Lives
Findlay, OH
Handicap
0-4
Age
25-34
Skill
Intermediate
Plays
A few times a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

4.0
4.0
Total 21 Reviews

Rating Breakdown

21 Reviews
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Recommended Courses
20
Not Recommended Courses
1
Helpful Votes Count
4
Not Helpful Votes Count
2
First Review
07/30/2019
Last Review
07/11/2023

Reviews Map

Reviews

4.0
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The Chief Golf Course

Played On 07/03/2023
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Well Kept & Challenging Course. Great Value!

Played in Early July with a GroupGolfer deal for only $40. For what we paid, this was an exceptional deal. Pace of play was not an issue, but we were the first tee time out (7:30am). The course is VERY well kept, and that in and of itself makes it worth it. The greens weren't super fast, but weren't slow, and all the bunkers (except one hole - probably cause we played early and they hand't got there yer) were well groomed, and the fairways were cut properly.

The layout is pretty unique, as there are lots of holes where you can't, or shouldn't hit Driver. In some ways that gets a bit too repetitive on the back 9, as there's lots of holes where you have to hit a 220-230 yard shot (from Blue tees) to a landing area before a dogleg or hazard.
That being said, there is some incredible elevation changes, and opportunities for some cool views. I wouldn't say there is a "signature" hole, rather, just a lot of unique holes. The routing is pretty crazy too, as you have long cart rides to get to the 1st and 10th tees, and then have to go over a bridge on the highway to play the last 3 holes!

Many people have said this - it's a challenging course too. Be prepared to lose some balls, unless you can really keep it in play. There is a 3 hole stretch on the front that is open, but other than that, basically the entire course is tree lined.

All in all a very enjoyable round, and even with all the great courses around Bellaire, I would argue this one is as well kept as any.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Maumee Bay State Park Golf Course

Played On 06/18/2023
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Great Layout & Value in Toledo

I'm partial to Arthur Hills designs, and Maumee Bay is no exception. Played in June 2023 - which was my 3rd time playing it (once a long time ago in high school, and then last year and this year). The course rates are super reasonable - Paid $40 for 18/cart on Father's Day. Since it's owned by the Parks Department I assume that's what helps keep the cost reasonable.

This isn't the BEST layout of the Arthur Hills courses in the area, but it is still a really good one. With the wind blowing you have to hit good shots to be able to score, and some of the holes play super long if into the wind.

There is a good amount of water that comes into play, and also some of the long native grasses - although it is possible to find your ball in it, as it's fairly wispy.

Some of the really good holes are #3, 5, 6, 14, & 15. Toughest hole is either 12 or 14. If 12 plays into the wind it is an absolute bear of a Par 4.

Course was in great shape. Greens weren't crazy fast, but had a good pace, and were firm. Like most Arthur Hills courses, there's opportunities to play the ball close to the ground and run it up to undulated greens. There's lots of sand traps out there, and some were maintained better than others - many of the fairway bunkers didn't have rakes in them, but greenside bunkers did.

The course itself is within the State Park/Resort, so there's lots of other things to do that are family friendly.

All in all - this is a must play in the NW Ohio/Toledo area. Great layout, well kept, and a great price!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Cherry Hill Golf Club

Played On 07/23/2022
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Overpriced - Some Really Fun Holes

Played it on a Saturday - late afternoon (445pm) with a buddy. For what the course is - to charge $56 is a bit steep. We asked if there was a twilight rate and they said it started at 6pm, which is the latest I've ever heard of a twilight rate. Conditions were wet, but not soaked. Greens were slow. My buddy has played it before and said Greens were usually slow. Felt that had they been faster, it would've made the experience better. Sand traps were nice, and had real sand in them, which was good to see.

In terms of layout - there are some great holes. #6 is the signature hole - a legit island green par 3. That hole is why I recommend everyone play it. The final three hole stretch of 16-18 is pretty good as well. Mixture of risk, reward on each hole. Overall, the course isn't extremely difficult. Misses are more penalized toward the green than off the tee.

Worth playing once, but if the price stays that high I probably won't play it again.

