PinHunterNick

We chose Champion Lakes for our annual Father's Day round this year and if it wasn't for the high winds and occasional light rain, it would have been perfect.

Clubhouse staff was outstanding. Very friendly, threw in a few extra balls in our range bag to get us started, and we were treated like first class members from the start.

The course is a great layout, but if you're a beginner it's not going to be easy on you. A few pretty long par 4's combined with some tight drives due to a lot of mature trees and a handful of treacherous greens could make your day a nightmare.

If you're above the hole on some of the greens you'll have almost no chance of stopping the ball on the way down. On one occasion my brother putted a ball uphill that didn't reach the cup, and it rolled back down to his feet! That's golf, but probably a little much for the weekenders.

Overall it's a great place to play but check the weather first, especially for wind. The Laurel Highlands can be tricky weather-wise, but the views are spectacular.

I had heard Turnberry was a great course, and I finally got out to see for myself. Other than it being pretty wet from a lot of rain the day before, the course was in excellent condition. Greens were fast, fairways were plush, and the rough was tough. The staff was friendly, and although I didn't need it, there's a nice halfway house that seemed to attract a lot of people. It's a pretty layout with some great holes. There is an odd one on the back...17 I think...but otherwise it's a good layout. I played poorly, but it wasn't due to the course. Maybe if I hit more than 24% of the fairways I would have done better!

I wasn't sure about this course after seeing some of the early reviews, but decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did. The only thing I can complain about is pace of play. There were a lot of seniors on the course and one group in particular was jamming things up. Someone should have asked them to let groups play through, but it was a beautiful day and I wasn't in a hurry.

They have a nice clubhouse/pro-shop with food and drinks and the staff was very friendly. The tee boxes are all in very nice shape and I really liked the layout. There is great scenery with several small ponds and wetlands, and there's a pretty stream flowing through as well. The greens were very, very good for an inexpensive public course. I hit longer irons into several greens and they all held very nicely, and they putted fast and true.

I played the blue tees and that made for a long course since it's soft at the moment with no rollout. I think even the better golfers in the area would find it challenging, but beginners could enjoy it as well.

It's hard to provide a fair review when it's still March in the Midwest so I won't focus on the conditions, which overall were pretty good given the time of year.

The staff was friendly and courteous. There were a lot of people on the course, especially for Easter Sunday, so obviously people in the area like it. They weren't quite ready for a lot of play as they didn't have logo balls yet (I like to get one at each new course I play) and the tee boxes weren't fully prepared.

The course is in a nice country setting, with the exception of the McMansions popping up on the one side. The layout is fairly easy and there weren't any holes that I just didn't like. If you're fairly long off of the tee you'll find the course to play short. That said, the wind can make it quite a bit harder. The greens were average speed and rolled pretty nicely. I made a few long putts and when I missed it was totally on me. They held fairly well, but I would still call them a little hard.

I plan to go back in the summer when the course has a chance to fully green up and play like it should I paid less than $20 for 18 holes with a cart and I can tell you it was a bargain. Met some nice people as well.

I was traveling for business and decided to give this course a try since it was convenient to the airport and my hotel. Considering the drought, it was in pretty nice shape. Greens were receptive and relatively fast, and the fairways were in good condition.

Very nice clubhouse and a pretty organized plan for getting groups off of the first tee. It was very busy for a Wednesday afternoon and the course was full. There was also a nice snack shack at the turn.

The course wasn't terribly hard, but the par 3s were long from the tips. I think three of them were at or longer than 200 yds. It wasn't terribly windy that day, but the guys I was playing with say it's a different course on a windy day.

Overall I'd say it's a good place to play if you're in town on business or just passing through. Nothing spectacular, and nothing disappointing. I will add though that it's very noisy. In addition to the large planes constantly landing from international flights, you'll encounter a noisy highway, power generating station, and even a gun range. If you're looking for peace and quiet, this isn't the place.

I had been wanting to try Table Rock for quite a while based on recommendations by others and I finally got out there on Sunday. The course sets in the countryside, which I always like. Immediately I had a good feeling about the place by the way I was treated in the pro shop. Very nice welcome and helpful information was provided since I was new.

