Fox Den Golf Course in Stow, Ohio is an 18 hole Municipal golf course located four miles off Route 8 in the Northeast section of the city.
Date played: June 13, 2015
*Update from Chris 7/3/15: If you’re thinking of giving it a try or going back, you might want to hurry up. The city is taking bids to potentially sell the course and not all of the bidders are interested in keeping it a golf course.
The course was designed by Fred Schmeidel and originally opened in 1967. In 2006, the city of Stow acquired Fox Den and currently maintains and operates the facility. They offer four sets of tees with the back (blue) tees measuring 6513 yards and par 72.
My day to play golf arrived, but all my usual playing partners had prior engagements, so I decided this was a good opportunity to explore a course our circle knew very little, if anything, about. The 11:15 tee time was too good of a deal to pass up (more on that later), so I grabbed it and headed out for a solo round.
The first thing I noticed as I pulled into the parking lot was the massive driving range across the road. There must have been at least three dozen stalls to hit from. There were a couple putting greens and what looked like practice bunkers as well, so they get good marks for their practice facilities.
The second thing I noticed when I pulled in was the barber shop on-site. First time for everything.
Pace of Play
The pace of play was exactly what I expected for a muni on a beautiful Saturday, very slow. The course was jam-packed as it should be. There were three groups waiting on the first tee.
As I tried to mentally prepare for the frustration of playing a five-hour round, the two guys I was paired up with explained that there was a bachelor party playing in front of us. The good news was they were playing two-man best ball. Maybe there was hope to get done in four and a half after all.
My hopes were dashed when the longest tee shot from the foursome never climbed higher than four feet off the ground and traveled approximately 75 yards. So much for that. These pickled groomsmen played with the speed of a nine-some and the skill of Ray Charles.
I’m certainly not blaming the course for any of this aside from the lack of a ranger trying to move the group along. Again, the pace was as expected.
The Course
Fox Den mixes things up enough to keep you interested. There’s nothing spectacular, but enough doglegs of varying degrees, high grass, out-of-bounds areas, and bunkers are in play to make you think about what you can or can’t do on your next shot.
The back nine is noticeably tougher than the front nine. There isn’t a great deal of water, but the course seems to maximize its impact on your round, as it does with all of its hazards.
I didn’t notice an advantage to moving the ball in one direction as opposed to another. If I saw my miss was to the left because of the out-of-bounds down the right side on a hole, I would walk up to a hole shortly afterwards with trouble on my left. A good example is the short 10th and par-5 11th with out-of-bounds down the entire right sides, followed by the excellent par-3 12th hole with a pond to the left side of the green.
My Favorite Hole
My favorite hole on the course is the par-5 14th. I found it to have just the right amount of trouble. It’s not long, measuring 499 yards. There’s plenty of room to hit the short grass from the tee, but the fairway bunker on the left could dictate your options for your second shot. It’s in play and takes about 250 in the air to clear.
I put my tee ball just in the right rough, but drew a decent lie. I had 230 yards to the middle of the green, but it was downhill so I figured the 210 yards from a solid 3 iron should leave me in good shape and has a shot to run up onto the green if I hit short. Bunkers guard the green right, left, and long. The back bunker is only about 10 feet wide front to back, but stretches the length of the green left to right. Past the back bunker is out-of-bounds.
I made good contact with the 3 iron and had the ball on a good line. They use an extra long flag stick since you can’t see the front portion of the green due to the drop in elevation. I couldn’t see it land, but my eyes lit up as I saw it rolling to the back towards the trap. It stopped on the fringe and I was able to tap in an infuriating three-putt par from there.
It’s a simple hole, but it’s the type that seems like if you played it 20 times you would have an eagle, a few birdies, a bunch of pars, but also a couple sevens where you didn’t really hit bad shots en route to double bogey.
Least Favorite Hole
The par-5 5th hole and I got off to a rocky start right at the beginning. It’s a 90 degree dogleg right that requires a short iron off the tee. There was a plaque on the tee box that told me it was 161 yards to the center of the fairway at the corner. I usually hit my 7 iron 165 yards, so I tried to fade it a little to no avail. It was still a good shot, dead straight. I’m expecting the left side of the fairway, but it rolls through into the rough. Did I nuke my 7 iron without realizing it or is the course yardage off a little? I hit a good shot, so naturally it couldn’t have been my fault…
The ball didn’t roll far in the rough, so I knew I would have a clear shot. I didn’t know that shot would be 250 yards straight uphill. I can get 250 out of my 5 wood one out of maybe four swings, but not up a significant incline. I hit a 3 iron most of the way up, chipped and two-putted for par.
I’m curious as to how much of the corner course regulars try to cut off. The trees are dense to the right so the risk is substantial. Plus, at most, you might be able to shave 40-50 yards off your second shot if you pull it off. So you are left with 200-210 yards up a big slope. My percentage of greens hit doesn’t improve much moving from 250 up to 200, so the reward doesn’t appear worth it.
It’s not a horrible hole. I just don’t like the setup with the bulk of the yardage sitting at your second shot.
Clubhouse & Amenities
Fox Den has a decent clubhouse. There wasn’t much room waiting in line to check in. I had to keep moving as people filed through the door, but it opens up as you reach the food counter. They do a nice job of creatively spreading their merchandise around the building. I saw mostly Puma gear hanging on the racks and displayed against the walls. Prices appeared to be standard full retail. I don’t think you’ll find any good deals.
The snack bar was fairly impressive in appearance and offerings. The special of the day was a buffalo chicken sandwich, but I’m not rolling the dice with some hot sauce as I’m about to head out for a couple of hours to play the back nine. I went with the turkey on rye for $4 and immediately regretted not going with a hot dog as soon as I saw the weak sandwich. I added a couple of beverages and a bag of pretzels. The $9 I spent at the turn was nearly as much as I paid for the entire round and I left unimpressed, but admittedly I should have been more adventurous.
The Deal
GolfNow had the 11:15 tee time listed as one of their hot deals and since I waited until less than 24 hours before the reservation to book, I was able to snag the round for just $13.
Overall
It won’t threaten to become anyone’s new favorite golf course, but it’s solid all the way around.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Fox Den Golf Course
2770 Call Road
Stow, OH 44224
330-673-3443
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