Shale Creek (Medina, OH)

I drove by several golf courses on my way to Shale Creek. Weymouth, Pleasant Valley, and Bunker Hill are all on the same road, leaving any doubt to the rapid growth of medina. Shale Creek however has a strong advantage compared to these other courses. It has an expansive beautiful clubhouse, spacious driving range and a well conditioned course.

Brian Huntley designed Shale Creek in 2006 for Granite Properties. Rocky River runs thru a section of the land otherwise it is mostly farm land. You know you're in farm country when you see a sign that says "manure for sale here".

Shale Creek starts off with a very approachable short par four. Plenty of room to hit the ball from the tee with water down the right to keep you honest. Much of the golf course is like this hole. The course is playable but there's spots where a big score can be made. 3, 4, and 5 are the best holes on the front. Three is a good par five with water on the right. Traps set at good yardages squeeze the second and third shots for those shying away from the hazard. Four is a dogleg par four. A trap thirty yards short of the green is key here. It hides the putting surface yet releases the ball to the front pin locations. Five is a nice par three placed tween a creek left and sand right.

The back nine is shoehorned in my opinion. Huntley tried to incorporate the river in as many holes as he could and the result is mixed. Ten would be a good hole if the fairway was wider. If you re laying up then you re hitting to the narrowest part. Eleven is a nice par three. Great views of Rocky River and the elevated green is a challenge to hit. The left pin position demands an excellent shot. Twelve doesn't really have the river in play. It's a sharp dogleg right. Bunkers on the inside turn. It's a really tough driving hole. Fourteen is a good par five along the river. Too bad the tees weren't on the other side so you can drive over the water.

Shale Creek ends with a strong par four. A creek cuts across the fairway and goes down the right side. The closer you play towards the water, the shorter the second shot. The approach is uphill but it's accessible in the front. Its my favorite hole here.

I know this is the favorite of most guys living on the west side. They just built the clubhouse and it's popular place. I just don't find Shale Creek that interesting. I think there's too many bland shots. However, that might be the appeal of the place. Guys shoot good scores here. But if I only live forty minutes away, and don't go out of my way to play here, then how can I talk this place up? Truthfully, it's a 4 (above average) course.