A Fortune Hunter’s Vision
Club founder John H. McConnell, a corporate magnate, named his dream club after a treasure coin, not a golf score. This sense of hidden luxury and discovery lingers in every round.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Double Eagle Club
Galena, Ohio
Established
1992
Architect
Jay Morrish & Tom Weiskopf
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,300 – 7,175 yds
The verdict
A State Standout with Private Power
Double Eagle Club dazzles with championship challenge, pristine conditions, and elite shot values. While no longer a national Top 100 fixture, its thoughtful design and understated prestige make it a must-play for Ohio connoisseurs and private club aficionados.
Course DNA
Difficulty
88
Scenery72
Conditioning94
Shot Variety84
Walkability74
Green Complexity86
Wow Factor77
Design Quality85
Don't miss
The tiki bar by No. 14 — when the owner is there and the flag is up, the bar is open.
At a glance
Quick facts
Course Architects
Jay Morrish & Tom Weiskopf
State Ranking (2025-26)
No. 6 in Ohio (Golf Digest)
Course Acreage
300-acre former farmland
Slope/Rating (Back Tees)
74.9/139
Charity Legacy
$2.9M+ raised for cancer research
Prestige Factor
Invitation-only membership
The design
The architecture
Double Eagle Club’s design is all about subtle brilliance—a championship test built from once-flat farmland that now rolls with gentle elevation, shifting angles, and sculpted risk-reward scenarios. Morrish and Weiskopf anchored the course with double-fairway options, bold water features on the finishing holes, and a routing that intensifies decision-making from the first hole to the last. Greens are firm and strategic, fairways are inviting yet cunningly shaped, and every shot rewards both nerve and nuance. The course never feels manufactured: its quiet elegance and layout variety arrive through clever land use and unforced shot demands.
Morrish & Weiskopf’s vision at Double Eagle prioritizes shot values, alternate routes, and a championship rhythm—balancing challenge and playability across a refined, understated landscape.
Defining features
- Double and alternate-route fairways
- Water carries and bold finishing holes
- Impeccable green complexes
- Subtle contouring from flat former fields
- Strategic bunker placement
- Private, distraction-free environment
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 11
Long Game’s Reward
PAR
5
YARDAGE
585
A true signature par 5, the 11th is the round’s prime scoring swing—a big par 5 that tempts long hitters and rewards thoughtful positioning. Angles and layup zones matter more than sheer length.
Play it smart
Play for ideal second-shot angle, avoiding fairway traps and setting up a risk-reward approach to a guarded green.
Where it bites
Overly aggressive second shots can find water or deep rough, turning birdie hopes into bogey risk.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching a double-fairway choice (holes 7 or 17)
Pick the angle that gives you the clearest wedge shot—risking the narrow side only pays if attacking the flag.
Par 5 second shot (hole 11 or 18)
Don’t chase the green if the lie or stance is doubtful; a perfect layup opens more scoring doors.
Flirting with fairway bunkers
Long carries require confidence—always know your personal max yardage before pulling driver.
Front-right pin on a guarded par 3
Play to the heart of the green and take your two putts; par is gold on these holes.
Green-side pitch from tight cut
Check the grain and slope—release shots can easily race past if you miss your landing spot.
Wind in your face on long par 4s
Club up, stay smooth, and avoid short sides—bogey is in play if you try to muscle every shot.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Championship-level greens, flawless fairways, and private-club polish throughout.
Pace
Structured, etiquette-driven rounds—expect a rhythmic, purposeful pace.
Vibe
Discreet, serious golf with an aura of exclusivity; all about the course, not the crowd.
Dress code
Private-club standards: collared shirts, tailored golf attire required.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Warm Up Your Approach Game
Precision into firm, contoured greens is critical—spend extra time dialing in wedge and mid-iron distance control.
02
Bring Your Strategic Mindset
Map tee shots and approach angles before your round—knowledge pays more than aggression here.
03
Pack for Private-Club Etiquette
Confirm dress code and etiquette with your host; a sharp look and good manners are expected.
04
Hydration & Stamina
Gentle hills mask a long walk—stay hydrated and prepared for changing winds across exposed stretches.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1991
Club founded by John H. McConnell
- 1992
Course opens for play
- 1997
Joins Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest
- 2003
Hosts U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying
- 2009
Peaks at No. 56 on GD Top-100
- 2013
Birdies for Buddies charity event launched
- 2025
Ranked No. 6 in Ohio (Golf Digest)
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Built for Champions, Designed for Decision-Makers
Weiskopf and Morrish reimagined the flat farmland, using creative earthmoving to craft rolling fairways, heroic carries, and tactical decisions that reveal themselves round after round.
Charity with an Impact
Since 2013, the club’s Birdies for Buddies tournament has raised over $2.9 million for prostate cancer research, blending exclusive golf with real-world influence.
Ohio’s Private Powerhouse
Synonymous with quiet exclusivity, Double Eagle has been consistently recognized among Ohio's elite, even holding a top-100 national spot at its peak.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The club's name honors a rare gold doubloon, not a golf score.
2
Only 300 invitation-only members—true private rarity.
3
No tee markers: caddies and staff set up each day for the wind and shot value.
4
Site transformed from flat farmland to rolling contours entirely by design.
5
Birdies for Buddies charity event at Double Eagle has raised millions for cancer research.
Build the trip
If you're making a Columbus golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Muirfield Village Golf Club
Private
Tour pedigree, iconic Nicklaus design
The Golf Club
Private
Pete Dye's legendary minimalist architecture
The Virtues Golf Club
Public
Ohio’s premier daily-fee championship test
The Oaks at Eagle Creek
Public
Fun, accessible Columbus-area alternate
Safari Golf Club
Public
Quick, laidback round near central Columbus
New Albany, Gahanna, or Dublin for best access to elite courses and lively amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Double Eagle Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.5
Scioto Country Club
Columbus, OhioWhy it matches: Scioto Country Club is a natural next stop after Double Eagle Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.3
The Stanwich Club
Greenwich, ConnecticutConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Stanwich Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.4
Country Club of Birmingham – West Course
Birmingham, AlabamaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Country Club of Birmingham – West Course's own setting.
Community Sentiment
The Community Verdict
Based on 3 Course Takes
Based on 3 golfer takes
Recent Course Takes
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