EagleSticks Golf Club

Zanesville, OH - Golf Course - Golf Academy -Events Venue

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Father’s Day Golf Gifts at EagleSticks: Shop in Person or Online

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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, and EagleSticks Golf Club has two easy ways to find something Dad will actually use: stop by the fully stocked Golf Shop at the clubhouse or shop the special Father’s Day collection online.

Father’s Day golf gifts at EagleSticks Golf Club in Zanesville Ohio
Find Father’s Day golf gifts in the EagleSticks Golf Shop or online in the special Father’s Day collection.

Whether you are shopping for a dad who plays every week, a grandfather who loves the game, or someone who simply enjoys comfortable golf apparel, EagleSticks has Father’s Day gift options ready for the season.

Shop the EagleSticks Golf Shop in Person

The EagleSticks Golf Shop is fully stocked and open every day, making it the best choice for last-minute Father’s Day shopping.

Inside the clubhouse, you will find golf apparel, shoes, course essentials, accessories, and EagleSticks-branded gifts that are perfect for golfers who enjoy the game on and off the course.

If you are not sure what to buy, visiting the shop in person gives you the advantage of seeing what is available, checking sizes, and getting help from the EagleSticks team.

Visit the EagleSticks Golf Shop

Shop the Online Father’s Day Collection

EagleSticks also has a special online Father’s Day collection with apparel and gift options that can be ordered from home.

The online collection includes great gift ideas for Dad, including EagleSticks-branded apparel, comfortable layers, polos, hoodies, quarter zips, drinkware, and other golf-inspired items.

johnnie-O quarter zip available in the EagleSticks online Father’s Day golf shop
Shop EagleSticks-branded apparel, including polos, hoodies, quarter zips, and more.

For online orders, please plan ahead. EagleSticks recommends placing online Father’s Day orders by June 12. Online orders typically ship in 5–10 business days, but ordering by June 12 still does not guarantee delivery before Father’s Day.

If you need a gift in hand before Father’s Day, the safest option is to visit the Golf Shop at EagleSticks.

Shop the Father’s Day Collection Online

Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Golfers

Need a little inspiration? Here are a few easy Father’s Day golf gift ideas from EagleSticks.

Golf Apparel

A new polo, hoodie, quarter zip, or performance layer is always a strong choice for a golfer. Apparel is practical, comfortable, and easy for Dad to wear on the course, at the range, or around town.

EagleSticks performance hoodie from the online Father’s Day golf collection
Performance layers make great Father’s Day gifts for golfers.

EagleSticks-Branded Gear

For golfers who love playing EagleSticks, branded apparel and accessories make a gift feel personal. It is a way for Dad to show off one of his favorite golf courses long after the round is over.

Golf Accessories and Course Essentials

Golf balls, gloves, hats, drinkware, and other useful golf accessories are always appreciated. These are the kinds of gifts golfers actually use throughout the season.

A Visit to the Golf Shop

Sometimes the best gift is letting Dad pick out exactly what he wants. Bring him to the Golf Shop, let him browse, and turn Father’s Day into a golf trip to EagleSticks.

Two Easy Ways to Shop for Dad

For the fastest Father’s Day gift option, visit the EagleSticks Golf Shop in person. The shop is fully stocked and open every day.

For convenient online shopping, browse the special Father’s Day collection and place your order as early as possible. Online orders should be placed by June 12, but delivery before Father’s Day is not guaranteed.

Father’s Day gifts from the EagleSticks Golf Shop and online store
Shop in person at EagleSticks or order online from the Father’s Day collection.

Make Father’s Day a Golf Day at EagleSticks

A great Father’s Day gift does not have to be complicated. A new EagleSticks layer, a fresh polo, a hat, a golf accessory, or a visit to the Golf Shop can make the day feel special.

This Father’s Day, shop local at the EagleSticks Golf Shop or browse the online Father’s Day collection for golf gifts Dad will be excited to wear and use.

Ready to Shop for Father’s Day?

Visit the Golf Shop for the best last-minute option, or shop the online Father’s Day collection and place online orders by June 12.

Shop In Person Shop Online

How EagleSticks got its name

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The Story Behind the Name

How “EagleSticks”
Got Its Name

A community naming contest, a lifelong golfer, and the perfect word spoken on the drive home from a round.