All in all, I enjoyed the round, but felt it was overpriced for what it is.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Champion Hill Golf Club

Played On 07/17/2022
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Excellent Layout - Wish it Played Firmer/Faster

First time playing here, even though I'm up in the Manistee/Onekema area every summer for a week. Did not play the sister course - Pinecroft - so not able to compare the two. As others have mentioned they do not sell alcohol or have beverage carts on the courses. Not a big deal to me, but may be to others.

I am partial to links style courses, as I enjoy the creativity it requires to score. This layout is tremendous, and rivals many links style courses I have played. Holes 8/15 give some of the best views, as it is up on the highest ground. But, really all of the holes have unique undulation and routing. I was really surprised at how slow the greens were kept. While it was a windy day, and fairways rolled well hitting it into the green was not nearly as firm, and I would say putting was challenging because they were slow. The rough primary rough was long, which added some difficulty, and the bunkers were strategically placed. The tall wispy rough wasn't super thick, so you could find balls if you hit it in there.

Even from the tips at 6800 yards, you can score if you hit good shots. #11 was the hardest hole from the tips. At 240 and into the wind, I had to hit driver! Not sure that I've ever had to do that before. 17-18 are back to back par 5's that play opposite directions, so usually one is down wind. Both nines feature some holes with massive elevation changes, and green complexes/contours that are fun. Just really was disappointed in the slowness of the greens.

I recommend this course. It cost $45 on a weekend after 3, which is a great deal in northern michigan during peak season. I will return because of the layout, but it would be a 5 star if they got it really rolling!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Incredible Layout - Wish Restaurant was Open

Really enjoyed our time. Played on a Monday afternoon, and got a good rate ($65). Didn't get there in time to hit the range, but as many have mentioned, the range isn't anything to write home about - but that really didn't bother us at all.

Basically had the course to ourselves, as most others playing were well ahead of us. Probably deserves a 4.5 star rating. I will explain why it's not a 5 at the bottom.

The layout is tremendous. It is a classic Doak design. I've played Arcadia Bluffs South, and this layout rivals - and probably beats it. Some of the holes here felt the same as the holes on Arcadia South. We really all were impressed with it. I will say - the back 9 layout is awesome. Especially 10-15. Not sure anyone plays only 9 holes here, but if you do, make sure it's the back.

As many have said, the fescue/tall grass is essentially a lost ball. We did find a couple that we could play - but they were on the edges and had good sight on them. If you hit it in by a lot, you're likely not going to find it.

I was not expecting the halfway house to be open based on other views, but to our surprise it was. The girl in there was nice, and it was fully stocked.

My only complaints were this:

1) While some have mentioned the course being too difficult - I actually think it needs to play firmer and faster. There were a number of shots we hit that probably should've ended up off the green that didn't, or should've rolled up more onto the green, and didn't. It feels the course should play like traditional links - low to the ground - and on long shots it did - because of wind. However, around the greens, putting from off it was not a great option as the fringe/fairways are much longer than traditional links courses. I felt the greens were a decent firmness and speed, but probably are designed to be a bit more.

2) We were told when we arrived that the restaurant was not open - so at least we had a heads up. They did have bar service there and also at the half way house so we were able to grab drinks/snacks/food. However, it is still a bit disappointing that we couldn't eat at the restaurant after our round - we finished around 6:45pm. The patio of the restaurant has an AMAZING view.

3) As mentioned above - we finished our round about 6:45. We wanted to grab a few more drinks and buy some gear from the pro shop. While there were two young men in there, they told us they could not sell us the drinks or the merchandise because the computers had been shut down for the day. Seemed very strange to shut down the opportunity to make some money at 645pm. Kind of had us leave with a sour taste in our mouths after what was an otherwise great golf experience.

All told, I recommend this course. You can definitely tell why it's a top 100 course in the US, and honestly if they truly get it to the firm/fast label they want, it will remain a top 100 to play for years to come.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

St. Joe Valley Golf Club

Played On 06/01/2021
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Highly Exceeded My Expectations - Enjoyable Track

The reason I gave this such a good review is because this course far exceeded my expectations. What I loved, is that this course doesn't make any outrageous claims. They don't claim to be the greatest course, with the fastest greens. You know by looking at the website that it's a par 68, and provides a relaxed feel. They have real bunkers that are groomed and kept in great shape. They keep the fairways smooth, and the rough is long and can be penalizing. The greens, while a little slow, roll VERY true. I felt every putt I hit did what it looked like, which is great. I went there expecting a below average course, and left knowing I will DEFINITELY come back.

