Chippewa Golf Club

Chippewa is the type of golf club golfers want to play. It's in perfect shape, it's playable, and with the addition of several new tees, is as much as a challenge as anyone can want. Architecturally it has solid design principles, however, the three holes that stand out, or at least are the most talked about after the round, are affectionately called the "Bermuda Triangle" 14th, 15th, and 16th.

The front side plays to a par 35 and if youre looking to shoot a good score, then then you need to take advantage of the easy holes and opportunities on this nine. The golf is pretty simple here at Chippewa. The only holes worth mentioning is #2 and #7. Two is a redanish par three whose green slopes front right to back left. The green is uphill so the difficulty is gauging the proper place to land it for the bounce. Seven is a short par four. I think the options off the tee make it fun to play. Layup or drive it close, the second must be come in from the front angle to green. If you're coming in from the sides, it's hard to make the ball stop close to the hole. Good birdie opportunity.

The back nine is the tougher of the two sides, and besides the triangle, possesses a couple really nice holes. Ten is beautiful par five that sweeps across the hillside. It's such a fun shot trying to turn the ball over to take advantage of the slope leading to the green. The par three twelfth has a long but narrow green. The severe slope places an emphasis on hitting the putting surface or else the golfer has a very difficult up n down to save par. With a width of only 15 - 20 yards, it's an elusive target to hit, especially if there's any type of wind. It's one of my favorite par 3 s anywhere.

Finally we get to the triangle, the three hole stretch that defines Chippewa. All three holes are very difficult par fours whose greens are large but unpinnable except for the back tiers. Thus the first 2/3s are simply false fronts, with the pins more or less always being in the rear. I know there's been talk of redoing the greens, but I haven't seen or heard of anything yet. The 14th is a demanding par four of 429 yards. Most of the fairway slopes off to the right. The best position is the left side where a level stance can be found, otherwise it's a sidehill, downhill lie uphill to the green. The 438 yard 15th is in my opinion the most picturesque hole on the course. Wildflowers sweep down the hillside as the player hits his tee shot. Another incredibly slopes green plays two clubs longer from the fairway. It's very difficult to get on the rear tier. The 16th is the longest hole in this stretch, playing 449 yards. The tee shot plays out to a downslope that runs all the way to the water. Most players hit off a downhill lie to an uphill green. It's the least sloped green which makes up for the very difficult second shot. This stretch is the key to any round at Chippewa. Play well here, and you have a chance to post a good score.

Chippewa has been a mainstay in many of the golf associations of northeast Ohio. The work management has put into the course has made it one the most popular in the area, especially the conditioning which is second to none. This course has grown on me over the years and I find myself looking forward to it every time I play it. 5 (good rating)

I would be remiss if I didn't mention two of Chippewa 's best features. It has a stocked pro shop that is one of the areas finest and an excellent grill which makes getting to the course early a good idea with a delicious breakfast. Little things like this add to a courses ambiance. Count me as a fan.

beginning of triangle par 4 14th

Note where the golfer is in fairway is sidehill lie.

The preferred angle is twenty yards right of him where a level stance is found.

par 4 15th

I love the wildflowers cascading down the hillside

View looking towards tee from 15 green

Par 4 16th

Note downslope in fairway makes difficult uphill shot

Par 4 5th

Wish the christmas trees were eliminated

Beautiful sweeping par 5 10th

Pic doesnt do it justice unfortunately

One of my favorite par 3s.

I was unable to get the preferred pic I wanted.

Note how narrow the green is.

Difficult chips when missing shot left or right.

Sugar Bush Golf Club

I didn't break 100 the first time I played Sugar Bush. Nor the second...or third times either. Sugar Bush is a course that demands all the shots. It's usually in great shape and the greens are plenty fast. Harold Paddock designed it in 1965 and it's arguably his best golf course.

As you drive out to Sugar Bush, the rolling hills of Portage county give you a glimpse into what's to come..... sweeping vistas of rumpled land, creek filled valleys, and skyline ridges. The topography was absolutely made for golf! And the first hole shows off the lands attributes right from the start. One is a reachable par five that makes the long hitter contemplate the hazards protecting the elevated green, woods left, OB right, and long grass short. The shorter hitter has a decision too. Should he layup to the creek? Or carry it for a short pitch shot? The second is a lovely par three in an amphitheater of trees. I witnessed a hole in one that bounced off the hill and into the hole. A few years ago the green was extended further right and it's an incredibly difficult pin to get close to.

The par fours at Sugar Bush really excel and are the main reason why it's such a challenging golf course. The third hole is an excellent example. It's 433 yards that requires a good drive from an elevated tee followed by a long approach up the hill to an elevated green. It's such a great hole that Paddock didn't even need a sand trap to help protect it. The seventh is 450 yards. A creek crosses the fairway bout 100 yards from the green before protecting the right side. Any shot leaked to the right will quickly lead to double bogey. The ninth at 440 yards is just a tad easier since a draw can take the slope and gain a few extra yards off the tee. The green falls away on the sides so the approach must be straight. The putting surface is flattish so birdie can be made with a good approach.

While the front nine is the power side with many long shots required to score well, the back nine is mostly bout finesse. The 185 yard tenth starts it off. The green slopes hard to the right and the player who can hit it underneath the hole has a good chance to make a three. The Mickey Mouse hole, named after the bunker short of the green, is just a short iron approach but the first half of the green is basically a false front so it's precision shot to get it on the back level. 400 yard twelfth is precision squared. A tight fairway leads to a slightly elevated green benched into the hill. Severely pitched to front, the approach must come from the fairway , otherwise the ball rolls to the rear where a two putt is not likely.

If there's any weakness to Sugar Bush, it's the last four holes, and specifically the par fives. There's nothing wrong with them, but they are short and can give up four straight birdies to end the round. Fifteen is a beautiful par five but the long hitter can get there with a long to mid iron. Sixteen is only bout 300 yards but it's skyline green is 30 feet above the fairway and it has a fiercely sloped green. It's a great example how tough a well designed short par four can be. Seventeen is par four posing as a par five. Finally eighteen is a gorgeous downhill par four. I holed out a 7iron for eagle to break 80 for the first time here. The green is well trapped in front so the player should take a half club more for approach.

Sugar Bush is chocked full of really good holes that I didn't comment on. There's the dangerous par 3 fifth playing 200 yards slightly downhill. No bailout as the green slopes to the front left as a ravine guards the left, meaning a chip from the right is difficult to get close. Six is 371 yards with the creek protecting the entire right side. The uphill approach on thirteen with its sloped to right green. The fourteenth has a severe back to front green for its 180 yard par three shot. It's just a very good golf course! I wouldn't hesitate to take anyone out to play it. I think it is one of top 25 courses in the state. (6 rating)

the beautiful par 4 18th hole

the risk reward par 5 opening hole

par 4 3rd hole

the dangerous par 3 4th hole

note: right of this pic is tree filled ravine (golfers left)

the 450 par 4 7th

the creek seen in photo guards the right side of the green

Par 3 10th

heavily sloped left to right green (tough to see in photo)

second shot on par 5 15th