Long before EagleSticks became one of the most recognized golf destinations in Ohio, it was something far simpler: rolling countryside on the McClelland family horse farm just outside of Zanesville.

In 1988, the McClelland family made the bold decision to transform the property into a championship golf course. Renowned golf course architect Michael Hurdzan was selected to design the layout, and construction soon began across the hills, valleys, and natural terrain that would eventually become EagleSticks Golf Club.

As the project moved closer to completion, one important question still remained.

What should the new golf course be called?

The Community Had Its Say

Rather than simply choose a name themselves, the McClelland family decided to involve the people of Zanesville. They held an open naming contest through the local newspaper, and they made the prize something every golfer would dream about — a lifetime membership to the club for whoever submitted the winning name.

Entries came in from across the community. Among them were several submissions from one avid golfer in particular: Everett Semon of Zanesville, Ohio.

Everett had already put forward a handful of ideas. But as the contest deadline approached, he had not yet found the one that felt exactly right.

That was about to change on a golf course a few miles down the road.

“My eaglestick.”

— Everett Semon, Perry Country Club

A Perfect Shot. A Perfect Word.

Everett was out playing a round at nearby Perry Country Club when it happened. He stepped up and holed out for eagle — one of the most satisfying moments in the game of golf.

After the shot, one of his playing partners turned and asked what club he had used to pull off such a great shot.

Everett smiled and replied: “My eaglestick.”

Something about the phrase stuck with him on the drive home. It was simple. It was unmistakably golf. It captured something the other entries hadn’t.

So Everett submitted one final entry into the contest: EagleSticks.

The rest is history.

The Course Quickly Made Its Mark

When EagleSticks officially opened, the golf world took notice fast. Golf Digest gave the club rave reviews, and in 1991 EagleSticks was named 2nd Runner-Up for Best New Public Golf Course in America — a remarkable achievement for a public course on rolling Ohio farmland.

More than a decade later, EagleSticks earned national recognition again when it was named to Golf Digest‘s prestigious Top 100 Public Courses list in 2004. It was the kind of distinction that confirmed what golfers in the Zanesville area already knew: the course that began as a family horse farm had become something genuinely special.

EagleSticks — Quick Facts
1988 McClelland family begins plans to build the course
1990 EagleSticks Golf Club officially opens
1991 Named 2nd Runner-Up, Best New Public Golf Course in America — Golf Digest
2004 Earns a spot on Golf Digest‘s Top 100 Public Courses list
Architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan
Location Zanesville, Ohio — Muskingum County
In Memoriam

Everett R. Semon
September 13, 1924 – August 10, 2016

Everett Semon was born in Woodsfield, Ohio and served his country as a U.S. Navy Veteran in World War II. He later worked as an accountant and made his home in Zanesville, where he became known as an avid and devoted golfer.

After EagleSticks opened, Everett remained a familiar face around the club for many years. While he certainly enjoyed playing golf, those who knew him best would probably say he enjoyed something else even more — visiting with first-time guests and proudly telling them the story of how EagleSticks got its name.

He passed away on August 10, 2016, at the age of 91. He was survived by two sons, Evan and Eric, one grandchild, and a great-grandchild.

More Than a Name

Every golf course has a name. Not every golf course has a story behind its name.

EagleSticks does. It came from a community that cared enough to participate, from a golfer who had already made several good attempts, and from one off-the-cuff remark after a great shot on a late afternoon round at Perry Country Club.

Everett has since passed away, but his legacy remains on the course in a way that no plaque or monument could quite capture. For many years after the opening, he was a regular presence — not just as a member, but as the unofficial keeper of the origin story, sharing it with anyone who would listen.

Every birdie, every eagle, and every memorable round played here carries a small piece of that history forward.

And somewhere along the way, “my eaglestick” became part of the lore of EagleSticks Golf Club.

— ✦ —

Come Play the Course Behind the Name

EagleSticks Golf Club — Zanesville, Ohio. Book your tee time and experience a course with a story worth knowing.