First off, the staff is incredibly friendly. It's father-son ran, which is just great to see. When I came in they told me ahead of time that my front 9 would be slow due to a women's league. They would start me on the back and then I would just need to take my time on the front. So, while the pace of pace wasn't great, they let me know in advance. The son, also gave me local knowledge on the back 9, which is needed as there are some tricky holes.

The course is very affordable, as it cost only $15 to walk. They do charge a small fee for Credit Card, so bring cash if you want, but the fee wasn't crazy (3%).

Now, for the course itself. I started on the back 9. If you play this course you MUST play the back. It is a beautiful and fun 9 holes. However, for the sake of describing the course I will start with the front. I would also say, playing from the Blue tees gets you the most fun shots and views.

The front is fairly straightforward. 1-3 are what you see is what you get. 4 is the first one on the front 9 where I'd say definitely hit to a position. Left is dead, and Right is not great. Hit something 200-215 and you avoid most of the trouble. 4 also has some real danger if you miss the green, particularly left,. 5 is straightforward. 6 is a good risk-reward par 4. I'd suggest hitting less than driver, but be careful, as the fairway bunker on the right is about 220 away. Up the left side is ideal here. 7 from the Blue tees is a great tee shot. You have to hit thru a narrow shoot of trees. Trouble is left, so hit it up the right side. 7's green is heavily guarded by bunkers. 8 is a par 5 you can take advantage of if you hit a good tee ball, but there is tree trouble on both sides. This green also is protected by a huge bunker in the front. 9 is a straightforward par 3.

Now for the back 9, which again, if you only play one side, play this side. 10 is a really tough par 5. It's only 478 yards from the back tees, but without a perfect drive, it's a 3 shot hole. Anything right side of the fairway or right of the fairway is a punch out or layup. If you hit one really long down the left, you may have a go at it. This green is really undulated. 11, was my favorite hole. It's a short dogleg par 4. You have to go back into the wetlands to hit it from the blue tees. It's a big time risk reward hole. It is Only about 240-250 to drive it right at the green. However, there is really no margin for error if you do that - left is in the trees, right and short is in the water, long is in the gunch. The prudent play is to hit a 220 yard shot into the center of the fairway and leave yourself a 60 yard pitch. 12 is another good risk reward, dogleg par 4. Again, I wouldn't hit driver, but it would be reachable if you do. 13 is the only hole I didn't like. It's a par 3 that has trees overhanging the green. I hit a quality shot that was headed just left of the pin, and it hit a tree branch, and ended up on the front of the green. 14 is a good, long par 3. 15 is all trouble on both sides if you hit driver, I would recommend going less than driver. 16 is similar - hitting driver can be done, but I would suggest just hitting something to the bend and playing from 150. 17 is a good par 3, with a tricky green, and potential for a gnarly pin location back left. 18 is straightfroward.

All in all, I really enjoyed my experience. I think it is a good course for anyone, but definitely for those who love walking. This course certainly won't get the prestige of other area courses like Island Hills or Angels Crossing - but I don't think the comparison is even fair. They are different experiences. However, I feel for the money, this is an exceptional course to play. There was tons of wildlife out there as well - including a big snapping turtle I ran into on 12!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy

Eagle Glen Golf Course

Played On 05/18/2021
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Plays Tougher Than it Looks

First time playing in May of 2021. I had a 2 for 1 special with a buddy so we played it for cheap. Pace of Play was REALLY slow on the front, but picked up on the back. I enjoyed the course for the most part. I think Hole #1 is kind of gimmicky for an opening hole. However the stretch of holes on the front (5,6,7) is really a good stretch.

We played it from the tips, and it's not incredibly long at 6,600 yards, but I do think you get penalized for misses - which is good. Greens were decent speed, but a little bumpy. Water comes into play on a number of holes as well.

