Forest Hills was designed in 1960. Like most courses in that era, the holes basically run parallel to each other. The first hole is the most difficult on the course, a 440 yard par four that doglegs right. A slight dip short of the green will prevent balls from rolling onto the putting surface. It's one of the better holes here and in my opinion, Forest Hills' best holes all are doglegs.
The second hole is a solid par three from an elevated tee to a green protected by water and sand. The sixth is another fine par three hit slightly uphill to green fronted by sand. Both holes show the determination that the metroparks go thru to make a challenging course, especially when the predominate thinking is this is a beginners course.
Forest Hills has several Black River holes on it, and like Elyria, these holes are in the worst shape. You can definitely tell here how damaging some of the flooding has been. On four, they're building a new green. The one now is just mowed grass. Five is neatly placed in a cramp corner. Only 305 yards, the drive redefines the meaning of hitting thru a chute. A solid iron shot leaves a short club in to open green.
Nine is a nice ending par five. I'm not a big fan of trees smack in the middle of the fairway. The green is well placed with a swale short.
The back nine has three of the best holes on the course. Eleven is a dogleg right with a pond short of the green. Fifteen is a very nice dogleg left par four. The fairway needs to have some of the trees trimmed back. The approach is a memorable one. The Black River plays down the right, and the green is elevated along side it. Sixteen is the hole most people talk bout. It's a dogleg left where the player lays ups couple hundred yards off the tee before hitting the approach uphill.
I feel Forest Hills does a good job catering to the beginner as well as the advanced player. Lorain metroparks keeps it in good shape, and for the price point, it's a good value. I give it a 3 (average) rating.
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