Raintree has an interesting mix of holes. The property out by the interstate is modest in terrain so Huntley dug out a couple lakes to create interest. They're fine holes but nothing exciting. The wooded holes are much better and the ones that use the creek are the most memorable.
Ninth hole, 422/393 yards; Probably the best hole on the front, ten is a beautiful downhill par four whose green is set in the hill below the clubhouse. The green is two tiered and tilted towards the fairway. With traps guarding the right side and narrowing the approach, the golfer is faced with a tough second shot. A par is a well earned score.
Eleventh hole, 174/143 yards; With a creek fronting the lima shaped green, players are faced with precise shot. Any type of cut or fade that is not hit properly will end up in the water. Easily the best par three on the course.
Thirteenth hole, 471/425 yards; In my opinion the best hole on the golf course. It's downhill with the creek meandering across the fairway fifty yards short of the green. While a big drive can make this mid or long iron approach, the majority of players will be trying to just carry the creek and possibly run the ball onto the green. It's one of those half pars where a four picks up a stroke or wins the hole.
Fourteenth hole, 441/351 yards; The creek crosses the fairway and defines the left side as the hole doglegs with the curve of the hazard. From the back tees, it is as intimidating a shot as you'll encounter. It takes a big poke to reach the fairway. The green is then slotted along side the water in a diagonal shape. The player is torn tween challenging the water, or drawing the ball into the pin. Balls that don't draw will likely go over the green onto thin hard pan ground. It's a difficult up n down from there. Four is a great score.
Eighteenth hole, 554/526 yards; This is a creatively designed hole. While the conservative player can tack his way around the hazards for a good chance at par, the aggressive player is enticed to attack using the right fairway, thus cutting off a lot of yardage where the green is reachable with a well hit shot. I kinda wish the green was more classic, and maybe tilted towards the water so it was more receptive. Instead it's three tiered and two putting is quite a challenge when you re not on the correct level. It's not your typical ending par five, and birdie four is a great score!!
Golfstyles has rated this as one of Ohio's top 100 public courses. I can see it in the second half of that list. While I think the course is better than average, it would never come up on my list of places to play. I give it 4 (above average) rating. Too many mediocre holes.
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