I would play the course again, which I believe is a good compliment. For the price, it's a GREAT play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Noble Hawk Golf Links

Played On 07/25/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good Track in Noble County

I've played Noble Hawk probably half a dozen times. I always enjoy the layout - and if you get lucky enough to play it when it's windy, then it's really a great golf experience. I was impressed that the course is still in good shape considering all the play it has gotten this year. The greens were a little slower than they have been traditionally, but still rolled true. The fairways had some spots where they were beat up with divots, but again, they've had a lot of play.

Pace of Play can be an issue out there, but if you go later in the day, I've had better luck. I've never seen a beverage cart go around, but they do have some available at the clubhouse.

In terms of the course, it is a good setup with two different 9's. Front 9 is a pretty open, links style course. The Par 4 7th is probably the best hole on the front in terms of strategy. It's a good risk-reward par 4. Smart play is to hit an iron or hybrid to the right of the water and short of the bunker. However, it is driveable if the wind is favorable.The back 9 is more tight, with many of the holes going thru the woods. There's also 3 par 5's on the back as opposed to just one on the front. 13 and 18 are two really difficult par 5's. 13 requires 3 really good shots, and 18 has two water hazards, but is reachable in two with two good shots. It's a great finishing hole. 14 is another precision par 4. In theory you can go for the green, but the smart play is to hit an iron or hybrid to just in front of the creek. 15 is a daunting peninsula par 3 over water.

This is definitely worth the play if you're in the area, and I make the drive of about an hour to play it 2-3 times a year. Lower handicappers should play the course from the tips - it's really fun!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

The Heathlands Golf Course

Played On 07/20/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Underrated Course in Manistee County

Have been playing this course for years, as we vacation up in the area most summers. While I will admit the course conditions aren't quite what they once were, it is still a fun and challenging course in Manistee county, with a full range and practice area. I had heard the past few years that it was close to closing, but it appears that they are doing better this year, and may be able to put some money back into the course. I hope it stays open, as it is a course I really enjoy playing ever year I come up.

The layout of the course is quite good. There are a number of holes that require good tee balls to be in position to score, a few that are wide open, and some with doglegs/blind shots that lead to good risk-reward. 1,2,3 are pretty straight forward and open. 4 is a good dogleg that requires a good tee ball. 5 you have to hit a good tee ball thru a relatively narrow chute. 6 is a wide open par 5. 7 is the best hole on the front which snakes around the trees - prudent play is to hit iron-wedge, but some like to try and drive the green over the tree. 8-9 are straightforward. 10-11 are two short par 4's that require good decision making off the tee. 12 is a good par 3 from a somewhat elevated tee box. 13 is a fairly open par 5. 14 is another great risk-reward par 4 - prudent play is to hit iron-wedge, but you can try and drive the green (small target!). 15 is my favorite hole, a challenging par 3 from a very elevated tee, with a two tier green - from the tips it is a blind tee shot! 16 and 17 are open par 4's. 18 is a challenging par 5. Downwind you may be able to hit 2 perfect shots to get there in two. However the prudent play is to either layup short of the water, or play it right of the water and leave yourself 100 yards in.

Over the years the bunkers have gone downhill in terms of condition - COVID hasn't helped since you can't have rakes in them. Some were just filled in, others are relatively bare, but some were still in very good condition - it was strange to see the differences. Greens were in GREAT shape, and ran true with average to above average speed. Other than a few baked out tee boxes, they were in great shape too. A few of the fairways were inconsistent - I think this was because a few were still wet from rain so the mower hadn't got to them yet.

Definitely make sure to play this if you're passing thru Manistee county. It's a great track with some serious challenge if you play the back tees.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Manistee Golf & Country Club

Played On 07/18/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Old Style Course with Amazing Views of Lake Michigan

While this course is not going to blow you away in terms of setup or difficulty, it does have some of the best views I've ever encountered on the golf course. There are some 6 holes that lead to views of Lake Michigan, and they do NOT disappoint. Hole 16 also runs right next to a massive Dune which makes for a pretty unique golf hole. The views are what make the course worth the trip.

