Upcoming Ohio Roadtrip

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Last summer I played a majority of courses in PA that had at least 18 holes and in 08 we will be heading to Ohio.

Anyone have recommendations on particular courses? I think we'll head towards the Columbus/Cincinnati area since the course concentration is pretty high and there isn't too much travel involved from course to course.

[spud]

You might try Pike Lake in Bainbridge, Great Seal in Chillicothe, Mt. Airy in Cincy, Brent Hambrick in Columbus, Flat Rocks in Lancaster. Dayton has a few good ones as well.

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I'll be sure to take a look at those, thanks!

[discNDav]

I have traveled thru Ohio many times over the last 15 years and have played a lot of them casually. From memory I liked:

Spider-Ab near Canton: hard to follow in the early 90's
Oak Ledges in Massillion - wooded but liked it
Hoover Dam - front 9 very nice, back has gwon in too much
Belmont in Dayton
Mt Airy in Cincy - great
Banklick in KY (southern Cincy) - great

Let me know if you want to see my entire list for Ohio?

[Olorin]

Idlewild in Burlington KY would be good if you go to Cincinnati. Haven't played it, but it's on my wish list.

I'd go to Cincinnati over Columbus. I've heard rave comments about Mt Airy and Idlewild. Of the 3 Columbus courses I've played Hambrick was pretty good, but not stellar. IMO, you can skip Griggs Resevoir. Just my thoughts.

[Olorin]

You might try Pike Lake in Bainbridge, Great Seal in Chillicothe, Mt. Airy in Cincy, Brent Hambrick in Columbus, Flat Rocks in Lancaster. Dayton has a few good ones as well.

When I played Great Seal a few years ago the course had a dual character. Holes 2-8 are among some of the best I've ever played. I loved them! But the back 9 wasn't nearly as good, and I was disappointed by many of them. Hopefully they've gotten better by now.

Flat Rocks would be a pleasant stop. A nice course. Some holes are a little too open for my taste, but those are my preferences. Great elevation changes.

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I actually like more open courses and elevation changes are always good.. except for the whole walking uphill part :)

[Olorin]

I actually like more open courses and elevation changes are always good.. except for the whole walking uphill part :)

Since Flat Rocks has a good mix of both wooded holes and more open grassy fairways it would be probably be a good course for you.

Forked Run S.P. also has good elevation changes and a good variety of wooded and open holes.

By all means DO NOT play Ohio U in Athens. It can't really be called a course. It has the best baskets I've ever seen-- Mach, royal blue hot dipped, with solar powered lights on top. What a waste of awesome baskets! (The plentiful woodchuck community at dusk are quite entertaining, though.)

[mobster]

The course at Deis Hill in Dover was new in 07 and is a great Ohio course to check out and play.

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mobster,

I've got Deis on my list.. actually, if you check out my profile I have all the potential choices in my wish list. I just have to narrow down the list a bit since I'll be there for around 3 days.

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Ok guys, here's my latest list. I've put all the potentials in my wish list but I have to cut at least 3 or 4 from this list due to time constraints.

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/profile.php?id=1

Sims Park and Lakeshore Park don't really count as those are ones I'll stop at on the way home if there is time.

Any votes as to what goes?

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Here is the updated course list. I decided to skip the northern Columbus courses and head south to hit Pike Lake, Forked Run and Great Seal. Chances are Belmont might not make the cut due to time constraints.

* A. J. Jolly Park -- Alexandria, KY
* Banklick Woods Park -- Independence, KY
* Idlewild -- Burlington, KY
* Arboretum-Spiker Park -- Canton, OH
* Belmont Park -- Dayton, OH
* Deis Hill Park -- Dover, OH
* Flat Rocks DGC -- Lancaster, OH
* Forked Run State Park -- Reedsville, OH
* Great Blue Heron -- Norwalk, OH
* Great Seal State Park -- Chillicothe, OH
* Brent Hambrick Memorial DGC -- Columbus, OH
* Lake Shore Park -- Ashtabula, OH
* Lincoln Park (Oak Ledges DGC) -- Massillon, OH
* Lobdell Reserve DGC -- Alexandria, OH
* Mt. Airy Forest -- Cincinnati, OH
* Pike Lake State Park -- Bainbridge, OH
* Roscoe Ewing Park -- Medina, OH
* Sims Park Disc Golf -- Euclid, OH

[ZMan44]

Although it didn't get a fantastic review, some friends and I played Lakeshore Park in Ashtabula on our way to Rochester last summer. I thought it was gorgeous and had a blast playing it. Idlewild is not for the faint of heart but fantastic if you are in the Cincy area. Mt. Airy and Banklick are both nice as well. We played some course called Lobdell just east of Columbus and it was horrible in my opinion. One of the worst disc golf adventures that day.

