Oak Hill Country Club: East

Review

“The restoration performed by Andrew Green is quite simply amazing. What's particularly amazing is that no two holes look or play the same, while at the same time no hole seems out of place. Each bunker, which comprised most of the Green restoration efforts of this Donald Ross masterpiece, perfectly intertwines strategy with challenge. There is no let-up in this golf course: every shot stokes your imagination through creative placement of gorgeous, deep bunkers...and not to mention a creek that seems to follow you around from the first through 13th holes. All of the iconic elements of rigorous golf course architecture are present throughout the round. The long par 4 6th hole is great example of this. It's a soft dogleg right with a green tilting hard right to left that is closely hugged on the low-left side by that pesky creek. The proper angle to approach is from the left side of the fairway, but several deep fairway bunkers add some risk to this placement. Adding to the difficulty is a daunting, but beautiful pond down the right side of the fairway leaving no bailout except laying up short of the left bunkers. This type of well-thought out strategy, penalty, heroism and beauty is what I believe makes this one of America's very best golf courses. The dramatic finish will make for great TV this May when OHCC hosts the PGA Championship!"

2022

Review

“Simply the best conditioning I have seen. Fairways were so challenging to hold because of the firm turf and quickness of them. Also the narrowness meant many balls rolled into the rough or bunkers which had shorter rough in front of them. Greens were mega quick and rolled purely. While the course was green, it played difficult because of the firmness of the greens and fairways. We also played the day after the yearly member guest. - A really difficult golf course that fried my mind by the end of the round in the shots one had to play and the many options to think about. Challenge would have been higher except for the new bunker lips being quite high and how many fairway drives would roll into the bunkers. It happened to me 5 times on "perfect drives" that hit the middle of the fairway."

2022

Review

“Donald Ross masterpiece and a fantastic restoration from Andrew Green. Its the most demanding course I've ever played, and it never lets up. The bunkering is exceptional with intimidating, steep faces, but extremely fair if your ball rolls back to a flat spot. Wonderful green complexes that demand a variety of shots if you miss the green. 6,7,8 is an extremely memorable stretch of par 4's and of course the 13th hole bowl shaped green complex."

2022

Review

“The sixth hole, Double Trouble, stands out as the perfect example of how the creek impacts the entire hole. Off the tee, the creek dams into a pond right at the impact area for drives. A leaked drive can easily be lost, but overcorrecting left can reach two perfectly placed bunkers. From there a 175-yard second shot needs to clear the creek that bisects the fairway, and then avoid the water as it flows to the left and behind the green. Any trepidation in the second shot can find the right bunker, not a safe place, as the green slopes right to left towards the creek. The Challenge quotient is high on this hole, but the 7th doesn’t let up, running parallel to the 6th, the creek is again on the right and bisects the fairway 100 yards out. Get past those two in 8 strokes, you’re playing well. "

Review

“A true championship test. Natural amphitheaters all around and with the tree removal the vistas are remarkable. Newly modified run off areas present a significant challenge to any level of player that goes long of the green. Expanded green surfaces allow for additional pin locations. Scenic and classic test."

2022

Review

“Totally different look from the last time I was on property with all of the tree clearing. Visually deceptive lines off the tee and a great stretch of 6 through 9 and 16 through 18. Signature par 5 13 one of my favorites and possible one of the best. Really enjoyed all of the elevation changes and greens that are receptive but fast, even after a lot of rain."

2022

Review

“One of my favorite courses ... great "championship course" feel and the complex is awesome ... only downside is the driving range which could be upgraded. Donald Ross design that has many different hole designs. One of the tougher but fair courses you can play."

2018

Review

“The two things that stood out to me most when playing the East course at Oak Hill were the superb conditions and the difficulty of the course. Tiger Woods once called Oak Hill the toughest, fairest course he's ever played. It is an extremely stern test. The par 4 6th hole may be one of the hardest holes to make par on that I've ever played. At over 500 yards from the back tee, length is only one of the issues facing the player. A creek runs up the right side of the fairway off the tee and then bisects the fairway and wraps around the left side and back of the green. To complicate matters even worse, the green tilts from right to left leaving a difficult chip if you bail out to the right on your approach. With deep rough, a plethora of long par 4s and many elevated greens that require aerial approaches, the course demands superior ball striking."

2022

Review

“One of the preeminent golf courses in the US has undergone an extensive tree removal program. It looks fantastic. The corridors accentuate the green complexes. I loved the perched greens on 2&3 as well as the short par four 11th and 13th flanking the excellent par five 12th. The 14th is a diabolical green that is quite a challenging target, I love the fact that the course is defined by its greens now rather than the trees. Finishing at sunset on the iconic 18th was quite a treat."

2021

Review

“A really great example of America's traditional classic courses. Lots of old growth trees make this a scenic place and a good test of golf. The clubhouse is also a classic."

2018

Review

“The challenge factor is also worth discussing. I LOVE the GD definition and have found that the tough but fair test really often is indicative of fun and also overall experience. 10 yard wide fairways with trees overhanging thereby narrowing many of the fairways is an incredibly tough and I would argue not entirely fair test. Specifically, the tee shot on the par 7th is really good example of what I am referring to. Creek right, 10-15 yard fairway, can't hit full driver, but tree overhangs left side of fairway. That's an incredibly difficult tee shot to find a fairway on without hitting tree given that the ideal line is right over the left tree. Par 5 13th has similar issue on second shot. If you are on left hand side fairway, there are some overhanging branches that make it nearly impossible to miss and aim away from right size bunker hazards. Course would greatly benefit from cutting the limbs off at edges of several of these trees. Back 9 also plays incredibly more fun and easier than the front. Would be really interesting thought experiment to flip the order of the 9s (and sounds like something that has been discussed amongst membership)."

2022