Safari Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
About
Located adjacent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Safari Golf Club was carefully carved from mature forests. This tight course is not particularly long, but it has a varied design that appeals to a number of different tastes and skill levels. The layout features tree-lined fairways and water hazards on several holes. There are also strategically placed bunkers lurking treacherously beside the greens. The golf course starts off with a challenging par 4 that features a dramatic drop from the tee to the green. It finishes with two demanding par 4s as well. The 17th and 18th holes both feature a slew of challenges including rolling, tree-lined fairways and tricky stream crossings. Although it presents a formidable test on some holes, Safari Golf Club's hazards are straightforward with no surprises.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6845 yards | 72.2 | 121 |
| White | 72 | 6144 yards | 68.8 | 114 |
| Gold | 72 | 5626 yards | 66.2 | 108 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4861 yards | 67.2 | 109 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 72.2/121 | 391 | 518 | 358 | 379 | 386 | 345 | 424 | 194 | 369 | 3364 | 446 | 194 | 467 | 522 | 391 | 520 | 148 | 373 | 420 | 3481 | 6845 |
| White M: 68.8/114 W: 70.2/120 | 353 | 470 | 340 | 354 | 333 | 310 | 379 | 169 | 343 | 3051 | 393 | 166 | 433 | 471 | 331 | 474 | 135 | 320 | 370 | 3093 | 6144 |
| Gold M: 66.2/108 | 320 | 393 | 320 | 317 | 320 | 255 | 330 | 155 | 340 | 2750 | 373 | 134 | 425 | 452 | 320 | 433 | 120 | 300 | 319 | 2876 | 5626 |
| Red W: 67.2/109 | 280 | 380 | 226 | 268 | 261 | 240 | 294 | 134 | 258 | 2341 | 317 | 124 | 362 | 383 | 273 | 376 | 103 | 263 | 319 | 2520 | 4861 |
| Handicap | 6 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 5 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
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Reviews
Good day overall Solid round
There were more than a few places where the tee boxes were really wet and I don’t have spikes so I really couldn’t get a good drive off. It hadn’t rained in days so I think they heavily watered it because it was hot and sunny all day. The food was great and the course offers some interesting holes but pretty easy if you can stick a straight fairway.
Great public track
Outside of a few bunkers & greens on the slower side, in great shape. Friendly staff & great practice area.
#18 hole remains the dumbest hole in all of Central Ohio.
Course conditions were all over the place- fairways were in decent shape and played fast, but then the greens were all slow and needed some maintenance. The holes are also right on top of each other, so it's not unusual to have someone just off of the fairway in front of you playing to a different hole. It seems to be a pretty popular course and is always packed, so make sure to give yourself ample time to get through a round.
Everyone on the staff here is very friendly, which is the best thing that this course has going for it.
Zoo Knows Golf
A lot of people don’t realize the course is owned by the zoo. That said, I have played at Safari several times and the staff make you feel like you are entering Cheers. Instead of “Norm”, it’s how is your morning. They make you feel like they are happy to see you.
The course and greens are kept at a very good level for the amount of play the course receives. Greens roll true .
The length can fool you.
The greens are hard to hit, and the staff keeps the rough deep enough that if you miss the fairways, it is hard to get any direction or speed on your ball.
Best public course in central Ohio
Hands down. This course was an absolute blast, it was a great difficulty for any golfer out there and was a absolutely beautiful course. I was with another guy and we were stuck only on cart paths for the day and we still knocked out 18 in 3 and a half hours at our own pace!
Beautiful course
Beautiful course and design. We will be coming back. Thank you for a great day out.
An amateurs course
Safari is a great place to play for your average amateur. The course distance is not overwhelming but the tree lined fairways provide a challenging experience for most amateur levels. Greens a little slow but a definite thumbs up...
Great course. Beautiful fairways.
A true gem for the city. But.... American and state flags were a very poor reflection for our wonderful zoo and this great course and their respect of our country/ state. Fly ONLY new flags always in excellent condition. Honor our service members of today, yesterday and tomorrow!
Fantastic condition
Safari Golf Course is in fantastic condition. Get out for a round and enjoy it!
Hats Off to the Grounds Crew
Love this well maintained, moderately challenging public course. The grounds crew does a fantastic job keeping the rough well groomed and clear, despite all the mature trees. Often see interesting wildlife, including deer, fox, hawks, herons and other interesting birds. Also, have occasionally heard the monkeys in the zoo hooting during the summer. The staff is friendly, and they continue to improve the traps and range. I consider this my home course.
Great Course
Best public course in the Columbus area. Great layout, condition and challenges. Highly recommend!
Fivesomes
I love the course, but it is always slow play. Today we actually had to follow a group of five and wait on every hole. Rangers never did anything about them so it was a long 18 holes.
The course was amazing except for a little bit of water from the previous storms but all in all me and my stepson had a wonderful time
Progress over the years
I grew up playing this course. Safari has made tremendous strides. The scenery is beautiful. Lots of trees, but none that really get in the way. The back nine is much more fun than the front nine. Most of the holes on the front nine are just straight. A bit repetitive, but the back nine evens it out. The greens and fairways are in pretty great condition. I know its a bit early still, but the sand traps were in rough shape. I wasnt able to locate a scraper along any of the bunkers to try to clean them up/out. I recommend this play during the week and during hot deals. This place is packed on the weekends and a bit over priced. I think it has something to do with being called safari and next to the zoo. Very friendly staff. Also- great putting, chipping and range layout. That is a huge plus. I recommend this to anyone, but check for deals as its a bit over priced for the average golfer.
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