Columbus OH Course Selection

Hstead · June 11, 2020

My son and I are going to be in Cbus in two weeks and I am looking for a place to play. I have played Cooks Creek multiple times, played Virtues years ago when it was Longaberger, played Champions so long ago I can't remember much about it.

So far, I am trying to decide between"

Darby Creek

Denison

Northstar

Champions

Blacklick Woods

Westchester

New Albany Links

Thanks for any input. We are dropping off the ladies at the mall and meeting up with my BIL who lives on the west side for dinner.

MountainGoat · June 11, 2020

Don't forget the championship layouts at Raymond Memorial and Wilson Road.

Shankyouverymuch · June 11, 2020

I Just had my league meeting at Champions last night. The new clubhouse is almost done with final inspection starting tomorrow. They hope to be open for Fathers Day weekend. However, since it is a city owned course they are way over the top on Covid protection. The clubhouse will still be basically closed other than checking in to pay. I dont know if this matters but the liquor license is also still up in the air so don't expect any alcohol to be available. That being said, Champions is a Robert Trent Jones design and a hidden gem of the Columbus Muni courses. New Albany is pretty nice but tough greens. Northstar would be very convenient if you are dropping them at Polaris as it is probably 10 minutes from there.

Hstead · June 11, 2020

Yep, dropping them off at Polaris. All I remember of Champions is that I enjoyed it but it was probably 18 years ago the last time I played it.

UCBananaboy · June 13, 2020

Among those listed, Darby Creek would probably be my favorite. Another sneaky one, though it's been years since I've been, is NGL which is off I-70 in South Charleston. Same goes for Cumberland Trail in Pataskala.

I'm not sure if you're a member anywhere, but a lot of the area clubs do reciprocity so you could also have your pro call and get you a time to the private options in CBus.

TMadigolf · June 14, 2020

My choice on your list would be Denison, though it is 45 minutes or so east of Polaris. Northstar is solid and less than 15 minutes north. Champions is good and 25 minutes or so away. Bent Tree is just a few minutes from Northstar and a pretty good track too.

Zen_Golfer · June 14, 2020

Id recommend Darby, Westchester and New Albany Links. Wilson Road and Gahanna Muni are nice too if you like executive courses.

JDFish · June 15, 2020

Denison, a (mostly) Donald Ross layout, is in fantastic shape. Highly recommended. Champions is probably the hardest public course in Central Ohio - haven't played there yet so I don't know its conditions. But most courses should be in good condition given the weather we've had.

Joey Vail · June 15, 2020

OK

JDFish · June 15, 2020

I don't know about other courses in the area, but if you are considering playing Denison you should get a tee time asap. They have been booked up until 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday the past 3 or 4 weeks. Here's a link if you're interested https://denisongolfclub.teesnap.net/

Hstead · June 23, 2020

Thanks for everyone's input. The ladies are going to Easton so I decided to book tee times at Denison for this Sunday at 1:00. We are a two-some if anyone wants to join us. From everything I have read, Denison is a real gem. Can't wait to play it.

Hstead · June 29, 2020

We really enjoyed Denison. The greens were in good shape, not overly fast but rolled very well. My guess is they were rolling around 9.5 so downhill putts were quick if you weren't careful. The rest of the course was in good shape, fairways and rough very uniform and no problem playing it down. The rough was pretty thick and around the greens you could get a narly lie. Loved the layout with the exception of #16. I didn't mind 15 too much, but 16 just does not fit the golf course. Pace of play was 4 hours spot on.

Thanks for the recommendation. We will definitely play it again.

JDFish · June 30, 2020

Glad you enjoyed it. The rough isn't long but it has been a beast because of how thick it is and the ball finds its way to the bottom more times than not. 16 is the worst hole on the course, without a doubt. We are lobbying for removal of all of the pine trees, moving blue tees up, and adding bunkers around the greens to make it a driveable par 4 (but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears). We would settle for removal of the pine trees :).