Greater Cleveland Golf We have evaluated many of the courses open to the public within about an hour drive of the City of Cleveland. You will also find our exclusive GCO Rating (golf cleveland ohio) for each course. These North East Ohio public golf courses are discussed and rated alphabetically on a scale from 1 to 100. 100 being the best. Pebble Beach would be a 98. See how we rate golf courses .With so many course to chose from, sometimes it can be too time consuming to read all the GCO Ratings and details to find a course you like. So we installed our newest feature, the Smile-Rating, which corresponds to our GCO Rating system, to speed you on your way to the details.   As it is with most things, you usually get what you pay for at most courses. Unless otherwise stated, slopes and yardages are from the longest tees followed by the next longest.

 

 

 

AMHERST (formerly Deer Track, formerly Amherst) :  Now called Dragon Ranch.

 

ASTORHURST :  (440) 439-3636  18 metro-style holes in Walton Hills, south of Cleveland. Sort of short but with the most extreme elevation changes in the Cleveland area on two of the holes with 200 to 250 foot drops to the fairways. Some ebb and flow to the holes with emphasis on the back nine. From hole 12 and on the course significantly tightens up through the trees and valleys.  Only three par fives. Three short par fours. No houses on the course. 8 and 18 cliff tees are a little over the top. The only course I know that has a separate green for the men and a green for the women on a terrifying par three. Recent improvements on several tees boxes, a few mounds added to hole number two and the creek on hole nine widened and beautified with stones which now circumvents the green.  Too many out-of-bounds stakes and the greens always seen to be stressed. Three sets of tees. Could be marked better. Blue/red slope of 120 | 118 and yardage of 6083 | 5299.   GCO Rating » 57

 

AUBURN SPRINGS :   (440) 543-4448  18 holes located in Chagrin Falls, about 30 minutes from the I-77/I-480 interchange. The best hole is the first and then it sort of never really develops. Below average conditions with turtle back greens. Too many blind tee shots. There are several ponds, but you just cannot see the hazards lurking out there most of the time. A sort of hack around course at low cost. Yardage of 6835 | 6488.  GCO Rating » 38

 

AURORA :  (330) 562-2672  18 country club style holes in Aurora,  about half way between the Ohio Turnpike and Rt. 422 on Rt 306. This once private par 71 Bert Way design went public in 2009 and hopefully will remain a permanent fixture in the south east portion of our area. A wonderful classic design featuring plenty of elevations and crossing water hazards. A touch of modern contouring on the fairways and greens adds to the lure. It is not an easy nut to crack on your first effort and local knowledge will certainly go a long way. The signature feature here seems to be the perpendicular split fairways. There are several tee shots where you are confronted with the question of whether to hit driver or really throttle down. In fact, they tell you to lay up on 1, 5 and 12 but we're not so sure. The first hole is a fine example. Most will take a hybrid or long iron to the end of the first fairway and play the same club in. However, big hitter can carry the downslope all the way down to the flats and have a short iron in. The rub is that you need to make it all the way down or you will be stuck somewhere in the heavy rough of the downslope. The par 4 twelfth hole has a similar issue but with a dissecting stream. A well struck driver, perhaps with a little fade, can avoid the sentinel tree on the right and carry the stream leaving a mid iron in. If you can't make that play, you'll  need to lay up and try to get home from over 200 yards. Never, never, never, put your approach shot left on the par 4 ninth. Only the most deft lob wedge players have any chance to the most vertical green on the course. The general absence of  housing and plentiful mature trees are a major plus but O.B. in play on seven holes can be a  bit annoying. Medium to small width fairways lead to medium sized greens protected by a classic assortments of defense mechanism. Medium shallow bunkers, roll offs and greenside shoulders along with dangerous pedestals lend an old school flavor. Once on the greens, you need to deal with the particularly fast surfaces with sneaky breaks. The speedy greens do make some of the pin positions a bit tenuous on these old style greens so being below the hole is usually the best option. The par 4 eleventh is one of the more beautiful holes in the GCO database. Multiple tee options and combinations of tees. Basic slope 135 | 131 | 130 and basic yardage of 6632 | 6231 | 5444. GCO Rating » 81

 

AVALON LAKES :  (330) 856-8898  18 championship holes in Warren, about 1 hour from the I-480 & I-77 interchange in Independence. Recent host of LPGA events, the outstanding course is always in excellent condition, even in the dead of summer. An old Pete Dye design, but no signature railroad ties. The classic but flat layout has undergone extensive re-contouring and is deceivingly challenging and beautiful. All greens are guarded and elevated. Lots of sand and water hazards. GPS systems on the cart. Excellent fast and true greens, with undulations. At least four of the par 4s require careful club selection from the tees due to hazards such as water and tight doglegs. Four sets of tees and well marked. Expensive. Blue/white slope of 127 | 122 and yardage of 7001 | 6453. GCO Rating » 88

 

AVONDALE :  (440) 934-4398  Par 71 fun golf in Avon, two miles west of Rt. 83 on Detroit Rd.  While course conditions are below average and the course is poorly maintained, the layout is pretty good here. The price is decent, with good specials and usually a good pace of play. No housing on the course. The greens are also much better than you would expect and there is a good bit of bunkering. The course is on the short side and can be a real confidence builder for the long hitter. The fairways are dead flat but the surrounding rough areas have tons of mounding leading to decent green complexes. Unfortunately, many of the mounds are balding from the lack of quality turf conditions and there are the ever present high voltage towers. No two holes are alike but the holes are crammed in on this property. The front nine is sort of linksy with thin tree lining on each side of a fairway, and you get lulled into pounding your driver down these hard fairways. Then the back disappears in the woods and gets very tight as you hit holes 11, 12 and 13.  Your are surrounded by trees and branches and you better hit lasers off the tee or you will be cleaning bark from your ball and throwing away your score card.  The course saves the best for last with holes 15, 16, 17 and 18. Hole 18, a slightly uphill par four, over a lake into a fairway defined by pinching bunkers, is definitely the signature hole if they have one. Three sets of tees and easy to walk. Slope 121 | 118 | ? yardage:  6258 | 5993 | 5400.   GCO Rating » 37

 

BERKSHIRE HILLS :  (440) 729-9516  Par 72 (par 73 for women) located  8 miles east of I-271 on Mayfield Rd. in Chesterland. Perhaps appearing a bit on the short side by the scorecard but it plays longer and stronger than you think. The front side is a bit more open while the back can really challenge the driver with turning tight tree lined holes and narrowing landing areas. It is an old style course well laid out over wonderful terrain. We use to say the course was a bit tired and father time passed it by, but there has always be a lot of potential here. New management has brought the fun back. An old adage says you can't build great courses anymore because all the good terrain is already spoken for. Some disagree, but having great terrain sure doesn't hurt. Berkshire Hills is blessed with mature trees, fine elevations and ample strategic hazards all in an environment free from residential crowding. It adds up to a fine round of golf that cannot be manufactured by a bulldozer. Credit has to be given to management for keeping the course in good shape without the property tax exemptions municipal courses enjoy or an income stream from a residential development. Green spaces like this are rare and locals should be thankful that it remains open and public. The new management has shown dedication to improvements to the general conditions of the course. They now rolls the greens so you get a truer and faster putt. But the biggest improvement has  been  to the hole corridors. While the routing has remained the same, the lack of differentiation between fairways and rough is gone. Not only are the fairways in better shape, the rough is better and more penal as well. Not more bad-penal like in roots and ruts, but good-penal as in thicker and more plush. The improved contrast between rough and fairway not only aids in alignment but greatly improves the visual appeal of each hole against the curtain of trees. Pay close attention to landing areas from tees. They smartly give you the yardage on a placard to each hazard and failing to correctly process this information will likely lead to a dropped stroke or two. Good assortment of par 3s. Conditions are generally good but the cart paths need help. Can be walked but the elevations will take their toll. Grass range. Yardage: 6338 | 6678 | 5512 Slope: 129 | 127 | 122 . GCO Rating » 70

     

BIG MET :  (440) 331-1070  18 holes in the Cleveland Metroparks valley system built in 1926. The entire course reopened in the spring of 1999 with new cart paths, drainage and a lake being added. In 2006, a nice new clubhouse was opened. The course is located in the heart of west side Cleveland. The back nine layout has remained mostly the same, but several minor changes were made to the front nine. Some new trees and new back tees for length were added thoughout the course.  The greens have improved by being quicker and more consistent, hole to hole.  But all in all, Big Met is an old 50's style course which plays very slow. It remains one of the most played courses in the county. The course is usually green and it survives the hot weather better than most due to the fact it lies in a valley and collects dew. It is surrounded by wildlife and the scenic Rocky River, making for a pleasant walk, if, and that is a big if,  it is not playing at a snail's pace.  Not very fair for women.  Three sets of tees. Slope of 113 | 111 and yardage of 6356 | 6137. GCO Rating » 50

 

BLACK BROOK :  (440) 951-0010  18 holes owned by the City of Mentor.  About 20 minutes east of the Rt.2 and I-90 interchange. Par 70 for men and par 73 for women. Much of the terrain is flat and the fairways plain. Fortunately, seven holes have some character where the elevations created by the small  basin of Phil's Creek come into play. Notably on the fine par 5 eighteenth hole where the fairway unfolds downhill to the layup zone short of the creek.  The small green is perched above the creek making it a risky proposition to go for in two. Two holes abut the massive marsh of Mentor which, unfortunately, is hidden from view. They should open up the view by trimming down some of the trees. Most holes run parallel to each other and it definitely tightens up on the back side where the old oaks crowd the fairways. It is a shortish course that seems to have been stretched out to its maximum but the tightness of several holes will take the driver out of many hands. Conditions are below average and some of the pushed up greens have mild mounding and little grassy depressions as part of the greens complexes. Four sets of tees but in reality just three since the fourth tee is for juniors and is just set out in the fairway. Driving range. Slope of: 117 | 116 | 118 | ? and yardage: 6211 | 5870 | 5398 | 3540.   GCO Rating » 45  

 

BLUE HERON : (330) 722-0227. 27 Championship holes in Medina, about 25 minutes south on I-71 from the I-480/I-71 interchange.  3.2  miles from the Rt.18 exit to the entrance.  The Highland and Lake nines opened in the summer of 2005 and the River nine opened in 2007. This only Ohio Troon Golf establishment brings design, amenities and service, but at a price.  Even at this early stage, it is remarkably mature with a very attractive Clubhouse.  Greens are hard but this is expected for new greens, but they putt very well. Conditions are a bit down and hopefully they will improve as the course matures. There is no doubt that this is the very best terrain of any golf course in North East Ohio, and perhaps the most difficult to route a course over. You have stunning views from high elevations, deep gorges that must be negotiated, lakes to hit over, thick forests that eat wayward shots, it is all here. Plus, it seems the  developer has given plenty of respect to this course with minimal housing.  Then there is the design of the course itself.  A unique modern design with rolling and flowing fairways leading to many protected greens. Most people either love this course or hate it. Many forced carries from the tees and again to the greens, some quite daunting. You can pretty much play every hole several different ways. Good positioning and strategy are highly rewarded here. Know your distances, especially from the tee. Unlike many spectacular courses around the country that are just to hard to be appreciated by the high handicapper, acclaimed golf architect John Robinson has done a magnificent job making an incredible course playable for Joe Six Pack. There remains plenty of trouble out there, no matter the tees selected. To fully appreciate this course, you need to understand what Robinson has done. Each nine seems to plays a different tune and you need to dance to the tune that is playing. The Highlands nine is an absolute shotmakers nine where your driver should pretty much stay in the bag except for perhaps one or two holes, unless of course, you're playing from the tips. Its not that its too tight for a driver, just that perpendicular hazards lurk out there around 220 to 260 all the time, even from the blues. You will find yourself puddle jumping around the Highlands and if you play it that way, you will be fine. The Lakes nine lets you use the driver more, but you can score as well hitting a fairway metal most of the time so long as you keep it out of the water residing on seven holes.  The River nine has six holes on the other side of I-71 and is not some sort of spill over nine. It is every bit as strong as the first two nines. The first hole on the River might be the signature hole on the course where a hole opens over a gorge over a slight rise. River holes two and three are good holes to leave the driver in the bag even though you might think driver is the play. River hole two is noteworthy for the beautiful train bridge high over the narrow but extremely long green. The par four River seventh, called "temptation," is a good risk reward hole where a strong tee shot can carry the ridge all the way down to the receptive green complex.  Some long hitters get talked into playing the blue tees and then grumble about the configuration taking the driver out of their hands too much. They hit driver perhaps three times all day. They get a feeling the course is not well balanced. If you hit a driver more than 260 off the tee and are a mid-handicapper or better, suck it up and head to the tips. It is a totally different course from the tips and you will love it. Besides, the tips play shorter than you think and the fairways are pretty wide. For example, the par five Highland sixth hole is listed at 515 yards from the blues. However, the fairway runs out into a marsh at 230 yards. Step back to the black tees and its a whopping 609 yards but now you have plenty of room to bomb a driver plus the view is very cool. This scenario seems to play out over and over again, throughout the entire 27 holes. Perhaps the most difficult tee shot awaits all on the great par 5 Lakes first hole. A giant gorge protects the fairway from those trying to shorten the hole with a right sided shot.  But left is almost as bad because you might knock your tee shot straight into the woods. At Blue Heron, there is so much going on with each shots with incredible shot values that one can easy lose focus and let one's course management lapse. If that happens, you will pay. Outstanding practice facilities and a great GPS system on the cart. No walking. Perhaps this course is plagued with the problem that it may discourage the higher handicapper, hence limiting their income steam. Conditions in recent times have seemed to reflect this. It could still be one of the best courses around, but not right now, there is some taming to do and  tee station tweaking, Highland/Lakes Yardage: 6932 | 6567 | 6229 | 5873 | 5031. Slope: 144 | 139 | 134 | 129 | 125. GCO Rating » 85

 

BOB-O-LINK (Avon) :  (440) 934-6217  36 holes of this mostly unimaginative course. Very, very flat and wide open. Sparse trees line most fairways. Some sand and water. Usually not in the best conditions and you can hardly tell where fairways end and the rough starts. the 4th nine, the Gold nine, just opened in 2008 and sports slighly more definition. GCO Rating » 23

 

BOSTON HILLS : Closed as of November 2006. 

