The eighth hole at Longaberger
I’ve always enjoyed playing at Longaberger Golf Club but sooner or later reality had to set in: Why golf at the ‘berger when you can golf at Cook’s Creek for a fraction of the price and cut your drive time on top of it all? I would rate Cook’s Creek right up there with Longaberger, but driving over an hour and paying $125 (sans free towel these days) didn’t seem to cut it now that the novelty has worn off the ‘berger. Granted, the last time I played at Longaberger was at the beginning of April, and I was able to take advantage of the $79 greens fee (we were one of two groups on the course that day) and play 27 holes. Well all that has changed somewhat. Now, the ‘berger is $99 to play 18 for the summer with fees dropping to $89 on October 3. Those greens fees are starting to come more in line with what they should be. Eventually, the ‘berger may have to drop their fees even more as there is just too much competition in central Ohio from other golf courses.
With that said, let’s get on to the golf course itself. The ‘berger invites you to bomb it off the tee. There’s not a whole lot of trouble off the tees and the fairways are plenty wide so give ‘er hell! Your decision-making comes into play on your approach shot – especially on the par 5’s. The par 5, no. 4 is particularly devilish. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to pull the trigger on my second shot but the green is surrounded by water and trouble where there ain’t no water. Even after babying the ball up into the narrow neck leading to the green, your third shot is still no bargain. Similar conundrums await you at the other three par 5’s.
No. 8 is a memorable par 4 for its shape and slope. You can aim left off the tee and seek the flat landing area before the pond and hit over water from there. Or you can aim right and face a steep decline to hit off of to the green but avoid an approach over water. If anything, it’s fun to just rip one off the tee to the right with a little draw and watch the ball bound down the slope towards the green.
I’ve had many a good round ruined by the finishing hole. A long par 4 with the clubhouse looming overhead, the 18th requires a long, fairway bound drive in order to successfully maneuver yourself to a fine finishing score.
Longaberger Golf Club
740-763-1100
One Long Drive
Nashport OH 43830