Hawthorne Valley Golf Club

I played the course several years before it closed and found it very enjoyable. It was not actually designed by Donald Ross, but there are many out there mistakenly attributed to him.

Do not fail to miss playing Hawthorne Valley.. It is challenging, yet playable by seniors or average golfers. There is lots of relief in its topography and there are challenging hazards, but they are masterabvle. The course has always been if marvelous shape when we have played it (at least once a month - usuall more often) I think that it is the most course for the money in the Cleveland area. If you try it you will be back. Great putting greens.

Course was not kept up well. Was informed a trim mower was "broken" so there was a cut that wasn't made for the entire course. Which made it possible to lose a ball 2 feet off a green if you weren't careful. Rough round...potential as a great course though!

You can see the potential and possibly what this course once was in its prime. Couldn't play a single bunker. Greens, although were a bit speedy, looked diseased, burnt out. Fairways were actually decent. Rough was... well.. rough. Torn up, long, weeds, not well kept by any stretch. If there are any grounds keepers looking for a challenge, apply now. Id love to see this course rejuvenated and back to what it was intended to be. No range, clubhouse is outdated and they ran out of hot dog buns. Don't you know fat guys need hot dogs, with buns, at the turn? Friendly staff.. but probably need some more to help bring this course back to life.

I’ve played Hawthorne for years, since it became public. Ever since he new owners took over, it’s been going downhill fast. The layout is great, but the course conditions are embarrassing. Course is overpriced for what you get. Don’t play for any more than $25 for 18. This is sad.

Most of the course was in fine condition except for the greens, with many being in poor condition. Even though it hasn’t rained very much there were parts of the course that were flooded. The course is definitely old school so you get tight landing areas with smaller greens but we expected that. It seems petty but the course adds on a city of Solon fee of just under $2. Booking for a certain amount and then finding this added on is disappointing, seeming a bit shady to me. We won’t go back.

Last played HVGC back in 2016 just when Davey Golf took over management. Back then said the course needed some TLC....it still does but you can see though that some work has been done.

Overall, the course itself is a gem. It's a Donald Ross design so very much about shotmaking and you will use every club in your bag.

Tee boxes, fairways, and greens were all in pretty good shape. The bunkers though.....oh, the bunkers. This was my contention with the course in 2016 and continues to be so. The bunkers appear to be the one issue where no investment is being made as these were some of the worst bunkers you can find. I'm guessing the last time new sand was put in had to be about 10 years ago. If they just invested in money to put new sand in the bunkers, oh wow, what a difference it would make. Right now, our group allowed anyone who hit into a bunker to remove the ball from the bunker since it was impossible to hit a clean bunker shot in current conditions.

Also some more pruning of trees and branches are needed. Of note is hole #7 where a big old tree with overgrown and drooping branches is essentially creating an awning over the entirety of one greenside bunker and surrounding areas making play there impossible. Some simple pruning would fix this instantly.

The course is getting there although it seems like the course is also continually on the verge of shutting down for good from the vibe one gets.

This course is a challenge every time I play. Great value w very good staff.

I asked around, but I still haven't found out why this course is called "Hawthorne Valley," whose name I associate with Nathaniel Hawthorne.

I normally play by myself, but today, I paired up with two gentlemen with a good sense of humor. While the course was wet here and there after the previous night's heavy rain, the play went on the whole quite smoothly.

I think Hawthorne Valley is on a par with other well-known courses around Cleveland, such as Manakiki, Fowler's Mill, St. Denise, Chardon Lakes, Wicked Woods, Tanglewood, etc in maintenance and difficulty.

If you’re into the game, and the history, this is a treasure. If you’re into amenities it’s not for you.

I’ve always said bunkers are a hazard, so it’s seems a waste of money to groom them to perfection. But if you’re going to let the rough become unplayable, how much do out-of-bounds stakes cost? Greens were very slow which mitigated the difficulty of playing this maze for the first time.

I will be back; but it’s not for everyone.

First time playing the course in over a decade and since it converted from a private course. Conditions and Pace of Play were excellent and will keep it as one of my courses for special outings when I have out-of-town tests, etc. course is definitely a Donald Ross design and there is nothing easy about the layout. A definite challenge.

Great layout but horrible condition. Bunkers were basically concrete. One even had a tree root thru it. What’s the point of having rakes if there’s no dirt or sand?? At the very least have dirt in them sheesh.

Great course w very helpful stafff.best golf value around.

Nice course especially for the value. It’s definitely plays short, probably why so many seniors out playing. Everyone was extremely nice and the course was in good shape for the price.

The course is a great design with good mix of interesting holes. Definitely a shot makers course. If conditions were slightly better it would be one of the best public courses in the area.

The golf course was in excellent condition. This was my second time playing. It’s a good golf course worthwhile for the average golfer.

Overall the course itself is in very nice shape -tees, fairways, and greens were all nicely maintained. However there are 3 issues that need addressed. 1. Trees and growth need trimmed back throughout the course. There are numerous holes where part of the tee is blocked off by tree limbs or overgrown grasses. And another 3-4 holes where a ball that lands in the wrong spot in the fairway is also blocked, or a half the green can't be targeted. 2. The pin placements, Donald Ross designed his greens tough enough without some greens keeper getting cute and putting most of the pins in inaccessible locations. The pins locations today would not allow for chips and putts to stop near the hole, and rarely rewarded good shots/chips/putts. Short putts often still had several inches of break to play. All this does is frustrate golfers, slow down play, and will cost the course repeat business. 3. The sand traps were awful, thin sand and full of pebbles & rocks. They're not the worst I've ever seen, but they need to get the proper sand in them or take them out. I hope that the ownership can get this course back to the way it should be, and conditions have improved since last year when I played, but it could be some time before I return given the issues I've pointed out above.

Very nice course and layout. Greens are impeccable. I highly recommend!