9 holer in Columbus, Ohio

[Tim Martin]

Anyone have anything to suggest in or around Columbus(within 25 miles)? I’m looking to add nine holes on a weekday afternoon after playing in the morning. Thanks!

[Brian Finn]

Anyone have anything to suggest in or around Columbus(within 25 miles)? I’m looking to add nine holes on a weekday afternoon after playing in the morning. Thanks!

Two ideas off the top of my head:

1 - Champions Golf Course - Strong 9 - they have 18 holes with the original Herbert Strong 9 including some excellent golf holes in a nice, tight routing.  RTJ added 9 in the '40s and they are also pretty good, but not nearly as good as the Strong.  There is quite a bit about Champions in the GCA back pages (thanks to Tom MacWood), if you are inclined to read about it.  It was the original site of Winding Hollow CC, which moved out to New Albany in the '90s (before folding post-financial crisis).

2 - Delaware Golf Club - Ross 9 - they have 18 holes, with the original Ross 9 including a few interesting holes.  Dr. Hurdzan later added 9 more - they are ok, but not worth going out of your way to play.

I will circle back with other ideas...contrary to what I read recently on another thread, I found the public offerings in Columbus relatively solid. 

[Ryan Book]

Sorry to pour ice on this one but...


There is no existing "Herbert Strong nine" per se at Champions; the expansion from nine to eighteen by Robert Trent Jones meant tightening corridors, which -- for the most part -- meant that Strong's contributions were widely wiped away. I'd need to look the old routing when I'm back at the PC, but I believe only current No. 4 really resembles a Strong hole, as it were. If you choose to go to Champions for nine, I'd recommend the back over the front.


There is also no existing "Ross nine" at Delaware, namely on account of the course being designed by Ross associate J.B. McGovern, and not Ross himself (this is not widely reported, especially by the club). And it's my opinion that this shows, both in an occasionally unimaginative routing (no. 15), and in further changes made to the second nine to allow for real estate construction (no. 12 is new, and no. 13 was badly adjusted to keep it a par five).


So, having rained on the parade, I should probably offer an alternative...I suppose I'd toss out the back-nine at Dublin Golf Club, if they let you off the back? This isn't a ringing endorsement, per se.

Anyone have anything to suggest in or around Columbus(within 25 miles)? I’m looking to add nine holes on a weekday afternoon after playing in the morning. Thanks!

Two ideas off the top of my head:

1 - Champions Golf Course - Strong 9 - they have 18 holes with the original Herbert Strong 9 including some excellent golf holes in a nice, tight routing.  RTJ added 9 in the '40s and they are also pretty good, but not nearly as good as the Strong.  There is quite a bit about Champions in the GCA back pages (thanks to Tom MacWood), if you are inclined to read about it.  It was the original site of Winding Hollow CC, which moved out to New Albany in the '90s (before folding post-financial crisis).

2 - Delaware Golf Club - Ross 9 - they have 18 holes, with the original Ross 9 including a few interesting holes.  Dr. Hurdzan later added 9 more - they are ok, but not worth going out of your way to play.

I will circle back with other ideas...contrary to what I read recently on another thread, I found the public offerings in Columbus relatively solid. 

[Brian Finn]

Sorry to pour ice on this one but...


There is no existing "Herbert Strong nine" per se at Champions; the expansion from nine to eighteen by Robert Trent Jones meant tightening corridors, which -- for the most part -- meant that Strong's contributions were widely wiped away. I'd need to look the old routing when I'm back at the PC, but I believe only current No. 4 really resembles a Strong hole, as it were. If you choose to go to Champions for nine, I'd recommend the back over the front.


There is also no existing "Ross nine" at Delaware, namely on account of the course being designed by Ross associate J.B. McGovern, and not Ross himself (this is not widely reported, especially by the club). And it's my opinion that this shows, both in an occasionally unimaginative routing (no. 15), and in further changes made to the second nine to allow for real estate construction (no. 12 is new, and no. 13 was badly adjusted to keep it a par five).


So, having rained on the parade, I should probably offer an alternative...I suppose I'd toss out the back-nine at Dublin Golf Club, if they let you off the back? This isn't a ringing endorsement, per se.

Anyone have anything to suggest in or around Columbus(within 25 miles)? I’m looking to add nine holes on a weekday afternoon after playing in the morning. Thanks!

Two ideas off the top of my head:

1 - Champions Golf Course - Strong 9 - they have 18 holes with the original Herbert Strong 9 including some excellent golf holes in a nice, tight routing.  RTJ added 9 in the '40s and they are also pretty good, but not nearly as good as the Strong.  There is quite a bit about Champions in the GCA back pages (thanks to Tom MacWood), if you are inclined to read about it.  It was the original site of Winding Hollow CC, which moved out to New Albany in the '90s (before folding post-financial crisis).

