Best Public Courses Around Columbus, OH

[kcd38]

Wanted to see what the best public courses are around Columbus, OH. I have a few favorites that I like but I know there are a lot more to explore. Would consider anything within 50 miles.

[axeme]

I think #1 is clearly Virtues in Nashport, and it goes down from there.

[jrigano]

Some of the places I enjoy, well maintained and challenging tracks:

 

Indian Springs, Mechanicsburg

Darby Creek, Milford Center

Mill Creek, Ostrander

Cook's Creek, Circleville

Eagle Sticks, Zanesville

[North Butte]

It was more than a decade ago but I played at Champions a couple times and thought that was a very fine course. I believe it may have been designed by Trent Jones back in the day as a private club’s course.

[kcd38]

thank you all for the reccommendations. Have any of you played Turnberry in Pickerington? Or northstar in dealware?

[Frohlich]

I have only played Northstar once and really enjoyed it Northstar and Cook's creek are both pretty good IMHO and both designed by the same guy. I don't love Columbus public golf but their private courses are top notch. As others have mentioned, drive 45 minutes east to Virtues if you want to play something top notch.

[Skinny-slim]

#1 Virtues

#2 apple valley in Howard Ohio

#3 North Star

#4 Cumberland trails

#5 chapel hills in mt Vernon tied with champions golf course

[Thunder Dan]

Longaberger or whatever name it is now is the best option. I love that course though haven’t play it in some time

[Jagpilotohio]

Agree with all listed so far.

 

If Apple Valley was closer I’d play it all the time.

 

Virtues is top notch but very pricey.

 

Blackhawk in Galena is fun.

 

Out west right off 70 you have National Golf Links. Not the best condition but a pretty nice layout and cheap.

 

Westchester in Canal Winchester is nice.

 

Windy knoll out in Springfiled is Worth the drive,

 

Blacklick woods metro park isn’t bad.

 

Clover Calley is quite nice but has condition issues. Under “new era” management this year and improving.

 

Kyber run, Links at echo springs, and St. Albans are all on my rotation. All near Johnstown

[TMadigolf]

Haven't really played much at publics in the last year but my list would include Virtues, Denison in Granville, Northstar, Champions, Chapel Hill. Sad that Winding Hollow is gone.

[SilverBullets]

#1 Virtues

#2 apple valley in Howard Ohio

#3 North Star

#4 Cumberland trails

#5 chapel hills in mt Vernon tied with champions golf course

 

This is a pretty good list here. I personally like northstar more than Apple valley but I can see why someone would argue that.

 

I do enjoy cooks creek. If it were in better condition it would be top 3.

[SilverBullets]

#1 Virtues

#2 apple valley in Howard Ohio

#3 North Star

#4 Cumberland trails

#5 chapel hills in mt Vernon tied with champions golf course

 

This is a pretty good list here. I personally like northstar more than Apple valley but I can see why someone would argue that.

 

I do enjoy cooks creek. If it were in better condition it would be top 3.

[SilverBullets]

#1 Virtues

#2 apple valley in Howard Ohio

#3 North Star

#4 Cumberland trails

#5 chapel hills in mt Vernon tied with champions golf course

 

This is a pretty good list here. I personally like northstar more than Apple valley but I can see why someone would argue that.

 

I do enjoy cooks creek. If it were in better condition it would be top 3.

[SilverBullets]

#1 Virtues

#2 apple valley in Howard Ohio

#3 North Star

#4 Cumberland trails

#5 chapel hills in mt Vernon tied with champions golf course

 

This is a pretty good list here. I personally like northstar more than Apple valley but I can see why someone would argue that.

 

I do enjoy cooks creek. If it were in better condition it would be top 3.

[JDFish]

Haven't really played much at publics in the last year but my list would include Virtues, Denison in Granville, Northstar, Champions, Chapel Hill. Sad that Winding Hollow is gone.

 

I could have written this.

 

Turnberry is crap IMO and this time of year gets beaten to death between the leagues and high school/junior high school team play. New Albany Links isn't bad and was in pretty good shape when I played there in July. Westchester and Cumberland trail are okay and similar though Cumberland Trails greens always seem to be in better condition and faster. The links at Groveport can be interesting - tiny greens that are usually in good condition.