Book a Tee Time

The Corn Crib Bridges of EagleSticks

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The Corn Crib Bridges of EagleSticks

EagleSticks Golf Club video review

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He Drove Two Hours to Play EagleSticks and Said He’d Do It Again

Sometimes the best way to explain why a golf course is worth the drive is to let another golfer say it.

In a recent video review of EagleSticks Golf Club, the host explains that he made the trip to Zanesville from the Dayton area, a drive of about two hours. His reaction after the round was not subtle. He said he would make that drive “every single day” if it were an option because the course was “absolutely worth every second.”

For golfers in Columbus and across Central Ohio, that says a lot.

EagleSticks Golf Club is located in Zanesville, Ohio, east of Columbus. For many Columbus-area golfers, the drive is much shorter than two hours. And if a golfer from the Dayton area finished his day saying he would happily do it again, that helps answer one of the most common questions golfers ask before booking a round:

Is EagleSticks worth the drive?

Watch the video below, then read on for a breakdown of what the host experienced and why EagleSticks continues to stand out as a public golf destination in Ohio.

Watch the EagleSticks Golf Club Video Review

The Line That Says It All

The most important moment in the video comes when the host talks about the drive.

He explains that he and his brother-in-law drove about two hours from the Dayton area to play EagleSticks. After the round, he said he would make that drive every day if he could and that the course was worth every second.

That is not the kind of reaction golfers have after an ordinary round.

It is the kind of reaction golfers have when a course gives them more than expected: more scenery, more fun, more hospitality, more shot variety, and more reasons to come back.

For Columbus golfers, the point is simple. If EagleSticks can feel worth the trip from Dayton, it should absolutely be on the list for golfers searching for a memorable public golf course near Columbus.

A Golf Day That Started Before the First Tee

One of the reasons the video works so well is that the host does not only talk about the golf course. He talks about the full day.

Before the round, he and his playing partner stopped at the restaurant at the club. He specifically mentioned the food, the service, and how strong the experience was before they even got to the golf course.

That matters.

For golfers driving from Columbus, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Newark, Granville, Lancaster, or other Central Ohio communities, the round can become more than a tee time. It can become a golf day.

A good meal before or after the round makes the drive easier to justify. A welcoming staff makes the visit more memorable. A facility that feels complete makes the trip feel planned, not random.

Golfers can learn more about food and drinks at Mac’s Sports Grill.

The Views Stood Out Immediately

Once the host got to the first tee, the views became one of the biggest themes of the video.

He described the view looking down from the first tee as beautiful, then explained that the scenery was not limited to tee boxes. In his words, every shot seemed to offer an incredible view, whether he was in the fairway or a little off line.

That is one of the defining traits of EagleSticks.

The course is not flat or forgettable. It moves. It changes. The elevation creates anticipation from the tee, interesting approaches into greens, and golf shots that feel different from the everyday public golf round.

For golfers who want to understand the layout before visiting, the EagleSticks hole-by-hole guide is a great place to start.

Course Conditions Were a Major Part of the Review

The host also highlighted the condition of the golf course.

He specifically mentioned the greens, tee boxes, fairways, rough, and sand, saying everything was in amazing condition.

That is important because scenery alone is not enough.

A golf course can have great views and still disappoint if the playing surfaces do not match the setting. In this video, the host connects both ideas: EagleSticks looked beautiful and played well.

That combination is a big part of why the course can be positioned as a Central Ohio golf destination worth planning around.

The Tee Complexes Made an Impression

One of the more interesting details in the video is the host’s reaction to the tee complexes.

He mentioned that the tee complexes were “really cool,” pointing out rock formations, flower beds, and the visual detail around the teeing areas.

That may sound small, but golfers notice those things.

A memorable golf course is often built from details: the view from a tee box, the way a hole frames the shot, the feel of the landscaping, the confidence a golfer gets when the property feels cared for.

EagleSticks gives golfers those moments throughout the round.

Hospitality Was Part of the Experience

The video also speaks directly to the way the host and his playing partner were treated during the visit.

He mentioned being welcomed by Kelly Morrow and the EagleSticks staff, touring the facility, seeing the simulator area and lesson academy, visiting the pro shop, receiving a care package, and feeling like they were treated like family.

That kind of hospitality matters for public golf.