2 - Delaware Golf Club - Ross 9 - they have 18 holes, with the original Ross 9 including a few interesting holes.  Dr. Hurdzan later added 9 more - they are ok, but not worth going out of your way to play.

I will circle back with other ideas...contrary to what I read recently on another thread, I found the public offerings in Columbus relatively solid. 

Welp...I still recommend both of the 9 holes that I highlighted, regardless of who designed them.  Setting aside Ryan's pedantry, I think you would enjoy either, particularly when compared to GC of Dublin, which is terrible. 

Another suggestion: Either 9 at Darby Creek (play them all if you can, it is good)

edit: depending on which side of town you are on, Clover Valley (NE of CMH) is a solid offering as well

[Stephen Smith]

It is nice to see Champions getting love.  I really think it is the best public course in central Ohio (and no I don't consider Denison or Virtues as central Ohio).

[JLahrman]

It is nice to see Champions getting love.  I really think it is the best public course in central Ohio (and no I don't consider Denison or Virtues as central Ohio).

It's been 20 years since I played it, but I thought it was without a doubt the best public course within the 270 loop.

[Tim Martin]

Is time better spent checking out the Ohio State campus?

[Chris_Blakely]

Assuming the original question was for 9-hole golf courses near to Columbus, OH.  These are the ones that I have played (and I think all of the ones that are regulation in length):


Harbor Hills GC Buckeye Lake, OH (40 to 50 minutes from downtown depending on traffic)  Old 1925 9-hole course with small built-up greens.  A few holes have view of the lake.


Forest Hills GC Heath, OH (40 to 50 minutes from downtown depending on traffic)  1969 Jack Kidwell course on very hilly terrain with some cool greens.


Broadview GC Pataskala, OH (30 to 40 minutes from downtown) 1960 Kidwell course that uses creak and floodplain well for some quirky holes


Hillcrest GC Johnstown, OH (40 to 50 minutes from Cbus) 1952 course that is very short with an uninspired out and back / back and forth layout. Hilly terrain.


Indian Hills GC Granville, OH (40 5o 50 minutes from Cbus) 1990s 9-hole course.  Mostly flat course.  Could also see if you could play 9 of 18 holes at Dennison Golf Course (which is the old Granville Inn GC designed by Donald Ross - but has been altered with the loss of old 18th and several other holes on back 9.


Chris

[Chris_Blakely]

Is time better spent checking out the Ohio State campus?

I would walk around the outside of Ohio Stadium for sure.  Sometime security even lets you in to take some photos.  Now has a Remarkable Ohio marker outside of south entrance.


Chris

[Tim Martin]

Assuming the original question was for 9-hole golf courses near to Columbus, OH.  These are the ones that I have played (and I think all of the ones that are regulation in length):


Harbor Hills GC Buckeye Lake, OH (40 to 50 minutes from downtown depending on traffic)  Old 1925 9-hole course with small built-up greens.  A few holes have view of the lake.


Forest Hills GC Heath, OH (40 to 50 minutes from downtown depending on traffic)  1969 Jack Kidwell course on very hilly terrain with some cool greens.


Broadview GC Pataskala, OH (30 to 40 minutes from downtown) 1960 Kidwell course that uses creak and floodplain well for some quirky holes


Hillcrest GC Johnstown, OH (40 to 50 minutes from Cbus) 1952 course that is very short with an uninspired out and back / back and forth layout. Hilly terrain.


Indian Hills GC Granville, OH (40 5o 50 minutes from Cbus) 1990s 9-hole course.  Mostly flat course.  Could also see if you could play 9 of 18 holes at Dennison Golf Course (which is the old Granville Inn GC designed by Donald Ross - but has been altered with the loss of old 18th and several other holes on back 9.


Chris

Thanks Chris!!!

[Matthew Lloyd]

+1 on Darby Creek and Champions - both fun courses. I remember being told that Davis Love III was a big fan of champions back when it was called Winding Hollow (as referenced above). Not sure if that’s not true or not.


Definitely check out the OSU campus. Ohio stadium is a great landmark - and the oval and mirror lake area makes for a great walk.


The Nicklaus museum on Olentangy might be of interest - though I’m pretty sure the archives at scioto and muirfield village have the better collections.


Just avoid the 9 hole course at Wilson Road (if it even exists at this point).

[Ryan Book]

Brian and I agree on Darby Creek, therefore it must be a winner!  Thought it might be a little on the outskirts, hence why I didn't recommend it initially. They also charge less if you choose to walk...kind of a rarity at the in-city courses of Columbus.

Sorry to pour ice on this one but...