 

BOULDER CREEK :  (330) 626-2828  par 72 championship course located in Streetsboro, 30 minutes southeast of the I-77 and I-480 interchange using I-480 and Rt. 14.  Opening in 2002, this spectacular course lies in heavily wooded terrain with mature pines and oaks covering hills, marshes and deep lakes. No houses ! (cross your fingers)  From the second you step onto the first tee, you know your in for something special. While bunkered conservatively, there are plenty of grassy hollows and bumps in addition to the challenging terrain of water, elevation changes and mature pines to keep you on your toes. There are no lulls in this gem. Starting with hole number one, this great par 5 requires a good tee shot so that you can carry a large marsh on your second. An interesting split fairway at hole number 6 and a beautiful waterfall accompanies the par 3 seventh. You can actually see the par 4 ninth hole from the Ohio Turnpike. A long and accurate tee shot is preferred there because your second shot must carry a large lake and bunkers to get home in regulation. The grand golf opera finale occurs at the beautiful island par three 17th hole where wind always tricks you into under-clubbing. Then the monster 600 yard par 5 eighteenth where you will be rewarded you if you can get to the fairway downslope. This course requires every shot in your bag. Sometimes you need to work the ball left to right, other times right to left. At times you need length, others times strategy and accuracy. The course may appears difficult, but the architect has tried to build in forgiveness to make it enjoyable by all. Heavy rough and uneven lies makes keeping the ball in the fairway very important. Super fast and challenging putting surfaces with interesting green complexes. This course has fantastic drainage. Even after torrential rains the day before, carts were still allowed on the fairways at 90 degrees. Everything about this place is turning out to be first rate and it has already earned high national accolades.  It is reassuring to see the owner actively tweaking the course to make it all it can be. Within a short period of time, the golf gods willing, this can become a premier destination in the Midwest. Great grass range. Five sets of tees. Yardage:  7402 | 6933 | 6392 | 5586 | 5048. Slope: 140 | 135 | 128 | 119 | 123. GCO Rating » 91

 

BRANDYWINE :  (330) 657-2525  18 regulation holes and a nine hole par three course located in Peninsula. A very interesting course that plays like a Jekyll and Hyde course. The first nine has mild rolling hills and trees. But the ninth hole gives you a taste of what's to come with a wonderfully high par 3 which drops off over a pond to the green. Then the back nine takes off into the woods, up and down steep fairways and valleys and is much tougher than the front. The back nine has the famous "Z hole" par 5 which is, of course, shaped like a Z. It lies in a deep valley so you have to make your shots and there are no short cuts. Slope of 113 and yardage of 6,470. GCO Rating » 60

 

BRENTWOOD :  (440) 322-9254  18 hole par 70 course located in Grafton, about twenty minutes from Hopkins Intn'l Airport using I-480 and Rt. 10. Even though it is only a par 70, it still has four par 5s. The yardage seem short but you must bear in mind that this course has six par 3s. Mostly flat with no sand traps, this uneventful course is not usually to crowded and fair in price.  A sort of t-shirt and tennis shoes golf course if you know what we mean. Creeks, small pines and mature trees factor into the layout. The greens are relatively nice compared to the rest of the course. The best hole is the par 5 ninth, which has a nice, slightly downhill, tee shot around a large tree to a depression bordered on two sides by a creek. Your second shot it uphill, over the creek to a reachable green. Some of the holes here are really crowded in on each other and  you often find balls from other fairways on your own. Three sets of tees. Yardage of 5148 | 4695 | 4223. GCO Rating » 42

 

BRIARDALE GREENS :  (216) 289-8574  18 hole par 70 municipal golf in Euclid.  Other than being conveniently located a half a mile from the I-90 and Babbit Rd. exit, this course does not offer much. Completely flat and very wide open.  Only one hole, the par four 10th, is tight. About 3 holes have some water to consider. Unfortunately, you get the feeling of playing in a prison with all the tall golf ball retention fences at this place.  You got giant decaying fences protecting housing and you also have those giant eyesores around the range which is on the inside of the golf course.  About the only redeeming feature here is that the well kept greens are elevated a few feet and well bunkered, making approaches interesting and putting fairly true. Conditions are a slightly below average and the greens are traditional in shape. Slope of 122 | 119 | 108 and yardage of 6058 | 5723 | 4932. GCO Rating » 47

 

BRIARWOOD :  (440) 237-5271  18 regulation holes and a nine hole short course located in Broadview Hts., about fifteen minutes from the I-480 and I-77 interchange. The short red course is at its max only 2,960 yards and is like the rest of the course. The regulation 18 (red-white) has a good amount of elevation changes, some tight tree-lined holes, two fairways with a single tree in the middle of two fairways. Not heavily trapped and little water. Water does however makes 9 and 18 nice finishing holes. Most players find the trouble is from the tightness of some holes. There are some interesting holes on this old style Cleveland parkland course. Most holes run parallel to each other and the course has only the 150 and some 100 yard markers. Conditions are below average and the greens are slow but with some undulations. Three sets of tees. Slope of 125 | 119 and yardage of 6985 | 6330.   GCO Rating » 52

 

BROOKLEDGE :  (330) 971-8416  A very pleasant and well maintained 18 hole par 71 Muny course in Cuyahoga Falls, about 40 minutes from Cleveland and only 24 minutes from the I-80 / I-77 interchange. Actually re-designed by renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills, but the re-design only hints at his genius. Nevertheless, this is a good example of how a dogtrack can be made into a fine public course. They used to have only three par 5s but in 2007, hole eleven was lengthened with a nice elevated tee box making for a nice improvement. The par 5 seventh is particularly notable for its slow dogleg right which culminates with a semi-blind, plateau green. All the par 3s are good with each becoming more daunting, culminating in the tough 14th hole which is 197 yard from the tips and with lots of trouble to look at. A good assortment of short dogleg par fours. A great beginning par five to start with provides your best opportunity for birdie.  The closing par 4 hole is tough to gage since a big drive can reach the hazard. Most will layup with a fairway metal or hybrid, but you can gamble with your driver if the wind is against you. All in all, a surprisingly well conditioned course with a good layout and good greens. Some nice elevation changes and a little modern contouring. Most of the holes are separated from others by thin tree lines and some wild areas, but there is also a good bit of heavy woods on a few holes to deal with. In recent years, they have let more areas of tall wild grass grow in which tends to adds to the aesthetics and challenge to the course. Decent value. Grass range. Four sets of tees. Slope of ? | ? | ? |  ? and yardage of 6371 | 5861 | 5401 | 4786. GCO Rating » 73

 

BRUNSWICK HILLS :  (330) 225-7370  18 regulation holes on Rt. 303, 5 minutes west of I-71. The front nine is on the flat, open and boring side save hole 7 and 9 where water and small valleys come into play on your tee shots. The sparse tree lined holes provide little challenge to errant shots. The back is far more difficult where the holes are routed through tight wooded valleys with elevation changes, creeks and forced carries. It is easy to give up a few strokes on the back. The meandering creeks throughout the course always seem to affect your tee shots calculations. The course is poorly marked with no guidance from the tees. It is advisable to looking a few holes ahead to figure how much club you can take on future tee shots. At least there is no housing on the course. The course usually is below average in conditioning with more than a few bare spots and it seems particularly prone to suffering in dry times. Small saucer shaped greens means your approach shots need to be particularly accurate. The par four 12th is the signature hole where a long and accurate drive is required to set up a middle iron down to a scenic green tucked into the valley and protected by a creek and bunker. It also happens to be the number one handicap hole and with O.B. down the right and trouble down the left. It is the only green which isn't a tiny saucer and actually has three distance levels. Three sets of tees. Slope of 119 and yardage of 6,538. GCO Rating » 47

 

BUNKER HILL :  (330) 722-4174  Par 72, 18 holes located in Medina, just about eight minutes from I-71. Some real great holes with big hills and water. Holes number 12 and 13 are newly remodeled and feel a little like Myrtle Beach holes. Other holes have been lengthened and improved. Lots of elevation changes. Great finishing holes which provide a great deal of challenge and club selection at 9 and 18. They run down into a tightly wooded landing area where the second and third shots have to carry creeks to elevated greens. Just two or three average holes keep this course from being a real favorite. Course seems to be under constant improvement and it has a new three story clubhouse. A mix of modern greens and turtle backs. Lots of trouble with slow play and useless rangers can put a serious damper on an otherwise nice course. Five plus hour rounds are not unusual and they don't seem to care. Yardage of 6467 | 5906 and slope of 110 | 110. GCO Rating » 72

 

CHEROKEE HILLS (a.k.a. COPPERTOP AT CHEROKEE HILLS) :  (330) 225-6122  Par 70 located in Valley City, 5 miles west of I-71 on Rt. 303. While this course is by no means a championship course or with championship conditions, it can be fun to play. Unlike most course, they allow tank tops, gym shorts, cutoffs, blue jeans and so on, so you sort of get the idea who plays here. The expression is believed to be "Bruntucky."  There are to few creative holes and too many run straight to the green separated by thin tree cover.  There are some nice elevations here, primarily caused by the meandering creeks which have carved out deep valleys. The creeks have an unusual industrial look of being hemmed in with massive concrete retaining blocks. A few lakes add character to the layout but be warned that a slightly wayward driver can easily find water on holes thirteen and sixteen where the hazard is not visible from the tee. From the tips the course is barely 6300 and with just two par 5s. Most would consider the course a tad short by today's standards and driver-wedge driver-wedge is what the more accomplished golfer will face. The greens are the most deceiving part of the course. Most  look simple enough, just sort of pushed up at the end of the fairway. But many have sneaky false fronts and the sides and backs fall off very quickly. And when the greens get firm, unfamiliar golfers will see balls annoyingly run off the greens. There are some solid holes and they seem to update a hole here and there every few years which is a good thing. The par 4 third hole was nicely remodeled into a high elevation tee that hits down over water into a tight doglegging fairway protected by a tree on the left and mounds on the right. A nice new green complex  was added  across a creek on hole ten which lengthened the hole by at least 80 yards and made it a second shot hole where formerly it was drivable. The favorite holes hole might be the par 5 fifteenth where a big drive allows the green to be reached in two. However, the fairway drops off steeply  in the driving zone so a balanced attack is required. If you chose to play it safe, layup to the blind fairway short of the  creek in the valley. The old barn-clubhouse was remodeled and expanded into the new signature copper roof facility. No range. Slopes 119 | 115 | 110 | 112   and yardage 6210 | 5900 | 5582 | 4920. GCO Rating » 53

   

CHARDON LAKES :  (440) 285-4653  18 holes on a decent layout with rolling terrain and some slight elevation changes. There really aren't any lakes here, just a few ponds and a lot of creeks. The front nine is slightly more challenging and scenic. There are several challenging tee shots through tight openings into fairways. A little like a poor mans Augusta. Conditions are a little above average. Favorite holes are three which is a very tight tee shot and 6 with a creek and O.B. on the right. The greens have a lot of slope and roll to them making them challenging. Four sets of tees. Back and Men's slopes of 135 | 129 and yardage of 6799 | 6224. GCO Rating » 65

 

CHIPPEWA :  (330) 658-6126  Par 71 18 hole course located in Doylestown, 25 minutes south of the I-80 / I-77 interchange, off of  Rt. 21. With a name like Chippewa, you would expect a real dogtrack.  However, this is a good course that is very well maintained, containing a good assortment of holes and nice speedy greens.  While mostly open, there are a few tight spots where club selection is critical. Particularly the beautiful par four 14th and 16th, where drivers may end up in ponds fronting these greens and 15 which is arguably the toughest tee shot on the course. This is the so called "Bermuda Triangle" of holes where you can easily blow up. There are powerlines and towers that may come into play on a few holes, but thankfully, under the rules of golf, you rehit if you strike these obtrusions.  Good elevations changes, especially on the back nine as well as good green complexes which feature bunkers and grassy hollows.   Three sets of tees and range. Slopes of 119 | 116 | 109 and yardage of 6543 | 6101| 4974.   GCO Rating » 64

 

CREEKWOOD :  (440) 748-3188  18 holes on a decent but flat course. As the name implies, creeks and woods come into play here. A couple of forced carries and some water. Very short with many wide open holes. The back nine has a few tight spots with narrow fairways and overhanging trees where club control is very important. It always seems that one green is under construction at this course. Recent drainage and sprinkler system additions have improved course. Conditions are below average and the greens are average. Sixteen has been improved with the removal of the tree which blocked you tee shot. Many young trees have also been planted on some of the wide open holes to make the course more challenging. Three sets of tees with an occasional 4th back tee.  New range. Slopes of 116 | 112 and yardage of 6139 | 5158| 4693.    GCO Rating » 49

 

DEER RIDGE :  (419) 886-7090  This par 72 championship course is located in the Mansfield area. This unique course is a haul from Cleveland, an hour and fifteen minutes from Hopkins Airport using I-71. But it's right off the highway at exit 165 and even visible on the east side of I-71. Despite the long drive, it's worth the ride, and very affordable. This is another gem by local golf architect Brian Huntley. Like his excellent work at Eagle Creek, this 1999 championship layout has championship conditions. His conservative modern design fits the land wonderfully without being too flashy or contrived. His well thought out holes utilize the land without much earth moving. This course, like Eagle Creek, is extracted from the land, not imposed upon it. Unlike Eagle Creek, this course has the most elevation changes of any course in all Northern Ohio. You will experience some breathtaking holes throughout this heavily wooded course. There is a slight reprieve on the back nine from the elevations, which then leads you to a fantastic finish. Perhaps the most spectacular hole is the par 5 16th which requires a forced carry over a gorge. If your drive is long enough, you will be generously rewarded as your ball cascades down the shaved slope opening to the approach of the green. Then there is very cool finish at 18 which is reminiscent of a Robert Trent Jones trademark uphill par 4. If the elevation changes don't add a few strokes to your score, the very tough and fast greens are likely too. Four sets of tees. Range and GPS on the carts. Yardages of 6584 | 6081 | 5518 | 4791. Slopes of 129 | 123 | 117 | 115.    GCO Rating » 88

DEER TRACK (now known as AMHERST):  (440) 986-5881  

DORLON :  (440) 236-8234  18 mostly flat and unremarkable holes in Columbia Station. The course is rather long and straight. You feel more like your walking in a park instead of being on a golf course. Some water and sand. Very sparse trees line most fairways. Most of the water seems to lies just out of play unless you have some real bad shots. The course would have been more interesting if the water was just 30 yards closer to the fairways on most holes. The rough and fairways blend together. Course conditions are poor. Four sets of tees and the greens are average. Slope of 125 and yardage of 7,154. GCO Rating » 18

 

DRAGON RANCH (formerly Deer Track, formerly Amherst) :  (440) 986-5881  Par 71-18 hole public course located on Rt. 58, just north of Oberlin, about 35 minutes east of Cleveland using I-90 and Rt. 2. Opening in 1989. While the course is dead flat, it has extensive mounding and 21 sand traps to create some definition.  The mounding of the rough creates an image of  grassy warts rather than the intended flowing terrain.  A few big lakes and ponds come into play on 8 holes. Some tight wooded holes as well.  The greens have some minor undulation. A couple of real fine holes and more than a few boring ones. Sort of reminds you of a cheap Myrtle Beach course, just no where as nice. Fairways and green have average conditions, but there are plenty of bare spots, particularly the rough.   Several fairways are so close to each other that your are in danger of wayward tee shots from the adjacent holes.   Open year round. Four sets of tees although it really looks like only three. Slope of 126 | 123 | 114 | 116 and yardage of 6480 | 6183 | 5387 | 5118. GCO Rating » 53

 