Golfers remember how they are treated. They remember whether the day felt transactional or personal. They remember whether the people at the course made them feel like they belonged there.

In the video, the host repeatedly thanked the EagleSticks staff and said he could not wait to come back.

Why This Video Matters for Columbus Golfers

For Columbus golfers, the video helps answer a practical question.

Should I drive east to Zanesville to play EagleSticks?

The host’s answer was clear. He drove about two hours and said he would do it again. For many Columbus-area golfers, EagleSticks is a much easier trip, often a straightforward drive east on I-70.

That makes the worth-the-drive argument even stronger.

EagleSticks is not trying to be the closest public golf course to every golfer in Columbus. It is a better fit for golfers who want a more memorable day, a scenic layout, a complete facility, and a course they will talk about after the round.

Golfers ready to plan their visit can book a tee time online.

A Course with Recognition Behind the Experience

The video is not the only reason EagleSticks belongs in the conversation.

EagleSticks has also earned repeated recognition from Golf Advisor and GolfPass. GolfPass lists EagleSticks’ accolades, including multiple appearances among the Top Courses in Ohio, recognition among the Top 25 Friendliest Courses in the U.S., and recognition among the Top 25 Value Courses in the U.S.

That context matters because the video is not an isolated compliment. It fits a larger pattern.

Golfers have continued to notice EagleSticks for its scenery, value, friendliness, and overall public golf experience.

More Than a Course Review

The best part of the video is that it does not feel like a formal course ranking.

It feels like a golfer came to EagleSticks, had one of his most fun days on a golf course, and wanted to tell people about it. In the transcript, he says it was “one of if not the most fun days” he has ever had on a golf course.

That is powerful because golf is emotional.

Golfers want more than yardage and slope ratings. They want to know whether a place is enjoyable. They want to know whether the drive feels worth it. They want to know whether the course has character. They want to know whether they will want to come back.

This video answers those questions in a way a normal course description cannot.

Who Should Watch This Video?

This EagleSticks video is especially helpful for:

Columbus golfers wondering whether EagleSticks is worth the drive.

Central Ohio golfers comparing public golf courses near Columbus.

Groups planning a golf day, buddy trip, charity outing, or company event.

Golfers who care about elevation changes, views, and course conditions.

Players who want to see the course before booking.

Anyone looking for a public golf course in Ohio that feels more memorable than a routine local round.

For golfers planning a larger experience, EagleSticks also offers stay-and-play packages and weddings and events.

Plan Your Own EagleSticks Round

The video makes one thing clear: EagleSticks is not just another tee time.

It is a golf experience that can justify the drive.

From the food and hospitality to the views, course conditions, tee complexes, and overall sense of fun, the host’s review gives golfers a real look at why EagleSticks continues to stand out.

If you are searching for golf courses near Columbus, Ohio, EagleSticks deserves consideration, especially if you want a course that feels like a short golf trip instead of a routine round close to home.

Book your tee time online, preview the course, or explore Mac’s Sports Grill before your visit.

Make the drive. Play the round. Experience EagleSticks.

Why EagleSticks Is Worth the Drive from Columbus

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EagleSticks is a tradition for Columbus golfers

Columbus golfers have no shortage of nearby public golf courses. That is part of what makes Central Ohio such a strong golf market. You can find convenient tee times in almost every direction, from city courses to suburban daily-fee options.

But convenience is not always the only goal.

Sometimes golfers are looking for a round that feels different. A course with more movement. A drive that feels like the start of a golf trip. A place where the first tee shot, the views, the approach shots, the greens, and the post-round conversation all feel a little more memorable.

That is why EagleSticks Golf Club is worth the drive from Columbus.

EagleSticks is located in Zanesville, Ohio, east of Columbus. The drive is simple: head east on I-70 toward Zanesville, and in roughly an hour from much of the Columbus area, you can be standing on the first tee of one of Ohio’s most distinctive public golf courses.

For golfers who want more than the closest available tee time, EagleSticks is a Central Ohio golf destination worth planning around.

A Straightforward Drive East from Columbus

One of the best things about planning a round at EagleSticks from Columbus is how easy the drive feels.