I played as a single to start and found it very easy to get around. The first nine is pretty open and I scored well by posting a 37 before getting to the infamous back nine. Well, it didn't turn out to be too infamous as many of the tress that would have made it extremely tight were removed. That was probably a good decision because it would have been too tight for a public course in my opinion. None of us are getting paid out here after all.

I paired up with a couple of nice guys for the second nine and we had a good time, but it did hit me on the scorecard a bit. I'd say the back is a little tougher than the front and I ended up at 79. Despite the very wet weather, the course was in good condition and I'll bet it's excellent during years of more normal weather.

My only criticism would be that the greens were a bit inconsistent in terms of speed. They will break less than you would think so keep that in mind, and the practice green rolls a bit faster than those on the course. They do hold pretty nicely if you keep your shot high, but expect a short roll-out. Lots of water too so be prepared for that.

The carts were nice and included ball and club washers, and there is a nice pro shop and place to eat downstairs. I didn't get any food or drink, but there were plenty of options. Definitely worth the drive from Columbus if you haven't been here yet.

I'll preface my review by saying I live in Ohio and have been playing in slow, wet conditions all year. While traveling for business, I took advantage of the opportunity to golf near Houston, and based on the reviews I chose Cypress Lakes.

It took me a while to adjust to the speed. My drives were gaining an extra 50 yards on average thanks to the roll. I had three drives that were 300+, and at home I'm mostly around 250+. Sometimes the extra distance was good, and others not so much. The greens were also very fast, and my only complaint would be that they were recently aerated and didn't roll as true as they probably do most of the time.

The only trouble on this course is water. The guy in the pro shop said it was a links style course, but I would say it's a bit of a hybrid. There was no high grass and as long as you stay dry, you'll find your ball. Most holes you can use driver or 3 wood, and I found myself often hitting my approaches with 9-iron or sand wedge. The greens held pretty well, but eventually I figured out I should use one club less and let the ball run to the putting surface.

Very nice pro shop and the staff was friendly. They have a nice teaching facility there as well. If you live near Houston or if you're traveling there for business, I highly recommend giving Cypress a try. I think you'll enjoy it.

I was looking for somewhere new to play on Sunday mid-day when I came across Homestead Springs on Golf Now. The reviews were very good and it was a reasonable drive so I decided to book a Hot Deal. I'm glad I did.

The clubhouse staff was very friendly and took some time to tell me about the course since I never played it before. The carts are all in great condition and were neatly organized outside. Overall I could tell that the facility is very well taken care of.

The fairways and greens are in excellent condition, especially given the recent rains. The only reason I didn't give a 5-star rating for conditions is I felt the greens were a bit slow and didn't roll true in a few cases. That said, keeping them a bit longer is probably what has kept them in very good condition so it's a pick your poison kind of thing for public courses. Still, they were above average. I would recommend landing a bit short though as the ball wanted to advance about 10 feet after landing.

The front nine is relatively short and scorable from the blues. I went out in 37 and was starting to think I had a low round in me. Well, a bogey on 10 and a double on the monsterous 11th did that in. The back is much longer than the front and if you don't get off of the tee well you'll be happy to save bogey. I'm a bit longer than average off of the tee and I still played the par 5s at +3 on the back. I wore down a bit down the stretch and came in at 42 for a 79 total.

Definitely a fun place to play and I want to take on that back nine again this summer. It really challenges your game and it also presents a mental challenge given the constant attention to detail you have to pay in order to have success. This is a truly top-notch course in a great country setting for a reasonable price. It is well worth the short drive from Columbus and surrounding areas.

I was looking for somewhere new to play within easy driving distance and the reviews and a good Hot Buy price brought me to Denison. It turned out to be a good choice.

The first thing I noticed was that the course was busy. That's usually a good sign. There is a very nice clubhouse/pro shop and it's mostly run by college kids as this course is on/near the Denison campus. They were very professional and I felt very welcome.

This course plays long so be prepared for that. My group played from the blue tees and even though I'm an above average player it was about as much as my game could handle. Once you get to the greens they are very quick and in nice shape. They hold well, but unless you get a lot of spin on your ball I would try to land a bit short and let the ball roll to the pin.

