Disc-laimer: All comments in this review are my personal opinion. I have not talked to the course designer or the Dayton club about the installation of this course.
We played long (blue) tees to pin A placements, according to the course designer that's where the baskets will stay all winter. I throw RHBH.
This course is Dayton, Ohio's answer to Idlewild. It's located on good land and as tough as Idlewild. The tees are the best they can be, the tee signs are great. (See cons).
The course is new but while walking the round it looks as though it's been installed for years. (See cons). Nice bridges and pathways. Great signage to make sure you know where to go for your next hole. The paths are worn well. You can tell a lot of work has been done to this area to get it ready for the golf course.
#1 is challenging but fair,
#2 needs the fairway opened from the long tee, too much luck involved at this point but a great design if cleared.
3 & 4 are fair as is.
5 is no problem.
#6 is a very nice turn over shot with the basket next to the creek that runs along side the fairway. More clearing is needed here.
#7 I'll pass on, must have been a bad hole for me, I can't recall the fairway.
#8 has a bridge to the tee, leave your bag at the entrance to the bridge and take something that will turn over 220' for you. The tricky part about this great hole is you throw diagonally across the water. Most of the 220' is over water with limbs on your right, turn over too soon and it will be wet.
#9 has a great 1st layup shot, but make sure you get it across the creek that you don't see unless you walk up the fairway first. Your second (third and forth
) shot are long, thru the trees luck shots with the basket on top a thin mound. I think the pin placement on this hole is unfair. If you miss your putt it will roll down the 6'+ hill, and maybe into OB. I would hope after snaking your way thru all the trees to get close for a putt, a player would not have to deal with more luck. Great hole but put the basket some where else or give the top of the mound more flat surface.
#10. Again the hidden creek comes into play at about 225'. I walked up to this tee and said, I'll just throw two 250' shots. That's what I did and got a 3.
#11 gives you 2-3 options, which is great but all the options need cleared out more.
#12...long walk from 11, something Dayton seems to do with their courses. This is a double mando which is something I prefer not to see. But in this case it makes perfect sense and is the shot you should throw anyway.
#13, long walk again. This long tee is shared with #4's long tee. Good design imo, but the drive off the tee is a luck shot. Big hyzer shot that needs cleared out. The design is good though.
#14, 15,16 & 17...now I'm getting tired and played these holes badly. Like most holes they have good designs but more clearing would make it a 5 rating.
#18. A great downhill shot but again too much luck. Clear out some of the trees to make this fair and it's a great finishing hole.
This is definitely a course to add to your calender.