Dayton, OH Golf

[David Stewart]

I am moving to Dayton at the beginning of April and was wondering if anyone had advice about which clubs to look into for joining. It seems from searches on here and from other sources I have read that the top choices (in no particular order) would be Moraine, NCR, Miami Valey, and Dayton CC.

I would like a club that is about the golf first and foremost, and not way over the top in cost. I am 29, and I know several clubs have junior or associate memberships for younger members and that several are waiving initiation fees.

So any advice? Are these four open to anyone joining or do they require invitaions? Are there other clubs I am leaving out? Your comments and advice are much appreciated.

Thanks,
David

[Phil McDade]

David:

Strictly from a golf architecture standpoint, Moraine has a bunch of fans here on GCA -- a recent thread from the redoubtable Mr. Mayhugh: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,44947.0.html

[Brian Laurent]

David-

Send me an email when you get to town and we'll grab lunch sometime. I live in Columbus, but my office is in Dayton. I work with a lot of the courses in the area via the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, Miami Valley GCSA and Miami Valley Golf Association.

Lots of great options in and around Dayton.

My email address is brian@otgt.org.

Brian

[Andy Troeger]

I really enjoyed NCR South--it was far more interesting than I had expected.

I also have friends at Walnut Grove that are in their 20's--its a Bill Diddel design that I thought was really pretty good. Its not especially long, but has pretty good variety and is more challenging than it might appear at first glance. Good walkable course as well.

[Scott Stearns]

I love Moraine--very quiet. great course that has benefitted from a major chainsawing.  Good practice tee.  And a great locker room.  hosts the Ohio Am every 10 years or so. 

I didnt see a pool but i didnt look. 

Theres a good course in springfield too--check that out. 

[JLahrman]

Not sure about them as clubs, but both NCR South and Moraine are great courses.

This might be stretching the definition of "Dayton", but has anybody else played Brown's Run? I played the course once, could probably use a few trees removed but otherwise was I was very pleasantly surprised by the course. Doesn't seem to get a lot of publicity, either here or in the Cincinnati/Dayton area.

[noonan]

In order:
NCR
Moraine
MV
CCN

Walnut Grove needs a good crew armed with chainsaws.....

Miami Valley is running a $500 two year membership - $22 per round - weekend play after 11am

[David Stewart]

Thanks all for your advice.

Brian - I'll be in touch when I get to Dayton. Thanks!

[Mike H]

David

I am 31 and was a member at NCR for 3 years before moving to Louisville.  I have a lot of experience with most of the clubs in Dayton and if you like playing golf with a lot of good guys then join NCR.  Moraine is a really good course but most of the membership is very old and hard to get a regular game.  The nice thing about NCR is you have the South course which is great but you have another really good course in the North.  From the tips it is a really good course.  I grew up playing at lot at Miami Valley and while they have a good course I would be concerned because they are really hurting financially.  If you are a good player NCR is the place as there are close to 15+ guys who have handicaps 4 or less that like to play.  The downside of NCR is the general manager.  He does not have golf as his number 1 priority and that was a struggle since I joined.  Leaving Dayton was difficult because of the great friends I made while playing golf at NCR and if I moved back into the area would join there again without even thinking about it.  Message me if you have specific questions about NCR. 

[Will Lozier]

I love Moraine--very quiet. great course that has benefitted from a major chainsawing.  Good practice tee.  And a great locker room.  hosts the Ohio Am every 10 years or so. 

I didnt see a pool but i didnt look. 

Theres a good course in springfield too--check that out. 

David,

Listen to Scott...before you commit to Moraine, check out Springfield Country Club - an old Ross that recently reclaimed original green sizes and has hosted US Open Regional Qualifiers the last two year.  The deal is pretty unbelievable and it is not far from Dayton.  SCC is one of my favorite everyday tracks ever!

Cheers

[BHoover]

Living in Columbus, I've always thought that Dayton has a strong choice of golfing options. I've played NCR South and loved it...might be my favorite course in Ohio (after Canton Brookside). I don't think you could go wrong playing the South course regularly. But I definitely would check out Moraine and Springfield CC.

In fact, I might have to check out Moraine and Springfield myself this summer!

[Tom Allen]

My two cents:  Everyone has already mentioned my three favorites up there: Moraine, NCR, and Springfield, in that order.  Someone offered up Brown's Run, and that is a great choice.  I liked Brown's Run so much I joined (12 years ago).  We have many members from the Dayton area, and there is a regular Saturday and Sunday game.  (I don't play in it, bit you could).

I'd be happy to treat you to a round so you can investigate it and decide for yourself.  Just send me an e-mail.

Tom

[Tom Yost]

Hello Tom, welcome to GCA.

I am a Middletown Ohio native, fled west after high school (long time ago!).  I have friends and family who are members at Wildwood so I have played it a few times but never Brown's Run.

[Zack Molnar]

I think your choice should really be between Moraine and NCR. Growing up in Ohio I have played each numerous times and I have to put Moraine above NCR. The variety on that course, as well as the greens just make it a joy to play. Everytime I think about Moraine I want to go back and play it. Aside from the awkward drive on the 4th hole, I dont think there is a bad hole on the course. There probably is some younger blood on the NCR side, but I think Moraine is the better club and course.