Cleveland legend – and bridge namesake – Bob Hope once said, “If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.”
You can’t loft a Titleist in this town without hitting one great course or another. It doesn’t matter if it’s public or private, you’re going to enjoy the lush greenery, rolling hills and course designs that run the gamut from scratch golfer challenge to duffer’s delight. Whichever you choose, there will definitely be plenty of hot dogs at the turn and cold brews in the clubhouse.
Check out five of Cleveland’s finest golf courses for your next outing in The Land.
The semi-private Highland Heights course more than lives up to its name. Water hazards abound and sand traps jealously guard every green. But never fear, newbies: a wide variety of tee boxes accommodate any skill level.
No Headless Horseman here — just jaw-dropping views of the Cuyahoga River Valley and a stern challenge on the links. Located in the Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation, this pristinely maintained course was named one of Ohio’s best by Golfweek.
Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, this Chesterland showstopper earns rave reviews for its course layout and variety. Also a Golfweek-ranked course, its three nine-hole circuits — Lake, River, and Maple — each pose a unique challenge.
Conquer these notoriously fast greens, and you just might unleash a Tiger Woods-style fist pump. The Hinckley course saves its best for last with a signature 18th hole that’s considered among the best finishers in Ohio.
Welcome to the best of both worlds. The front “Creek Nine” boasts a traditional Northern aesthetic, featuring holes tucked alongside the namesake creek. After the turn, the “Lake Nine” is all Carolinas, complete with picturesque weeping willows framing the action.