[Skinny-slim]

#1 Virtues

#2 apple valley in Howard Ohio

#3 North Star

#4 Cumberland trails

#5 chapel hills in mt Vernon tied with champions golf course

 

This is a pretty good list here. I personally like northstar more than Apple valley but I can see why someone would argue that.

 

I do enjoy cooks creek. If it were in better condition it would be top 3.

[Skinny-slim]

I have been playing apple valley for over 40 years can not recall it not being in nice shape regardless of the season. Have played Cooks creek a few times it is a nice place as well

[Mozjo33]

I played Turneberry 2X this past weekend. It’s actually in decent condition. The greens are a little deceiving and the rough is a little thick..

 

Westchester is okay, but some of the greens are a little choppy. My biggest complaint about Westchester is that they host a lot of events, not tell you and enivitably run into the event slowing you down.

 

Cumberland Trails is by far my favorite course. The greens are in great shape. The back nine is surrounded by construction but it doesn’t interfere with your playing.

[Neverfadeaway86]

NorthStar, Clover Valley, Cumberland Trail, Darby Creek, Oakhaven, Glenross, Delaware Golf Club

[T.B.]

Granville golf club which new name is Denison golf club is a Donald Ross course. Always in good condition

[ratdg1]

> @"North Butte" said:

> It was more than a decade ago but I played at Champions a couple times and thought that was a very fine course. I believe it may have been designed by Trent Jones back in the day as a private club’s course.

Still a great course, probably the best maintained of the city courses.

 

My list would probably be:

 

1. Denison Golf Course

2. Virtues

3. Delaware or Champions

4. Champions or Delaware

5. Cooks Creek when it hasn't rained for a while.

 

Edited to add: Honorbale mention: Links at Echo Springs was a fun track last time I played.

[MaxBuck]

My own list would be:

 

1. Virtues (and then a big drop)

2. Darby Creek

3. Northstar

4. New Albany Links

5. Players' Club at Foxfire

 

I'm probably too harsh on Denison/Granville, but I'm still peeved that Jack Kidwell was able to ruin what had been an exceptional Donald Ross layout for real estate reasons. I've never actually played Apple Valley, but it gets great reviews from golfers I respect.

 

After these it's pretty thin gruel.

[North Butte]

Is Virtues the course formerly known as Longaberger? If so, that one only makes the list for those who ride in carts.

My own (walking) list would probably be:

1) Denison (formerly Granville)

2) Champions

3) Players Club at Foxfire

Then a dropoff after which take your pick from among many perfectly cromulent public options:

Indian Springs

The one in Mt. Vernon (can't remember the name)

Several others which all run together in my memory, which ain't what it used to be

[ratdg1]

> @"North Butte" said:

> Is Virtues the course formerly known as Longaberger? If so, that one only makes the list for those who ride in carts.

> My own (walking) list would probably be:

> 1) Denison (formerly Granville)

> 2) Champions

> 3) Players Club at Foxfire

> Then a dropoff after which take your pick from among many perfectly cromulent public options:

> Indian Springs

> The one in Mt. Vernon (can't remember the name)

> Several others which all run together in my memory, which ain't what it used to be

 

Are you thinking of Chapel Hill in Mt. Vernon?

I forgot about Indian Springs. Fun track to play.

 

[North Butte]

> @ratdg1 said:

> Are you thinking of Chapel Hill in Mt. Vernon?

> I forgot about Indian Springs. Fun track to play.

 

Yes, Chapel Hill. That's the one.

Guess my memory's not what it once was. Or did I say that already? ;-)

 

[TMadigolf]

BTW Indian Springs closed down last fall and is not opening back up. Currently on the market.

[ratdg1]

Really hope you didn't drive all the way out there to find that out. Shame to hear that. The par 3 with kudzu from tee to green was one of the more unique holes in central Ohio.

[TMadigolf]

No, i have played in a league out there for a number of years. Actually worked there during college. Very sad, it was fantastic back in the late 90's. Unfortunately fell on hard times the last 6-7 years.

[JDFish]

I recently heard Blackhawk is closing at the end of this season.

[MaxBuck]

> @JDFish said:

> I recently heard Blackhawk is closing at the end of this season.

 

Not all that surprising, if true. That's prime residential development property around there.