This is not a complicated back-road trip. For most Columbus-area golfers, the route is a straight shot east on I-70 toward Zanesville. That makes EagleSticks especially appealing for golfers coming from Downtown Columbus, the east side, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Granville, Newark, Lancaster, and other Central Ohio communities.

That matters because a golf course can be “worth the drive” only if the drive still feels reasonable.

EagleSticks hits that balance. It is far enough from Columbus to feel like a golf getaway, but close enough to work as a day trip, a Saturday round, a buddy trip stop, or a group golf outing.

Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan

EagleSticks was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, one of the most respected names in modern golf course architecture. The course was built across rolling land near Zanesville, with elevation changes, scenic views, and the kind of movement that gives the property its character.

That design pedigree matters.

Hurdzan is also one of the architects connected to Erin Hills in Wisconsin, the course that hosted the 2017 U.S. Open. EagleSticks is not Erin Hills, and it does not need to be. It is its own Ohio golf experience. But knowing the course came from the mind of a designer associated with major championship golf gives golfers a useful lens for understanding what they are about to play.

This is not a flat, forgettable layout.

It is a course shaped around land movement, strategy, angles, and fun.

Elevation Changes That Define the Experience

The elevation changes are one of the main reasons EagleSticks feels different from many public golf courses near Columbus.

From the tee, the ball can seem to hang in the air forever. Some drives feel like they fly for miles. Approach shots ask golfers to think about slope, lie, distance control, and where the ball will finish. Around the greens, the movement creates fun putting moments, awkward stances, and decisions that golfers remember long after the round.

That is the heart of the “worth the drive” argument.

You are not just driving east from Columbus to play another round. You are driving to play golf that feels different from the first tee through the final hole.

The Views Are Part of the Round

At EagleSticks, the views are not just background scenery. They are part of the way the course plays.

Elevated tees create anticipation. Downhill holes make golfers think about carry, roll, and risk. Greens set into the landscape create approach shots that are more interesting than simply hitting a number. The land gives the course a sense of movement that golfers can feel, not just see.

That is also why EagleSticks works so well as a course to preview before you play. Golfers can use the EagleSticks hole-by-hole guide to get familiar with the layout before making the drive from Columbus.

That matters for first-time visitors. When a course has this much movement, a little advance knowledge can make the day more enjoyable.

Hole 4 Shows What Makes EagleSticks Different

A good example of the EagleSticks experience is Hole 4.

This is the kind of hole that helps explain why golfers remember the course. The land moves. The view matters. The tee shot feels different. The hole gives players a sense that they are playing through a property with personality, not just moving from one flat fairway to the next.

For Columbus golfers deciding whether the drive is worth it, that is the point. EagleSticks offers shots, views, and golf moments that feel distinct.

A Course Golfers Talk About

EagleSticks has been part of the Central Ohio golf conversation for a long time.

A GolfPass travel article called EagleSticks worth the “trot” from Columbus and highlighted the course as a golf experience east of the city.

Golfers have said similar things in their own words. A Reddit discussion about EagleSticks includes golfers talking about the course’s design, reputation, and whether it is worth the drive from Columbus. The fact that golfers discuss EagleSticks this way is useful because “worth the drive” is not just a marketing phrase. It is the kind of phrase golfers use when a course gives them something to remember.

EagleSticks also has golfer feedback on platforms like Yelp, where visitors have shared their experiences with the course and facility.

A Public Golf Course with Recognition Behind It

EagleSticks has also earned recognition from golfers and golf media over time. GolfPass lists EagleSticks’ accolades, including repeated appearances among Golf Advisor’s Top Courses in Ohio, as well as recognition among the Top 25 Friendliest Courses in the U.S. and Top 25 Value Courses in the U.S.

That combination is important.

A course can be scenic but not friendly. It can be interesting but overpriced. It can be challenging but frustrating. EagleSticks’ reputation is built on something more balanced: a memorable public golf experience, a friendly feel, and value that makes the drive easier to justify.

For Columbus golfers comparing public golf options, that history helps explain why EagleSticks belongs in the conversation.

The Fun Is in the Variety

EagleSticks is not simply about elevation for the sake of elevation. The fun comes from how the land creates variety.

