Ellinwood Country Club

The course opens at Ellinwood Country Club with a great, 405-yard par-4, a tester which plays downhill and doglegs right, then ends on a slightly raised green complex flanked by bunkers. Should you miss the green, pitching accurately to its undulating surface will take expert judgment. The second, a drive-and-pitch hole into a wide open fairway, places a premium on the approach to a raised green. At the par-3 third, the tee shot must traverse a chasm-like divide before the green, but even slightly underpowered shots may well roll down into a stream. A tough and tight par-5 follows. This opening sequence generally sums up what is to be faced throughout the full round at Ellinwood, a combination of two nines designed in two eras: a Golden Age’s contribution (1929) of the first set from Donald Ross, and the inspired work, some forty years later, of Geoffrey Cornish that generated his nine Post-War/ Modern Era holes.

These nines are not consecutive; rather, Cornish interspersed the newer nine both within and around Ross’ nine. Those familiar with these two well-known and prolific architects should recognize (for the most part) Cornish's trademark bunkering in some of the holes, along with his expansive greens. The Ross greens, here, on the other hand, tend to be on the small side, often setting up a contrast to the often imposing ridges or rises on which they are frequently placed.

Ellinwood’s peaceful rural setting combines dense woodland surrounds on many of its holes, but others are more open and, to a large degree, spacious. The mature trees supply a dignified, dateless beauty to the course’s rolling and sometimes quite hilly landscape. On looks and atmosphere alone, this is a “The Hidden Gem”–as the banner on the side of the clubhouse proclaims. Yet what mostly caught my attention was the playing experience, highlighted by the consistently challenging par-3s, several tough-as-nails par-4s, and at least three very good par-5s (see below) that held my interest by their strategic value.

There are three standout holes on the course, I would say, that by their design serve to typify as well as underscore Ellinwood’s quality: :

11th: Par-4, 314. From a high tee, the fairway plummets to a trough-like driving zone, then, crossing a brook, rises to a green that is heavily tilted–mainly from its high right side.

13th: Par-5, 455. The hole plays longer than its measured length with an uphill tee shot, and it’s a great driving hole to a well proportioned, bunkered fairway. Two well-struck, accurate shots may get you aboard green thirteen, maybe with a realistic eagle putt.

17: Par-4, 432: Longest par-4 and maybe the course’s best hole. The tee shot must be precise and long; the approach–downhill but into a green open in front–must be gauged correctly to get anywhere near the hole on the large putting surface. Around this green, too, is a large bunker left and mounding right.

Conditions: Good overall–despite a drought.

Superior conditioning of greens and their fringes, along with their roughs and the approach zones leading up to them. The fairways and roughs were less impressive—they are somewhat burnt out by the end-of-season summer drought. Greens themselves were ultra-fast and easily among the best I’ve played all year. One caveat kicks in, though: a few of the older, very steeply sloped Ross greens, which are cut as short as all of the others, may well have your golf ball rolling off them (and they may be running uncontrollably for 40 feet or more). It’s a razor’s edge that is, in my opinion, just too sharp.

Some Conclusions:

Simply a great value for anyone expecting the high quality typically generated in a layout from either Ross or Cornish, this course will give almost anyone’s game a complete workout. I was completely engrossed during my midday round here. A bonus: very friendly and helpful (without being asked) staffers in the clubhouse.

Hidden gems like Ellinwood are well worth seeking out.

This Donald Ross track will test your game. Not too long,but the par 5s will test you. Once you get to the green the adventure begins. If you are above the hole, good luck trying to get it close to the hole. The key to playing this or any Donald Ross track is to keep it below the hole. These greens were the best I have played this season. They were FAST and ran true. I love playing this course and look forward to playing it again.

Nice course, hold on to you hat on the cart paths

A lot of nice holes in this course but fairway damage from last year's drought conditions need to be repaired. The greens are in great condition. I will continue visiting this course a few times a year because it is an enjoyable place to play.

I have been to Ellinwood before so I knew what to expect. Long holes but not too long, beautiful woodland setting, hilly terrain, (happy to have taken a cart) and water hazards but not too many. I like the challenge this course gives me. Greens were in good shape.

The cost to play is equal to the experience at similar courses.

Good course with challenging holes.. friendly grounds crew. Greens were in good shape. Drinking water on course for hot days.

Fun course, have started going there more often even though I’m a member at another course.

Greens are reasonably fast, consistent....

Blind shots are a challenge & long playing par 3s...

Overall we were happy with our round. Course was challenging (especially the greens and some narrow fairways), so it kept the game interesting. Pace was very slow. I would recommend having a starter or some other sort of monitor to ensure groups do not cluster. Fairways are a tad on the longer side. Chose this course because of the five par 5's. Was very happy with the layout. Carts and cart paths are very rough (top of our cart seemed to becoming disconnected from the rest. Overall had a very good time, would like to play again.

very nice old style course, wide variety of hole layouts make a fun and challenging day.

Great course. Great price. Friendly staff. Fairways were not pristine but very playable.. course was fun and challenging.

fto all the rain we have had the course was pretty good

We had the 11:10am tee-time / the weather was amazing - 78 degrees slightly overcast - sunnier and slightly warmer as the day went on / we arrived about 15 minutes early-got our cart and waiting maybe 5 minutes to tee-off / the pace of play was excellent / 18 holes in 4 hours - we would recommend this course to anyone looking for a good round of golf / greens are challenging / course was a little wet but overall the conditions were awesome .... GREAT DAY !!