Signature of Solon (Solon OH)

Golf is on the decline and has been for several years. There are many reasons why, including it takes to long, too expensive, and too difficult. Signature of Solon is the definition of these reasons. Forced carries on over half the holes, water hazards or OB on every hole, lack of width and a lack of ability to accommodate a wide variety of playing ability makes me scratch my head as to why anyone would want to be a member here. It actually reminded me of Blue Huron in Medina which was a public course that went out of business because it was way over the top in difficulty. Yes these type of courses are beautiful, but when there is a potential to lose a half dozen balls or more, then the cost of a round just goes up with every bad swing. There are people who believe that is a sign of a good golf course, but I am not one of them, and I vehemently oppose that style. Recovery is the most fun shot in the game, a principle that romanticizes the fact that any bad shot can be salvaged into a par. OB and water hazards are the exact opposite of that principle. 

Playing Signature means, to me, knowing when to hit driver, and knowing when to club down to keep the ball in play. On many holes clubbing down is the smart decision especially since the greens are larger and can accommodate a longer club. Number four is a perfect example. It's a par five called "double carry". The drive must be perfect as you carry the cattails with OB both left and right, but not hit too far to go into the second marsh of cattails that will be needed to be carried on the second shot. (A high handicapper can lose a sleeve on this hole alone.) Pull off the first two shots and the third is just a short iron in. 

The par threes are the highlight in my opinion. Three is a solid hole where the left half of the green is protected by wetlands while the right side offers a chance to bailout. Eight is a long one-shotter that has a great green. There's several pinning locations that terrace up to the rear. This is my favorite hole on the front. Eleven is called "the knoll" and is very well designed classical hole. A large knoll with a trap in it dominates the view from the tee, and a shot that carries it can have a good chance for a birdie. As the pin gets closer to the front edge of the green, the difficulty of the tee shot increases. It might be the most fun shot on the course. Fifteen is the weakest hole in the quartet as it basically is all carry over the cattails to the green. There is room to miss short but not on the sides. 

Signature of Solon was designed in 2002 which makes it, I believe, the newest country club in northeast ohio. It's right across the street from Solon's municipal course Grantwood, and is the centerpiece of the upscale residential community. Someone should tell all the locals teeing off at the muni that they're playing the best course in Solon. I give Signature a 2 rating (below average).