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I plan on stopping at Lakeshore and possibly Sims Park depending on how exhausted we are as those two will be on the way home.

Why didn't you like Lobdell? I have it on my list but can easily sub Delaware in its place. I thought it looked decent from the pictures.

[ZMan44]

With Lobdell, it was kind of in the middle of nowhere. The shots required were very redundant. It is built on a series of tiers (the best way I can describe it). The 18th hole was pretty different and unique but a majorit of the course was just flinging a drive out into the open, approach or putt from where you are. It just seemed stale compared to the other courses we played, many of which are on your list.

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Hmm.. that doesn't sound too fun. I've played courses where you're pretty much just throwing discs in any empty field and it tends to get old pretty quickly. I've got around 2 months to decide what to do but I'm sort of leaning towards Delaware now.

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The trip is a go.. the course pages have been printed, all the rooms have been booked, the weather looks to be great for all 5 days and I have a few backup discs coming in the mail. I think I'm prepared :)

Here's the current schedule. It's pretty ambitious so I'm hoping that we manage to fit them all in. Thursday we may not get to finish Hambrick.. I think Friday we should be ok. Saturday it is quite a ride to Forked Run but I think we can squeeze all 4 in. The next two days I don't think there will be any time issues.

Thursday
Great Blue Heron (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=1323) - Norwalk, OH
Lobdell Reserve DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=129) - Alexandria, OH
Hoover Reservoir, Brent Hambrick Memorial DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=131) - Columbus, OH

Friday
Mt. Airy Forest (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=471) - Cincinnati, OH
Idlewild (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=507) - Burlington, KY
Banklick Woods Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=730) - Independence, KY
A. J. Jolly Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=214) - Alexandria, KY

Saturday
Pike Lake State Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=58) - Bainbridge, OH
Great Seal State Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=59) - Chillicothe, OH
Flat Rocks DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=60) - Lancaster, OH
Forked Run State Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=1277) - Reedsville, OH

Sunday
Deis Hill Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=2516) - Dover, OH
Lincoln Park (Oak Ledges DGC) (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=342) - Massillon, OH
Arboretum-Spiker Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=188) - Canton, OH
Roscoe Ewing Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=1777) - Medina, OH

Monday
Sims Park Disc Golf (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=639) - Euclid, OH
Lake Shore Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/../course.php?id=122) - Ashtabula, OH

[Olorin]

Man, am I jealous! You've got 17 courses on the agenda and some really good ones in the Cinncy area that are on my wish list.

Funny enough, but I'm hoping to play Pike Lake SP in Bainbridge on Mon 5/26 (Mem Day), so we'll miss each other by just 2 days!

I'm curious to see your impressions of Forked Run since it sounds like it's been improved. The terrain has very good potential. I'm also interested to see your impressions of the back 9 of Great Seal. I wonder what it's like these days.

I don't really need to tell you to have fun. Looking forward to reading your reviews!

[ERicJ]

Man, am I jealous! [...] Looking forward to reading your reviews!+1 :)

[jsalyers1]

I have played all of these except half of Saturday and all of Sunday. I can tell you - you are going to be beat! Your Friday schedule is very aggressive... but let me give you a quick tip concerning Cincinnati traffic: Start out early in the morning in Kentucky and work your way back to Ohio. You do not want to be crossing the bridge going into or out of Kentucky between 4 & 6 PM. Also you do not want to be coming accross the bridge from Kentucky during the morning rush (7:30 - 9). Mt Airy & Banklick will be packed Friday after 3 PM, but people are real friendly.

Best of luck to you - have some great rounds!

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Thanks for the tips.. we are staying 5 or 6 miles from Mt. Airy and plan on starting early that day and playing the courses in the order above so hopefully we won't run into too much traffic (automotive or disc golf).

Actually, all the courses in the list are the order we plan to play them in.

[ZMan44]

Sounds like a sweet trip. Friday night you should definitely be worn out. But at least AJ Jolly is last and it is the easiest of the 4 courses so even if you're tired it won't hurt you too much. If you get a chance you could stop by Disc N Dat in Florence, Kentucky. They are some cool guys and can give you tips on the area courses, plus they have an extensive inventory of plastic. After Idlewild you might need a 30 minute break. Take care and have a great trip.