The course layout is relatively easy, but if you play it on a windy day (as I did) it will certainly make it more challenging. It appears they cut down a lot of the links style grass to make it more open, which led to lots of easy driving holes. There are a number of Par 4's that if you hit driver you can either drive the green or have a flip wedge into. That being said, there are a few holes on the back that have some tight driving holes protected by trees or water, where hitting less than driver would be advisable. Most of the greens are crowned and were pretty slow, but well maintained. 13 and 14 are probably the two best golf holes. 13 is a risk reward par 4 in that you can hit driver between the water hazards and have nothing more than a 20-30 yard approach. However, the prudent play is to hit a mid iron short of the first pond and play a 130-140 yard shot into the green. 14 is the best par 3 on the course. You hit right towards Lake Michigan, so it is usually going to play dead into the wind. It's longer and protected by bunkers. Requires a good shot to hit the green. A miss left goes off the cliff and down to the lake.

This is not going to be the best course you ever play in your life. However, the views rival or beat many courses I've played, especially since you go right up against the Lake. Twilight rates for this course are really affordable ($25-35) and make it a must play in the area.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy

The Legend at Shanty Creek

Played On 07/11/2020
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fantastic Setup that requires Creativity off the Tee!

Played this one last in our rotation of the 4 Shanty courses. I thought this was the best one in terms of total experience - strategy/creativity, greens, and conditions. Pace of Play was slow, but that did not ruin the day for me. The course is SUPER spread out, and I can't imagine playing 9 is an option as the 10h hole is out in the middle of nowhere, but they did have a beverage cart and a snack shack at 10.

The layout is absolutely fantastic. It requires good driving off the tee, and if you put it in play, there a plenty of holes to score on. Hole 2 has a big cliff drop off on the right that you can't see from the tee or scorecard. You can hit driver if it's up the left, but laying up isn't a bad option. Being able to shape your ball both ways off the tee is a huge advantage as most of the holes dogleg one way or the other. Some of them, the easy play is just hitting a iron or hybrid, and playing from 150, but you can get creative and shape it around the bend (most of which are protected by trees). Driving it poorly here will almost certainly lead to frustration, lost balls, and a bad score.

4 was a great par 3, especially with the pin tucked back right over top of the bunker. 7 is a great par 5. If you hit a good drive, you can take it on in two over the creek. Otherwise, a bad drive brings the lake into play on the tee ball, and would require a layup short of the creek. 11 and 12 is a fun back to back stretch, with water and bunkers in play on both. 5 is the hole that perhaps creates the most options off the tee. The easy play would be to play a mid iron to the 150 post and play from there. However, if you can shape it right to left, or hit it high over the trees, you can try and take out parts of the dogleg and have nothing more than 75 yards in. The hole really is a 90 degree dogleg left. 18 is a narrow par 5, with a chair lift and ski slope (old?) right next to the tee box. It is reachable in 2 but requires two good shots.

The creativity is what made the course so enjoyable to me. It's an Arnold Palmer design and you can see why. The greens were the quickest we played of the 4 courses at Shanty, and basically every putt had some movement, and they moved true to their line. Great views, great price, great course. MUST PLAY!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Very Cool Back Nine - Good Views of Schuss Mountain

Played this third in our rotation of the 4 Shanty Courses. I'd rank this one as third best of the 4, but that's more because Cedar and the Legend are fantastic. Course setup here requires some creativity, as there's lots of doglegs, but not a ton of water, and open enough that you won't be searching for balls all day in the woods. All the courses on the resort have good amenities, but they are EXPENSIVE. I'd recommend not eating at the courses.

Front 9 is pretty straight forward, with some doglegs - mostly left. Back 9 is much more picturesque and features some really cool holes with undulation changes. 18, is a good risk-reward par 4, but the right play is to NOT hit driver. Most of the par 4's aren't super long, and other than hole 5 - the par 5's are reachable in two with two good shots.

Greens were a bit faster than the Summit, but still not super fast. We played on a perfect day, with sun and a little wind.

We had some issues with hospitality over the course of the trip. At the Summit there were no issues, but here, there was no attendant for the range - so one of our groups took range balls with the intention of paying later. Shortly after, a person chased them down and scolded them. I thought it was unnecessary considering there was no attendant, and we fully intended to pay for them.