This place is very well taken care of. It's a top-notch track, especially for the price I paid. There are some amazing views and elevation changes and you will have to deal with water, sand, undulating greens, and a thick rough. To me, having all of those elements makes for a great challenge.

My only complaint would be pace of play, but I have to mention that this was exacerbated a bit by playing behind a group with two very elderly gentlemen. I'm talking at least in the 80s. That said, I'm glad they were still out there playing so it really didn't irritate me much. There was a bit of a backup in front of them at times as well, but not the worst I've ever experienced.

I will be back to Denison for sure. We had good weather until the last four holes when we played in a drizzle, so I'm hoping to make it on a beautiful sunny day at some point. If you haven't played here and are within an hour's drive, definitely check it out!

I was looking for somewhere new to play on a Friday morning and the positive reviews for Crystal Springs helped me make my decision. I had an early morning tee time so I arrived even before the pro shop staff. Actually, they were a few minutes late but their friendliness immediately make me forgive the minor inconvenience.

This is a very nice course in farm country. The greens are quick and in really nice shape and the fairways are really nice. Be prepared for undulating greens, but their fair. You can tell the course is really well taken care of. I was impressed with the layout as there wasn't a single hole that I felt wasn't a "golf" hole. A paved cart path follows the entire course so there was never a concern about getting lost.

What makes this course worth a visit is the elevation changes. There are some great holes with amazing views making it a fun place to play. There is a fair amount of water to contend with but no bunkers. Actually, a few bunkers added and an upgraded clubhouse could really make Crystal Springs a destination in my opinion.

I would definitely recommend giving the course a try. The price is very good for what you get. In fact, later in the day I had another round at a different course and I told the three guys I was playing with about it. I know I will be back soon.

After reading the reviews on Delaware Golf Club I decided it would be the perfect place to play a nice round on Sunday afternoon. Immediately upon entering the property I knew it was an above average course. I was greeted warmly and I met up with my playing partners on the very nice practice green.

I learned that the course was private until a few years ago and the playing conditions certainly seemed like that of a private club. Very nice fairways, well manicured rough, and superb greens. This despite several days in a row of rain. The bunkers had varying sand types, but it seems like they may be renovating them. That said, they were all in good condition.

This course is fairly challenging, especially from the tips. We played the blues since the conditions were pretty wet, and it was a fun test. There are a few very tough holes but for the most part you can score here. The par 3s are all long, and my only recommendation would be to throw in a short one somewhere.

If you're looking for a great course for a more than fair price, this is the place. It is very well taken care of and it exceeded my expectations. It's the best course I played so far this year in the central Ohio area.

I grew up in the area and used to play this course frequently. After moving away I finally had the chance to come back after about five years and mostly got what I expected.

The course is located in a nice rural setting. Their really isn't a pro shop, but it's a nice building with a restaurant and bar upstairs. There is a very nice putting green to warm up on. The price of $38 for a weekend was probably slightly high, but not way out of line.

The fairways and greens were in good shape. The greens held for the most part and if it wasn't for the occasional light rain and humidity they would have been a little faster. To be fair, there has been a lot of rain in the area over the last couple of weeks. I was also pleased that the ball washers were filled with clean water (a pet peeve of mine), but the tee boxes could have been in better shape.

My biggest disappointment was the bunkers. Most weren't taken care of and it's a shame because the course is well designed and if manicured they would really add to the course. I always felt this place had tons of potential, but ownership never really seems to want to put anything back into it. I believe they could draw golfers from the Pittsburgh area with a little effort, but it remains unclear if the commitment was there.

Overall it was a good experience. If you're in the area and want to play a pretty well designed course with light play, this is the place. Be prepared for a few gnats since there are a lot of trees and expect to be challenged by the long par 3s.

I had been wanting to play Safari for some time and with The Memorial tournament in town and this course's proximity to Muirfield Village, I took advantage of the opportunity.

My first impression was positive. Very nice clubhouse and pro shop, friendly staff, and a pleasant starter. I was dropped into a threesome and really enjoyed the folks that I played with. Their skill level was a little below mine, but they observed good etiquette and had a great sense of humor.

