The Bermuda Triangle
Locals talk about holes 14–16 with a mix of pride and dread, dubbing them the 'Bermuda Triangle' for their knack for derailing rounds. Survive this trio and you’ll have earned your scorecard—and a story to go with it.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Chippewa Golf Club
Doylestown, Ohio
Established
1962
Architect
James Harrison & Ferdinand Garbin
Access
Public
Par
Par 71
Length
5,389 – 6,756 yds
Green Fees
$
The verdict
A Northeast Ohio Classic Test
Chippewa Golf Club offers a traditional, rolling layout with undulating greens and a famously challenging stretch. It’s a well-conditioned, regionally-loved course that rewards smart play and brings local flavor at every turn.
Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery62
Conditioning88
Shot Variety77
Walkability73
Green Complexity82
Wow Factor72
Design Quality73
Don't miss
Ask a staff member or local for their favorite Bermuda Triangle survival story—the tales of woe and triumph from holes 14–16 are unforgettable.
At a glance
Quick facts
Signature stretch
The Bermuda Triangle—holes 14–16
Green renovation
All 20 greens rebuilt in 2024
Tree management
Strategic clearing improved vistas and playability
Course rating/slope
71.8/122 from Blue tees
Climate resilience
TifEagle and TifTuf Bermudagrass withstand Ohio summers
Pace of play
Typically fast; round times well under 4 hours
Club atmosphere
Relaxed, pure-golf local vibe
Access
Fully public, no membership required
The design
The architecture
Chippewa Golf Club pairs classic 1960s parkland routing with massive, undulating greens that have become its calling card. The course rambles over rolling terrain, with mature trees and just enough elevation to create interesting stances and approaches. Strategic bunkers and thick, healthy rough frame the challenge, but it's the sequence—particularly the infamous Bermuda Triangle stretch—that sears itself into a golfer’s memory. Major renovations in 2024 have given the greens modern performance and ensured Chippewa remains a shotmaker’s test.
Harrison & Garbin’s midcentury touch harmonizes with 21st-century agronomic upgrades, honoring the original routing while vastly enhancing green quality.
Defining features
- Huge, tiered putting surfaces with lively breaks
- Signature Bermuda Triangle stretch on 14–16
- Mixture of long par 4s and reachable par 5s
- Strategic bunkering and deceptive rough
- Rolling hills demand thoughtful club selection
- USGA-spec greens and TifEagle turf throughout
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 14
Bermuda Triangle Gatekeeper
PAR
4
YARDAGE
429
The start of the infamous 'Bermuda Triangle' is a mid-to-long par 4 that looks benign but rarely yields easy pars. Precision off the tee sets up a demanding, well-defended approach to a large, testing green.
Play it smart
Favor the safer side off the tee to avoid blocked angles, then play for the heart of the green and trust your putter.
Where it bites
Creeping rough, tucked pin, and demanding green slopes can quickly turn a hopeful 4 into a scrambling 5 or 6.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching the 14th green
Stay below the hole; anything above the pin makes for a treacherous two-putt.
Second shot on the 3rd (par 5)
Lay up to your favorite wedge distance unless you're sure you can keep the approach out of the thick fronting rough.
Tee shot on 16
Aim for center fairway and don’t force a cut; missing left brings OB and big numbers quickly.
Reading fast greens
Factor in true speeds—uphill putts are safer; downhillers can outrun you.
Approach on 7 (short par 4)
Don’t get greedy; the safe play is to wedge and attack a front pin, but avoid short-siding yourself.
Club selection on 17 (par 3)
Account for the wind, as it usually plays a club longer—don’t leave it short.
Out of the Bermuda Triangle
Clear your mind after 16—three solid swings on 18 can rescue your card and your mood.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Greens are lightning fast, true, and rebuilt; fairways and tees are lush, with rough deceptively thick.
Pace
Rounds move briskly, with typical play under four hours even during busy times.
Vibe
Friendly, local-favorite feel that emphasizes pure golf over luxuries.
Dress code
Standard golf attire recommended; no jacket required.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Book early for late spring & fall
The course is especially popular when greens are ramped up and weather moderates, so secure tee times in advance.
02
Trust yardages, not visuals
Several holes play longer or shorter than they look due to elevation and wind—use the card or GPS, not just your eye.
03
Bring your best putting touch
The rebuilt TifEagle greens reward touch and punish carelessness—practice lag putts before your round.
04
Prepare for all lies
Rough can be surprisingly thick, especially after rain, so have a plan for recovery shots from lush lies.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1962
Course opens, designed by James Harrison and Ferdinand Garbin
- 2024
Greens rebuilt to USGA specs, regrassing of tees, fairways, and rough; strategic tree and bunker work
- 2024
Reopens after major renovation, drawing praise for playing conditions
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Greens Reborn
In 2024, Chippewa Golf Club rebuilt all its greens to USGA standards and planted TifEagle Bermudagrass, raising the bar for speed and texture in Ohio public golf. Golfers rave about the surfaces, which now run true and fast even after heavy rains.
Fast Play, Friendly Faces
Chippewa earns high marks for efficient pace and a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere. Whether single or group, you’re likely to finish under four hours and leave with a handshake from staff at the 18th.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The infamous 'Bermuda Triangle' stretch (holes 14–16) has derailed countless local tournament rounds.
2
All 20 greens were rebuilt with USGA specs and TifEagle Bermudagrass in 2024—a rarity at this price point.
3
Thick, lush rough is a Chippewa calling card—don’t be fooled by appearances.
4
Chippewa’s pace of play is often under four hours, even on weekends.
5
Despite classic parkland looks, greens here are notably larger and more undulating than most Ohio publics.
Build the trip
If You’re Making a Northeast Ohio Golf Getaway
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Firestone Country Club
Private
Famed major championship venue and the ultimate aspirational round if you can secure access.
Cleveland Metroparks – South Course
Public
Strong, affordable public layout with a loyal following—pairs perfectly with a Chippewa trip.
Turkeyfoot Lake Golf Links
Public
A classic local favorite with lakeside views and fun variety.
Sleepy Hollow Golf Course
Public
Arguably the best value municipal course within striking distance, offering genuine architectural interest.
Rawiga Golf Club
Public
A reliable public choice that's well-conditioned and nearby.
Akron or the Green/Copley area for both golf and off-course dining.
Course DNA
If You Like Chippewa Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Country Club of Rochester
Brighton, New YorkConditioning
Why it matches: If Chippewa Golf Club is your kind of course, Country Club of Rochester is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Wilmington Country Club (North Course)
Wilmington, DelawareConditioning
Why it matches: Wilmington Country Club (North Course) is a natural next stop after Chippewa Golf Club: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Strong DNA Match8.1
Nassau Country Club
Glen Cove, New YorkConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Nassau Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Chippewa Golf Club.
Community Sentiment
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