Any thoughts on Indian Ridge, just outside Oxford? I played it for the first, and so far only, time last summer. Some interesting holes, a few of which I'd not seen anything similar to elsewhere. Nice rolling topography. I've not played enough in the Cincinnati area to do any kind of ranking, but for the money it seemed a nice option.
Being a semi recent Miami U. alum (over 5 years), I frequented both Indian Ridge and Hueston Woods quite often. I would sum it up like this: Hueston Woods was the better test of golf, but Indian Ridge was more fun to play, so I played IR more.
The reason Hueston probably gets more play than IR is because Hueston offers a heck of a deal on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 3. I think it was all you can play for 15 bucks or less. My classes would get out at 3:30, then I'd be off to the course.
I played IR about a month ago and I'm happy to report they have mostly recovered from the horrific summer they had in 2007. There's still a couple of rough spots around hole 11, but the rest of it has grown back in for the most part. Their ponds still aren't up to the level they were originally, but if they can get another winter like they had last year, they should fill back up.
If you're in the area again, I suggest checking out Buck Point. I did a write up a few months ago here and I would recommend it over anything else in the Oxford area.
Personally I find Shaker Run to be overrated. Others seem to like it, and I've only played there a couple of times, but I don't feel any sort of urge to go back. If I'm going to play a CCFAD north of Cincinnati I will go to Walden Ponds before Shaker. I play most of my golf in the area at Weatherwax though, and would just as soon go there.
Rich, good to see some Sharon Woods lovin' on the board. That's where I grew up playing and I still think it's the best value in town.
I'm in the like Shaker Run camp. I enjoy Walden Ponds, but the houses are a bit too close to the course for my liking, especially on #3. Weatherwax remains one of my top courses in the area, any combination of 9s.
I live on the West side of Cincinnati and other than Western Hills (private) and Aston Oaks, there's not much worth playing in that area of town.