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...