Other than that instance, I felt this was an enjoyable round.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate

The Cedar River at Shanty Creek

Played On 07/10/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Great Course - Staff was Rude

Played this second in our rotation of the 4 Shanty Courses. I would say it is in the best shape of the 4, with the second best setup. For $50ish it's certainly a good price to play. We had 4 straight tee times starting at 4:30pm. No one was behind us yet the starter was hounding us on pace of play (even though we finished in about 4:30-4:40, which is a little slow but nothing crazy). Then, at the clubhouse, the pro shop lady was telling us we played too slow, and that we'd need to "play faster" the next day. I think she just wanted to go home. Other than the staff issues, the course itself was awesome. Would've been 5 star had not been for the staff. Like all the courses on the resort, they had COVID cups, so you couldn't take the pin out - but that should't be a huge deal for most players.

The course itself has some big greens, and I've heard they run really fast usually, but unfortunately the rain slowed them down some. Lots of undulation in the greens, and lots of elevation changes throughout the course. 13 and 14 are two awesome holes. 13 is a risk reward par 4 (can drive the green if you hit it well, otherwise it's a layup), and 14 you hit from an elevated tee to a small, undulated green. Some other good holes are 5, 7, and 15. For the most part you need to drive it well, but there are some holes that you can miss it off the tee and still score.

Most in our group said this was their favorite of the 4 Shanty Courses. I liked the Legend a little better, because it required lots of creativity, but Cedar is in the best shape, and while it requires good course management, is a course you can score on. Definitely recommend playing this one at the resort.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

The Summit at Shanty Creek

Played On 07/10/2020
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Good Round to Break into Shanty Creek Resort

We played all four courses at Shanty Creek. This is the one to play first, because it is a fairly easy setup, and relatively short. Most of the par 4's will leave wedges in your hands, and the Par 5's are reachable in two other than 15 if it's into the wind.

The course gets most of its protection from elevation changes - lots of uphill shots into greens, and a few downhill as well. Greens were very slow, and a little shaggy. It did rain the morning we played so that may have had a factor. 16 and 17 were my two favorite holes. Other than holes 1 and 10, there aren't a ton of doglegs, it's a pretty straightforward course.

I recommend you play this course first, to break into the resort courses. If you play this after some of the others you'll probably be disappointed. It was my least favorite course of the 4 on the resort.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
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Commented on 08/21/2020

Hi, thank you so much for leaving us with your feedback. We value our customer experience, so your review is important to us. We will make note and we hope to see you back!

I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Best Deal in the Area!

Played in June 2020 on a weekend. It was $10 to walk 18 so a buddy and I decided to do it. It was very hot, but we really enjoyed the golf course. For $10 it is an absolute steal, and even with a cart it’s only $25-30 on weekends, which is still great.

The course itself is pretty short and tight, with small greens. It’s nestled along the St Joe river and you cross it a number of times. The conditions were very good. Greens weren’t super fast but were consistent and in great shape. Other than a couple holes with some standing water due to rain, the course was in great shape. Most of the holes require a good drive to score, and if you miscalculate distance on approach shots it’s better to be short than long.

This is a course that’s definitely worth playing. It was somewhat busy but moved along, and they had beverage service. They didn’t have any push carts, which would have been nice for walkers, but other than that there’s really no complaints.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average

Manitou Passage Golf Club

Played On 06/20/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Tremendous Layout, conditions just ok

Played in June of 2020. Probably 3 1/2 stars, and I’m trying to be sensitive to the COVID-19 situation as well.

First off, the course does have a tremendous layout. It’s a fair course, in that If you put it in play you can score. Getting off the tee is imperative - and going with less than driver on a number of holes is recommended based on my experience. Lots of undulation on the greens, and some great elevation changes from tee to green. Hole 8 is a tremendous hole. Par 3’s were good holes too. So, the layout itself makes it worth playing.

That being said, the conditions left a lot to be desired, especially considering the high expectations I had - based on reviews and word of mouth. I am sure the unusually dry conditions and the economics of COVID were factors. Fairways were firm and fast, I had no issues with them. However, greens were slow and had lots of burnt out spots. There were lots of bare spots around the green, as well. Bunkers were in good shape all things considered. Tee boxes were inconsistent - some in good shape, and others not. I felt, conditions were average at best, and if COVID wasn’t a thing, I’d say they were below that.