EAGLE CREEK :  (419) 668-8535  18 hole par 71 championship course in Norwalk Ohio.  About one hour west of Hopkins Airport, using Rt. 10 and Rt 20. Near the Norwalk Raceway. One of the area's best kept secrets, the Brian Huntley layout and design is superb and no two holes are the same. It used to be a old nine hole course that was renovated in 1995 into one of the areas best courses with the addition of more land. Some beautiful new homes being built on a few holes but not interfering with the course or its aesthetics. Once we played following a few days of rain and this was the first time I was told to keep the carts "in the fairways." Apparently the drainage is that good in the fairways. Excellent first and finishing holes. Not too punishing, but offering a very good challenge. Nice moderate, rolling elevation changes. Some very scenic and grip it and rip it tee shot opportunities especially at the par five 18th where a big drive is required if you are going to try to get home in two. A good driving course which often requires you to move the ball one way or the other. The par four 15th hole is perhaps the most underrated in difficulty. You need a great tee shot to shave off as much of the corner as you can or you will be over 200 yards out to a tough green. The trouble is that on the inside of the dog leg there resides a nasty pond which is tough to carry from any tee, and hitting to long straight away you will be either blocked out in the trees or in the hidden pond behind the fairway. Very well marked with excellent fast, undulated greens. Usually a good value with excellent conditions.  In 2004, two bunkers were added on hole 17 on the left side of the fairway, giving added definition and a nice target. Nice grass range. Four sets of tees. Slope of 126 | 122 | 117 | 116 and yardage of 6603 | 6234 | 5835 | 4908. GCO Rating » 85

 

ECHO VALLEY :  (440) 647-2065  18 holes par 71 course located six mile south of Rt. 20, in Wellington, about 36 minutes west of the Cleveland Hopkins Airport.  The course lies in a rather large valley and the conditions, particularly the tee boxes in spots, leave a lot to be desired.  The fairways need some help too.  The greens are bit smallish and hard to hold, but are surprisingly good and on the modern side. Most of the greens appear pushed up with a few cut into the hillsides.  Eight or so small bunkers. The front side is a bit easier and more open, but has several blind tee shots where water lurks.  The back side tightens up dramatically.  The course is on the short side, but you may well chose to leave your driver in the bag on a good number of tight driving holes. Where you dare to drive the ball, the play is to shape your shot left or right, often through chutes of tall, mature trees. Lots of tree cover, dramatic elevation changes and a good deal of water to contend with.  These factors can easily lead to big numbers, even on short holes, if your do not keep it in the short stuff.  They appear to be trying to add some length and improve some tee boxes.  Pace of play is usually very good and the price is right for this lazy farmer's track.  Call before your go, they have lots of outings, sometimes are closed, and "don't take no tee times."  Only three sets of tees. Slope unavailable and yardage of 6110 | 5278. GCO Rating » 42

 

ELLSWORTH MEADOWS :  (330) 656-2103 18 hole par 71 course located in Hudson, about a 15 minute ride from the I-80 / I-77 interchange. Just a short ride off of State Rt. 8.  An older style course that the City of Hudson acquired in 1997 to preserve the "green space" and make renovations. Big renovations occurred in 2003 and 2004 under the auspices of former Arthur Hills assistant, Brian Huntley. The gentle rolling terrain contains tree lines holes with a good bit of wild grass expanses. There are also several sneaky creek beds meandering about the course.  The changes brought several brand new holes, some new greens, new tee boxes, improved routing and the customary improvements such as drainage, contouring, and lengthening. The many changes are much appreciated and keeps the course current with the modern golfer.  We just wish all the holes were renovated to keep the course seamless but we'll take what we can get. The old greens were a bit smallish and the new rebuilt greens keep with that theme. The greens complexes themselves are not overly penal and the bunkering is conservative providing you reasonable opportunities to get up and down.  The five par 3s could have been more varied and have a tenancy to slow play. Hole eight, the number one handicap hole, troubles everyone. It is a long par 4 which requires a serious drawn just to hit the narrow fairway with a driver. Too far left and your out-of-bounds, too far right, where almost everyone ends up, gets you blocked by trees. Perhaps the best advice is to take you medicine with a long iron off the tee and on the approach. You will immediately recognize Huntley's work from holes 10 and 11. But the reachable par 5 seventeenth, which snakes around a lake, is the most interesting.  A big reward could await those that manage a long tee shot down the middle but be cautious since the fairway runs out at about 150 yards in.  A long tee shot sets up a mid iron approach over the lake leading to a reasonable chance at birdie or even eagle. Eighteen plays longer than you expect but beware of the two collection ponds on each side of the fairway. They can be reached by the longest of hitters. Course conditions are good with a great grass range and practice facility. Four sets of tees. Slope 133 | 127 | 124 | 124 and yardage 6831 | 6367 | 6003 | 4920  GCO Rating » 77

 

EMERALD WOODS :  (440) 236-8940  36 hole hack-a-round in Columbia Station. Out of the entire 36 holes, only a few holes have potential. Relatively flat with generally below average conditions. Very few bunkers and some water hazards. Price is somewhat high for this type of course. The Audrey's/Heatherstone par 70 eighteen is somewhat open and the Pine Valley/St.Andrews par 72 eighteen has trees and tighter holes. Audrey's/Heatherstone yardage of 6673 | 6165 | 5295. Pine Valley/St.Andrews yardage of 6629 | 6058 | 5080. GCO Rating » 34

 

FOREST HILLS :  (440) 323-2632  18 hole Lorain County Metro golf course located in Elyria, 20 minutes west of Hopkins Airport using I-480 and Rt 10. While only a par 70 with only two par 5s, the course has some charm. The par 4 number 2 is the favorite with a downhill tee shot followed by a nice wedge over water. Many par 4s are just straight away and open, but there is a little elevation change and some doglegs. Also some nice wooded holes. Conditions are a little above average and the course is not too crowed.  However, on a busy morning, there is an incredible backup a few holes deep into the front nine that will spoil your mood.  Greens are good, your typical medium pace metro style with little undulation. Only a handful of poor quality sand traps to manage and water comes into play only three times. Price is reasonable. Some new tee boxes in 2001. 2 to 3 sets of tees, yardage of 6255 | 5228. GCO Rating » 55

 

FOWLER'S MILL :  (440) 729-7569  18 championship holes designed by Pete Dye and a 9 hole short course (2,985 yards). Located in Chesterland, about 35 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. A beautiful, natural and classic layout with excellent conditions. No gimmicks here, just great golf and no two holes alike. Although first opening in 1970, the Pete Dye design is timeless. It has the feel of a classic mature course with all the dangers and options of modern designs. A few undulations in the greens, but plenty of slope and roll. In 2009 they started to roll the greens and now they roll better than ever. Absolutely scenic with wonderful mature trees. Great clubhouse and decent practice facilities. Still probably one of the top courses in town and getting extra points for tradition.  The Pete Dye 18 is definitely the better of the 27 but the third 9 has its own charm. Plenty of sand of water which includes a lake and numerous creeks and marshes. Wonderful natural elevation changes and split fairways. Also signature Pete Dye railroad ties and deep greenside grass hollows. Excellent starting hole to get rolling. The par 4 cape fourth is perhaps the most famous hole here where the entire holes wraps around an intimidating lake. The tee shot and approach usually have to flirt with danger and the closer you can keep your tee shot to the water, the less water you have to hit over on your approach. Chose the split fairway on the par 4 ninth that best fits your approach for that day's pin. Hole 11 appears to be a cupcake par 4 but beware, in typical Dye fashion, the tee shot is deceptively dangerous with a small and very undulated green which requires precise wedgeplay. It provides a great chance for birdie, especially if you can hit a nice fade which leaves an unobstructed look into the green. But more often than not, balls are pushed out to the left and blocked by trees or sliced far right which is either in the woods or O.B. The par 5 eighteenth has a slightly downhill tee shot with a long, slow dogleg left to the elevated green. Position is key on your tee shot or you will have to lay up around the corner and have a long third to the green. Beware of the bunkers waiting on both sides to snag any misplayed shots and do not play any lay up shots through the fairways on the right or the trees will block your approach. Four sets of tees. Yardage of 7002 | 6623 | 5873 | 5815 and slopes of 136 | 133 | 118 | 118.   GCO Rating » 90

 

FOX CREEK :  (440) 282-9106  18 holes located about 45 minutes west of Cleveland in the City of Lorain. This used to be a private course that opened in the 1950s and is now open to the public. This course is a par 71 for the men and 73 for the ladies. Conditions do not resemble the days of private ownership but this is still a decent track. Either the teeing area is elevated or the green sits on a pedestal, but never both. The course lies in a valley with river and water hazards commonly coming into play. Some sand, generally flat fairways and average greens. This is a fun course to let shaft out on and your can be rewarded for your bravery or punished for your foolishness. Two tough, back to back par 5s at 12 and 13 will test your game. Yardage of 6397 | 6000 | 5357 and slope of 131 | 127 | 124. GCO Rating » 60

 

GLENEAGLES :  (330) 425-3334  18 hole course in Twinsburg, 20 minutes west of I-77 and the I-480 interchange. A very nice, modern course inside of a residential development. Opening in 1996, it has matured very nicely. An enjoyable starting hole with a blind shot tee shot on the opening shortish par 4 and a decent finishing hole with a very good green complex on the par 4 eighteenth. Most of the holes are separated from other holes by woods and the new homes are not too close to the course. Nice contouring and moderate mounding. There are lots of creeks, 25 sand traps and a fair amount of elevation changes. Several ponds add to the interesting design of this solid track. The greens here are relatively fast with a lot of sneaky undulation. The par four hole 9 is the most scenic. You must have an accurate and long tee shot to a dangerous landing area from which your second shot must carry a small lake to a protected green. The front nine is tighter and more of a shot makers nine. The back nine gives you more opportunity to rip a long one. While the course conditions are very nice, the blue tee are at times lumpy making it tough to find a comfortable setup. grass and mat range. Four sets of tees. Yardages of 6545 | 5918 | 5357 | 5147. Slopes of 121 | 118 | 111 | 115. GCO Rating » 72

 

GRANDVIEW : (440) 834-1824  Rumor is that the course may be closing.  Par 70 (par 72  for ladies) country track located 45 minutes east of Cleveland in Amish Country.  Course conditions are fair with some areas of the fairway underwatered making them cement-like. Not long with eight par 4 holes in the 300 to 400 yard range and only one par 5 hole in the 500 to 600 yard range, making it an easy course for the long hitting golfer. The course layout is wooded with some breathtaking vistas in a peaceful country setting. The course does offer some challenging holes, particularly the par 3 fifth hole uphill with woods on the left, and par 3 tenth hole which requires you to clear a lake to the green and the par 5 eleventh hole which doglegs right with OB on the inside. The quaint course offers a good, golf all day, special for adults and juniors making it a worthwhile trip for prudent golfers. Yardage 6113 | 5914 | 5451 Slope 115 | 110 | 114. GCO Rating » 54

 

GRANTWOOD :  (440) 248-4646  18 hole par 71 golf course located in Solon, 20 minutes west of the I-77 and I-480 interchange. This municipal course, owned by the City of Solon, is a wonderful and well laid out course. It serves as a fine example of how a city can take over an old course, rehabilitate it and provide a quality course for its citizens to enjoy while also preserving the greenspaces which are rapidly being over developed these days. This course has no residential housing  but a train track does dissects it.  This course has a modern feel with subtle contouring while still retaining smallish greens.  It seems most greens are hard against hazards, hanging or pedestalled.  You will need a good short game here.  The course has gentle rolling fairways and some elevations, but the most prevalent hazards are the many creeks which can cause perilous tee shots. There are more than a few holes where position and distance control off the tee are imperative.  Decent conditions, but drainage could use some improvement.  Nice grass range. Four sets of tees. Yardages of 6429 | 6203 | 5645 | 5106. Slopes of 123 | 120 | 114 | 120. GCO Rating » 70

 

GREY HAWK :  (440) 355-4844  A par 72 championship golf course located in Lagrange, 22 minutes west of Hopkins Airport, the entrance is off of Rt. 301, only 4.7 miles south of Rt.20/10.  A modern masterpiece from the Von Hagge design team which first opened in August of 2004.  It has much growing in to do yet but the layout is nothing short of spectacular.  Closely mown area conditions are bit below what you would expect, hopefully, they will improve in the coming years. Like it's sister course, Red Tail (now private), Von Hagge demonstrates how to dramatically use a bulldozer while not being too contrived. Ten very deep lakes were needed to get the material for the extensive mounding and contouring you'll find here, but the course does not resemble a manufactured Florida style course. Only three holes play through mature trees and some young trees have been planted throughout. There is no mistaking this course, it is a modern links style course where wind is always a factor. Here you will need to contend with over 82 bunkers, rough with difficult lies and tall grasses, bordering and dissecting lakes and streams and plenty of manufactured elevation changes. The course is tough and plays longer than indicated due to many raised and plateaued greens. The difficulty increases geometrically with the wind. Every green complex presents something interesting with a fair amount of undulation as well as tricky collection areas and grassy hollows. The par 4 third hole green is completely surrounded by sand.  Only play driver on holes 7,8 and 9 if you are swinging incredibly that day. You like par 5s? You get five stunning and varied par 5s which test your power, placement and courage. You will also find five beautiful but deadly par 3s, especially the signature island green at number 11. Bring plenty of balls to his course. The course resides in a new residential community and many of the homes have yet to be built. The mass of housing being built with its accompanying white stakes, detracts from this wonderful design and compromises the actual "links" design, somewhat. If you build a course with no trees to showcase a windy "links" style course, stuffing tons of houses in between the holes sort of defeats the purpose of having no trees. I'll take trees over houses any day. But in this day and age, if it takes housing to have a course like this, well that's the deal you have to make.  If you're a railroad buff and a golfer, this may be your paradise. Great modern clubhouse and full practice facility including grass range. Five sets of tees. Yardages: 7079 | 6687 | 6240 | 5711 | 5091. Slopes:  137 | 132 | 126 | 119 | 118. GCO Rating » 87

 

HAWKS NEST :  (330) 435-4611  18 championship holes in Creston, located about 50 minutes south of Cleveland using mostly I-71 or I-271. Without a doubt one of the finest courses in the area. This 1993 design is the brainchild of Steve Burns who once worked with the Fazio Design group.  While the course lies in the in the middle of farm country, the terrain is surprisingly perfect for golf. Every hole is a pure pleasure to play. Some of the holes play through a thick forest with great elevation changes and greens protected by creeks. Some holes play like true Scottish links, with mounding, wild grasses and rolling fairways. Even though a few holes are adjacent to each other, there is an extreme usage of the rough areas to create a feeling of privacy and solitude everywhere. Overall conditions are very good to sometimes excellent. No two holes are the same. Greens are usually fast and in good condition with a good deal of undulations and tiering. Decent value.  Don't inhale the natural gas leaking from the gas wells on 15 or you may get a headache.  Nice grass range. Four sets of tees. Slope of 124 | 121 | 116 | 110 and yardage of  6680 | 6200 | 5691 | 4767. GCO Rating » 86

 