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Depending on how we're doing on time Friday, I'll definitely try to stop in at Disc N Dat.

[Olorin]

Tim,

I saw your DGCR sign at Pike Lake. I'm looking forward to reading your review, then comparing notes.

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Glad to hear it's still there :)

I really enjoyed that course.. one of the better wooded courses I've had the opportunity to play. I will try to start writing some reviews soon.. I'm still recovering from the trip and catching up with work and DGCR site stuff.

[DGtourist]

Glad to hear it's still there :)

I really enjoyed that course.. one of the better wooded courses I've had the opportunity to play. I will try to start writing some reviews soon.. I'm still recovering from the trip and catching up with work and DGCR site stuff.

how many courses were you able to bag?

[danhyzer]

A Excellent course is only there because of "All the love put back into the course from people who recieve love from the course". So don't be so harsh when reviwing different courses because some are sleeping giants "waiting for someone to put some love into the park".

My top 5 courses that I've seen a lot of love put back into the parks from various people associated with the park.

#1, without a doubt. Freedlander Park Wooster, Ohio park can be busy at times, but just give the people picnicing a heads up before throwing. The Wooster Park Department has made all efforts to make your stay safe (wood chipped fairways in the woods, new bridges, new steps, a kiosk, unique 'Next tee signs', enjoyable and fun. Good course to finish your day playing as there's a pool within walking distance from the course so you can (pay a small fee) and clean up or better yet, go for a dip :^ D

# 2 Idlewood Burlington, Ky. Freddy 'Boy' Salaz and his friends have gone way beyond normal loving in making this course stand out as one of the hardest (but fair) courses in the land. Granted it is in Ky and not Ohio. This course is so full of greatness it can't be missed, if you miss this gem you might as well not even visit the Cincy area DGC's.

# 3 Hoover Dam Columbus, Ohio Yes this course is SO BUSY that you should try to play it as early in the day as possible. But this course is special as it was the vision of Brent Hambrick. One of the best visionaries DG ever has known. I haven't played it a while, but the feelings that I get when I play it make me feel so lucky to be involved in this game as the Columbus club hasn't forgotten their roots as this course over time still stands in time as a model course to utilze in your city back home.

# 4 Lake Shore Park Ashtabula, Ohio Another gem. Maybe even a diamond. This course has it all. You want challenge, every basket it in a very well placed position. Multiple tees and a view to just stop playing for a moment and just take a deep breathe and remember why you came to this park, because you might forget for a moment and forget why you are there. I would recomend going early on a Sunday as they have outdoor church services in the pavilion next to the lake.

# 5 Lincoln Park Massillon, Ohio Talking about character, this course has it all. As this park was built in the wpa daze during WW2. The big hill behind the the restrooms that basket # 7 stands atop on is the place where they put all their scraps from the soup and bread line of the workers who worked in this park trying to make a buck (litterly). The 'valley of doom' lurks next to #'s 7, 9, and 11 (you don't want to go down there from an errant shot) # 5 has a cave that once was used during the days of prohibition (it's blocked off now, but this hole is a 2 tiered beauty that if dueced will be remembered for the rest of your trip. Everyone says hole # 6 is the one hole that makes no sense. Try a sidearm or a lefty hyzer over the road where the disc will just dive into the basket area. This course has everyone from all over visiting and leaving with the "WOW" factor in thier souls. Granted it's a very woodsy course and very hilly to boot, but you'll be wanting to play it again and again and again, it's one of those kinds of courses.


dan' hyzer' kilgore # 4697

other courses in Ohio I would recomend..Any of the Dayton courses, Medina's Roscoe Ewing (you got to play the first course in Ohio, don't you??) I really liked Miami Whitewater Forrest, granted it's only 9 holes (but this courses is very unique by the way it was made, check it out..it will give you a very good idea of how to make a cool course out of a piece of flat property. I also loved Great Seal St. Park in Chillicothe, Pike lake St. park in Bainbridge is worth the drive as well as Alexandria's Lobdell Reserve Park just to the eat of Hoover Dam. I would also recomend Euclid's Sims Park, after your round go to Scoti's on east 185th. Great Itallian eatery, plus they have a basket in the back parking lot for a little bit of extra......

Enjoy your trip. But rememeber this The Ohio State Patrol don't play. I once had a statie friend who once said 7 your fine, but nine your mine. That's on the interstate. on the secondary roads, I would go much faster than the traffic or the posted limits. your choice...