Some holes invite a bold tee shot. Others reward patience. Some approaches ask for precision. Others give golfers room to use slopes and contours. The greens create enough movement to keep putting interesting, and the course gives golfers plenty to talk about after the round.

That variety is what separates a memorable golf course from a convenient one.

A convenient course can satisfy the need to play.

A memorable course gives golfers a reason to come back.

EagleSticks does both, but its strength is the experience. For Columbus golfers, that is what makes the drive worth considering.

More Than a Tee Time

A round at EagleSticks can also become more than 18 holes.

Golfers can book a tee time online, use the hole-by-hole course guide before they arrive, enjoy food and drinks at Mac’s Sports Grill, or build a short golf getaway around the course with stay-and-play packages.

That makes EagleSticks a strong fit for Saturday rounds with friends, Columbus-area golfers looking for a public golf day trip, buddy trips, group golf outings, charity golf events, company golf days, and golfers who want a more scenic public course near Central Ohio.

For weddings, banquets, and larger gatherings, EagleSticks also offers weddings and events, making the property useful beyond daily public golf.

See the Course Before You Make the Drive

For golfers who want a better feel for EagleSticks before booking, video can help. This EagleSticks Golf Club video gives golfers another way to see the course, setting, and elevation before making the drive from Columbus.

That kind of preview matters because EagleSticks is not being positioned as simply another nearby tee time. It is being positioned as a golf experience worth planning.

Who Should Make the Drive?

EagleSticks is probably not the right answer for every golf day.

If you have two hours after work and need the closest possible tee time, you will probably choose a course closer to home.

But if you want a more intentional golf day, EagleSticks makes sense.

It is a good fit for Columbus golfers who want to play a course with real elevation changes, experience a Michael Hurdzan design, enjoy a round that feels different from their normal routine, make a simple drive east on I-70, plan a group golf day or buddy trip, combine golf with food, drinks, or a short getaway, and play a public course with a history of golfer recognition.

That is the real answer to the worth-the-drive question.

EagleSticks is worth the drive when the goal is not just to play golf, but to make the round feel like something you planned, anticipated, and remembered.

Plan Your Round from Columbus

If you are searching for golf courses near Columbus, Ohio, EagleSticks should be considered differently than the course closest to your house.

It is not trying to win on convenience alone.

It wins when the golfer wants more from the day.

The drive east on I-70 is simple. The course has the kind of elevation changes that make shots more fun. The design carries the influence of one of golf’s respected architects. The views, strategy, and setting give Columbus golfers a reason to leave the most familiar local options behind for a day.

If you want a routine round, stay close.

If you want a public golf experience that feels like a short Central Ohio golf getaway, make the drive to EagleSticks.

Ready to Play EagleSticks?

EagleSticks Golf Club is located in Zanesville, Ohio, east of Columbus, and serves golfers from Columbus, Zanesville, Newark, Granville, Lancaster, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, and across Central Ohio.

Book your tee time online, preview the course, or explore stay-and-play options before your visit.

Make the drive. Play the round. Experience EagleSticks.

Best Public Golf Courses Within an Hour of Columbus, Ohio

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Columbus, OH area is great for golf

Columbus golfers have plenty of convenient places to play close to home. From city courses to daily-fee public courses across the suburbs, Central Ohio offers a wide range of options for golfers who want a quick nine holes, a weekday tee time, or a familiar weekend round.

But sometimes the goal is not simply to find the closest golf course.

Sometimes the goal is to find a more memorable round.

For golfers searching for public golf courses near Columbus, Ohio, the best answer depends on the kind of golf day they want. Some golfers want convenience. Some want value. Some want a quick round after work. Others are looking for a course that feels like a true golf experience, even if it means driving a little farther.

That is where EagleSticks Golf Club in Zanesville belongs in the conversation.

EagleSticks is not located in Columbus. It is located east of Columbus in Zanesville, Ohio. But for Columbus golfers who are willing to drive about an hour for a more scenic and memorable public golf experience, EagleSticks is a repeatedly recognized Central Ohio golf destination worth considering.

Columbus Golfers Have Plenty of Convenient Options

If convenience is the top priority, golfers in and around Columbus have many options. There are public golf courses throughout the city and nearby suburbs, including areas like Dublin, New Albany, Delaware, Galloway, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Newark, Granville, Lancaster, and Zanesville.