HAWTHORNE VALLEY :  (440) 232-8880  A 1926 par 70 classic Donald Ross gem located in Aurora. Formerly a country club, it began accepting public play in 2010. How fortunate we are in Cleveland to have two Donald Ross golf courses to play, and this one right in Solon, easily accessible from all major highways. Like Manakiki, there are a lot of hand cut nuances around the tiny greens and carefully plowed fairway contours. The par 4 tenth is a great example of the architect's ingenuity in a few square yards of grass. You think after a solid drive you have a simple pitch into the green but you don't realize the fronting bunker gives the illusion of proximity and obscures a mini hollow just short of the green which actually sits lower than your mind calculates. Those that fall for the Ross trap find that approaches to front pins unexpectedly end up short in the hollow and shots to a back pin shockingly end up long.  They did not have massive dirt movers in the day so they had to rely mostly on mules and the terrain. And great terrain they have. The old adage that all the good sites for golf courses were used up decades ago might have been referring to places like this. Unlike Manakiki, which has made tremendous strides to keep with the golfing times, Hawthorne Valley could use some updating. Regardless, golfing in this environment of gorgeous trees and ample vegetation in a lush quiet valley with no homes or highways to distract remains a blessed rarity in modern golf. It also remains a strong and complete test of all aspects of your game. It is definitely not a driver-wedge course. Don't let the yardage fool you, 6500 yards for a par 70 is plenty long and this baby is tight. You must be able to put it in the fairway yet the length still forces most golfers into driver. If you manage to find the fairway on this exceptionally tight tree lined course, don't expect many flip wedges into the tiny greens. The par 5 thirteen has a large hill protecting the inside of the sharp right dogleg. A big drive can carry the corner and leave you with just an iron into a receptive green. Having just two par fives is a bit of a negative. Grass range. Slope 132 | 129 | 126 | 128 and yardage 6533 | 6330 | 6090 | 5636. GCO Rating » 82

 

HEMLOCK SPRINGS :  (800) 436-5625  18 holes in Geneva, 32 minutes west of I-90 and the I-271 interchange, only 4.4 miles from the highway.  An enjoyable course with many different looks.  Nice elevation changes and good holes to hit the driver on.  Average conditions with the greens complexes fairly basic and similar.  They could use some paved cart paths.  The first two holes get your blood pumping a bit then it sort of tails off until 8 and  9. The whole back side brings you back to life with several very picturesque holes weaving through the wooded portions of the property.  Beware of the lurking water on hole 13, it lies on the right side of the landing area of a blind tee shot.  A very solid par five awaits the conclusion of your round. Love how the markers have front, middle and back yardages.  Small range available. Three sets of tees. Yardages of 6812 | 6520 | 5453. Slopes of 129 | 127 | 116.   GCO Rating » 64

 

HICKORY NUT : (440) 236-8008  18 parkland holes located in Columbia Station, on Rt. 82, 4 miles west of I-71. A short par 71 course with only two or three good holes. Flat, little water and a few bunkers. Sparse trees usually separate most holes. Fairways hardly distinguishable from the rough. Conditions are generally below average. Unremarkable first and last holes. Two sets of tees, but often only one tee box with the ladies' and men's tees just a few feet apart. Not usually crowded or expensive. Yardage of 6194 | 5771. GCO Rating » 34

 

HIGHLAND PARK : (216) 348-7273  36 low quality holes at the corner of Green and Chagrin right in the heart of East-side Cleveland. While it is located in the City of Highland Hills, it is actually owned, unfortunately, by the City of Cleveland.  A convenient location and decent terrain helps, but conditions are way below standard at this 1920's design. Very sparsely lined fairways which are not really distinguishable from the rough. Stupid looking sand traps which seem to be just an afterthought. Some are thirty yards long but only one yard wide. The Red course is shorter and seems to get more play by the nines because it turns at the clubhouse. The Blue course is a bit more challenging and longer but does not turn at the clubhouse.  The rough and fairways blend together. Course conditions are poor. Three sets of tees and the greens are slightly below average. Blue Course Yardage 6740 | 6562 |  5589 Blue Course Slope 119 | 125(L). Red Course Yardage 6322 |  6090 | 5416 Red Course Slope 113 | 119(L). GCO Rating » 19

 

HILLIARD LAKES :  (440) 871-9578  18 holes located in Westlake. Not real long and sporting a below average layout and below average conditions makes this a below average course to play. Extremely flat.  The only elevations come where the greens and tees are pushed up one to three feet above the fairway. This is one of the big problems with the course. Even thought they have some water features and creeks, the fairways have little contouring and do not drain away properly, leaving many bare spots and grassless ruts. And if you get several feet into the rough, you often find yourself on roots or nasty hardpan. Actually, it is hard to tell where fairways end and the rough begins.  The unimaginative green complexes are Xeroxed over and over again, routinely showing the same two bunkers guarding each side of the thirty foot green entrance. After a while you begin to think you are playing the same holes over and over again. A good number of fairway bunkers do little else than give you something to look at. The par 4 eighteenth is somewhat uneventful but at least it is a tough finishing hole and the longest par 4 on the course. They have been known to call this "Little Augusta." Give me a break. For being in the middle of Westlake the price is acceptable. Some redeeming features here are the many mature trees which lend the course its definition. The many tight holes require a good bit of accuracy and serve as the main protection from scoring. The par 5 sixth is a good example where anything but a driver is a good option off the tee unless you can hit a seriously hook. Being in the middle of west Cleveland suburbia with virtually no housing is also a nice plus. Very easy to walk. They list four sets of tee, but in reality, there are only one or two tee stations where they place three tees. The maximum yardage listed does not seem to add up. Range available. Slope of 124 |  121 | 119 | 118 and yardage of 6985 | 6389 | 5915 | 5611. GCO Rating » 38

 

HINCKLEY HILLS :  (330) 278-4861   18 holes in Hinkley, off of State Rd. Easily the hilliest course in town. Very hard to walk. Many, side hill, uphill and downhill lies. Medium to slow, spongy turtle back greens and some sand traps. Below average conditions and no fairway sprinkler system. Pace of play is usually slow. The course property occupies one of the highest points in the county and you are afforded some very scenic vistas of the North East Ohio canopy. This is the greatest assets of the course besides it's spectacular unrealized potential. The first two holes are par fives, so you better be stretched out. There are many elevated greens, a few good blind tee shots and some exciting opportunities on the tees. Very good starting and finishing holes. Four new holes added and more planned. However, you basically have to scratch your head and say, "who hired this guy to design the new holes?" Except for the new par 3s, the other new holes basically suck. Give us back the old holes. Very poorly marked because all you have is a 150 yard shrubbery. Too pricey for this design and conditioning. Three sets of tees. Slope of 125 | 120 | 118 and yardage of 6846 | 6253 | 5478. GCO Rating » 57

 

IRONWOOD :  (330) 278-7171  18 hole par 71 located in Hinckley, just a cross the street from Hinckley Hills Golf Course. Not a real long course but possesses abundant elevations. The main defense of the course comes in the form of the often narrow fairways where trees, some O.B. and a few ponds come into play. Driver is not always needed,  but if you can keep it in play you will be rewarded with plenty of opportunities to score. For a mid-20th century design, the greens complexes are surprisingly large and often rise nicely from the fairways making up and downs a bit more precarious despite the glaring lack of bunkers. The blandly round medium sized greens also lack any sort of chipping or collection areas. No one will mistake this place for a modern design or old school architecture. Most holes are plainly straight without defining bunkering. Yet the natural elevations, heavy wood cover and lack of residential development, makes this an enjoyable place to play, despite some unimaginative holes. All four dramatic par 3s will test your iron game with two going uphill and two downhill. Back to back beasts come in  the form of  the long  par 5 seventh playing uphill into the wind and the long 442 yard par 4 eighth. Getting home in regulations is no small feat. Thankfully, the cupcake 462 yard par 5 ninth follows, offering a chance to balance your portfolio. The back nine is probably a bit more dramatic than the front side. The closing uphill par 5 eighteenth, a favorite, requires a tee shot up the right to avoid the pond lurking on the inside of the dogleg. Conditions are average to less than average in dry months. For the lady's, the course plays to a par 74 and is not particularly female friendly. Slope of 118 | 115 | 124 and yardage of 6360 | 6042 | 5785 . GCO Rating » 53

 

J.E. GOODPARK :  (330) 864-0020  18 hole par 71 just off of I-77 in Akron. Owned by the City of Akron and named after its benefactor, Mr. J.E. Good. This throwback style course features smallish traditionally guarded greens that are often times dangerously tilted. Goodpark is a solid enjoyable classic test in a natural environment at a good price. Being below the hole is generally a good play.  Plenty of tight tree-line driving holes threaten to take the driver out of your hands if you cannot work the ball. And we really mean "work the ball" down these tight fairways. This is perhaps the toughest driving course around and will really test your ability to keep it on the short stuff. If you lay back, long approaches will face you. The massive mature trees permit only accurately shaped shots down the fairway and mock wayward shots. Just when you think you hammered one,  whack-clickity-clack, the ball gets  snatched from the sky by the bark wearing demons. Missing the fairway or even being on the wrong side of a fairway will force you into recovery shots. Those  that can chase  a low hook and fade recovery shots up into the greens will have a chance to stay in the match.  No water but a fair amount of bunkers and a few marsh areas. They generally keep this place is good condition. Four sets of tees. Slope of 123 | 119 | 116 | 115 and yardage of 6683 | 6288 | 5704 | 4926.   GCO Rating » 75

 

KENNSINGTON :  (330) 533-8733  A par 71 championship caliber course just south of Youngstown. Fortunately from the Cleveland area, it is all highway to get there. Driving into the development that hosts the course, you might not expect that the busy roads, commercial establishments and flat fields of Canfield melt away into peaceful fairways which run through lush green valleys and water just behind the beautiful clubhouse. This 2006 Brian Huntley design utilizes flowing elevations, wonderfully preserved mature trees and clever bunkering that, for a few hours, helps you forget the cement and asphalt of daily life.  The opening par 4 reveals Huntley's intentions right out of the box. Your tee shot requires you to navigate four strategically placed bunkers that frame the slightly uphill tee shot. Refreshingly, there are many occasion on the course where there is more than one option off the tee. The par 4 fourth  features a Huntley favorite, the center fairway bunker. It may appear that you need to throttle back of the bunker with a hybrid but there is also room over the right of the bunker which can be challenged with a driver. The driver might be a more demanding effort, but it could take the marsh on the left out of play and yield a better approach into the green. The 326 yard short par 4 fourteenth is another fine example of strategic design. Driver really isn't the play, as the extensive bunkering and runaway fairway requires precision off the tee, yet there are several targets off the tee which will work. The smallest green on the course is guarded by a semi-pot bunker dead smack in the front awaiting any weak approaches so the shorter your make the hole the better. While not a penal course, there are a few daunting tee shots and approaches over ravines and around lakes that will get your blood pumping, especially the beautiful par 3 thirteenth which is all carry over a ravine. While the green is receptively large, it is seriously tiered. The course will likely be known for its intriguing par 4s and collection of five wonderfully varied par 3s. Kennsington is part of a housing development with a masterplan that did not forget the golf course. Most of the holes have no housing and the few that do are well back from the fairways, furnishing more than a satisfactory urban compromise. For such a young course, it looks and plays great, however, like a fine wine, it needs to come of age a bit and then it will surely place higher in our ratings. Get on it now while the rates are low. Fine grass range and practice facility. Five sets of tees. Slope of  136 | 131 | 127 | 123 | 119 and yardage of 7050 | 6669 | 6310 | 5847 | 4950. GCO Rating » 80

 

LEGENDS OF MASSILLON :  (330) 830-4653   27 holes of great golf located in Massillon.  The course is broken down into three nines, North, South and East.  About a 55 minute drive from the I-480 and I-77 interchange, but well worth the drive. This exceptional modern layout which first opened in 1995 was designed by Canadian John Robinson who studied under Pete Dye. Another nine holes opened in late 2001. Course gets a lot of play. Moderate elevation changes, lots of water and sand hazards. Creative and defining contouring. Very good greens and very good conditions. The price is very reasonable for such a sweet course. Most holes provide various club selection options, lay up points and entrances to the greens. A couple plain par 3s, but very solid par 4s and well laid out par 5s.  Great finishing holes on the East 9th, which is a enjoyable downhill par 4 and the South 9th, which is a par five tempting you to get home in two over a large lake. Most holes are well laid out. Not a tightly tree lined course but some hole have trees that make things interesting. Perhaps the most interesting hole is the South 3rd, which is a par five bordering the abandoned Massillon State Mental Institution. Those with the mental fortitude to take their tee shot just right of the funny farm will be rewarded with crazy distance. However, danger lurks everywhere on this hole, and you may well find  yourself in a straight jacket.  Wind can be a big factor on this course as it is relatively open. There is some housing around the course but its not too intrusive. Don't forget to pick up the handy tip sheet in the club house. All three nines are equally comparable and enjoyable. There are those that feel that they took a solid eighteen holes and chopped it up to much. Good practice facilities. East/South:  slope of  123 | 117 | 113 | 111 and yardage of 6978 | 6350 | 5577 | 5577. North/East: slope of  120 | 115 | 111 | 109 and yardage of 6743 | 6174 | 5422 | 4578 GCO Rating » 74

 

LINKS AT FIRESTONE FARMS :  (330) 482-7888   18 Championship quality holes located in Columbiana. About one hour from the I-77 and I-80 Ohio Turnpike interchange.  While occupying the extreme south-east corner of the GCO map, it is conveniently only 7.5 miles from the Ohio Turnpike exit. Good conditions and great value make this 2003 design a worthy trip. Once again, golf master-minimalist designer Brian Huntley has struck with a fun design in a unique environment. There are two basic style holes featured at this fine layout. There are farm-links type holes where contoured fairways run up and down hillsides bordered by windy farm fields. Then you have woodland type holes which carry over marshlands through thickets of pines with cool lakes. All the holes are smartly designed requiring some management skills. Placement and club selection is always an issue and the process does not end on the tee, it continues though to the deceptively difficult green complexes. The great putting surfaces are often seriously undulated, although the locals ought to be more conscientious about repairing ball marks. Well marked with critical hazard yardages nicely on the tee box plates. Everyone talks about hole three, a two part par 5 dissected by a deep creek ravine, causing you to pause for thought on the tee.  It is possible to go for it in two, but you will need two amazing shots to get to the green tucked against a lake. The smart play is to lay up on your second shot.  The silo fourteenth hole  exemplifies how a fine golf architect designs the hardest hole in golf to design, that is, a short par 4. This is perhaps one of the most stimulating holes to play in Ohio. Take care not to hold up the rest of course with a lengthy discussions amongst your playing partners how to play this hole. Shots played toward the very cool little silo tend to come back toward the green. You want to finish in style? You got it. The par four 18th is not only beautiful, it can be deadly with water all the way down the left side. You need to bite off as much of the lake as you can. The housing built since the opening naturally take away the aestetics of the course, but residential communities are sometimes need if you want to build a newer course in this day and age. This course will require all the clubs in your bag. Grass range.  Slope: 136 | 132 | 127 | 123 | 123 Yardage: 7220 | 6809 | 6414 | 6035 | 5106.  GCO Rating » 83

 

LINKS AT RENAISSANCE :  (440) 235-0501  18 hole executive type course located in Olmsted township with a modern look and fe. The closed the front nine in 2009 to make room for more condos but the deal fell through and now the front nine is open again.  While executive style short, it is a good test. Some decent holes but mostly open. Long hitters beware of fairway hazards and leave your driver in the bag for every hole. Course is usually in average shape. Many seniors play here as well as women. Course borders Springvale Golf Course on some holes and North Olmsted Golf Club on others. It looks like new management is trying to bring this baby back in into shape. Grass driving range. GCO Rating » 43

 