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how many courses were you able to bag?
I think I managed 16.. got rained out of one and Forked Run had a tournament going on when we showed up so we skipped it and headed to Forked Run and managed to get Big Buckeye in after Forked Run.

[Olorin]

...Forked Run had a tournament going on when we showed up so we skipped it and headed to Forked Run and managed to get Big Buckeye in after Forked Run.

Huh?

[Olorin]

Dan Kilgore,

Nice notes and a great thought that you began with! Have you posted reviews of all the courses that your mentioned? I hope so, because those notes are valuable to have, but many people won't see them here, or not be able to find them later.

[DGtourist]

I think I managed 16.. got rained out of one and Forked Run had a tournament going on when we showed up so we skipped it and headed to Forked Run and managed to get Big Buckeye in after Forked Run.

16 is pretty good. I always have big plans for about twice as many courses than I actually end up playing. I always forget to factor in daylight hours and driving time.

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Huh?

Woops! I meant we skipped Flat Rocks and went to Forked Run :)

[Olorin]

Woops! I meant we skipped Flat Rocks and went to Forked Run :)

Too bad you had to skip Flat Rocks. It seems that you like more open courses, and although Flat Rocks has some woods holes, there are lots of really open holes. It's got great grass and very good elevation changes.

I'll look forward to seeing your review of Forked Run.

[danhyzer]

I would add the Wooster course in Freelander Park to your list and if you start the day playing the red tees in Dover then heading north to Canton's course then heading west to the Massillon course and still west to Wooster, you can still get Medina's course in as it's right up rt. 3 from Wooster. I don't know your skill level , but If I was playing I could sneak in the course in Brewster, which is just a 15 minute drive from Massillon's Lincoln Park if you go to your left from the main parking lot (17th street NW) follow 17th st NW for 3 lights, turn right onto Finefrock this will take you to rt. 30 (in which you can continue on Finefrock, which will turn into Millersburg rd or rt. 241, then a quick turn onto rt. 93, go south all the way through Brewster (obey speed limit) and turn right onto 7th st and go to the end to where the park is 9holes (less than a half to play, and another course on your list)) or you can go west on rt. 30 (again watch your speed in Wayne County and especially Dalton and Wooster) til you get to rt. 83 north (lodi exit), vere right and at the split vere to your left, at the first light you'll want to turn onto Friendsville road, then turn left on either the next 2 roads into Freedlander Park (I would suggest the 2nd left on Beuna Vista dr. and follow that short drive to the bottom of the hill in which they'll be the main parking lot and the forst hole at Freedlander Park will be behind the kiddie pool. This course will be the easiest to play as this park deparment has it together and has made it very easy for a tourist to follow the course with it's original 'next tee signs' atop of each basket. then to get to Medina, just go back to Rt. 83, turn right and then turn right at the next right (which will be rt. 3) and head north. I can get you to Medina even faster from Wooster, and this is the way..... Go back out to Friendsville road. turn left onto Friendsville road, turn left onto Highland (first light) ave til it dead ends into Portage, turn left on Portage, stay on Portage til you come to the intersection of rt.585 and Portage, turn left onto Rt.585, stay on rt. 585 til you get to rt. 57, turn left (N), you'll go under I-71 and when you do you'll know your getting close and you'll want to watch your speed as you get into the city limits of Medina. you'll want to turn right at the 2nd light (just after the fire station which is also on your right) I believe and take that into a residental neighborhood. you'll continue forward on that street and then you want to turn left at the next road which if your not carefull you'll miss the park entrance to Ohio's first DG course as this enterance is between 2 houses and is at the right elbow bend of the curve that you'll be in. turn right into the park, but if you miss that turn, you can always continue on that street til you get to Guilford. turn right, if you pass the RR tracks you've gone to far. and to get back to the nearest hwy after playing Medina. Go to Guilford, go over the tracks and follow this rtoad til it dumps you onto rt. 18. head east young man and that will take you to I-77 in which you can head up to Scoti's restuarant on E.185th in Cleveland, he has a basket in the back of his parking lot and the food is EXCELLENTE'.

my record is playing 9 courses in one day, and i've done it twice. Once in Chicago and once in Peria, Ilinois. So by starting Dover early you could possibly play 6 courses. Watch your speed in Dover as well.

[discNDav]

Tim, I'm looking forward to your reviews from your Ohio trip. Have you
posted them anywhere yet?

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I've posted 7 or 8 so far and have 8 or so to go. If you go to my profile and then jump to the Ohio area of my played list you can click the little paper icon to the left of the course name to check out my reviews.