
No matter which corner of Ohio you call home, you're likely to have a great public golf course located close to your front door. Ohio has a long tradition of outstanding golf, with a variety of PGA Tour events happening in the state every year and several inviting courses for golfers of all experience levels. Best of all, you won't need a membership to play at some of the most enjoyable public courses in Columbus, Cincinnati, Northeast Ohio, and beyond. With golf season around the corner, now is the perfect time to find your new favorite course with our list of nine of the best public golf courses around Ohio.
5650 Quarry Lake Dr., Canton, OH 44730
Start your tour of Northeast Ohio golf courses with a trip to The Quarry Golf Club & Venue, which was built on a historic quarry and features some of the most stunning scenery that you'll find on any golf course in Ohio. With towering cliffs, large water features, tree-lined fairways, and scenic streams winding throughout the course, you're sure to love the views from the tee box. The 18-hole layout here is challenging but accessible, with unique course design thanks to the quarry setting. You will also find a full pro shop, an inviting clubhouse, and a great place to grab a bite after your round at the Granite Grille.
294 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd., Akron, OH 44319
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Established in 1925, Turkeyfoot Lake Golf Links has been providing an outstanding golf experience to Akron residents for nearly a century, with a 27-hole layout that will appeal to golfer of all experience levels. This is a great place to play if you're new to the game, with multiple PGA Golf Professionals available for lessons every day. Enjoy a quick 9 holes, play a full 18, or make it a marathon and play all 27 holes. The course includes challenging water features, tight, tree-lined fairways, and well-manicured greens.
5420 Wolff Rd., Medina, OH 44256
With a 4.5 star rating from Golf Advisor and a reputation for excellence, Shale Creek Golf Club is a public course with all of the trappings of a private club. The 18-hole course, surrounded by woods and water features, is as scenic as it is challenging. There's great dining on-site for unwinding after your round, whether you're playing in a league or hitting the links with a few friends. Thinking of starting your own golf league? Shale Creek Golf Club can help, with league slots available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons.
1900 N. Wilson Rd., Columbus, OH 43228
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In the mood for a golf outing, but don't have time to play a full 18 holes? Wilson Road Golf Course has you covered, with a 9-hole, executive golf course that's perfect for a round after work or on a weekend morning. It's a great place to visit if you're new to the game or want to teach your kids how to play golf. There are also leagues for all ages – kids included – where you can enjoy great golf and make some new friends in the process.
3900 Westerville Rd., Columbus, OH 43224
Champions Golf Course is a long-time Columbus favorite and is part of an excellent collection of courses maintained by the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. The course was designed by famed golf course architect Robert Trent Jones and is known as one of the most challenging public golf courses in the area. Stop at the driving range before your round to sharpen your skills, and grab some new gear from the pro shop. Champions Golf Course also has an expansive new 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, which includes a grill room and banquet space.
1145 Clubhouse Ln., Pickerington, OH 43147
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Named after one of the most famous, historic golf courses in Europe, Turnberry Golf Course provides an exciting, links-style layout that you won't have to travel across the Atlantic to enjoy. This 18-hole course is filled with rolling hills, high fescue grass in the rough, large fairways, and tight greens that reward excellent approach shots. While it's quite a challenging course to play from the back tees, there are five different tees that make the course enjoyable and approachable even if you're brand new to the game.
Cincinnati
4040 Cooper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241
Blue Ash Golf Course is one of best public golf courses in Cincinnati and has been rated as one of the top 75 municipal golf courses in the country by Golf Digest. If you're looking for a challenge, then you're sure to find it at this championship-style layout. The course is always beautifully maintained, and is open year-round weather permitting. After your round, stop by the Sandtrap Grill for some delicious seafood, steaks, and all of your favorite drinks.
1831 Hudepohl Ln., Cincinnati, OH 45231
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Searching for a local golf course that the whole family can enjoy? Beech Creek Golf Course features an 18-hole layout that's perfect for introducing kids and new players to golf in a fun yet challenging setting. Play the full 18 holes including the more challenging front 9, or simply play the back 9 for a quick round with the family. The pro shop is the perfect place to stock up on supplies before you enjoy a round of golf, while the bar & grill has everything you need to recharge while discussing your latest round with your group.
10965 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45246
When you're in the mood for a long, enjoyable round of golf, be sure to check out the 27-hole Glenview Golf Course, where you can pick your favorite 18 holes to play from three unique 9-hole layouts. It's also a great place to work on your game, with expansive practice facilities and expert instruction available. Glenview Golf Club offers extensive junior golf programs where kids of all ages can learn about and fall in love with the game.
Ohio golf courses are the perfect places to stretch your legs and enjoy some outdoor fun throughout the spring, summer, and fall this year. With so many outstanding courses to choose from, your Ohio golf journey is only just beginning.
When it comes to world records, Ohio is an old pro. Our incredible state is full of famous record holders—including many of the "World's Largest Things". We have everything from the world's largest cornfield to the biggest set of drumsticks, each with their own interesting story.
We rounded up some of our favorite unique "Biggest Things" in Ohio. Whether you're looking for quirky stops to put on your next road trip or want to learn more about our state's wacky side, you'll find something that'll pique your interest!
Click the city link accompanying each destination to see its location and photos taken by curious visitors.
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This Cleveland landmark, which was originally commissioned by Standard Oil of Ohio (now Amoco), stands 28 feet tall and 48 feet long. The massive sculpture has the word "Free" written across the bottom to commemorate the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, which honors soldiers from the Civil War and freedom from slavery. Today, you can find it in Willard Park in Downtown Cleveland!