LITTLE MET :  (216) 941-9672  9 hole executive type metroparks course down in the scenic metroparks valley along Rocky River. Deer and other wildlife often visible. Can be a pleasant experience in the Metroparks but not meant for the low handicapper.  No sand and no water hazards, very short. Three elevated tees. A 251 yard par 4 and three par 3s back to back usually cause a traffic jam. Two nice finishing holes. Even when most courses in the area are dried out, this course is still green due to the morning mist which settles in the valley. Two sets of tees, possibly three sets coming soon. 2434 total yards.     GCO Rating » 33

 

LITTLE MOUNTAIN :  (440) 358-7888 18 championship holes from the design team of Hurdzan and Fry. Located in Concord, 18 minutes east of the I-90/I-271 interchange.  You can actually see the fine clubhouse on the southern side of I-90 west of the Rt. 44 exit. First opening in the fall of 2000, this modern course has become a favorite. While only a par 70 with five par 3s and only three par 5s, the course is very challenging and beautiful. Make sure you take the par 70 and the total yardage into consideration before selecting your tees. Although part of a new residential development, very few homes actually border the course, and the ones that do, are far recessed. The course runs up and down seamless elevations changes and mounding through a very mature forest of tall trees. The is some beautiful homes on the course, but only on a few holes, very set back and not in any way in play. While decidedly Hurdzanish, this course has its own unique feel and flavor due to the wonderful terrain. Well marked. Better bring your best sand game, tons of the deepest sand-faced bunkers you will find anywhere. You may find yourself eight feet below the putting surface. More than a few holes have the left side of the fairway bordered by hazardous deep gorges. Better not hook the ball off the tee on this course, left is punished more often than right. A tough but great starting par 5 playing slightly uphill with a creek coming into play. Holes 10, 13 and 18 are long par 4s that are tough to get home in two with little room for error. Two shortish par 4s tempt you're your driver at holes 8 and 11. But beware, Hurdzan's bottomless bunkers can easily turn par into easy double bogeys. Fine par 3s and a great finishing hole to a pedestal green protected by a deep ravine and menacing bunkers. You really need to bust a long drive on eighteen or you will be thinking about laying up. The greens here are very fastest with nice undulations. Most green complexes require you to fly one in softly since they are so heavily bunkered and usually somewhat elevated. Not much water but numerous creeks and other hazards. The conditions here are top shelf. The green fees are a bit heavy, but thankfully, they do offer some twilight rates. This course is actually a par 72 for the ladies. You cannot reasonably walk this course due to the long distances between several holes. Four sets of tees. New range. Slope: 131 | 126 | 117 | 115 and yardage: 6628 | 6111 | 5554 | 4982.   GCO Rating » 92

 

MALLARD CREEK :  (440) 748-8231  36 holes of sand less golf in Columbia Township. Mallard Creek is a decent course and usually in good condition. The first 18 winds through woods with some water while the third and fourth nines play mostly over and around water. Despite this being a good looking 36 holes, there is not a single sand trap here. The course has a low budget modern look with gentle mounding which seems to be intended to maximize golf traffic, particularly that of the high handicapper or senior. Pace of play is a little slow and there are often leagues and outings here. Both courses are on the short side with several of the par 5 easily reachable for the long hitter. While the Water 18 is slightly shorter than the Woods 18, it's numerous water hazards slightly increase it's difficulty. It is not really that there are two different courses anyway, they mix and match all the nines. The fourth nine, the most recent of all, is perhaps the worst with a very poor design and several hatchet job holes. Mat range. Woods par 72: yardage of 6630 | 6213 | 5777. Water par 72: yardage of 6379 | 6079 | 5789. GCO Rating » 57

 

MANAKIKI :  (440) 942-2500  18 holes of great Metroparks golf in Willoughby, about 25 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. A classic Donald Ross layout with wonderful and sometimes dramatic elevation changes and rolling fairways. A local favorite. The heavily wooded course offers a sense of privacy and no two holes are alike. Plenty of sand and water which comes into play on a few holes. Then there are the meandering creeks that always seem to add a layer of difficulty you didn't expect. The old style smallish greens have a good deal of slope and undulation and are rolling much faster these days. Much better conditioning and some upgrades have restored this great layout to its some of original grandeur. Improvements include several expanded tee boxes for some added length. They added a few new bunkers here and there for targeting and definition off of the tee, most notably to the right side of the par 5 twelfth hole. Better drainage and some new contouring in spots were added where needed. Thankfully the fairway of hole 10 was totally recontoured and slightly widened. Other smart new changes include a reworked and more accessible 18th green and an exanded green complex on the par 3 seventh. With the  improved care taking and conditioning, Manakiki jumps right back into the mix of top courses in the area. From the excellent and forgiving beginnings to the punishing finishing holes, you are immersed in a splendid classic test. Like any great course, there are many nuances that might not be appreciated after only one round. Watch out on your opening tee shot. Targeting the left bunker with your tee shot is not the play. A hair to much draw and you are across the street. Nine seems like an easy enough tee shot, just stay out of the left bunker, correct? Not so. The fairway runs out not far after the 150 yard marker into a perpendicular hollow where you are almost guaranteed a bogey. Sixteen seems like a nice shot par 4 that offers several option including driving the green. Laying off the big stick in favor of  the 150 yard marker with an iron or hybrid seems like a sensible play.  Still, most are tempted  to cut off the inside corner and try to reach to the green.  This will bring into play a ball swallowing hidden creek bed.  Going long down the middle runs the fairway out and forces a difficult lob shot to a seriously perched green.  The par threes here are vastly under-appreciated.  Designing four great par threes on a single course is a daunting task for even the best modern golf architects. Not old Donald Ross. Try finding a finer varied and shot worthy quartet anywhere in Ohio.  And finally, it is not so easy anymore to reach the par 5s in two with the added length. This course still has some teeth and they keep making it better. Three sets of tees. Slope: 128 | 126 | 121 and yardage: 66415 | 6173 | 5604. GCO Rating » 84

 

MAPLECREST :  (330) 673-2722  A par 71 (72 for women) 18 hole course located in Kent, about a 23 minute drive from the I-77 & I-80 interchange and just less than a mile west of the I-76 on Tallmadge Rd. While only 6312 from the tips, this course can play much tougher than you think. Conditions here are good and the greens roll true. Even though this 1928 style course has conservative bunkering, a few creeks and many straight away fairways, it has seen years of gentle improvements. The many short par 4 that can lead to good scores, if you find the fairways. Driver, fairway wood or long iron is usually the discussion on the tee. The course is very tight with heavy tree lines that severely penalize tee shots too far off line. The center of the fairway is no guarantee either because the small greens require laser-like approaches with not many easy up and downs. Four of the five par 3s are at or over 200 yards. It is not to often you see someone pull out a driver on a par 3 but you will here, especially on the 241 yard eighth hole. All the par 5s are a good tests requiring several solid shots just for chance at par. The layout itself may not be the most intriguing and green complexes somewhat basic, but the owners show great care and pride in caring for this course. You will not find many other courses with more decorative landscaping in a beautiful, natural setting of rolling hills and mature trees. They even have their own greenhouses for flowers and shrubs. Some say the trees have over grown the course and made it too narrow. Others prefer the tightness arguing that thinning the trees will just make the course easier and not better. The turf conditions can get a bit spongy after heavy rains. Three sets of tees. Grass range. Slopes of 111 | 108 | 113 and yardage of 6312 | 6016 | 5285.   GCO Rating » 57

 

MASTICK WOODS :  (216) 267-5626  9 holes of great executive type Metroparks golf in the Cleveland metro area, about 2 minutes from Hopkins Airport. A nice little ladies, senior or kids course in the Rocky River basin. A few nice elevation changes. While conditions are only average, the layout makes up for a lot with the flowing Rocky River nearby and plenty of woods and wildlife.  Slow pace at peak times. No sure why we need two Metropark executive courses within two minutes of each other. Either Mastic Woods of Little Met should be turned into a full fledge range and practice facility. Yardage: 1,827. GCO Rating » 33

   

MEADOWOOD :  (440) 835-6442  27 holes of junk, in the heart of westside suburbia. Other than location, nothing redeemable. Dead flat and short with terrible conditions and a very poor design.  You should wear a hardhat here to protect yourself from all the flying golf balls. Now if they wanted to, they might be able to put in 18 decent holes.   GCO Rating » 14

 

MOHICAN HILLS :  (419) 368-3303  18 hole par 72 quality course just south of Ashland, about fifty five minutes south of the I-71 / I-80 interchange. Four sets of tees. A very nice, professionally designed, course by Jack Kidwell. Even though it is a 1970's traditional design before the advent of modern architecture, it remains a solid layout with outstanding conditioning. Pretty much in the middle of no-where Ohio. There wasn't much dirt moved to make this course, the holes were just cut into the wonderful natural elevations. You get the feeling of being on the cusp of the foothills of central Ohio, especially on the cliff top tee of the twelfth hole. Peaceful and very scenic with terrific par 3s. Beware of the quirky tee shot on the par 5 tenth hole.  Many tee off with just a middle iron due to very high risk of losing the driver into the trees. The best holes follow the tenth and get better as you close your round. Smallish greens by today's standards but with plenty of slope. Slope: 124 | 121 | 115 | 109 Yardage: 6611 | 6285 | 5471 | 4952.   GCO Rating » 73

   

NORTH OLMSTED GOLF CLUB :  (440) 777-0220  9 hole par 30 executive course across the street from Springvale Golf Course. This is a tough one to rate.  It is not for most golfers.  The course caters to women, junior, beginner golfers as well as golfers with disabilities. However, it can also serve as an excellent practice course for advanced golfers seeking a quiet place to work on their mid and short game. The course lies in and around a condo and home development with some wooded holes that can play pretty tight. The short course has only three par 4s on the card and if you can knock your driver out there about 250 or more, forget about hitting it here.  The shortest hole is only 80 yards long, but the green is only ten yards wide and ten deep. Talk about a postage stamp. Some bunkers and three small ponds add to the intrigue. Renovations which began in 2002 to improved drainage and conditions have show themselves under the new management. Conditions are surprisingly good and the greens a quite nice. The course is the host of the Northern Ohio Golf Association so it looks like they get some help. You can probably get around, even walking, in 90 minutes and the price is very reasonable. Yardage: 1681 | 1427 Slope: 80 | 74. GCO Rating » 40 

 

OAK KNOLLS (EAST) :  (330) 673-2034  A par 72, 18 hole course located in Kent, about a 35 minute drive from the I-77 & I-480 interchange and about 6 miles from the I-80 Rt.14 exit. It used to be a 36 Complex on both sides of the road but the West course closed in 2006. Gently rolling terrain, good conditions and very nice greens. This traditional, 1963 layout, has a lot of charm. No water on this course, but several tight holes with out-of-bounds stakes and trees constantly threatening you. There is a mild effort to add some mounding and contouring to give a little definition. Two long freaking par 5s of over 600 yards. Only three par 3s and three par 5s. Don't miss these greens long, there is often trouble and difficult up-and-downs from there. Perhaps the most memorable hole is the short par four 5th hole. Its a sharp dogleg left at just over 300 yards.  A long iron or fairway wood is the preferred tee shot, hopefully leaving you only 100 yards in. But the dogleg is very hilly and accuracy is an absolute must. Your approach shot must then contend with a very difficult green bordered by heavy woods and a ravine. A birdie try can easily turn into double bogey. The course is well marked with many trees even having yardages attached. Three sets of tees. Slopes of 118 | 114 | 111 and yardage of 6882 | 6486 | 5508.  GCO Rating » 66

 

OAK KNOLLS (WEST) : (330) 673-2034  Now closed and likely to be turned into a residential community.

   

ORCHARD HILLS : Now Closed. GCO Rating » N/A  

 

PINE BROOK :  (440) 748-2939  18 holes located in Grafton. The 5 holes located nearest the club house have nice elevation changes. The rest of the course is very flat and boring. One sand trap on course, two holes around a pond and a few creeks. Sparse trees on most fairways and conditions are less than average. An unusual six par 3's makes the course seem short. Hole 9 is the most dramatic of the course. In the summer, you can get a lot of extra roll on your tee shot if you know what I mean. Three sets of tees. Slope of 113 and yardage of 6062 | 5741 | 5225.  GCO Rating » 32

 

PINE HILLS :  (330) 225-4477  18 excellent holes located in Hinckley about 8 minutes from I-71. One of the top courses in the area but a bit pricey. Traditional layout with good elevation changes. Conditions are usually very good. Good and fast greens, serious rolling terrain in a natural environment. The greens are more in the tradition vein in that they do not sport much undulation and are not significantly elevated from the fairways. Many scenic holes as well as a few very dramatic ones, especially the par 3 fourth hole which has a drop off over 70 feet into a rock sided gorge. While the balance of par 3 are solid, they do lack variety in design and length. Each tees off over a small valley where you might get away with using the same iron into each small circular green. While not stretchy long, the par 5s are unique in presenting many different ways to be played and many different ways to punished. The wonderful finishing par 4 has a large lake that must be carried on the approach shot. A good round can easily be ruined here with sloppy play. Hooks tend to careen into the hazard that comes up very quick on the left.  Best place to error is the right rough. This can be a tough course since there are not a lot of bail out areas and some tight driving holes. Conservatively bunkered. The wavy fairways, which often resemble rolling surf, are constructed the old way from soft top soil. On those wet days, it gets a bit spongy. Three great new holes, #2, #14 and #17 added in 2004 as well as other improvements like lengthening hole 18 with a new tee box. The new holes were desperately needed and blend nicely into the existing layout. The course as a whole has been seriously lengthened and improved as a result. Pine Hills is known for their very fast greens which deserve a special mention here. While not sporting modern undulations and tiering, they have a deceptive tilt which makes keeping the ball below the hole essential. Some of these traditionally shaped greens have sloped shoulders and nice nuances which can release a ball straying to close to the edge down into the collar. They keep a close eye on the pace of play like a good course should. A great new clubhouse also opened in 2003. There has a been some trouble with the new greens and they just don't roll as well as the old ones but they are coming along. Three sets of tees. Very well marked. Slope of 124 | 121 | 126 and yardage of 6782 | 6373 | 5609. GCO Rating » 84

 

PLEASANT VALLEY :  (330) 725-5770  A Par 72 1970's design which can still hold its own today. Located in Medina about five minutes west from I-71. The dated clubhouse and continued non-acceptance of credit cards sort of lends a back-country atmosphere to the place compared to other more bustling clubhouses. The underwhelming facilities do not convey the test the course can present. It is rare to find a place good for new golfers as well as accomplished golfers. The decent price and less than crowded conditions make you wonder why more don't golf here. For a middle tier course that is rarely advertised, this is one of the better ones. It is an honest traditional style test right in front of you with no housing and ample mature trees. The routing and greens complexes are more than satisfactory despite having only a dozen bunkers on the course. They really don't need anymore except for perhaps aesthetics. At 6900 plus yards, even the longest golfers  will find room to play and the par five 6th is one of the better par 5s in town at over  600 yards. For the most part, the front nine possess some gentle rolling terrain and gentle doglegs and the back turns quickly more difficult with narrowing fairway framed by thick strands of trees, stream beds and more elevation changes. The course finishes in fine fashion with the interesting par five 16th requiring a good downhill tee shot followed by an accurate uphill approach to a perched green. The long par three 17th requires metal fortitude and hybrid over a menacing ravine. There is more miss on the right than the left. The outstanding 18th finishing hole is a long appealing cape hole leading to a nicely protected green. Errant tee shots and approaches easily find the lake. Par-par-par is not to shabby. No range. Three sets of tees. Slope: 123 | 119 | 113 Yardage: 6912 | 6,429 | 4984.  GCO Rating » 72

