 RED HAWK RUN GOLF CLUB (419-894-4653)
Ohio Golf Course Review
Red Hawk Run, located just outside of Findlay, is the first course from Ohio to be featured on www.twoguyswhogolf.com The easy access from major highways running through Northern Ohio, and the fact that this 4-1/2 star course (Golf Digest Places to Play) is within a reasonable drive from Michigan and Chicago, led us to solicit participation on our site. The fact that this course was recently voted as # 18 on the list of affordable Public Courses You Can Play in the US, also helps. We continue to be impressed by Arthur Hills designed courses, and Red Hawk Run certainly adds to his considerable resume. This links inspired layout provides features represented on traditional links style golf courses, including finely sculpted tee areas that lead to ample fairways lined with mounding and tall grasses, with burns intersecting at numerous junctions.
These creeks cross fairways or are located greenside on 6 holes (numbers 1, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 13). Each scorecard provides hole diagrams locating these burns - information that if heeded may result in the saving of a few strokes. There are generally spacious landing areas, but 50 sand bunkers, some quite huge in size, will have an affect on shot selection off the tee and greenside. Fairway bunkers are strategically situated on the short side of doglegs and sometimes in the center of landing zones, making golfers think carefully about the placement of tee shots. The par four third and tenth (pictured below) holes are good examples.
Five sets of tees at Red Hawk Run provide boxes that are quite evenly interspersed, affording golfers of all skill levels an opportunity to choose distances that fit their game. The tips measure a formidable 7155 yards and warrant a slope rating of 132. The Tournament tees play to 6768/129 slope, the Talons 6352/124 slope, the Raptors 5635/116 slope and the forwards measure 4997 yards with 116 slope. Cart paths provide measurements and yardage blocks on the fairways also are marked to the center of the green. Barber poles - quite visible from the tee areas - are provided to serve as directional devices only, and do not indicate any determined yardage.
The Clubhouse features a fully stocked pro shop, plus a snack bar/lounge that offers hot and cold sandwiches as well as all the favorite beverages. Eight and a half acres of bent grass driving range highlight the practice facilities, which also include 10,000 square feet of putting greens. The range is directed towards target areas framed by sand traps. One of the goals at red Hawk is to provide service and conditioning representative of the 4 ½ star rating, and in our book they have succeeded.
The fairly level terrain is accentuated with a couple of large lakes that come into play on the 5th, 11th and 12th holes. On five the tee shot is nearly all carry, with the level of difficulty measurably different form each set of tees. On eleven the tee shot is fairly open (although long hitters can reach the hazard) but the approach must carry the corner of the lake. Like five, the par three 12th is a different hole from the back tees which present a significant carry, as compared to the forward tees with the hazard situated to the left. These water holes add a nice measure of variety, and certainly keep golfers on their toes in the middle of the round. This is a great golf course and an exceptional value, particularly on weekdays when rates top out at $40 including cart! For more info, visit our page for Red Hawk Run, with link to their website by clicking here.
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