ROCKY LAKES GOLF CLUB

The rolling farmland of central Ohio creates perfect theater for this links-inspired layout, where persistent winds and strategically placed water hazards demand course management over raw power. Four par-3s that play dramatically different each season—especially the island green 14th that can shift from wedge to mid-iron depending on conditions—showcase architect savvy in maximizing relatively modest elevation changes. Public golf at this level, with bentgrass fairways that rival any private club in the region, proves that democratic access doesn't mean compromising quality.