There is no existing "Herbert Strong nine" per se at Champions; the expansion from nine to eighteen by Robert Trent Jones meant tightening corridors, which -- for the most part -- meant that Strong's contributions were widely wiped away. I'd need to look the old routing when I'm back at the PC, but I believe only current No. 4 really resembles a Strong hole, as it were. If you choose to go to Champions for nine, I'd recommend the back over the front.


There is also no existing "Ross nine" at Delaware, namely on account of the course being designed by Ross associate J.B. McGovern, and not Ross himself (this is not widely reported, especially by the club). And it's my opinion that this shows, both in an occasionally unimaginative routing (no. 15), and in further changes made to the second nine to allow for real estate construction (no. 12 is new, and no. 13 was badly adjusted to keep it a par five).


So, having rained on the parade, I should probably offer an alternative...I suppose I'd toss out the back-nine at Dublin Golf Club, if they let you off the back? This isn't a ringing endorsement, per se.

Anyone have anything to suggest in or around Columbus(within 25 miles)? I’m looking to add nine holes on a weekday afternoon after playing in the morning. Thanks!

Two ideas off the top of my head:

1 - Champions Golf Course - Strong 9 - they have 18 holes with the original Herbert Strong 9 including some excellent golf holes in a nice, tight routing.  RTJ added 9 in the '40s and they are also pretty good, but not nearly as good as the Strong.  There is quite a bit about Champions in the GCA back pages (thanks to Tom MacWood), if you are inclined to read about it.  It was the original site of Winding Hollow CC, which moved out to New Albany in the '90s (before folding post-financial crisis).

2 - Delaware Golf Club - Ross 9 - they have 18 holes, with the original Ross 9 including a few interesting holes.  Dr. Hurdzan later added 9 more - they are ok, but not worth going out of your way to play.

I will circle back with other ideas...contrary to what I read recently on another thread, I found the public offerings in Columbus relatively solid. 

Welp...I still recommend both of the 9 holes that I highlighted, regardless of who designed them.  Setting aside Ryan's pedantry, I think you would enjoy either, particularly when compared to GC of Dublin, which is terrible. 

Another suggestion: Either 9 at Darby Creek (play them all if you can, it is good)

edit: depending on which side of town you are on, Clover Valley (NE of CMH) is a solid offering as well

[BHoover]

The Jack Nicklaus museum is worth a visit, if you have time.

[Richard Hetzel]

I used to  live in Columbus, not much interesting public golf there at all. If it was me, I would play Champions GC. Totally skip the GC of Dublin, overpriced and tons of houses jammed in all over the overplayed course. Maybe call Moundbuilders CC and ask to play there as they close up for good in a few weeks! It's not a pretentious club and it will soon be gone forever.

[Will Lozier]

Tim,


Try to make arrangements to play the original 9 holes at Urbana CC - you'll need to drive another 20 miles or so but you won't regret it!


The work of Pete Dye's father, the original layout is wild! The new nine are not as good...of course.


Cheers,
Will

[JLahrman]

Tim,

Try to make arrangements to play the original 9 holes at Urbana CC - you'll need to drive another 20 miles or so but you won't regret it!

The work of Pete Dye's father, the original layout is wild! The new nine are not as good...of course.

Cheers,
Will

I have not played Urbana but have heard good things about it, but going back to the original ask it is outside a 25-mile radius. Not sure where Tim is playing in the morning but with daylight getting shorter it might be tough to get out to Urbana in time. I have played Darby Creek and it's solid but it's also getting further outside of Columbus.

[Richard Hetzel]

Tim,


Try to make arrangements to play the original 9 holes at Urbana CC - you'll need to drive another 20 miles or so but you won't regret it!


The work of Pete Dye's father, the original layout is wild! The new nine are not as good...of course.


Cheers,
Will

I liked the newer nine much better!

[Tim Martin]

Guys-Thanks for all the suggestions!!! I decided on the Jack Nicklaus Museum and a tour of Moundbuilders as I won’t have time to play. The pro was very gracious in allowing me to check out the holes/course.

[Will Lozier]

Try to make arrangements to play the original 9 holes at Urbana CC - you'll need to drive another 20 miles or so but you won't regret it!

I have not played Urbana but have heard good things about it, but going back to the original ask it is outside a 25-mile radius.

Which is why I qualified my suggestion.

[Cal Carlisle]

It is nice to see Champions getting love.  I really think it is the best public course in central Ohio (and no I don't consider Denison or Virtues as central Ohio).

I understand not considering Nashport (Muskingum County) as being in Central Ohio, but Licking County is right next to Franklin. What do you believe Granville to be?

I agree with those that mention the Nicklaus Museum. For a golfer, it's probably time better spent than 9 holes of public golf in Columbus.

[Tim Martin]

I’m glad someone suggested to check out Moundbuilders. I haven’t seen anything similar to this unique design and wish I had the time to play instead of just look at the holes. The 13th should be in the conversation for best “volcano” holes.