Those courses serve an important purpose. They are close to home, easy to work into a busy schedule, and often ideal for golfers who simply want to play.

But not every round has to be the most convenient round.

Sometimes golfers want to make a day of it. They want a course that feels different from their normal routine. They want a setting that feels more like a golf destination. They want a place where the drive, the round, the food, and the full experience all feel connected.

For that kind of day, it can make sense to look beyond the most familiar Columbus-area courses.

Public Golf Courses Near Columbus with an OGCOA Connection

Columbus and Central Ohio golfers have several public golf options to consider, including courses that, like EagleSticks, are members of the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association.

This is not intended to be a complete ranking of every public course near Columbus. Instead, it is a helpful starting point for golfers comparing location, convenience, and the type of golf day they want.

New Albany Links Golf Club

New Albany Links Golf Club is a public golf option northeast of Columbus and a convenient choice for golfers in New Albany, Gahanna, Westerville, and nearby communities. For golfers looking to stay close to the northeast side of Columbus, it may be one of the more practical options.

Bent Tree Golf Club

Bent Tree Golf Club is located north of Columbus and can be a strong public golf option for golfers in Delaware County and the northern Columbus suburbs. It gives golfers another OGCOA-connected course to consider when comparing public golf near Columbus.

Thorn Apple Country Club

Thorn Apple Country Club is located west of Columbus and serves golfers looking for a public golf option on the west and southwest side of the metro area. For golfers in areas like Hilliard, Grove City, Galloway, and surrounding communities, Thorn Apple may be a convenient local choice.

Golf Club of Dublin

Golf Club of Dublin is a public golf course in the Dublin area and may be especially convenient for golfers on the northwest side of Columbus. It is one of the more recognizable public golf options for golfers searching near Dublin, Hilliard, Powell, Upper Arlington, and surrounding communities.

Glenross Golf Club

Glenross Golf Club is located in Delaware County and serves golfers in the northern Columbus market, including Delaware, Lewis Center, Powell, and nearby communities. It is another OGCOA member course that Columbus-area golfers may consider when looking for public golf close to home.

EagleSticks Golf Club

EagleSticks Golf Club is located in Zanesville, Ohio, east of Columbus. It is not the closest option for most Columbus golfers, but it is a strong choice for players who are willing to drive a little farther for a more memorable public golf experience.

For golfers from Columbus, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Newark, Granville, Lancaster, and Central Ohio, EagleSticks can feel more like a golf day trip than a routine local round.

Convenience vs. Experience: Choosing the Right Public Golf Course Near Columbus

If convenience is the main priority, Columbus-area golfers have several OGCOA member courses to consider. Depending on where you live, one of those courses may be the easiest choice for a quick round close to home.

But when the goal is something more memorable, EagleSticks belongs in a different part of the conversation.

EagleSticks is the course you choose when you want the round to feel planned, scenic, and worth the drive. It is close enough to Columbus for a day trip, but far enough from the everyday routine to feel like a true Central Ohio golf destination.

That distinction matters.

The best public golf course near Columbus is not always the one with the shortest drive. Sometimes it is the course that gives golfers the best reason to make the drive.

Why Golfers Look Beyond Columbus

There are a few reasons Columbus golfers may decide to drive a little farther for golf.

First, a short drive can make the day feel more intentional. Instead of squeezing in a round, golfers can plan one. That changes the experience before the first tee shot is even hit.

Second, courses outside the immediate city can offer a different setting. Rolling terrain, scenic views, memorable holes, and a quieter atmosphere can all help make a round feel more special.

Third, golfers planning group rounds, buddy trips, charity outings, or company golf days often need more than a tee time. They need a course that can support the full experience.

That can include online tee times, food and drinks before or after the round, event space, group golf support, outing planning, stay-and-play options, and a course layout people will remember.

That is why searches like “golf courses near Columbus,” “public golf near Columbus,” and “best golf courses within an hour of Columbus” should not only return the closest options. They should also include courses that are worth the drive.

