I am planning a one-day trip from Cincinnati to a nice course within about 2.5 hours drive. I am leaning toward either Purgatory or Longaberger. Purgatory is about 30 min closer, which is a major plus, but I have heard a lot of good things about Longaberger as well. I am also open to other suggestions if anybody has them, but I would like to get people's opinion as to whether I should go up to Purgatory or Longaberger.

My vote would be Longaberger

HA hahaha - when I saw the title of this thread I thought you were asking us to compare a stay in [Catholic] Purgatory with going to a Longaberger basket party.

I pick Purgatory.

i played longaberger about 3 months ago. its an awesome.

go to longaberger.

also good food.

AND IM FROM THE NATI...........GO XU!!!!

Just had a one day getaway to Purgatory & Wolf Run last week...

I have played Longaberger several times as well...

Both are excellent courses!

I believe Longaberger is a little bit pricier, but definitely worth it...

I thought Purgatory was awesome, tough, and fair at the same time...

Longaberger is more scenic/breathtaking, whereas Purgatory is, for the most part, treeless and plenty of sand...

It's a hard call...Definitely play both...

If money isn't an objective, I would recommend going to Longaberger and then eating at Cherry Valley Lodge afterwards!

If money is an objective, then save some gas money, go to Purgatory, and find an inexpensive place to eat!

Do you know a huge Longaberger collector? They have a huge jamboree at the headquarters in Dresden in Sept. time frame. If you bring enough people, you can get a round of golf at Longaberger for like $100. Sometimes, if you're desperate, you can stand at the gate to the basket fest and ask for the golf coupon. A lot of people never use them. Longaberger is an awesome course. They have the best GPS system I have ever used! You can zoom in on holes, carry the GPS with you (it detaches from the cart,) it's awesome. I played well on the course. Had a long drive on one of the par 5's. Saw lots of deer, the course is designed to make you feel like you own the course and no one else is around.

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Thanks for the response guys. Money is not an issue here. I am leaning toward Longaberger quite heavily as of right now. I had a friend that played it a while ago and loved it.

Also, I travel to Chicago for work, and may be moving there in a few months, so I will probably have opportunities to play Purgatory driving to and from Chicago.

I've not played Purgatory so can't comment but I played Longaberger on a visit to the States last year. I had a week in Pinehurst and a week in Ohio, Longaberger was probably the best course we played. I was told that due to the price a lot of people steer clear, so like us you may well have the course to yourselves. (just for the record we played on July 10th 08)

Have only played Longaberger as well but it is well worth the trip. You may be able to get a better price by subscribing to their email list, I think they have deals some times. I believe many think it is the best public course in the state. What I like the most about it is that the holes aren't close together or parallel, so you don't really don't see anything but the hole you are playing.

You are on hole 4 and you are 99 minutes ahead of the pace of play!! Awesome! That's fast.

You can't miss with either one, but you could also drive south and hit Cherry Blossom and Olde Stone down toward Lexington too.

We played Purgatory on our Indy trip last year, and I was really impressed. It's a fabulous course in a state with a lot of them. I've heard that it can get pretty fast once the summer kicks in fully, and if the wind blows Purgatory is a handful. We're trying to make it up to Longaberger this year. I haven't played it yet, but I've seen photos and heard the stories. It's reported to be worth the drive.

You could also consider heading over to the Columbus area to play Otter Creek. I haven't been out there in years, but while I was at IU in the 80s, we would trek over there. Big, bold parkland layout. Lot of fun. Will bring out the humility in all but the very best from the back tees.

Ah. I lived up there for six years before moving back to Cincinnati. Lots of great courses up there, but you'll be in a mad dash from June to September to get it in. If you drive up there, you should make a stop at Purdue's golf course in West Lafayette. I've heard it's a great course.

I live in Columbus and have never heard of Otter Creek. Where is it?

Played Longaberger but not Purgatory. Obviously Long. is excellent. #1 is the only goofy hole IMO. What is that tree doing in the middle of the dogleg?!?!

Rates are $99 right now so I'm not sure what the basket party coupon would do for you.

Columbus, Indiana which is south of Indy on the I-65. Otter Creek has 27 holes. About 5 years ago a buddy and I played over 54 holes in a day - one green fee for all-you-can-play. It was great!!

Haven't played Longaberger (always wanted to), but Purgatory is a stern test. Links golf and has a raw, pure golf feel about it. Definitely one of the top courses in Indiana.

I've played both. Although I REALLY liked Purgatory- I would pick Longaberger. Purgatory looks awesome with all the bunkers, but I think the design and scenery of Longaberger is way better. Unbelievable course. Also- look on lastminutegolfer.com and you can get tee times at Longaberger for less than $70 sometimes. But like some others have said- play both.

Yeah. I think I am going to hit Longaberger in a few weeks and try to get to Purgatory in the fall. Apparently the tall fescue grass at Purgatory turns a golden color in the fall, making for a very scenic round of golf.

Longaberger, but it is twice as expensive as Purgatory. Walking is allowed at Purgatory as well.

You can find rounds at Longaberger for as low as $60 on EZLINKS.Com

Played both in about a 6 day stretch at the end of May/early June. Have played Longaberger 4 times now as we use it for a department outing.

Purgatory felt like one of those courses where you need to play it 2-3 times before you really know how to best attack each hole, whereas Longaberger is a little more right in front of you with the challenges. Both courses were in great shape at the time.

If I could play 10 rounds, I'd likely choose Longaberger 7 times and Purgatory 3. But both are very nice.

Played Longaberger this past weekend. It was fantastic. Well worth the 2.5 hour drive and well worth the hype. I would advise anybody going up there for an overnight to avoid the Longaberger "place off the square" hotel. I have heard that the Cherry Valley lodge is the place to stay. We stayed at the Place off the square and regretted it.

Anywho, great course with a beautiful layout. There really weren't any holes that I felt were boring, or 'thrown together'. We played it at 6400 yards and it was the longest 6400 yards I have ever played. The greens are fast but true. I felt that it was a very difficult course, but fair overall (except for a 450 yard Par 4 that is slightly uphill). I would recommend anyone who lives in the area should play Longaberger at least once. It really is a fantastic course.

I am planning a day trip to Purgatory in the fall as well.

Cherry Valley is very nice. I've stayed there 3-4 times and my family has used the water park.

If you need a nice place to stay that isnt too far away. There is a nice lodge at Roscoe Village in Coshocton. I think it's only 20-25 minutes or so from the Longaberger course.