 2009 U.S. Women's Open. The Short Course serves the membership's everyday needs, offering a more casual playing experience within a club that maintains traditional private club standards. The facility's dining and social traditions center on the main clubhouse, which overlooks the property's various courses and the surrounding Lehigh Valley landscape.