Central Ohio Golf

[DChesler]

Golf in the Columbus area...

In January I'll be relocating to Columbus, OH, to begin my career in the utilities industry.

Since I'll be getting out of the golf industry I'll have to (oh, the horror) pay for golf. :lol:

Which nice public course(s) in the Columbus area provide the best value for my membership dollar?

I'm looking for:

-A challenging golf course in good condition (course rating around par or more from the back tees; good greens, rough, and fairways)
-Good practice facilities including a decent range, and nice putting green.
-Something that isn't going to break the bank for somebody making mid-five figures in gross pay.

Thanks for the recommendations; I'll look forward to hopefully playing some golf with my fellow Central Ohio Wrxers in the Spring.

[powerfade_maller]

the best public course in central ohio is darby creek in marysville. it is 7100 yards. the front side is set up links style and the back is set up more american. pretty good range and putting green. bentgrass fairways. fast and true greens. i want to say the slope is around 130-135 but i am not sure.

the other really good public course is longaberger, but it is quite a bit more expensive and not any better qualitywise, but for those who don't like links style golf, they prefer it.

[DChesler]

I'm currently at Zanesville Country Club which is just a short hop from Longaberger. Those are both great courses, but I'm looking for something that's going to be a little closer to I-70 and Rt. 33.

If you ever have a chance to play ZCC, you should take it. It's a great course that not too many people realize is there.

[powerfade_maller]

i have heard a couple juniors who are at zcc talk about it. according to what i overheard from them it was nice and long, fairways were in good shape, but the bunkers and greens were not in good shape. then again, if you are in the last grouping in any junior tournament the greens will be in bad shape by the end.

darby is actually right on 33, but it sounds like you are looking for more on the west side? hmm, i rarely get south of dublin, so i don't really know what all is down there. if you or a spouse went to ohio state, getting a membership at the university courses is probably the best option.

[powerfade_maller]

not that it is on the west side either. but it is sweet.

[DChesler]

I agree with the juniors you spoke to about the bunkers, but not about the greens (in season of course). We had quite a bit of trouble with the weather when trying to aerify the second time this season, so maybe they played when the greens were not up to their usual quality. The rough and fairways are good around the entire course.

Anyhow, I'm actually looking on the East side as I'll be living in Bexley and working in Groveport.

I'm looking to come in under $2500 for unlimited golf and practice (pay by use for carts).

[DChesler]

Are the Columbus Municipal courses good?

I found the Columbus Golf Pass this morning, and it seems like a steal at $999.

I know Champions is good, but what about the rest e.g. Raymond Memorial, Mentel Memorial, Turnberry, and so forth.

[UDFlyer1]

[quote name='DChesler' post='2109294' date='Dec 7 2009, 12:26 PM']Are the Columbus Municipal courses good?

I found the Columbus Golf Pass this morning, and it seems like a steal at $999.

I know Champions is good, but what about the rest e.g. Raymond Memorial, Mentel Memorial, Turnberry, and so forth.[/quote]

The Columbus courses are not bad if you don't mind six hour rounds and spotty conditions in the summer. If you are on the East side of town, look at Cumberland Trail in Pataskala. Its a very nice public facility. South of Bexley is WestChester in Canal Winchester. Another nice public facility that is usually in good shape.

Or you may want to look at some private options around the city. With the way the economy has been many private clubs are looking for members and have greatly reduced the cost to simply get people in the door, especially if you are under 35 as you will qualify as a "junior" member. Can't hurt to at least look.

[jones137]

First, send me a PM if you ever want to get out.

To answer your question, as a previous poster mentioned Cumberland Trail is very nice and affordable. Clover Valley is another great course but is about 25 minutes from Bexley.....they're doing a deal for $500 upfront for unlimited golf next year along with $10 for a cart every time you play.

An unbelievable course in Grove City is Pinnacle. It's a new private course that has a higher slope and course rating than Muirfield.....and they are doing some deals. Most private places are going to be in the $300-$500 a month range with most waiving initiation fees.

The Municipal courses are actually very nice (Champions being the best) but you will have some slowww rounds.

[DChesler]

Other than the Columbus Golf Pass, Cumberland is my current front runner.

The only hinderance is that I won't have the dough to lay down for a membership until March, and the website says they have a limited number that I'm sure will sell out.

I'd love to get out for a round sometime in the Spring, or perhaps if we have a nice day between now and April, haha.