I learned very quickly to stay out of the rough, especially with dew on the ground. Not only did it make finding our errant shots difficult, it was like hitting out of concrete. They were a little more manageable once the grass dried, but still very difficult. Stay in the fairway! The greens were in very good shape, but a little slow. That said, I'd gladly sacrifice green speed for good condition. If you hit a high shot they would hold, but they're definitely firm so you might consider landing short and rolling on.

The layout was challenging and it was relatively long even from the whites. I enjoy using a variety of clubs during a round, and the layout was ideal for that. I would love to play from the blues next time for a long-hitting challenge!

My only complaint is how we were dogged by the marshal. He twice asked us to pick up the pace despite the group behind us not having to wait. We had an elderly gentleman in our group and I think this made him enjoy the round less despite his very respectable pace of play. We finished in just over four hours, which I think is a very good pace for a weekend. I think this was an overreaction by the course since most of the negative reviews have to do with pace of play. If you're going to have someone out there moving the pace along (which is appreciated), please make sure they know what they're doing to avoid upsetting players.

Overall it was a good experience and I look forward to playing Safari again. The $46 was a tad steep I thought for the overall quality of the course, but it's well taken care of and has some pretty holes, especially on the back. I'll definitely return to play soon.

I had been wanting to play this course for some time and finally got the opportunity to do so on a Saturday morning. The course was reasonably easy to find and when I got there I was greeted right away by a young man who put my clubs on a cart and wished me good luck on the round. Great start I thought to myself.

The clubhouse is very small and is combined with a nice looking bar. Nothing out of the usual in terms of checking in and connecting with the starter. I spent about 15 minutes on the practice green, which has almost no flat putts, but that's fine because there aren't many on the course either.

I was paired with two other experienced golfers so it was a nice match and away we went. One of the first things that stood out to me was the condition of the greens. While they rolled fast, they were very beat up and nearly every one of them were riddled with ball marks. I was hoping it would get better, but it didn't. It probably got worse actually. The greens are tough enough with the undulations, so not getting a true roll made it doubly difficult.

I noticed a number of other little things in terms of course condition that bothered me, especially at $43 for the round. For example, only about 50% of the bunkers were in good condition and some were under repair (understandable). This might seem like a silly thing, but the ball washers were mostly dry and the ones that weren't had muddy water in them. To me, that's a very simple attention to detail that was overlooked.

The fairways were in pretty good shape as were the tee boxes. They had a pleasant cart girl driving around and there were plenty of snacks and drinks to choose from.

I played nicer courses in the area for much less money. While it is well designed and played like a true links course, I left pretty disappointed. The nicest aspects of the experience really had little to do with golf, and that tells me that management is focused on the wrong things. When there are a half-dozen employees standing around the clubhouse and the ball washers are empty, that tells me there's a lack of attention to detail.

There's a ton of potential at this course, but as it is now, I would save money and play others in the area that are in better shape. It seems like they endeavor to be a higher end facility, but they've got some work to do to get there.

At the suggestion of a co-worker, I played Blackhawk for the first time today. When you pull in to the course it looks like most other public courses so nothing special there. There's a nice pro shop and the staff seemed friendly.

What stands out about this course is the quality and speed of the greens. Despite clearly getting a lot of play, the greens hold well, aren't beat up, and they're much faster than expected. The fairways are also in good shape and the rough is kept at a reasonable length for the amateur golfer.

Hole layout is pretty challenging. It's not a long course, but you'll face doglegs to the left and right, as well as some challenging par 3s. I used most of the clubs in my bag.

For around $30 on a weekend, you can't go wrong with this place. I definitely plan to play it again this summer, hopefully when it's not so chilly. The temperature was in the 50s with a pretty stiff breeze.

I have played this course a few times and it's very consistent. The fairways are in excellent shape and there are a number of unique holes on this relatively short course. Also consistent is the slow and bouncy greens. You have to hammer your putts folks or you'll be continually shaking your head in frustration for leaving them short. Another nice feature is there are very few holes where you'll lose your ball. I wouldn't say super skilled players would enjoy the course but most of us aren't in that category.