What Is the Number One Golf Course in Cleveland?

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With its gently rolling terrain and beautiful scenery, Cleveland is a top destination for golfers in the state of Ohio. Cleveland’s golf scene has a fine selection and a wide variety of courses that are suitable for beginners and experts alike.

So, what is the number one rated golf course in Cleveland?

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course makes it to the top of golf courses in Cleveland. It was ranked the 13th best municipal golf course in America by GOLF Magazine in 2021 and was named one of the top five courses you can play in Ohio by Golfweek.

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course

With its championship-level course and country club conditions, it’s no wonder that Sleepy Hollow Golf Course is a Cleveland classic. Located in the suburb of Brecksville, the golf course has scenic views of the Cuyahoga River Valley.

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course is one of eight courses operated by the Cleveland Metroparks Department. It was originally a country club that was opened in 1924 and became a public golf course by the year 1963.

The golf course is designed by a well-known golf architect, Stanley Thompson, who is a member of the Royal Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. The course at Sleepy Hollow is set up as a classic “out and in” design.

The fairways are narrow and the course has a range of wide-open long holes to challenging, tight shot-making holes. The golf course features one of the more challenging and toughest par threes in the Northeast Ohio area.

As a top-rated golf course, it has more than 60 bunkers and trees, a lush, rolling course, gentle valleys with ridges and deep ravines. The greens are fast and challenging on many holes and the course has nice elevation changes.

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course has plenty of amenities such as a large driving range, golf club rental, golf lessons, power and hand cart rental, putting greens, shower service, shops, and a classy, wood-paneled clubhouse.

The golf course has been the site of events such as the USGA championship qualifying event and the Greater Cleveland Amateur Championship which happens every other year. Sleepy Hollow Golf Course is overall a challenging course with picturesque views and scenery.

How Much Are the Greens Fees at Sleepy Hollow?

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course provides great value with the greens fees for the 9-hole course ranging from $19 to $22 on the weekdays and $19 to $27 on the weekends.

For 18-holes, the weekday rate is $34 to $38 and $34 to $44 on the weekends or holidays.

How Many Holes Are There at Sleepy Hollow?

The Sleepy Hollow Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course.

The playing time at this golf course for 9 holes is 2 1/4 hours and for 18 holes, it is 4 1/2 hours. This gives you about 15 minutes per hole.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Go?

Fall is a good time to play golf at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course. There are spectacular views at this golf course during this time of the year.

The thousands of trees create a stunning backdrop to many of the holes in this course. Sleepy Hollow is in excellent shape in the fall with cooler weather and less traffic on the golf course.

10 Other Awesome Golf Courses in the Cleveland Area

1. Boulder Creek Golf Club

Located in Streetsboro, Boulder Creek Golf Club is one of the longest courses in Cleveland. The 18-hole golf course is sprawled into 200 acres of land.

The golf course is in good condition with multiple waterfalls and breathtaking scenery. It has bentgrass greens, fairways, tee boxes, and many boulders on the site.

Boulder Creek Golf Club has challenging holes for golfers of any skill level.

2. Manakiki Golf Course

Manakiki Golf Course is just 17 miles from downtown Cleveland. With 200 acres of land, the unique course is located in Willoughby and is operated by Cleveland Metroparks.

Named the 27th best municipal golf course in America by GOLF Magazine, the elegant and championship-level public course has maple-lined fairways and elevated tees and greens.

Its clubhouse is historic as it was once a summer estate of a Cleveland industrialist. The Donald Ross-designed golf course has challenges that include water hazards, doglegs, back-to-back par 5s, up-and-down shots, two canyon holes, and water obstacles.

3. Fowler’s Mill Golf Club

A scenic course with rolling hills and great conditions, the 30-minute drive from downtown Cleveland to Fowler’s Mill Golf Club is definitely worth it.

It was called the “Best Public Course in the State of Ohio” by Golfweek in 2016 and 2017. Fowler’s Mill Golf Club has top-rated 18 holes that were designed by Pete Dye.

4. Windmill Lakes Golf Club

Opened in 1970, Windmill Lakes Golf Club is consistently ranked among the most prestigious courses in the state and earned the number one spot from the National Golf Course Owners Association in 2011.

The golf club is located in Ravenna and only has two par-five holes. Windmills stand along the landscape with serene lakes and sand traps.

5. Little Mountain Country Club

Little Mountain Country Club has a view of Lake Erie and is located in Concord. It was designed by Hurdzan-Fry and has plenty of challenges with 80 bunkers, waterfalls, and large lakes and creeks.

The golf course has great customer service. They have a 3,000 square foot patio that overlooks the 18th green with flat-screen TVs, a full-service bar, and good, scrumptious food.

6. Pine Hills Golf Club

The 18th hole at Pine Hills Golf Club is known for being one of the best finishing holes in Northeast Ohio. The hilly, 18-hole course in Hinckley, south of Strongsville, is a local’s favorite.

The premier public facility has a serene setting with luxurious amenities and country club conditions.

7. StoneWater Golf Club

For a fun and challenging round of golf, head over to StoneWater Golf Club and enjoy the full-service golf experience without a membership commitment. Although, memberships are always available at this semi-private golf course.

The course is good for both beginners and experts and there are private lessons offered. The course was opened in 1996 in a suburban area in Highland Heights.

The area has 180 acres of cleanly manicured and lush greenery and the landscape has wetlands, streams, and lakes.

8. Shawnee Hills Golf Course

Enjoy the game with whatever skill set that you have at this versatile golf course. There are lessons available for beginners to enhance their skills. Shawnee Hills Golf Course was originally an 18-hole course that was designed by Ben Zink.

Now, there are 27 holes with an 18-hole regulation course and a 9-hole par 3 course. The expansion of the holes was designed and constructed by Cleveland Metroparks.

9. Big Met Golf Course

A popular golf course in Cleveland, Big Met Golf Course dates back to 1926 and has the title of being the most played golf course in Ohio. It is located in Fairview Park and has a good variety of holes.

Golfers can play 9 or 18 holes and the course can be challenging enough with a scenic landscape. The golf course has a clubhouse, a terrace restaurant, and putting greens.