[LEgolfer]

I am from just south of Columbus in Circleville and some of the best courses (Public) south of Columbus are Cooks Creek roughly 15 minutes south of i270 on route 23, and the Players Club at Foxfire on route 104 just south of Grove City. Westchester is also a good public course that is pretty close to Bexley/Groveport.

I am a member of Pinnacle in Grove City and it is my favorite course in the area, always in immaculate shape, it is also very challenging (7400 yds from the tips). A great choice if you are looking to go the private route.

[DChesler]

I'm going to look into the private options, but I think it may be too expensive when considering my other financial goals e.g., Home ownership in early 2011. I'll be sure to give westchester a look, too.

I definitely would like to hit the links with you folks this spring as my regular golfing partners are guys who are members of or work at my current course.

[mac94]

I'd recommend Westchester, Foxfire (a little farther but maybe the best of my list), Cumberland or New Albany Links. NA Links is nice but no range, just practice nets. Cumberland's range is irons only if I recall. Pinnacle is pretty sweet too but I think a little pricier than what you are looking at.

Granville GC is a Donald Ross course that is a little ways out but not too much. Again, though, short range I believe.

Columbus Country Club is right next to Bexley and is very nice. Old style course with a lot of history. I'm guessing they are dealing right now with junior members.

Stay away from the Columbus pass. It brings new meaning to the words [i]slow play[/i].

[DChesler]

Granville is a good course for about 13 holes or so......not sure what they had going on during the finishing stretch there.

Westchester keeps popping up in conversations, both on here as well as with some local guys, as a course that may provide the facilities I want.

I suppose if the rounds are truly that bad at the Municipal courses, I'll stay away from the golf pass. Are the rounds awful during the week, too? My job provides me with a generous number of days off during the week depending on which shift I'm working.

Looks like I'll be giving a serious look at Cumberland, Westchester, and CCC (depending on the deals they have for junior members).

[rrkman]

I'm not sure about the condition or cost but Kinsale sends me stuff all the time. I played there once and didn't think it was that bad. My favorite course in Columbus is the Golf Club of Dublin. Not sure if it is private yet...or even it if is going to be. Huge, gorgeous greens and has been in great condition the few times I played it. Just my $0.02.

[jones137]

[quote name='DChesler' post='2115451' date='Dec 10 2009, 01:14 AM']Granville is a good course for about 13 holes or so......not sure what they had going on during the finishing stretch there.

Westchester keeps popping up in conversations, both on here as well as with some local guys, as a course that may provide the facilities I want.

I suppose if the rounds are truly that bad at the Municipal courses, I'll stay away from the golf pass. Are the rounds awful during the week, too? My job provides me with a generous number of days off during the week depending on which shift I'm working.

Looks like I'll be giving a serious look at Cumberland, Westchester, and CCC (depending on the deals they have for junior members).[/quote]

A good friend of mine at work is the head of the membership committee at CCC. I can get some info for you. The last time I looked the monthly dues were $350 and they had a $150 quarterly food minimum....they also have an initiation fee but I don't remember what it is.

You'll never financially justify a private club.

Westchester is a nice course but it is in the middle of a neighborhood and has a trailer for a clubhouse.....but it is a fun course to play.

If you can golf during the week the Municipal Course Pass may make the most sense. Also, if you can get out early on the weekend the courses aren't too slow (I mean like 7:00 am).

[mubob1977]

If you're living on the East side, and you want a good public course, I would recommend either Clover Valley or New Albany Links (Clover Valley would be my first choice). It's a great value and has always been in great shape whenever I've played there.

Personally, I would avoid the Columbus muni courses. Another good option, however, is Blacklick Woods, which is operated by the metroparks system. It's cheap and usually in pretty good shape.

If you're considering a private course, I'll echo the earlier comments about Pinnacle in Grove City. I'm also a member there, and I love the course, especially for what it costs. I wish it were more walker-friendly, but I can live with taking a cart at times.

If you have any other questions or if you're interested in playing at Pinnacle in the spring, send me a PM.

[mikpga]

I personally love Longaberger, and I'm very anxious to play Zanesville one day!

Have you play Royal American Golf Links?

[mac94]

Royal American is not bad except I can't stand that driver is not on option off the tee until like hole #5. Yu can join RA and also get Bent Tree, another decent track, in on the deal.

Or you can just buy a divot card and move around. www.divotcard.com

[DChesler]

I have yet to play Royal American or Bent Tree; perhaps I'll do that next Spring.