Patrick Smith
Inverness Club
Inverness Club
4601 Dorr St Ste 1
Toledo, OH 43615-4038
United States
Overview
Inverness is considered a classic Donald Ross design. In truth, it’s one of his best remodeling jobs. Some Ross fans were outraged when the course was radically altered by George and Tom Fazio in preparation for the 1979 U.S. Open. The uncle-nephew duo eliminated four holes (including the famous dogleg par-4 seventh), combined two holes to make the par-5 eighth and created three modern holes on newly acquired land. In 2018, golf architect Andrew Green replaced the Fazio holes with new ones more in the Ross style, relocated greens on two other holes and added new back tees everywhere.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 1969.
Highest ranking: 17th, 2003-'04.
Previous ranking: 58th.
2025-'26 ranking: 62nd.
Best in State: Ranked first, 2003. Ranked inside the top 5, 1979, 1987-2016, 2019-'26. Ranked inside the top 10, 1983-'85, 2017-'18.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 4th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Undeniably major championship worthy. Inverness is a sprawling, monstrous layout that will require your best."
Read More2025
Review
“Inverness, once a regular host of major championships, has undergone a set of steady changes over the past few years including, most recently, the revamping of their bunkers. It is an extraordinary test of golf with relentless demand on driver accuracy and the need to execute accurate second shots to find the green surfaces. Green sloping is just right, not excessive but plenty to make chipping and lag putting very challenging. Raised "eyebrows" on the down hole side of bunkers appears to have been added during the recent renovation to make escaping the bunkers more challenging. This creates an artificial look that this panelist doesn't appreciate but there's no denying the bunkering is extensive, strategic and highly effective. In all, a world class golf course that will challenge and delight the most avid golfers amongst us."
Read More2025
Review
“This historic club is a tremendous experience for any golfer. The course can be challenging for the best players, while also being a fun experience for higher handicap players."
Read More2023
Review
“The course conditioning is exceptional, among the best on the planet, and Andrew Green's work to seamlessly integrate new holes into an existing Donald Ross is to be cherished."
Read More2023
Review
“A very private Donald Ross course that has been remodeled by Andrew Green that played back and forth over the same ridge to some extent through different lengths and to well protected greens with sand. Easy walk. One drawback, a few holes would propel the ball back down the fairway if not struck deep enough into the green. Not all players posses the power to do such."
Read More2023
Review
“All around excellent experience. The golf course is top notch and we were lucky to stay on-site and enjoy the lodging, dining and other amenities."
Read More2023
Review
“Incredible conditions - course received 4 inches of rain the night prior and water no where to be found. Small challenging greens well protected but perfect bunkers. Beautiful flow and routing. Must consider club options and strategy off tees - cannot boom driver every hole. Intimate and fluid par 3s."
Read More2023
Review
“Great character & recent update by Andrew Green on the original Ross design."
Read More2023
Review
“Arguably the best course in Ohio, it is frequently ranked as one of the top golf courses in the US. If you are fortunate enough to receive an invitation, make sure you go. It truly is deserving of five stars."
Read More2023
Review
“When you stand on the first tee and look out over the shared fairway of the 1st and 10th holes, you just think wow this place is special. And it just gets better from there. Andrew Green took what was a great Donald Ross design and made it better. The new holes feel like they were always part of the design."
Read More2022
