Golfing in Cincinnati, OH

[matt_thatsme]

A former Ohioan here that moved to Tennessee about 15 years ago. I am planning a quick 4 day trip to Cincinnati some time this Spring for eight guys. The plan is to play 3-5 rounds of golf and catch a Reds game or two. I am pretty familiar with the courses near Dayton, but I am clueless about Cincinnati courses. I would greatly appreciate some recommendations and insight as to which courses are must plays, avoid at all costs, etc. We will be staying downtown and therefore would definitely prefer courses within 30-45 minutes of downtown Cincinnati. Thanks in advance!

[pu_golf88]

Blue Ash is a great public, probably one of my favorites in town. You're going to want to make sure you book a tee time a few days in advance.

The Vineyards is also pretty close for the distance to downtown.

[outlawmichigan]

I am from Michigan, but I am playing in an event at a place called Legendary Run. I have asked about it on other forums and have heard nothing but great things.

[matt_thatsme]

Thanks for the info. I looked at Legendary Run's website and it looks nice. Do you know if it is a newer course?

[oldschooltarheel]

I would put in a strong recommendation for Stonelick Hills.. great course, superb practice area (especially short game) and nice bar / restaurant to enjoy after your round.

Legendary is a fun course... combination links on one nine and traditional on the other..

Peter

[WilCox]

Shaker Run and Vineyards. Play Lakeside/Woodlands at Shaker.

[mikpga]

1. Stonelick
2. Walden Ponds
3. Four Bridges - may be semi-private?
4. Glenview - East/South - 1987 Publinks Championship
5. Miami Whitewater or Sharon Woods

Stonelick a must!

Top 100 Practice facility - Meadow Links and Golf Academy

[matt_thatsme]

Sounds like Stonelick is a consensus must play. I have played Shaker...actually played it a couple of times last year. Good course.

Are there any courses in the area with onsite lodging accomodations?

[Cwing]

Stonelick, Shaker Run.

Legendary Run is a nice place to go but i don't think the different front/ back layouts flow well together.

Lassing Point in NKy is only15 miles or so from downtown Cincinnati.

[mikpga]

[quote name='matt_thatsme' timestamp='1361046321' post='6440981']
Sounds like Stonelick is a consensus must play. I have played Shaker...actually played it a couple of times last year. Good course.

Are there any courses in the area with onsite lodging accomodations?
[/quote]

Hueston Woods is a great track as well...

Wouldn't call it Cincinnati though...

They have a main lodge/resort...State run...Kidwell Design...

If you stay at their lodge you could plan...

1. Hueston Woods
2. Indian Ridge
3. Walden Ponds
4. Pebble Creek

Hueston is in Oxford, Oh...

IMO it's too far away from everything else...

The other option would be something like Rising Star Casino or Belterra...

Those are two great tracks in Indiana that you could play, then make a longer road trip to Stonelick...

Can't think of any other on-site lodging...

If you stay at one of the casino's you can also visit some of the nicer Northern KY courses, such as...

- Lassing Point
- Fox Run

email me if you have any questions...

[matt_thatsme]

You're a genius. I never even thought about the casino resorts. Has anyone played those courses or stayed there? If so, how was it? Cost? I assume they have stay and play packages.

[mikpga]

They are both great tracks...

Rising Star is a links-style track, and Belterra is a true championship layout...

Their packages are probably very reasonable as well...

The two casinos are approximately 20 minutes apart...

Stonelick is probably 40-45 minutes away...

I think that may be your best bet...

[mackepa]

Aston Oaks is a great place. The course is very tough. The restaurant is very, very good too. on Wednesday's we do a Prime rib special with baked potatoes for 11.99 I think. its right off river road so getting downtown for a Reds Game would be a breeze.

[url="http://www.astonoaksgolfclub.com/"]http://www.astonoaksgolfclub.com/[/url]

[matt_thatsme]

Anyone play Crooked Tree in Mason?

[mikpga]

Crooked Tree is a Denny Acomb design. He has done O'Bannon Creek Golf Club, Hickory Woods, and Snow Hill C.C. Crooked Tree has some interesting holes, and overall is not a bad design. It is a "position" course all the way. As far as the condition of the course goes, I'm not sure.

[CincyCreech]

[quote name='oldschooltarheel' timestamp='1361018402' post='6439019']
I would put in a strong recommendation for Stonelick Hills.. great course, superb practice area (especially short game) and nice bar / restaurant to enjoy after your round.

Legendary is a fun course... combination links on one nine and traditional on the other..

Peter
[/quote]

I agree with this guy.. Play Stonelick. Course is always in awesome shape.. Little on the expensive side if you ask me but can't knock this course.

[CincyCreech]

[quote name='matt_thatsme' timestamp='1361269436' post='6456955']
Anyone play Crooked Tree in Mason?
[/quote]

I have played there quite a few times. Its a ball strikers course, alot of irons i think i pull a drive maybe 2-3 times. Generally can find great deals on golfnow.com. But if i was only going to be in town for a few days and wanted to play somewhere nice i wouldn't play here.

Stonelick for sure.

[somaplr]

Stonelick fo sho. Crooken Tree I don't even pull driver out of the bag.

Legendary Run is nice as well.

Not sure why so many guys are touting Shaker. Their greens were AWFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL this past summer.

[Lord Helmet]

Walden Ponds GC is where I play 75% of my rounds. Nice.
Stonelick is a must - as mentioned, pricey but worth every penny.

Weatherwax is a decent course. Little north in Middletown.

Last time I played Crooked Tree it was in horrible condition. You can safely leave driver in the trunk too. Target golf. Not fun for the grip and rip crowd.

[thegrayman]

Heatherwoode in Springboro is perennially one of the best maintained courses south of Columbus. Fairly difficult and tight.