Golf FAQ

All Cleveland Metroparks golf courses have clubs available to rent for play or borrow for use on the driving range or putting green.

In addition to clubs, you will need to have some golf balls and tees to play. Both are available for purchase in our team shops.

• Shirts with sleeves must be worn at all times; t-shirts are permissible. Sleeves and collars are recommended on men's shirts; ladies may wear a sleeveless, collared golf shirt. Tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, mesh shirts or similar attire are not permitted.
• Slacks, skirts or mid-length shorts must be worn at all times. (swimming attire, short-shorts, cutoffs, jogging suits, sweat pants and similar attire are not permitted).
• Proper footwear must be worn at all times. (Metal spikes, high heels, sharp heels, lug shoes, knobby rubber spikes or shoes deemed harmful to the golf course are not permitted).

Cleveland Metroparks has four courses considered Executive length for shorter course length and simpler layouts. Washington, Little Met, Mastick Woods or Shawnee Hills Par 3 course are recommended courses for new golfers.

Hitting some balls at the driving range is a good way to start your day at the golf course, regardless of your skill level.

The Academy of Golf offers lessons for all skill levels. Use our online questionnaire to determine the right level for you.

A maximum of four players can be in each group.

Course

• Bunker: A sand filled ditch. Usually surrounds the green.
• Fairway: The part of the golf course that leads to the green.
• Green: The soft, plush ground surrounding the hole.
• Hazard: Anything that comes between you and successfully getting the ball in the hole such as streams, ponds, bunkers, trees.
• The rough: The wild area on either side of the fairway. Often filled with trees and long grass.
• Tee Box: Another name for the area where you play your first ball at the start of a hole.
• Tee Marker: A colored rock or monument at the tee box. Different colors correspond to different distances. Red = novice golfer; White = average golfer; Blue = Pro golfer.

Scoring

• Ace: A hole in one.
• Birdie: One stroke under par.
• Bogey: One stroke above par.
• Eagle: Two strokes under par.
• Par: The number of strokes a professional would expected to achieve per hole.
• Stroke: The swing made with intent to hit the ball. You keep track of score but counting strokes and remember a miss can still count as a stroke.
• Fore!: A general warning when your shot may hit another golfer or bystander.

Equipment

• Golf Tee: The wooden peg you place your golf ball on at the start of a hole. Also the area where you first play the ball at the start of a hole.
• Ball Marker: A token or small coin used to spot the ball’s position on the green, generally used when two or more players are putting on the same green.

• Booking in advance is not required, but recommended.
• Every fourth tee reservation will be kept available for walk-on golfers. There are no walk-on tee times at Sleepy Hollow and Manakiki golf courses
• Walk-on times will be assigned from the names on the waiting list.
• Tee reservations may be made beginning at noon, 12 days in advance.