Golf Courses Near Mount Vernon, Ohio: Plan Your Next Round With Us
Who is this for?
- Visitors planning a golf weekend in Mount Vernon, from casual players to groups looking to try several local courses.
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A golf getaway should give you time to enjoy both the rounds you’ve planned and the place you’re visiting. Here in Mount Vernon, Ohio, you can spend the day on the course, head downtown for dinner, and settle in with us at The Mount Vernon Inn.
Start your planning with four local options: Chapel Hill, Hiawatha, Irish Hills, and nearby Apple Valley. Whether you’re working one round into a weekend getaway or organizing several days of golf with friends, these public courses give you plenty to build an itinerary around.
Finding Your Next Round in Mount Vernon
Choosing among Knox County, Ohio, golf courses starts with your group’s priorities. Consider course lengths, tee selections, practice facilities, and how much of each day you want to spend golfing.
Here’s a starting point:
- Chapel Hill: A course with an unusual history and a former chapel serving as its clubhouse.
- Hiawatha: An established Mount Vernon layout featuring rolling ground and water hazards.
- Irish Hills: Four sets of tees for golfers with different playing distances.
- Apple Valley: A public course in Howard for expanding your itinerary beyond Mount Vernon.
Pick the courses that interest you most, then plan the rest of your visit around those reservations.
Chapel Hill Golf Course combines an unusual history with plenty of variety on the scorecard. Located at 7516 Johnstown Road, this public course opened in 1996 on the former Mount Vernon Bible College property. The old chapel now serves as the clubhouse for the Barry Serafin-designed layout.
The 18-hole, par-72 course offers five tee options on its published scorecard, ranging from 4,621 to 6,856 yards. That spread lets your group choose a manageable distance without everyone playing from the same markers.
From the back tees, the eighth is a substantial 245-yard par 3, while the par-5 14th stretches to 581 yards. Water fronts the greens on holes seven, nine, and 18, giving you good reason to think carefully about approach shots. The scorecard also lists GPS-equipped carts to help with yardages.
We’d put Chapel Hill on your itinerary if you enjoy varied hole lengths and a few decisions that require more thought than simply reaching for the driver.
Chapel Hill Golf Course
Hiawatha Golf Course
Hiawatha Golf Course, at 901 Beech Street, has welcomed golfers to Mount Vernon since 1962. Jack Kidwell designed this 18-hole, par-72 public course, which lists a length of 6,721 yards.
The layout follows gently rolling terrain, with mature trees, winding creeks, and small lakes adding variety to each round. Its bluegrass fairways lead to bentgrass greens, while seven sand bunkers and five grass bunkers provide additional obstacles. With water in play, choosing where to leave your next shot can matter as much as how far you hit it.
Facilities include a practice green, snack bar/lounge, screened porch, and a covered shelter for outings. Riding carts and pull carts are listed as available, but club rentals are not—so bring your own set. Explore Hiawatha’s course and facilities.
For guests who enjoy established courses with mature landscaping and a mix of hazards, we suggest keeping Hiawatha on the shortlist. Arrive early enough for a few practice putts so you’re ready when you hit the first green.
Irish Hills Golf Club, at 7020 Newark Road, offers an 18-hole, par-71 layout with four distinct playing distances. Its published tee chart lists:
- Black tees: 6,738 yards
- White tees: 6,373 yards
- Orange tees: 5,518 yards
- Green tees: 4,800 yards
The front nine plays to par 36 and the back nine to par 35. On-course distance markers, color-coded flags indicating front, middle, or back hole locations, and laser-friendly flagsticks help with club selection.
Beyond the course, the pro shop offers equipment, clothing, club fitting, regripping, and lessons from the head professional. The pub serves burgers, brats, sandwiches, and other food, with a full bar and a lounge area for relaxing afterward.
We’d consider Irish Hills when your group wants golf and a meal in one stop. Choose tees that suit your usual game, and save the ambitious decisions for the menu.
Irish Hills Golf Club
Apple Valley Golf Club, at 433 Clubhouse Drive in Howard, offers a par-72 layout with four tee choices, generous landing areas, and approach shots that deserve your attention.
The opening hole is a dogleg-left par 4 played from an elevated tee. Farther along, the par-3 fifth brings a lake into play between the elevated tee and green, with bunkers and pines framing the target. It’s a good example of a hole where distance alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
The eighth adds another challenge: a fairway that slopes toward rough and trees on the right, followed by a dogleg-right approach. Across the course, many greens have bunker protection, while open entrances on others provide opportunities to run the ball onto the green.
A turf driving range and practice greens give you somewhere to warm up before tackling those shots.
We suggest making Apple Valley one of your main rounds during a longer stay with us, particularly if you enjoy studying a course as you play.
Apple Valley Golf Club
Planning Your Mount Vernon Golf Weekend
A Mount Vernon golf weekend benefits from a simple itinerary. Secure the rounds that matter most, then leave room for meals and time together.
Friday: Arrive and settle in. Give yourself time to travel, unpack, and enjoy dinner. You might still fit in a round on the day you arrive, but only if you’ve allowed for traffic and stops. Otherwise, organize your golf bag and confirm Saturday’s plans.
Saturday: Make golf the main event. Book the course you’re most excited to play. Allow time for breakfast, travel, and warming up. Afterward, leave space for lunch and a break before deciding whether or not to play another round.
Sunday: Try a second course. A different layout gives you something new to enjoy before heading home. Be realistic about your departure schedule, especially if you have a long drive ahead.
For groups traveling with non-golfers, agree on a meeting time after the round so everyone can plan their day.
Here are a few tips to help you plan a stress-free golf weekend:
- Reserve directly with each course. Confirm player numbers, cancellation terms, and arrival expectations.
- Compare complete prices. Ask whether carts are included.
- Check conditions. Weather, aeration, maintenance, and cart restrictions may affect play.
- Confirm equipment availability. Ask about rental clubs before traveling without yours.
- Pack thoughtfully. Bring layers, rain protection, sunscreen, extra socks, and enough balls.
- Choose suitable tees. Play the distance that makes the round enjoyable.
What to Know Before You Book
Stay at The Mount Vernon Inn
Where you decide to stay near Mount Vernon plays an important role in how your weekend unfolds. At The Mount Vernon Inn, we make comfort and convenience our highest priorities.
Our locally owned, family-run inn offers a variety of accommodations, homemade cooked-to-order breakfasts, and a garden courtyard for relaxing afterward. Our West High Street location also puts downtown shops and restaurants within reach.
Planning an early tee time? Check breakfast timing with us as you arrange your morning.
Whether your score deserves celebrating or you’d rather discuss dinner, we’d love to welcome you. Book your stay at The Mount Vernon Inn and plan your next golf getaway.