Cost was fair. Pace was great. Staff was super friendly and cleaned up your clubs after. Clubhouse and restaurant appeared very nice but only a tiny part was open due to COVID.

I would play it again if I know the current conditions are a product of COVID and not just poor maintenance. That being said, it is a wonderful layout with some pretty awesome views!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good

Sauganash Country Club

Played On 06/12/2020
3.0
First Time Playing

Greens very slow

Played in June 2020. My buddy invited me to come and it was only $22 for 18 in a cart. He’s raved to me About it for years, especially for how fast the greens were. I am trying to be cognizant of the COVID crisis and it’s impact on course maintenance. With that said, and I do not mean this disrespectfully, but the greens were the slowest I’ve ever played on. They definitely hadn’t been cut in at least 2 days, but even still, were incredibly slow. That in and of itself made it a pretty disappointing day.

There are a few good holes, and I thought the back 9 was actually the better of the two sides, although they point out the front was designed by A.W. Tillinghast. One of the par 4’s on the back has an old tee box that you can hit over the lake, but it’s no longer used, and not playable now. A number of the holes on the front are short, drivable par 4’s.

Staff was very friendly, and they did have enough food available to make do. Obviously cost was cheap and pace of play wasn’t an issue. I think if they worked on the greens it could return to its former prestige, but I wouldn’t play it again in its current conditions.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average

Elbel Park Golf Course

Played On 08/08/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good Conditions, Great Price

First time playing this and I was impressed. First off, I played as a single, which sometimes courses don’t like. Not here. The staff greeted me, wished me luck, and told me to play thru the 4 some ahead. I really appreciated that.

The course itself was in really good condition especially considering the weather in this area. I felt the greens were a little slow, but they rolled true. I did play later in the day too, so that may have affected pace. Other than that I was impressed. Usually at municipals you see grass clippings, and I didn’t see any here.

The course setup I liked. It’s a course that requires precise drives rather than length. The greens aren’t overly protected by bunkers or undulation, but they also are not very big. If you hit the tee balls in the right spots you can score, but again, got to be precise off the tee. I liked that the par 5’s were risk reward, as they were all doglegs. The par 3’s were long, as evidenced by 12 playing close to 230 from the tips - maybe the longest par 3 I’ve ever played.

All in all this is a good course and really well priced. I will be back!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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Commented on 08/12/2019

Hi jt20sb22, we truly appreciate you leaving a review and joining us for your first round. We will inform the entire team, so they know their hard work is paying off. We look forward to having you back at Elbel Park Golf Course soon, and check out your review shared on our Facebook page!

Black Squirrel Golf Club

Played On 07/15/2019
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Public Course

I’ve played Black Squirrel for years, but this year (2019) I’ve been particularly impressed with the upkeep. Bunkers are groomed, greens are relatively fast, and they’ve even done some upkeep (removing trees, etc.) around the course. You can walk 18 out here for $18. Truly a steal. The owner, Tony, is down to earth and a great guy to talk to. Staff as a whole is awesome. Not a ton of amenities, but for golf lovers it’s a must play. It’s way ,ore challenging than it looks on the scorecard. Par 5’s are tough to score on, except 14. Greens have undulation, and are small so you have to be on your game. Par 3 17th is a great hole that is tough to score on. Goshen residents gripe about lack of public courses, but this truly is a great course and is a great price if you’re willing to walk. Riding cost is average ($32).

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair

Rozella Ford Golf Club

Played On 06/18/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good course with lack of publicity

Played this is June of 2019. Really good value for the quality of course ($22 for 18 in a cart), especially considering all the rain. The only main issue was you could tell they hadn’t move the pins in a couple days as the holes were a little worn. Course layout really starts to be enjoyable once you reach the par 3 4th. There’s some really cool holes over the creek and I enjoyed the tighter holes on the back 9. Definitely recommend as this course doesn’t seem to have much publicity. I live 20 miles away and hadn’t heard of it until the day before I played it! They also have a Mexican restaurant on site that had $1 tacos!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
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