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The Field of Giant Cobs, or "Cornhenge", is located in Dublin, Ohio and features 109, people-sized ears of concrete corn in an eclectic art display. The installation was created as a salute to Sam Frantz, former Dublin farmer, who worked on developing hybrid corn seeds with Ohio State University from 1935 to 1963 on the very land where the large sculptures now reside.
You can find the world's largest washboard hanging on the side of the Columbus Washboard Company building in Logan. If you can, we recommend taking a tour of the factory, where you can watch them make washboards and other antique equipment. And that giant washboard isn't the only thing Logan is known for; they also host the annual Washboard Fest. At "Ohio's Most Unique Festival" clothes are hung out across the street in lieu of banners, you can listen to local artists perform, enjoy tasty treats from food vendors and participate in the parade!View this post on Instagram
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On the outskirts of Napoleon, at the side of the Campbell's Soup plant, you'll find an enormous soup can adorned with a traditional Campbell's label. There's a small gravel spot where you can pull over, take a photo and, according to visitors, actually enjoy the smell of soup wafting through the air!
Cleveland's Playhouse Square is the largest theater district in the country outside of New York City's Lincoln Center, hosting thousands of fantastic shows and performances each year. But the dazzling events aren't the only thing huge about this neighborhood—it also happens to be home to the world's largest outdoor chandelier. The already iconic fixture was installed in 2014 and holds over 4,200 acrylic crystals.View this post on Instagram
This massive hammer of justice is located in front of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center in Columbus. The 30-foot long gavel was created by artist Andrew Scott in 2008 to honor the Ohio Supreme Court and is settled on top of a large reflecting pool.View this post on Instagram
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Trolls are all the rage right now and there's no better place to be a troll enthusiast than the Troll Hole Museum. This Alliance treasure boasts more than 20,000 troll items—including a Guinness World Record troll collection. Here, you can learn everything about trolls, from ancient mythology to the modern dolls in pop culture that we have grown to know and love.
The city of Newark is home to a lot of baskets thanks to Longaberger Basket Company, which unfortunately went out of business in 2018. The world's largest basket, a seven-story structure that was created to replicate Longaberger's popular Medium Market Basket, was used to house the company's headquarters. You can still drive by the iconic building along with several of its sisters—including the world's largest apple basket and the house-sized picnic basket in nearby Dresden.View this post on Instagram
Photo courtesy of Pins Mechanical Company
The world record for the largest ping pong paddle is held by Pins Mechanical Company in Columbus. The 12-foot long behemoth is located next to one of the ping pong tables in this eclectic arcade-bar. Along with ping pong, Pins Mechanical also offers plenty of pinball machines, duckpin bowling, outdoor Jenga, and, of course, a great selection of food and drinks.
Pin Mechanical isn't the only bar in Ohio to have its own world record—Proto Build Bar in Dayton lays claim to the world's largest claw machine. This unique establishment is part 3D printing lab, part electronic maker space and part café. You can play the massive claw machine, design your own model at one of the many 3D printers around the space, or just sit with a cup of warm espresso while you watch others create!View this post on Instagram
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The largest geode in the world is a cave located in Put-in-Bay, 40 feet underneath Heineman's Winery. The winery discovered the cave, aptly named "Crystal Cave", when workers were attempting to dig a well on their property in 1897. Thanks to the cave, which is full of massive crystals that reach up to 18 inches long, the family-run winery was saved from demise during Prohibition. You can visit it today to see the incredible crystals (and to do some wine tasting) seven days a week, May through September.
The world's largest loaf of bread is located in Urbana. While it's not edible, it's still definitely worth a trip. The structure was constructed out of fiberglass and steel and can be found near the loading dock of the Bundy Baking Museum and Factory. The age and origin of the loaf are unknown and because it's pretty hard to find, it has become something of an urban (or should we say Urbana?) legend to locals.View this post on Instagram
Unbeknownst to many, David Grohl, the former drummer for Nirvana and the frontman for the Foo Fighters, was born in Warren, Ohio. While he isn't a lifelong resident, he did call the small town home for a while when he was a child. Former local police officer, Joe O'Grady wanted to encourage the young people in the community of Warren with the success story of David Grohl. He accomplished this by cleaning up a decrepit alley and giving local artists a place to showcase their work. The area became known as "David Grohl Alley" and features sculptures and murals dedicated to Grohl created by local artists—including the world's largest drumsticks, each of which weighs close to 900 pounds.View this post on Instagram
It's no secret that we adore Ohio's Amish country. There are so many delicious farm-to-table restaurants, hospitable inns and interesting things to see—including the world's largest horse and buggy! This quirky art installment is made completely out of 2x4s and is a total of 32 feet long and 14 feet tall. The sculpture is located in front of an Amish-style bulk grocery store, Beyond Measure Market.View this post on Instagram
We can't think of a better place for a massive pumpkin water tower than in Circleville, a city famous for its annual pumpkin festival. The Circleville Pumpkin Show is always completely free to attend and features a giant pumpkin weigh-in, a pumpkin pie auction, several parades, a Little Miss Pumpkin Show, fantastic live music, delicious fair food and so much more.View this post on Instagram
Photo courtesy of the Blue Tip Festival
The world's largest matchstick is erected one week a year, with a flaming torch head, as part of Wadsworth, Ohio's annual Blue Tip Festival. The festival was created to celebrate the town's former top employer: the Ohio Match Company. The company helped move Wadsworth from a coal mining town to an industrial community, opening up a factory in the area to make their famous "Ohio Blue Tip" strike-anywhere matches. While the corporation closed in the 1980s, the festival lives on, with the 17-foot-tall match being ceremoniously lit during the annual Blue Tip Parade.
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