Kennsington Golf Club

When you arrive at Kensington, you immediately get the feeling you're at a private country club rather than a public course. Within moments of arriving, someone drives a cart to your car to pick you up. The clubhouse is very nice- somewhat small but more than adequate with a very nice bar & grille. Unfortunately, after setting out on the first tee, this feeling leaves quickly. A fantastic layout that's always left me wondering why the conditions aren't better. Tee boxes with unrepaired divots, fairways bare, patchy, and divoted, unfinished projects around the course, and greens covered in unrepaired pitch marks and patchy areas. There's always a small army of employees working in and around the clubhouse- bar & grille staff, cart kids, attendants driving a cart to your car to pick you up... unfortunately, they can't seem to find anyone to go out on the course with a bucket of sand and a divot tool. I do realize that it is the golfer's responsibility to repair their own damage, and clearly not enough take this to heart. But, for the rates being charged here, I expect better and more attention to these details.

As far as the course itself goes, it's a great layout designed by Brian Huntley. The course will challenge you by demanding a variety of shots. While the longer hitters will always enjoy an advantage in the game of golf, the shorter players will not be penalized here if you can keep your shots in the proper position. Club selection is key on many holes, both off the tee and on approaches, since there are many hazards near greens waiting to catch wayward shots. Though the course is in a residential area, the houses only infringe on the course on a couple holes, and better golfers should have no difficulty avoiding them. There are only a couple holes where you have to worry about wayward shots from other holes heading towards you, as there is generally good separation between holes.

Though a great course, the conditions unfortunately hold Kensington back from being a premier destination in the area. It seems the management has their focus squarely on the revenue generators around the clubhouse rather than the course itself. Which is unfortunate, since the potential is there for this to be one of the jewels of the area. If you don't mind paying a premium price for less than premium conditions, this course will fit that bill nicely. It is probably one of the better public courses in the Youngstown area, with many fantastic holes and great variety. But the courses' deficiencies hold it back from being on par with great courses in the region that charge comparable rates- Boulder Creek and The Quarry come to mind. Pine Lakes, Oak Tree, and Reserve Run are courses in the area that charge comparable rates and seem to keep their golf course better conditioned than Kensington. Improvements in condition would place Kensington head and shoulders above these tracks and place it well ahead as the area's premier golf course. Every year I return to Kensington for a round with hopes that these things will improve, and every year I leave disappointed that they haven't.

Played white tees. (we're seniors) Card says 5800 . A good test for medium to high handicaps. .Course is one of best and most interesting in area. Greens and fairways were in excellent condition. Crews were putting new sand in bunkers. Never tire of playing this course.

Takes 5 hrs to play,, no Rangers and No water or beverages served on course.

The layout makes for a fun round. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Have played here before but this was by far my worst experience here. Pace of play was awful. Waited 10+ minutes on every tee. Condition of the course was poor especially the greens. So many ball marks on every green that were never fixed. Putts don't roll straight. Some of the bumpiest greens I've Played on.

This is my golfing buddy and mines favorite. We travel all over and like this the best

This course is one of the finest kept and challenging in this region. GPS carts, watered fairways, perfect greens. I have golfed many courses in this area and i thoroughly enjoyed this round with my brother.

The course is fun. The par 3s are interesting and challenging. There is plenty of sand and several forced carries over ravines and wetlands. The greens are huge, undulating and club selection is critically. The carts do have GPS which helps. The tees and fairways do have bare spots. Divots are not repaired and apparently the regulars do not own or know how to use a green repair tool. Tne clubhouse is nice. We had a tasty and very relaxing lunch on a gorgeous southern style veranda overlooking the course. The service and food are top notch.

very slow over 5 1/2 to play a round

I enjoyed the layout of this course and found it challenging. The greens and fairways are in good shape. Except for the rude local who jumped in front of me on the 10th the day was very pleasant and the pace was acceptable.

The course was in excellent condition. The pace of play was very slow on the front nine, but the back nine was well paced.

Had a tee time shortly after lunchtime an the round took 5 1/2 hours in 89 degree heat. On holes 1-8 when we got to the tee the group in front of us was sitting there in their cart and hadn't hit a tee shot yet. Saw a ranger once during this 5 1/2 hours and none of our foursome played well as a result.

Awesome track! Fairways, tees, greens all in great shape! Many different tee options for all skill levels. GPS in the carts is always a plus. Definitely one of the top 3 courses in the valley in my opinion.

It is at the top of price in the area but well worth it. Course was in excellent condition. It is one of the more difficult courses in the area but is a must play. Will be back again soon.

Interesting layout. Exceptional staff. Course was a bit soft and wet but still highly enjoyable. A definite replay next time I am in the area.

The course was in great shape and was a great value at the price!! Played with a couple of other players who were familiar with the course which helped. Was a bit more difficult than my wife is used to, but one of the nicer/more difficult ones I have played in quite a while.

Excellent value at the price!!

The day we played, the weather was, in a word, rotten! Very cold with a wind howling out of the North. Having been soaked by recent rains, there was no roll so the course played long even though we moved up a set of tees.

There are 5 sets of tees so you can pick the length that suits you, but the course will still be a challenge. The greens are huge and well bunkered. Many seem to be 2 or 3 greens in one, and if you put your approach in the wrong place, you are in for an adventure!

There are holes that call for forced carries over hazards that are daunting. Think Ohio is flat land? Play here and you will be quickly disabused of that notion!

We will play here again, but will wait for better weather to firm the course up. I will say that the hot deal we got on GolfNow was amazing. There are goat ranches in the area you can't play for so little!

course tough for people over 70 but was is great shape would play again

This is a tough course; can't always see the flag and layout confusing. Expensive, unless using golf now

Having recently relocated to Pittsburgh, several acquaitances suggested playing this club.
Well worth the visit.
The staff was very pleasant, welcoming and genuinely interested in starting our day off well.
The course overall holds ones attention as the design includes expansive fairways and greens, well placed bunkering and natural hazards that require controling ones ball at all times. Several stout holes were balanced with “shorter” reward holes.
Green surfaces are large, multi-tiered and noting pin placements are a must. GPS on the carts really helps with yardages as well as pin locations.
Pay attention to the putting green as the speed and slope are exactly what you will find on the course.
First timers, regardless of skill, might play it one tee forward and use the initial visit as a learning experience. There are a few forced carries and blind landing zones.
Post round, a “must” is the restaurant that serves very tasty sandwiches, apps and full meals with a great variety of craft beer on tap.
Enjoy this course and will be back as often as I can.

My golf course report card:

1) layout 10 8
2) Elevation change/views 8 5
3) pace of play 10 8
4) conditioning 10 6
5) value 7 6
6) design 6 6
17) consistency of layout 4 4
7) Pretty 4 3
8) customer service 5 5
9) greens 4 3
10) fun 2 2
11) variety 2 2
12) Memorable holes 3 3
13) clubhouse/practice area 3 3
14) Unique/interesting 2 1
15) Lack of houses 2 1
16) G-tee far apart/isolated holes 3 2
18) Pin Location Marked 4 4
19) Good Difficulty Level 1 1
20) Good Finishing Holes 1 1
22) How green is the course 3 2
23) Paired up 4 4
24) wow factor 2 1

Overall 81 out of 100

Critique/Total Possible Points/Points Received