Yesterday I had a chance to play LMCC for the first time. All I heard was it was rated 5 stars and the only 5 star in Ohio. I played Longberger, Shaker Run, Stonewater, Cooks Creek, and Eagle Sticks recently, and they all were much better than LMCC.

LMCC was a nice course, the service was ok, but the course was nothing special. The bunkers were full of rocks, the greens were blotchy, no real driving range. I know it is only May, but the other courses were already in much better shape. To me, Longaberger is the best in Ohio, the service is always first rate, and the course is immaculate.

Anyone else find this with LMCC, or did I just hit it on a bad day?

Not looking to bash, but I cannot understand the 5 star rating.

I've played there a couple times in the middle of the summer when its been it great shape. Is it 5 stars? No. Is it still a great course? Yes.

But the other courses you mentioned aren't really anything special for me. There are plenty of other courses that are much better in Cleveland. Canterbury, Sand Ridge, Red Tail, Quail Hollow, and like you said, Stonewater. Plus all the other courses in Ohio that are light years better than Little Mountai: Firestone, Muirfield, Inverness, NCR, Scioto, The Golf Club, Double Eagle, Camargo.... and there are plenty more that aren't big names.

I guess what I'm getting at is, you're not wrong. It just isn't all that its supposed to be.

I agree that LMCC is a nice course, I was just questioning the 5 star rating. And your right there are courses light years ahead of LMCC. I played Firestone South a couple of years ago, and it was amazing. I only listed courses that I played this year so far. I thought they were better.

I have seen in the past ratings that are questionable. I remember seeing that Thunderbird North was rated in Golf Digests top 100, but then found out the pro shop was rated in the top 100.

Thanks for the reply.

PURE marketing hype.

Just curious who assigns these star ratings?

It says "rated 5 stars by Golf Digest" I do not if it is condition, cost, facilities, or what. Like I said it is a nice course, but there are 25 courses I can think of that are better in the state, that are rated 3 or 4 stars.

The Columbus Dispatch had an article today about golf courses and their downturn in sales. They mentioned private courses hurting so bad that they are going after public business. One of the courses mentioned was Inverness CC in Toledo. Anyone know if this is true about Inverness?

Yeahhhhh, times are tough right now. Just curious, how much did your round cost?


Theres ALOT of private clubs hurting around here. Does anybody know Buffalo Valley in Sarver , PA? They closed down. Brackenridge Heights C.C in Natrona Heights,PA? 280k+ in debt.

With the tradition of Inverness that would be a real shame. Since we are name dropping in my neck of the woods the three BEST greater Cleveland area courses without question are (in no particular order) Sandridge, The Country Club and Firestone South. Honorable mention goes to Canterbury and Kirtland CC which are both gems as well. Little Mountain is a scenic public play track that logs a ton rounds; they would never be able to setup Little in championship condition and still maintain there level of play. The bunkers are freakin huge and deep! My boy Jimmy Hanlin (part owner) is a great guy too! It's a fun place and wouldn't hestitate to entertain clients there but for pure country club pleasure top to bottom the above mentioned would be hard to top anywhere in the world!

LMCC is a nice course, but not 5 star.
I also have played Stonewater and Sand Ridge and both are far superior.
You cant use the ratings in magazines because they all use different specs..
My brother works at Sand Ridge and I asked him why they fell out of the top 100
in the country, and he said that they took the condition and upkeep part out of the
formula and, if you've ever played there, you know that it is immaculate. I dont trust
the ratings... I rely on what others tell me about courses rather than a magazine.

Just my thoughts

I agree with you Stonewater is way better, i loved that course. Don't get me wrong, I thought LMCC was a nice course, very scenic, but like I said not 5 star quality. I played it for the special interent rate of $39, so it was a bargain. If it was full price, I would have been real dissapointed, far better choices in that price range.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Longaberger...the best in Ohio? Try again.