Short courses have always been popular in Ohio. If you aren’t able to travel to the more famous short courses mentioned in the previous article, here is a listing of short courses in Ohio that you may want to put on your must-play list.
Armco Park in Warren County
This scenic 18-hole executive course at Warren County Armco Park is open to the public. It is meticulously maintained, offers stunning lake views, with a variety of wildlife, in a serene park setting. The challenging 3100-yard layout is ideal for juniors, women, seniors, and provides a unique opportunity for honing short-game skills for more accomplished players.
Kitty Hawk Golf Center, Dayton 
Kitty Hawk Golf Center features, The Falcon Course, a 3,700-yard, par-56 in Dayton that is perfect for juniors or a quick round with friends. Eight of the par-3 holes can be played in excess of 200 yards from the white tees. The forward tees play to a more manageable par-58 at 3,300 yards.
Even if you are a low handicapper, you can use nearly every club in your bag and have fun doing it.
Ottawa Park in Toledo
Ottawa Park, in Toledo, is the oldest public golf course in Ohio and plays to a maximum yardage of just over 5,000 yards from the tips. The first nine holes opened for play in 1898 and is a testament to the creative skills of S.P. Jermain the “Father of Public Golf.” The second nine was built in 1921 and hosted the first U.S. Publinks contested in 1922.
Hiking paths meander through the course and it sits across the street from the University of Toledo.
The course is a historic gem and a true joy to play for juniors, beginners and experienced golfers alike.
Wilson Road, Columbus
Jack Kidwell designed Wilson Road Executive Golf course with six par-3’s and three par-4’s for this nine-hole short course. It sits on the west edge of Columbus near the 470 outer-belt and offers an alternative to the 4-5 hour round.
The course, has a creek meandering its way through tree-lined fairways along with two great ponds that offer a wonderful golf setting for everyone to enjoy.
Golf Depot
An old train station serves as the clubhouse for the Golf Depot in Gahanna. This nine-hole short course is a par-27 with three sets of tees measuring from a maximum 1,600 yards to a mimimum 1,000 yards.
A top-notch practice facility, a driving range, chipping area and putting green are also available to help improve your golf scores.
Little Bear Golf Club
Located in Lewis Center, Ohio Little Bear features a five-hole front nine and a five-hole back nine with a challenging Island Green on the 11th hole.
Created by award-winning designer Michael Hurzdan, this course aims to capture casual golfers, who may only have the time or patience for a quick round on a lunch break or after work. The championship tees max out at 1,350 yards and the front tees 1,260 yards.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park
On the far east side of Columbus, Blacklick Woods Metro Park is the home to a challenging 18-hole layout and a shorter nine-hole course. The courses opened for play in 1973 and are designed by Jack Kidwell.
The Learning course or short nine-holer offers a gentler option for beginners, but is an entertaining mix of par 3s and par 4s for every skill level.
The Cleveland MetroParks system offers several short courses to help juniors and beginners learn the game, plus provide a quick round for harried golfers.
Mastick Woods
The Mastick Woods offers a relaxed short course just right for beginners or families. It was designed by Harry Burkhardt and gives golfers the feel of being in the midst of an Appalachian forest.
Washington Golf Course
Washington Golf Course opened for play in 2006. It was financed by the First Tee of Cleveland and is managed by the MetroParks system. The beautiful 9-hole, par 29 golf course also includes a 30-station driving range and practice area.
