10 Best Golf Courses in Cleveland

Mature trees line the Boulder Creek Golf Club’s 200 acres of varied terrain, and golfers will experience more than 100 ft of elevation changes on their traditional 18-hole public course. Golf Digest has given the course of 4.5-star rating, and in 2003 named it the 8th best new public course in America.

Boulder Creek’s signature hole is the par-3 17th, which features an island green that’s particularly attractive. Reviews rave about the well-maintained and affordable green fees, and we’re sure you’ll agree. The club also has a driving range, putting green, and 2 chipping greens with sand and grass bunkers. If you’re lucky enough to visit in the fall, the colors will make your game extra scenic.

Manakiki Golf Course was built in a maple forest, and those majestic trees line the fairways of the entire course. Designed by renowned architect Donald Ross, it’s known for its terrific views and challenging play for golfers of all skill levels.

Follow in the footsteps of golf great Julius Boros, who won a PGA event at the course in 1954, when hole No. 8 was considered one of the tougher par-4s on the Tour. The 15th hole is a memorable par-3, and the 9th and 18th holes are mirror-image canyon holed. After an enjoyable game head to the elegant clubhouse, situated inside a renovated mansion.  

Designed and opened in 1957, Pine Hills Golf Club provides a picturesque and challenging layout for golfers of all levels. The course makes great use of the surrounding environment, from forests and ravines to lakes and creeks. It expertly combines gorgeous natural scenery with tricky shots.

Try your hand at the 4th hole, which is a downhill par-3 that plays 215 yards from the back tees and has a creek flowing in front of the green. The club’s signature hole is No. 18, which is a demanding par-4 that requires most golfers to hit a second shot over water. To up your game, use the Trackman Simulators at the clubhouse, or book virtual golf lessons through the pro shop.

Sleepy Hollow Golf Club originally opened in 1924 as a private country club but has welcomed public players since 1963. Designed by Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Stanley Thompson, the course boasts a classic “out-and-in” layout. The early holes on the front 9 play downhill and typically with the wind. Alternatively, many of the incoming holes play uphill and into the wind.

Sleepy Hollow's sloped greens can be difficult and the numerous bunkers on the course provide a thrilling challenge. The lengthy par-3 second hole will mean most golfers consider making a driver tee shot. Later holes require a risk or 2, but you’ll find that the rewards are plentiful.

Opened in 1992 on 120 acres of undulating hills and woodlands, Brookledge Golf Club’s course was designed by Arthur Hills. He was an Ohio native who designed more than 200 golf courses around the world. Brookledge started as a backyard farm course in 1941, but it has seen numerous improvements over the years that have made it one of Ohio’s best. 

The fairways reward accuracy, especially on holes 16 and 17. The Brookledge Academy and Practice Range features more than 200 grass tee areas, a putting green and chipping area, and 5 target greens. The clubhouse’s veranda overlooks the 18th hole so you can enjoy post-game snacks and drinks with a stellar view.

Bunker Hill Golf Course sits on acreage that was known as Bunker Hill Farm until 1927. Since that time, the area has seen a series of improvements that have resulted in a fantastic golf course with rolling hills, ponds, creeks, and well-maintained fairways. Bunker Hill’s casual atmosphere and friendly staff will ensure your game is as memorable as possible.

The greens are known to be fast, so golfers will need to dial in their putting during their round. State-of-the-art indoor simulators are available during the offseason, which not only include reproductions of iconic courses but also arcade-style games to play with family and friends.

It may have only opened in 2000, but it didn’t take long for Little Mountain Country Club to earn its reputation as one of the top courses in Cleveland. In fact, Golf Digest gave the course a 5-star ranking in 2006. Built on mature wooded grounds, the course features plenty of lush bunkers and pretty views of Lake Erie.

The rolling hills might look beautiful, but they still contain a few troubling areas that strategic golfers will want to avoid. The greens are generous, which allows average players to score well and have a fun game. Top tip: watch out for the greens that have a rise in the middle, meaning the rear half slopes away from you.

Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club is a par-71 course set on rolling fairways lined with towering trees. Golfers will hit most, if not all, of the clubs in their bags as they make their way through a mixture of left and right doglegs, stream crossings, ponds, and sand and grass bunkers.

The par-5 18th hole is the signature hole at Ellsworth Meadows, and it’s a microcosm of all the course has to offer: trees, water, hills, and lush scenery. The course boasts an expansive practice facility with a 300-yard driving range, 6 target greens, 2 practice greens for both chipping and putting, and a practice sand bunker.

Believed to be Ohio’s most-played golf course, Big Met Golf Course has hosted more than 6 million rounds of golf since it opened in 1926. One of the more distinctive aspects of this well-loved course is the dike that helps hold back the Rocky River. It can be seen from several vantage points on the course, providing a lovely backdrop to your game.

Big Met has seen numerous improvements over the years, including lengthening holes, and a computerized irrigation system and flood control. After all these years it remains an immensely playable course and has become a favorite of many. End an enjoyable afternoon with a drink at the Grille or a hike along the trailhead.