Canterbury Golf Club---Cleveland, Ohio
Rankings as of July 2, 2010---
11th best course in Ohio (Golf Digest)
79th best classic course (Golfweek)
Canterbury Golf Club is the most under-appreciated golf course I have ever played. At the time of this review,
only Golfweek rated it among the Top 100 in the US. And Golfweek only has it as the 79th best modern course,
which most likely puts it out of the Top 100 composite list in the US. It is my opinion that this ranking drastically
under rates the golf course.
Herbert Strong built the course in 1921 over a 146 acre piece of property. Although this is a somewhat small
piece of property, the job Strong did routing the course in second to none and he takes full advantage of every
single inch of that property. In fact, due to modern technology the course has had to be expanded and the tips
now play over 7,000 yards. Not too shabby, given it is under 150 acres.
Perhaps that most striking thing about the golf course is the turf. The fairways are like greens in their velvety
smoothness and wonderful consistency. Balls struck well off the tee seem to roll forever as this velvety turf plays
fast and firm. Hitting approach shots off the fairways are wonderful and the sound of the club cutting through the
grass is so crisp and clean, it is music to a golfer’s ears. And if you get around the green in the fairway, you will
have a real option to putt the chip shots as the roll will be just as true coming off the fairway as they are on the
green.
The slopes on the green are somewhat subtle and need to be paid attention to. The speed of the greens is a
wonderful 11 to 11.5 on the stimp meter and they are as smooth as any golfer could ever want. Like striking
balls off those wonderful fairways, putting on these greens is a pure joy.
The holes offer a wide variety of options. From the short and tricky dog leg par 4s, like the 346 yard par 4
second hole.
To the beastly 585 yard (617 from the tips) par 5 16th with massive fairways undulations and a brutally sloped
green.
And you can’t overlook the terrific par 3’s on this course.
Canterbury is a joy to play and measures 6,494 yards from the blue tees and is rated 72/133.
Rankings as of July 2, 2010---
11th best course in Ohio (Golf Digest)
79th best classic course (Golfweek)
Canterbury Golf Club is the most under-appreciated golf course I have ever played. At the time of this review,
only Golfweek rated it among the Top 100 in the US. And Golfweek only has it as the 79th best modern course,
which most likely puts it out of the Top 100 composite list in the US. It is my opinion that this ranking drastically
under rates the golf course.
Herbert Strong built the course in 1921 over a 146 acre piece of property. Although this is a somewhat small
piece of property, the job Strong did routing the course in second to none and he takes full advantage of every
single inch of that property. In fact, due to modern technology the course has had to be expanded and the tips
now play over 7,000 yards. Not too shabby, given it is under 150 acres.
Perhaps that most striking thing about the golf course is the turf. The fairways are like greens in their velvety
smoothness and wonderful consistency. Balls struck well off the tee seem to roll forever as this velvety turf plays
fast and firm. Hitting approach shots off the fairways are wonderful and the sound of the club cutting through the
grass is so crisp and clean, it is music to a golfer’s ears. And if you get around the green in the fairway, you will
have a real option to putt the chip shots as the roll will be just as true coming off the fairway as they are on the
green.
The slopes on the green are somewhat subtle and need to be paid attention to. The speed of the greens is a
wonderful 11 to 11.5 on the stimp meter and they are as smooth as any golfer could ever want. Like striking
balls off those wonderful fairways, putting on these greens is a pure joy.
The holes offer a wide variety of options. From the short and tricky dog leg par 4s, like the 346 yard par 4
second hole.
To the beastly 585 yard (617 from the tips) par 5 16th with massive fairways undulations and a brutally sloped
green.
And you can’t overlook the terrific par 3’s on this course.
Canterbury is a joy to play and measures 6,494 yards from the blue tees and is rated 72/133.