 

POWDERHORN :  (800) 863-3742  18 holes par 70 course in Madison about a 40 minute drive east on I-90 from downtown Cleveland. In many ways, except the clubhouse, this course has a great country club feel. With finely manicured fairways and great medium sized greens with just the right amount of modest undulation, you definitely feel pampered. The course lies in a natural environment with a fine assortment of trees, creeks, ponds and elevations, completely free from residential housing. You are practically guaranteed a good day regardless of your score at this pleasing course where attractive hole follows attractive hole. Most do not consider this a long track but it is only a par 70 with just two par 5s so that does accounts for some of the shortness on the yardage. You know you are in for a fun round right away with an opening tee shot through a chute to a medium fairway which then sets up a spectacular shot to a green fronted by large limestone blocks and a pond. The tee shot on the  par 4 third hole requires about a 200 yard shot to a segmented fairway framed by creeks. It is a tricky dogleg so take what you see and hit a long iron into the green. Your are asking for trouble if you try to cut off too much of the dogleg. There are other holes to take chances at. With four par 4s at 300 yards or less, you definitely have some opportunities here. Longer hitters feel like they can drive the short par 4s, but their intelligent design with narrowing fairways and small greens fronted with bunkers, makes going for it a difficult proposition. Even though these few holes may take the driver out of your hands, you still need precision with your fairway metal or hybrid to score well. There is no question that the meat of this course and the holes that will make or break your round are 10, 11, 12 and 13. You sort of get used to the scoring opportunities on the front side and your card probably looks pretty good, then bam, the monsters 10 and 11 bear their teeth. If you are still standing, you still have to deal with the devilish par 4s at twelve and thirteen where the terrain is the problem not so much length. These par 4s are particularly beautiful to the eye but pose a real monkey puzzle for the mind. Thick tree strands are pinching in, creeks and ponds await errant shots and  tucked away greens dare you to approach. Like many of the holes here, each can be played with brawn or precision and each method can yield dramatically different results. The greens fees are very reasonable. New range in 2007. Three sets of tees. Yardage: 6004 | 5679 | 4881 slope: 117 | 114 | 113.   GCO Rating » 73

 

PUNDERSON :  (440) 564-5465  18 holes of metro-park golf located within a state park.  About 50 minutes east of Cleveland on Rt. 87. Mostly flat and nondescript. Condition typical for a metro course. Best hole is short, tight downhill par four eighth. A long iron is best bet from the tee setting up a 100 yard shot over water. The 14th through the 17th are a nice series of holes. Nothing too fancy at this course, but it is a solid and fair test. Most holes border at least one other hole. A lot of bunkering for a metro course. Three sets of tees. Yardage of 6815 | 6600  Slope of 125.    GCO Rating » 59

 

QUARRY : (330) 488-3178.  18 destination holes which opening in 2007, about an hour and ten minutes south of the I-77 / I-80 interchange. A long haul from greater Cleveland but worth the drive from anywhere in Ohio. Brian Huntley has done some great work and has many signatures holes around Ohio but this is perhaps his first design where every hole gets the full upscale treatment. The Quarry is known as the sister course to Shale Creek but it is  very different. When you drive up into the hills toward the course, you notice immediately that the driving range is nicer than many golf courses. A huge and inviting clubhouse tells you this place is meant to attract golfers from around the Midwest. Even the practice green cut into a hillside is more aesthetically pleasing than the finishing hole of many top courses. Then as your cart climbs up the steep incline to the first tee, the wonder of the layout is revealed. From the heights of the first tee you can see several of the holes rising and falling across a valley of trees, waste areas, cattail filled marshes and a large lake. You really have to look hard for evidence of the century old quarry this course occupies because everything looks so natural and grown in. Below the mature trees sitting high on ridges are the signature rock outcroppings which look like they have  been here for a thousand years. Many holes are routed down and through the high walled valleys providing a good sense of solitude and separation of the holes. Launching a tee shot from 100 feet above a river shaped fairway that  flows around a ravine is a sight to behold.  Thankfully, most of the resort style wide fairways provide alternative targets to advance the ball. A good number of tee boxes play from a height so the course plays shorter than the listed yardage.  However, be sure to take enough club when you come upon the elevated greens. Huntley likes to reward course management and strategy and followers of his philosophy will fair well here. It is hard to imagine these kind of elevation changed in north east Ohio but it does play fair and easier than it looks. Sometimes with "mountain golf"  one can tire of all the up and down holes repeating all day. That  won't happen here where there is a nice balance of elevations with more level holes. The green complexes and protective bunkering are top notch and reveal a pinch of the Arthur Hills influence on Mr. Huntley. You can expect fast greens but conservatively sloped surfaces. Crazy tiering just would not work with this design. The third hole is the only blind tee shot which passes through a chute opening to a wide left to right fairway. There is hidden O.B. on both sides of this fairway so be sure you take the correct line. The fourth hole is one of the very best short par 4s in the area. It is drivable, even with a three wood, if you can play the tee shot up into the hill to the right of the bunker guarding the entrance to the green. Then the ball might just careen down the slope onto the green for an eagle try or at least a kick in birdie. Be warned that the fringes of this green are shaved down and the surface slopes mostly from front to back which rejects poor chips and pitches.  Most holes set up nicely for a little fade, especially the par 5 eleventh. This cape hole has a retention lake running all down the left side and your tee shot can reach the trouble unless you cut your tee shot on the inside of the trees guarding the right side of the fairway. Any hook will find the hazard. The back tee of the par 3 seventeenth is the highest point on the course and besides the spectacular views of the course below, you can also see downtown Canton peeking just over the horizon. Listen, we could go on and on about how stunning the visuals are and how well designed the holes are. More than a handful are outright world class spectacular. You won't find many courses where a missed shot is so heartbreaking. Not because the golf course is penal, but because you feel the despair of a lost opportunity and a certain distastefulness your errant shot leaves on such a breathtaking canvas. Not to worry, there are ample chances to be the hero and make it right again. The par 4 eighteenth plays harder than it looks, especially with a little wind coming in off the pond protecting the green. The Quarry could be one of the best courses in the entire Midwest. The conditioning of the tees, fairways and greens are surprisingly good and there are far fewer raw spots in the rough than you might expect for such a young course with difficult terrain. It serves as a great credit to the Superintendent. Some residential housing is going in but from the master plan, it looks like it is limited in relation to the course. You can tell the Ownership wants this to be a top tier course and they are still doing some minor tweaking to bring out the best in this course. Great food and service are standard here, so hang around for a beer on the veranda and take in the enjoyable view overlooking the pond fronted 18th green. Great practice facility. Yardage: 7015 | 6680 | 6354 | 6004 | 4878  Slope: 139 | 135 | 130 | 125 | 117.     GCO Rating » 93  

  

RACCOON HILL :  (330) 673-2111 18 hole par 71 course just outside of Kent, about 25 minutes east from the I-77 and I-80 interchange and only 7 miles from the from the Rt. 14 turnpike exit. The course is rather interesting, especially the front side.  Decent mounding of the green complexes and respectable separation between holes give the course a nice expansive feel. Generally semi-flat, but they tried to give you something to look at which deserves some praise. You would not normally expect to find pot bunkers on a course like this, but they are out there, lurking. There are many areas of tall grass between the trees which they call "happy grass" that provide nice separation between fairways and add to the character of the course. Fortunately, a local rule treats them as lateral hazards.  Short but very inviting par 4s at eight and nine encourage you to be bold, but there is no green light here. The 9th hole green slopes severely from left to right. The back side starts fine enough, but the course sort of hits a wall at hole 13 where the next three of four holes are sawed off dogleg par fours. A weighty par three of 200 yards over water awaits the conclusion of your round. Conditions are above average and while the greens have a sneaky slope, they putt straighter than you think. The yardage seems short, but its got some length. Its those three crazy doglegs on the backside that throw everything off. Three sets of tees. Slopes of 118 | 115 | 112 and yardage of 6258 | 6003 | 4711. GCO Rating » 53

 

RAINTREE :  (330) 699-3232  18 solid holes located just south of Akron, about 35 minutes from the I-77/ Ohio Turnpike interchange. One or two holes are actually visible from I-77. This 1992 Brian Huntley design, just north of the Canton Regional Airport, sports his solid green complexes and design. Somewhat forgiving with several adjacent fairways with thin tree cover, there are also some holes where you must guard against hazards. With conservative bunkering and good conditioning, it is easy to see why this has been a popular course in the area. Apparently, this is one of Huntley first solo efforts. It lacks the sophistication and refinement of his later projects like Eagle Creek and Deer Ridge. The fairway contouring lacks a certain natural ebb and flow and the mounding feels a bit contrived at spots. Nevertheless, it is still a solid track with some really good holes. A great par 5 at seven begs you to bomb in down the right side over the trap to have a go at it in two. But even the longest hitter will think twice because the very narrow green is guarded in the front by a ball eating lake and in the back by a steep drop off. The par 4 ninth favors a little fade slightly downhill which then rises to a beautifully elevated green carved into the hillside with two very distinct tiers. You are virtually guaranteed a three putt if you are on the wrong tier. The finale par 5 provides another great opportunity for heroes and fools. The left fairway is safer on your tee shot, but if you can carry the creek and keep on the right side, you will have a great chance to get home in two.  Long is better than short on your approach because a small creek and bunker front this green. However, an ample hillside backstop behind the green protects long shots. Conditions are usually very good with very good greens, gently rolling terrain with some wooded holes. Grass and matt range. Four sets of tees. Slope of 127 | 121 | 117 | 127 and yardage of 936 | 6391 | 5918 | 5030.   GCO Rating » 72

 

RED TAIL :  (440) 937-6286  Now all private.

 

RIDGE TOP :  (330) 725-5500  18 hole par 72 course in Medina, about a 35 minute drive south from the I-71 and I-480 interchange using I-71. This enjoyable course has some interesting holes and a good deal of elevation changes. Several quirky doglegs keeps the driver in the bag for the long hitter. The eighteenth par 3 is perhaps the most beautiful hole, with a spectacular short downhill shot to a well guarded green. Conditions are around average but pace of play and price are good. Three sets of tees. Slopes: 114 | 109 | 107 Yardage: 6241 | 5893 | 4968. GCO Rating » 53

 

RIDGEWOOD :  (440) 888-1057  18 hole par 70 public course located in Parma just off of Ridge Rd. Rolling hills, some water. Not a bad course for being located in a major metropolitan area. It has all the potential, but as it stands now, it remains below average on course conditions and layout. There is great terrain here with good elevation changes, mature tree cover and criss-crossing creeks. This is an old style course with many easy entrances to most greens. Many elevated greens and elevated tees with some bunkers to contend with. Greens are slow and bumpy and fairways need some work. The front starts with two nice par 4s, but back to back par 3s grind play to a near halt. A monster of a par 5 lies in wait on the back nine at hole number 13. At 615 yards, you will need three good shots just to have a chance to get home in regulation. A boring par 3 unfortunately ends your round. Four sets of tees, but in most cases, you got 3 sets of tees in just one tee box. Slopes of 114 | 109 |  114 | 107 and yardage of 6074 |  5678 |  5205 |  4688.  GCO Rating » 51

 

RIVERSIDE :  (440) 235-8006   Formerly 18 holes in Olmsted Township.  In 2007 there was a for sale sign up and it was still up in 2009 and the course is closed and gone to pasture.   GCO Rating » NR.

 

ROSES RUN :  (330) 688-4653  18 hole par 72 course in Stow, about a 35 minute drive south from the I-77 and I-480 interchange using I-77, the Ohio Turnpike, then Route 8. Opening in 1998, this is a modern course which lies in a horse ranch that is now a housing development. Nice mounding and bunkering. The layout is very nice especially the back nine. Many doglegs, subtle elevation changes and great par 3s. They have a few seriously swaled greens here where approaches to the correct pin position is vital to avoid a three putt. Five ponds come into play on the front and creeks come into play four times on the back. A common complaint is that there are too many houses and at times they come too close to the course on the front nine. Some holes are really squeezed in here. Two awful looking nets were put up to protect homes from errant tee shots. Not very well marked and conditions are no where as good as they used to be. Scorecard has all 5 pin positions and hole layouts, but not yardages. The cart has a yardage book attached, but the pin locations do not match the score card. Need to play this one more than once to get club selection down. Very nice finishing hole par four where the largest pond is in play down the right side all the way to the green. The pond pinches into the fairway right where long knockers would like to land. Grass range. Four sets of tees. Slopes: 128 | 122 Yardage of 6859 | 6527.    GCO Rating » 66

 

ROYAL CREST :  (440) 236-5644   18 holes in Columbia Station, about 8 minutes west of I-71 on Rt. 82. Par 71 for men, par 73 for women. A very flat course with slightly better than average conditions. Often hard to get on. Most of the back tees are just laid out on the ground behind the first two tee boxes and stupidly sit below the front tees. The three lakes hardly come into play. Slope of 108 | 108 | 112 and yardage of 6746 | 6205 | 5903.   GCO Rating » 44

 

SANCTUARY :  (330) 499-7710  18 hole par 71 championship course in North Canton. A whopping 45 minutes from the I-77/Ohio Turnpike interchange, and 4 miles east of the Canton Regional Airport. Local golf architect Brian Huntley took a bull dozer in 2002 to the old Bob-O-Links North Course, driving range, and Par 3 course, and thankfully so. The result is a great course which is very playable with little interference from housing. The course once started on a par 3s but has been rerouted and now starts on the number two handicap par four. From the first tee shot, what follows is great looking hole after hole, particularly, the four par 5s. Even though there are five par 3s, they exhibit a nice variety in club selection and design. This is another modern-minimalist design from Huntley offering outstanding greens and green complexes, plush flowing contoured fairways and just the right amount of bunkering. By minimalist, we do not mean a course that skimps in design or conditioning. We mean a course that is very playable and enjoyable with good shot values and aesthetics, while at the same time, the course is not overwhelming in price due to excessive design, construction and maintenance costs. Most holes require some thought as to placement and position. You will find mild elevations changes with several nicely perched greens and two that are actually slightly below the fairway. Water comes into play on nine holes in the form of lakes, dissecting streams and beautiful marsh views. You must know your tee shot carry distance to the landing zones on holes #8, #12 and #13. Hole 12 is a  par four semi-cape hole with a lake bordering the right side of the landing zone. Don't bomb you tee shot into the lake and don't dump a nervous approach into the corner of the lake. Almost everyone complains about the par 4 twelfth and thirteenth. Perhaps it is because they are two very similar holes dissected by a hidden creek which takes driver and three wood out of your hands. Perhaps they just don't fit the eye like the rest of the course. Just be patient and the course will come to you. Perhaps the most beautiful hole is the par 4 fifteenth which circles a massive marsh. It is folly to try to cut off much of the marsh since the more left you go the further you must carry. On the other hand, taking your driver straight can take you completely through the fairway leaving no shot at the green. Just play to the middle of the fairway and you will have a short iron in. Let the shaft out on 18, you got more room on the left than you think. Five sets of tees and r ange available. Slopes: 129 | 125 | 121 | 116  |  117. Yardages: 6811 | 6442 | 6109 | 5667 | 4921.   GCO Rating » 82

