Ironwood Golf Course (Hinkley OH)

Ironwood was designed in 1968 by my favorite local architect Harold Paddock. Having designed Hinkley Hills, which is less than a mile down the street, Harold was familiar with the topography and the challenges encountered with such hilly terrain. 

Ironwwood is situated atop a long ridge and as it goes downhill to the valley, a gulch transverses the property. Paddock made great use of this feature by using the par threes to bridge the top to the bottom. So two and eleven are downhill par threes while six and seventeen are uphill par threes. They're some of the best holes on the course. They offer some great views too. 

Now the best stretch of holes is on the back, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen. Fourteen plays straightaway with a double green switching up the challenge for the approach. The upper green is small and elevated with OB just a few yards to the right. The lower green is next to the pond. Fifteen is shorter than fourteen but the tee shot must be hit straight and short of the creek. The approach is then uphill to another small green. It plays two or three clubs longer on the approach. Sixteen is the best of the bunch. The ball should be placed on left half of the fairway since the right half slopes off into the rough. The green is set in the woods on a ledge. It's a very nice hole. 

Ironwood's biggest issue is the uphill holes. They can be slogs, no doubt about it. Paddock did a good in limiting the amount of uphill holes. Seven and eighteen are both par fives in the 470 range that play uphill. They're kinda dull and the challenge is limited. The other issue is the creek in the valley. Should it flood then those holes take a beating. 

Harold Paddovk did a nice job with Ironwood. The clubhouse sits at the very top and affords really beautiful views of the country side. Hinkley is know for its ruggedness and so Ironwood fits right in. I give it a 3(average) rating. The leagues and the locals appreciate it and it's one of the better courses in that part of town.