each hole. The variety of angles and slopes makes this both playable and enjoyable.
The third hole is a good example of the playability here. The hole doglegs right with a group of traps guarding the elbow. Most pin positions are accessible by driving down the left and hitting a longer approach shot. Aggressive players can challenge the traps and drive the ball up close to the green. Conservative shots laid up to traps take pressure off the tee but leave semi blind approaches.
The fourth hole is an excellent par five that requires three well played shots. The hole doglegs left so the tee shot should be kept middle to right center off tee. A creek guards the right side making this an unnerving shot. Players that go down the left will need to either layup to 175 yards or try to draw it hard to get more yardage. The creek is still on the right so an aggressive shot can find it. The elevated two tier green is the final step. Back pins are especially difficult to get close.
The "cliff hole" fifth is a lovely short par four. The second shot is downhill over a cliff to the green forty feet below. Six is another short par four that doglegs left with a trap in the elbow. If you can carry the sand, then there s a chance to drive the green. Plenty of options off the tee to setup a favorable pitch.
The final three holes finish the front in style. Seven is the most difficult hole on the course. This 470 yard par four doglegs right before dropping downhill to the green. The eighth is a beautiful par three framed by native grass. The four tier green has several great pin locations. The ninth is a dogleg right that plays to a natural amphitheater. The right green side bunker does a good job of protecting it.
The back nine continues with a couple mid length par fours but it really starts to shine at the twelfth. This short par four uses the terrain perfectly. The fairway rises slightly before cresting and sliding downhill to creek. The green is above the creek on the hill. Drives not in the fairway make the creek a real concern for the approach.
The next three holes are scoring opportunities. Thirteen is a reachable par five. The drive is the only real threat with trees left and right. The fourteenth is another excellent short par four. It's all downhill to the creek which fronts the green. Players can layup with an iron or hit all the way to the flat short of the hazard. Of course the longest hitters have the
option of driving the green. Fifteen is a downhill par three. It's well bunkered with some fun pin positions tucked behind the traps.
The course ends with a 5-3-4 finish. Sixteen is tough par five that I've only once seen reached in two. Normally you ll be fighting uphill to set up a decent third shot across the valley. The green has a prominent lower bowl in the front left that influences all the shots regardless of where the pin is. Seventeen goes downhill where the green slopes away from the golfer. Hit it short and let the ball funnel to the hole. Finally eighteen is a bruiser of a par four with a big dogleg to the left. Long hitters can blow it over the elbow and hit a mid to short iron. Otherwise the play is just inside the 200 yard marker for a longish approach.
Hawks Nest is one of the top 20 public courses in the state. The pictures don't really convey how good the strategy is to score well here. A huge plus is the location. It's out in the middle of nowhere so it's a pure golfing experience. A six rating (6) really puts this as a one of the top courses in NE Ohio.
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