 

SAWMILL CREEK :  (419) 433-3789   18 hole resort course in Huron, about a 55 minute drive west from the Cleveland west suburbs using I-90 and Rt.2. Opening in the 1970's, it was originally designed by George Fazio and his son  Tom Fazio. Tom Fazio had returned in 1997 to make a few improvements. Among the changes, there are now four par 3's, not five. It does not resemble his other masterpieces of the 90's, but still has a lot of character. All the par 3's are absolutely fantastic to play and look at. Excellent fast greens and many wonderful holes. However, about 3 holes border on boring, keeping this course from being one of the finest in the region. Score cards have pin positions and there are four sets of tees.  Very pricey for this type of course.  Slope of 128 and yardage of 6702.   GCO Rating » 70

 

SENECA :  (216) 348-7274  36 holes in Broadview Heights. Owned and operated by the City of Cleveland, this course offers very little except usually few crowds. There is an "A" course and a "B" course. They seem identical  and ought to be renamed the "E" and "F" courses. Most holes are just straight and wide with almost no elevation changes. All holes run parallel to each other and there is little privacy or solitude. Conditions are usually poor and greens are relatively flat and poor. Out of the entire 36 holes there are maybe 5 decent holes. The only yardage marker is a 150 yard stake. Most fairways are separated by a thin line of trees. There is some bunkering but the sand is of poor quality and poorly maintained. For those that say golf is a waste of valuable real estate, this course serves as a good example of such. Only two sets of tees. Slope of 118 and yardage of 6,559 on A and slope of 121 and yardage of 6,639 on B. The only good news is there is a rumor that the Metroparks system is taking over the complex from Cleveland and has big plans in store.    GCO Rating » 19

 

SEVEN HILLS :  (330) 877-9303  18 hole par 72 course in the Hartville, about a 45 minute drive from the I-77 and I-80 interchange, east of Akron. Good conditions, good greens and pleasant terrain makes for a fun day on the links. Some quirky holes and some tight fairways makes club selection and yardage critical. Many natural tree lined holes and water hazards. Good thing the carts have a built in yardage book. The craziest hole is the shortish par-4 sixteenth. You need to deal with a creek running down the entire right side and mature trees on the left of this slight dogleg right.  The optimum shot is to take your drive right over the old covered bridge, if you dare. The front nine is solid but the back nine seems to be the favorite. A fantastic par 4 finishing hole closes your round where you must drive it straight down the middle of this ascending fairway. You need distance and accuracy because your approach must deal with a bunker, elevation, a partially obscured green and a hidden lake. Great grass range. Four sets of tees.   Slopes of 131 | 129 | 121 | 126 and yardage of 6972 | 6711 | 6082 | 5592.  GCO Rating » 68

 

SHALE CREEK :  (330) 723-8774  18 hole par 71 semi-private course in the golf booming area of Medina, about a 35 minute drive south from the I-480 and I-71 interchange.  First opened in the fall of 2006 and conditions are coming along very nicely. Brian Huntley designed this course to utilize Rocky River and Shale Creeks as the defining natural characteristics. While not Fazio flashy, Huntley usually gives you a solid modern course which is what you have here. Surrounding the course is farmland and a new housing development which for the most part does not encroach on the course but for 2 holes. The terrain has mostly modest elevation changes with the most elevations coming from the Rocky River and Shale Creek basins. Where the terrain was less than interesting, Huntley went to town with some of his most sophisticated contouring yet. Many young trees have been added to supplement the few trees that remain and it will be some time until they become factors. Wind is always a factor here and this course plays harder than it looks. The starting par 4 will play tough for those not warmed up since a big retention lake down the right stands ready to eat all slices. It can be reach with the driver right over the right side bunker, but a more prudent approach would be to take the trouble out of the hole with a fairway metal to about 100 yards.  Either way, if you stay out of the water, you can definitely score here. The par 4 seventh hole is a great example of the wonderful nuances this course possesses that will keep the low handicapper very interested. The approach on the seventh dictated by the pin position of this protected green.  A right pin demands an approach from the left side of the fairway and a left pin from the right, in order to score well. However, choosing to favor one side of the fairway on your tee shot is not so easy as there is a pot bunker guarding the middle which force the errant golfer into a approach which is either longer, from the rough, the wrong side of the fairway or heaven forbid, all three. You might not appreciate these feature the first time you play but local knowledge can yield lower scores.  This course may become known for its fabulous par 5s. The par 5 fourteenth has the Rocky River all down the left side making it a beautiful but dangerous hole for all shots. The other par 5s, three, eight and sixteen are Huntley at his very best. He has crafted these spectacular holes to be both visually and strategically interesting. Bunkering and routing force you to decide on power or finesse for most of your shots. The five par 3 here are solid and the wind usually is a factor. The scintillating 200 yard par 3 seventeenth is almost all carry and very intimidating. Those with a weak constitution should favor the right side of the green. The par 4 eighteenth is a tough finishing hole which doglegs downhill off the tee to the left then up to a protected green. You must keep the ball out to the right on your tee shot towards the 150 yard marker. If you are to far left or short of the corner, you will be blocked or in the schnitzel. Length is important on this hole since the difficult approach not only has to carry Shale Creek and bunkers to an elevated green, the prevailing wind is usually strongly against you. Nice full practice facility. Slope 134 | 130 | 125 | 120 and yardage 7026 | 6652 | 6338 | 5913 | 5043.   GCO Rating » 87  

 

SHAWNEE HILLS :  (440) 232-7184  18 hole par 71 course in the Bedford Metroparks, about a 15 minute drive south from the I-77 and I-480 interchange. A pleasant course with many elevation changes, wavy and wooded fairways but only a few sand traps and no real water to speak of. While not quite a Sleepy Hollow, this course has its own charm. The front nine allows you to take healthy cracks at the ball, but the back tightens up a bit. Medium sized greens with slight slopes. Conditions are generally average. The prettiest hole is the shortish par four 12th. It's possible to drive this green, but the entrance to it is very narrow and the green is protected by four hungry traps. Ugly nets separate hole 10 from the range yet lots of range balls still find their way onto the 10th hole. Mat range. Three sets of tees. Slopes of 114 | 112 | 116 and yardage of 6366 | 6175 | 5884.   GCO Rating » 64

 

SKYLAND :  (330) 225-5698  18 holes located in Hinkley on Rt. 303, just 5 minutes off of I-71. A few very fine holes; the rest of the course is average. par 72 for the men and par 74 for the women.  The course has some elevation changes, water on four holes and eight sand traps. It winds around mostly thin tree lined fairways but there are a few dog legs. No houses. Traditional and smallish saucer greens which are relative unguarded. Poor drainage and a poor continuous cart path that is part-paved and part-gravel. When the summers starts to dry out most courses, this one will already be dry. Three nice par 3 and three par 5s. Decent value and very walkable. There are two holes to note which give trouble off the tee.  Hole eight is a blind tee shot where it is best to play to the right side of the fairway for a clear angle to a green protected by a stream. Pick your target.  Hole eleven gives players the most trouble because of a blind creek which runs across the fairway at about 250 yards from the tee. Everyone knows that the par 4 ninth is a round breaker where a bogey is not that bad a score.  It is a longer par 4 that has a difficult landing area and O.B. which sneaks up fast on the right. Accuracy is key since the fairway seems to disappear around the dogleg. Three sets of tees. Slope: blue n/r | white 113 | red 112 and Yardage 6337 |  6115 |  5497. GCO Rating » 52

 

SLEEPY HOLLOW :  (440) 526-4285  18 hole par 71 metro course in Brecksville, about 17 minutes south of the I-480/I-77 interchange. The course lies in a scenic valley created by a retreating glacier. Many natural elevation changes and woods. Plenty of sand but little water. Plenty of chances to loose your golf balls. Very challenging with long holes and very tricky greens. Very soft fairways, especially after a rain, since they were made the traditional way with lots of top soil and little sand mix for drainage. This Stanley Thompson design was built in 1925 and remains in great shape and is still very scenic. Thompson was ahead of his time almost on the level of a Donald Ross. Thompson's signature features here are the pedestal elevated tees and the stunning vistas. This course is still a local favorite, heavily played and a great value. The hole corridors sometimes deceive the eye with the impression that you just hit down the middle of the green stuff, splitting the bordering trees. But the stealthy fairways are often closer to one side of the tree line than the other so apparent down the middle tee shots ending up missing the fairway. Be certain of your line.You are gently eased into the course with a pleasant reachable par 5. Sleepy Hollow is filled with little subtleties like the first green which slopes from front to back and leans to the right.  Balls played to the middle can easily end up on the next tee box. Playing a bit short and left can give you a great chance for birdie. Then the course kicks you in the teeth with two very difficult holes back to back.  A 220+ yard par three with death on the right and a tough par four where your drive must be as carefully placed as your approach. In 2001, the unfair and troublesome green at the par three 8th hole was completely replaced. Minor, but important improvements, keep accumulating. New tees boxes were added in 2006 on the par 4 thirteenth, adding almost 100 yards and the hanging green at the 16th was improved on the left with a modern style collection are. Being a part of the Metroparks also has its perks. They seem to have recently realized that the golf course is a great place to add naturalized areas of wild flowers and tall grasses, not just a place to mow endless acres of grass. The greens here are particularly vexing. They are old style but they have a lot of tilt which adds to the pace of the already fast greens. The break does not reveal itself well against the rolling terrain and you can find yourself having a longer second putt than your first. Being below the hole is critical here. On a negative note, this course is also known as a "death march" for slow play at times. But we have to tip our hats to the rangers here. A slow moving foursome of beginners in front of our group was lifted and moved ahead a whole hole for our benefit. Not only that, the GCO brand new and very expensive digital camera was left in our cart as we came off the 18th hole around 9:00 pm. The honest and hard working rangers held our camera until we were able to retrieve it. Tee times are hard to get but worth the effort. Three sets of tees. Better bring your A game to this classic gem. Mat range. Slope of 132 | 127 | 120 and yardage is 6702 | 6301 | 5311. GCO Rating » 85

 

SPRINGVALE :  (440) 777-0678  18 hole par 70 city owned course in North Olmsted. 2 minutes from I-480. A little on the short side with wide open fairways, a lot of sand for this type of course. Conditions used to be below average but a million dollar renovation job completed in 2002 brought good conditions and improved drainage. Several holes were redesigned and two par fives were shortened to par 4, shortening the course from a par 72 to a par 70. New renovations also included several new ponds, greens complexes and tee boxes. With all the money they dropped into the course, you would have thought more changes would have been made, but at least the few changes were very positive. The architect hired by the City to renovate the course was Barry Serafin who is know for innovative and interesting courses. The City never really followed his master plan and some consider the renovation a failure compared to other muny tracks that have been successfully rejuvenated into contemporary designs. The blame clearly lies with the City and not with Serafin. We personally inspected the blue prints and the outcome is nothing like that which was intended. New holes 10 and 11 seem to be too nice for the rest of the course. A 90 degree dogleg over a lake par four finishing hole test your club selection and precision. The green can be reached by the longest of hitters but just to carry a small portion of the corner is a bit to tough for most. Laying up to the 100 yard marker gives you a great angle in and a decent chance to score. Great new refurbished clubhouse. Mat range, but only long enough for even medium irons. They are getting real cheap and use only red flags regardless of pin position and the bunker maintenance is mostly ignored. Slope of 115 | 109 | 111 and yardage is 6145 | 5721 | 4686.  GCO Rating » 50

 

SPRING VALLEY : (440) 365-1411  18 semi-private holes at a formerly private club, about 30 minutes west of downtown. Spring Valley began accepting  public tee times in 2008 and will likely continue to do so indefinitely. The course lies primarily in a flood plain valley but also takes advantage of the surround steep elevation changes. The abundance of elevations are surprising for mostly flat Elyria. Extensive renovations in the early part of this century brought a more contemporary feel to what was a tired and very traditional course with saucer shaped greens. You get a feeling there are still some holes they should have updated a bit with the others and that there are perhaps one too many cliff-top tee shots. Nevertheless, the absence of housing, plenty of mature trees and a solid design makes for a peaceful and enjoyable round. The Black River outlines the golf course property and, on a few holes, right through the course. Following heavy rains, the waters can inch right up to certain tee boxes adjacent to the river. Length is not at a premium here and the course will yield good scores if you keep the ball in play. The anticlimactic finishing hole par 3 need a re-think. Price is reasonable. Slope of 128 | 126 | 121 | 121 and yardage is 6555 | 6293 | 5440 | 5440.    GCO Rating » 70

 

ST. DENIS :  (440) 285-2183  Par 72 golf course in Chardon, about 35 minutes from downtown Cleveland. A very pleasant course to play with a solid layout. Good conditions but with fickle greens. The course is routed nicely to take advantage of the plentiful elevations without being over the top. Up and down through valleys bordered by tree strands and nature. No housing anywhere. Even from the tips, the course is not that long and can yield good scores. Most tee shots nicely fit the eye and you usually have ample room to hit the driver all day. Avoid the left side on the first three holes because of O.B. All the par fives can be brought to their knees and two shortish par 4s can be reached with a bold stroke. If you can keep it in the medium sized fairways you usually get a green light into the medium sized greens that are often semi-hanging or mildly pedestalled. Only three bunkers. The most scenic hole is the gorgeous downhill par 4 fifth hole which looks longer than it is. Favor the right side of the fairway since everything kicks left. You will be hard pressed to complain about this course, it is not pretentious and provides a solid and playable venue for most golfers. Three sets of tees. Slope of 121 | 117 | 150 and yardage of 6640 |  6375 | 5800.   GCO Rating » 66

 

STONEWATER : (440) 461-4653. One of the first modern championship course in the area that sort of lead the local mini golf boom in 1996. While originally accepting public play, they quickly went private. Thankfully, they began accepting public play again in 2010.  This up scale par 71 from Hurdzan/Fry smartly winds through a residential development which utilizes careful landscaping and respectful lot positioning.  It does not feel like a tunnel of homes but rather a natural course of trees and marshes with some homes. Like its sister course, Little Mountain, you get all the top shelf Dr. Hurdzan bells and whistles. Expansive bunkers are use to direct tee shots and protect landing areas while also giving the holes definition. There are various strategies of play at Stonewater as you would expect on any well designed course. Heros are rewarded and fools seriously punished here. The ample tall grass expanses outside the normal lines of play give the course a warm, friendly, linksy look but they're not so friendly when you need to extract your ball. The speedy medium sized greens usually have a miss and don't miss side. The don't miss side often is more penal than just a short sided chip, so beware. The signature design feature has to be the ample marsh areas that are utilized throughout the course. Sure, the are a lot of expensive looking tee boxes, cart paths, greens, and even a bunker or two, lined with earthy-red stone blocks. But it's the water and wetland features that give this course its character. They come in various forms, such as greenside marshes, forced carry perpendicular hazards and meandering fairway streams, all with a strategic purpose. The parcel is a bit flat but careful movers and shapers have crafted nicely contoured fairways and pushed up slightly elevated  tee boxes giving the whole experience a wonderful sense of flow with fine sight lines. The solid par 5 ninth hole was cut to a par four to make room for the new club house which opened in 2002. The hole has been made playable, but Hurdzan might not have been happy about the design change.  With the complimentary wide fairways, you can hit fades or draws even though it seems not a single hole was set up with a draw in mind.  Make a mental note: there are four par 4s and one par 5 where driver should be seriously reconsidered or  perhaps taken out of play. We will leave it to you to figure out, but 18 is definitely one of them. A yardage book is a good idea here. Full grass range and practice facilities. Stonewater is the home of the Hanlin Golf School. Five sets of tees. Slopes of 137 | 131 | 125 | 120 | 123 and yardage of 7060 | 6674 | 6120 | 5541 | 5058. GCO Rating » 89    