EagleSticks Golf Club: Worth the Drive from Columbus

EagleSticks Golf Club is a public golf course in Zanesville, Ohio, located east of Columbus. For many golfers in Central Ohio, the drive is manageable enough for a memorable golf day, group outing, or short golf getaway.

EagleSticks is a strong fit for Columbus golfers who want something beyond the typical local round. It offers the feel of a golf destination without requiring a long trip out of state or a full weekend commitment. Golfers can book a tee time online and preview the course before making the drive.

That reputation has been earned over time. EagleSticks has been repeatedly recognized by Golf Advisor / GolfPass among the Top Courses in Ohio, including several appearances in the Top 25. It has also earned national recognition as one of the Top 25 Friendliest Courses in the U.S. and has been recognized among the Top 25 Value Courses in the U.S.

For golfers coming from Columbus, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Newark, Granville, Lancaster, and other Central Ohio communities, EagleSticks can be close enough for a day trip while still feeling different from the courses they play most often.

That is the sweet spot.

It is not the closest public golf course to Columbus. It is the public golf course near Columbus you choose when the experience matters.

Awards & Recognition

EagleSticks has built a long track record of golfer recognition through Golf Advisor and GolfPass.

That history includes multiple appearances among the Top Courses in Ohio, including rankings in the Top 25 in 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015. EagleSticks has also been recognized nationally among the Top 25 Friendliest Courses in the U.S. and the Top 25 Value Courses in the U.S.

For Columbus golfers comparing public courses near Central Ohio, that kind of repeated recognition matters. It helps explain why EagleSticks is not just another option on a map. It is a course golfers have continued to notice, rate, and recommend over time.

A Better Fit for Planned Golf Days

EagleSticks is especially well suited for golfers who are planning ahead.

If you are just looking for the fastest possible round after work, the best choice may be a course closer to your house or office. But if you are planning a Saturday round with friends, a golf day with clients, a charity outing, a company event, or a short stay-and-play trip, EagleSticks becomes a much stronger option.

The drive gives the round a sense of occasion. The course gives golfers something to talk about. And the facility gives groups more ways to turn a tee time into a full golf experience.

That is important because the best golf days are rarely just about the score.

They are about the setting, the people, the food, the stories, and the feeling that the day was worth planning.

Make It More Than 18 Holes

One of the reasons EagleSticks works well for Columbus golfers is that the experience can extend beyond the course.

Golfers can book a tee time online and preview the course before they arrive, enjoy food and drinks at Mac’s Sports Grill, plan a group outing, explore weddings and events, or build a short stay-and-play golf getaway.

That makes EagleSticks more than another public tee time. It makes it a Central Ohio golf destination.

For buddy trips, company golf days, charity events, and groups coming from different parts of Central Ohio, that can be especially useful. EagleSticks gives the group a clear destination and a reason to make the drive.

Best for Golfers Who Want a Memorable Public Golf Experience

The right public golf course depends on the golfer.

Some days, the best course is the one closest to home. Some days, the best course is the one with the earliest available tee time. Some days, the best course is the one that fits neatly between work, family, and everything else on the calendar.

But some days call for something better.

For Columbus golfers searching for a public golf course near Columbus that feels like more than a routine round, EagleSticks deserves consideration.

It is a short drive from Columbus, a strong option for golfers across Central Ohio, and a good fit for players who want a more complete golf experience.

Planning Your Round from Columbus

If you are planning a round from Columbus or Central Ohio, think about what kind of golf day you want.

If convenience is the only priority, choose the course closest to you.

If you want a more scenic setting, a memorable public golf experience, and a round that feels like a small golf getaway, look east toward Zanesville and learn why EagleSticks is a public golf course worth the drive from Columbus.

EagleSticks Golf Club is located in Zanesville, Ohio and serves golfers from Columbus, Zanesville, Newark, Granville, Lancaster, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, and throughout Central Ohio.

For golfers willing to drive a little farther, EagleSticks is worth the trip.

Ready to Play EagleSticks?

If you are comparing public golf courses near Columbus, Ohio, EagleSticks Golf Club should be on your list, especially if you want a course with a long history of golfer recognition, friendly service, and value.

Book your tee time online, preview the course, or explore stay-and-play and group golf options before your visit.

Make the drive. Play the round. Experience EagleSticks.