 

SUGAR BUSH : (330) 527-4202  18 quality golf holes in Garrettsville, about 35 minutes east of the I-80/I-77 interchange. This far outpost golf course on the GCO landscape is a pleasant treasure near Youngstown. It sports wonderful elevation changes and flowing ribbons of fairway. There are numerous hazards like bunkers, marshes and water to contend with along with the heavily wooded terrain. This is a very fun course to play with many enjoyable tee shots and challenging approaches. No two holes alike with solid and varied par 3s. Club selection is very important on several of the shortish par 4s where trouble lurks, particularly holes 11, 12 and 16. Conditions here are generally above average to good and the greens, while on the smallish side, offer plenty of challenge and medium speed in the early part of the year to very fast in summer. A nice challenging par 5 starts you off with a very long pedestal green. Don't be short or right on your approach. Close your round with a spectacular tee shot on the beautiful par 4 eighteenth. Beware of the trap in your landing zone to the right, its further than it looks and hard to carry. Probably the only serious knock on this course is the fact that in some spots, it does not drain as well you would expect. Four sets of tees. Slopes of 121 | 117 | 119 | 106 and yardage of 6571 | 6182 | 5526 | 4727.    GCO Rating » 78

 

SWEETBRIAR - LEGACY :  (440) 933-9001  18 modern holes located in Avon Lake,   about twenty five minutes west from downtown Cleveland. A huge and beautiful new clubhouse was completed in 2000. The first nine opened in 2002 and the second nine in the fall of 2007. Thankfully, it is very different from the old course. The new course, called The Legacy, features lightly rolling fairways formed over flat parcels that once were vineyards and flood plain woods and part of the old Sweetbriar course. The modern contouring gives the illusion of some  topography here and gentle doglegs provide a nice sense of flow. The fairways and preservation of the remaining tree strand lead to excellent greens complexes. The challenges come in the form of man made lakes, enhanced dissecting creeks and plenty of sand protecting the medium sized greens.  But the defining characteristic here is that while not a long course,  even from the back tees, the medium fairways put a premium on tee shot accuracy. Only then will you be in position to attack the wonderful greens complexes. This  design makes the best of  the limited amount of land available in fast developing Avon Lake and fills a demand for  a new style course in an area where there are plenty of old, worn out, courses. The holes weave in and around housing development which, for the most part, are set back sufficiently. But you do feel the confines of housing, roads, fences, and O.B., especially as you traverse the long cart paths abutting backyards. They put the longer holes next to each other so you usually have housing just on one side. The back nine is the stronger of the two nines in terms of length and we also think in design.  It is also ever so slightly more removed from the housing, at least for now.  While reachable, it is a risky proposition for longer hitters to try for any of the par 5s in two. The par 5 greens are all tucked away and heavily protected so think twice about it before backing up the tees behind you. There is also a fine assortment of well designed par 3s here. Unfortunately, this course cannot be walked due to the great distance between certain holes and we get a feeling this is going to be a tee time factory. Four sets of tees. Matt range. Slopes of 121 | 116 | 111 | 115 and yardage of 6634 | 6064 | 5540 | 4834. GCO Rating: 75

 

SWEETBRIAR - OLD COURSE :  (440) 933-9001 the old course has some ok holes but is very flat without any contouring. Little water and no sand. The basic greens are below average and conditions are less than average. Most holes run next to adjacent holes separated by a thin tree line and you can spray the ball to your heart's content.   GCO Rating: OLD COURSE » 39

 

TAM O'SHANTER (DALES) : (330) 477-5111  18 hole par 70 public golf course in Canton, part of a 36 hole complex. Sort of out there at about 45 minutes south of the I-80 / I-77 interchange. It contains a traditional style course with rolling terrain. Mostly wide open with some trees lining the fairways. If you miss right or left on your tee shot, you will likely not be to bad off because of the close proximately of neighboring holes with thin tree lines. Several really good holes mixed in with some plain ones. Fine par 3s. Pleasant drivable opening hole and solid closing hole. Perhaps the  most difficult tee shot is the long par four 15th. Its a dogleg right which carries downhill then steeply uphill to a pedestalled green. Tee shots hung out to the left can easily bounce further left and out of bounds. Trying to carry the inside of the corner is no bargain either since pines and a steep hillside will come into play. Play a nice fade and expect extra club will be need to reach the green. Conditions are average with the greens above average with some speed and undulation. Four sets of tees. Slopes of 117 | 114 | 108 | 108 and yardage of 6538 | 6143 | 5428 | 5012. GCO Rating » 55

 

TAM O'SHANTER (HILLS) : (330) 477-5111  18 hole par 70 public golf in Canton, about 45 minutes south of the I-80 / I-77 interchange. Contains a slightly shorter but basically just as tough a test as the Dales sister course. In 2006 and 2007 the course was considered for closure to make room for housing.  Fortunately, this fun and hilly design remains open and they have not let the conditions slip. Containing a good mix of holes which lead to solid, albeit old style, green complexes which sport some unexpected undulations. There are a couple spots where the line of play is a little dubious so take the opportunity, if you can, to drive up and see for yourself. A great example of this is the unusual par 4 seventh which sports a severely downhill blind tee shot requiring  a well placed effort. It looks deceivingly easy and invites you to  just blast your drive and hope for an easy chip.  It is even drivable under the right conditions. However, just missing the fairway a little can lead to a very awkward approach or a lost ball and a big missed opportunity. Conditions are average and greens are above average with some speed. Four sets of tees. Slopes of 115 | 112 | 105 | 108 and yardage of 6362 | 6054 | 5322 | 5070. GCO Rating » 54

 

THUNDERHILL (formerly the Reserve) : (440) 298-3474  18 hole (formerly) championship course in Madison, about a 40 minute drive east on I-90 from downtown Cleveland. This was an old fishery that was then turned into an impossible and poorly-conditioned golf course. In 1997, the course underwent extensive renovations to make it one of the best golf courses and golf experiences in Ohio. It's in the middle of wilderness, no buildings or houses visible from the course with a good deal of solitude on each hole as you play among the tall pines and weeping willows. The course is very difficult, so even low handicappers will find themselves on the middle tees. Not many courses anywhere have tees longer than 7500. Don't go there if you can't carry a tee shot 200 yards. Back tees must be just for show, they are way too long. Tons of trouble if you miss the first cut of rough. Bring lots of extra balls, there are about 100 small ponds and lakes that come into play on all but one hole. Must be played at least twice to overcome the immense intimidation each hole holds out to you. It's not as hard as it looks. The first time is torture the second is pleasure. Many shot strategies on most holes. Shot values are extremely high. Every hole has at least several sand traps. Modern design and feel with good undulated greens. Even in a heavy downpour, the course drains great. Every hole could be the signature hole at any course in Ohio. This is definitely not your cookie cutter type course and there are many wonderfully unique holes here. Nice elevation changes and great all around design with rolling and flowing fairways. Too many favorite holes and every one has a different feel or theme. The par 5 eighth is notable for several reasons. A nice slightly downhill tees shot to set up a cool second shot over a big lake to a protected landing area. Plus a "skunk bunker" of black sand and heather to cost you at least two shots to get out of. Near the green is a plaque to commemorate a skunk that once dug up the course. The course finishes with a beautiful par 3 over water at 16 with circus undulations in the green. The par 4 seventeenth has to be one of the most exciting tee shot in Ohio with its big downhill slight dogleg right where if you can keep it in the fairway you will be richly rewarded.  Stray from the fairway and you bring several ponds in play. An extremely undulated green makes a birdie very rewarding. If the pin is in the back, play to the middle of the green and hope it releases to the back. Awesome finishing par 5 at the eighteenth requiring  a third shot over a big lake or you can go for it in two if your tee shot is long enough. Spectacular scenery all around with tall pines and extensive vegetation. It seems the course has been here for seventy five years. Extremely well-mark twice every 25 yards. Since 2007, the course has suffered from poorer than expected conditions and the current ownership is trying to bring the course back but they have some work to do. If the conditions improve, it will again be near the top of the areas best courses. Price is right even for the less than expected conditions. Grass range. Five sets of tees. Slopes of 152 | 144 | 137 | 128 | 121 and yardage of 7504 | 6866 | 6437 | 6003 | 4769. GCO Rating » 79

 

THUNDERBIRD HILLS (NORTH) :  (419) 433-4552  The older 18 holes of the Thunderbird 36. The north course is slightly longer and far more wooded. The south course seems to be more popular, but the north course may be more challenging and traditional. Some very hilly and wavy fairways which are tight at spots. The greens are not as nice as the south course. Three sets of tees. Slope of 109 and yardage of 6347 | 5973    GCO Rating » 69

 

THUNDERBIRD HILLS (SOUTH) :  (419) 433-4552  18 hole course part of the Thunderbird 36 in Huron. 45 minutes west of Cleveland using I-90 and Rt.2. Although somewhat short, the course is very scenic and interesting. You can really score here.  Great set of par threes. Three of them have water that comes into play. The south course is the more modern of the two Thunderbird course and it opened in 1995. Gently rolling open fairways which use mounding to create definition and privacy.  Its wide open on most holes so you can really have rip with your driver, but watch out, the unusually heavy rough makes recovery shots unpredictable. No sand, but marshes, water, creeks and a decent and fun layout. Four sets of tees. Slope of 109 and yardage of 6235 | 5870 | 5075 | 4660. GCO Rating » 72

 

TURKEYFOOT LAKE :  (330) 644-5971  An 18 hole par 71/72 regulation and a 9 hole executive course located in Akron, about thirty five minutes south of the I-77 and I-480 interchange. Despite a rather ignoble name, this course is a wonderful test of golf. There are some truly beautiful holes with great elevation changes. Plays longer than you think. While starting slow and easy, a long uphill par 4 awaits you at the third hole. The fourth hole is a par 4 from the back tees while the forward tees play it as a par 5. It slowly unfolds downhill with a dangerous tree-filled gorge on your right. Great back to back par 5s await you at the 6th and 7th holes; one playing downhill, the other, uphill to a hanging green. A very solid back nine starts with two short but sneaky par fours and finishes with three great holes. The 18th is a monster of a long par 5 where not even the longest can get home in two. This course offers very good conditions, a traditional layout over nice terrain and slick and moderately undulated greens. The course is conservatively bunkered with no water except over the stunning par 3 at the 13th. You do not really realize it, but there are only one and a half doglegs here. A unique feature surrounding many of these greens are the raised collars which catch and pin stray shots, making up and downs very difficult. Decent value. Slope of 118 | 114 | 112 | 111 and yardage is 6273 | 6070 | 5765 | 5056. GCO Rating » 72

 

VALLEAIRE :  (440) 237-9191  In days gone by, the course was often marked by poor conditions despite being blessed with the superb hilly terrain of Hinckley. Our most recent visit pleasantly surprised us with much improved conditions across the board.  First and foremost, the greens are very respectable now and roll nicely. While not super high on the stimp meter, these large greens won't bounce your ball around on the way to the hole.  The fairways are no longer cut straight down the side but flow nicely over the terrain. Bunkers were maintained and the tees were decent. There were many instances of a  landscaping beautification program going on with benches, boulders, shrubs and mulched flower beds. There are still some sketchy spot on a few fairways and some of the rough gets thinned out. There are also some drainage problems and some areas can get sloppy particularly the holes in the flood plain of the bordering river. But the layout is pleasant with some shortish holes and some monster holes, particularly the 601 yard third hole. There is a good mix of open holes and wooded holes with dangerous dog legs and very solid par 3s. The course is not to penal and the main hazards are the conservative bunkering and pesky creeks which meander throughout the course. Many holes play longer than the yardage due to the elevations and sometimes soft fairways. The reasonable rates, less than crowded course and natural environment, will help you forgive some of the conditioning indiscretions. I am not sure about their plans for a new clubhouse but their planning committee should get right on it. Four our sets of tee and one mousy practice putting green. Slope of 121 | 117 | 112 | 115  and yardage is 6528 | 6104 | 5599| 5410. GCO Rating » 59

 

WASHINGTON :  (216) 641-1864 Nine hole executive course convenient to downtown located in Newburgh.  Operated by the Cleveland Metroparks and host of the First Tee of Cleveland.  A par 29 for mature golfers and par 34 for beginners.  Actually more a learning center with a full grass range and practice area but a great place to get away and hit some balls during your lunch hour. Three sets of tees. Yardage 1449 | 1248 | 1060| 5410. GCO Rating » 50

 

WICKED WOODS :  (440) 564-7960  18 hole par 72 course located in Newbury, about 30 minutes from the I-77/I-480 interchange using Rt.422 and Rt.44. A surprisingly nice course on heavily wooded and hilly terrain. A great assortment of holes. A minor complaint is that the course is a little on the short side for long knockers. But conditions are well above average, even in drought like conditions, and no two holes are alike. Numerous water hazards and conservative bunkering. Perhaps the signature look of this course are the many pedestal greens tucked up into the woods which makes for fun wedge play, but easy double bogey. It was nice to see a good uphill par three. Favorite holes are the beautiful par five 4th which gently doglegs right with four bunkers on the outside of the fairway challenging your tee shot.  You must then approach the pedestal and well protected green avoiding the trees on the right. And also the par four 17th where a deep valley adds to the consternation of your tight tee shot, let alone the approach shot to the dangerously hanging green. This course has a modern feel and from the first hole thought your last you will likely enjoy your round. Three sets of tees. Slope: 125 | 123 | 118 Yardage: 6491 | 6124 | 5140.   GCO Rating » 72

 

WINDMILL LAKES :  (330) 297-0440  18 hole par 70 championship course located in Ravenna, about 40 minutes from the I-77/I-480 interchange. Excellent greens, great conditions and a good layout makes this course a must play. A few average holes keep this from being truly top shelf. A traditional, tournament caliber layout, but no mounding or bumps anywhere. Some elevation changes from a few tees and thin tree cover. The course sort of has an old time PGA feel. A fair test with all the holes in front of you and basically straight away. Well marked and some water. A great starting par 4 slightly downhill and a great finishing uphill par 4. Take care to consider the slightly elevated greens and the greenside bunkers which sort of push up the corners of the greens. Pin placement is really key on this course with its fast and seriously undulated greens. One of the more popular courses in the south east region of the GCO area. There is a rumor that they are trying to sell the course which raises questions about how the desire to sell will effect conditions. The housing downturn apparently has saved the course, for now. Four sets of tees. Slope: 128 | 124 | 118 | 115 Yardage: 6936 | 6503 | 6132 | 5368   GCO Rating » 76  

 

 

Heavenly

100-81

Very Solid

80-61

Ho-Hum

60-41

Disappointing

40-21

Terrible

20-0

 

 

 

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