
The Trout Course
The Trout Club



About this course
The Trout Club sits in Newark, Ohio, approximately thirty miles east of Columbus in the rolling terrain of central Ohio. Designed by Jack Kidwell and opened in the mid-1960s, the course occupies land that features the moderate elevation changes and wooded corridors typical of the region. Kidwell, an Ohio-based architect active during the post-war golf boom, created a layout that works with the natural topography rather than imposing dramatic earthwork on the property. The routing moves through a mix of open and tree-lined holes, with several playing along or across water features that give the club its name. The design reflects the practical, playable approach common to many American courses built during this era—strategic bunkering, greens with modest but meaningful contour, and a variety of hole lengths that reward accurate iron play. The property's mature trees now frame many fairways and add definition to the course's character. The Trout Club functions as a private facility serving the Newark community and surrounding Licking County area. It represents the kind of mid-century club that became a social and recreational anchor for many smaller American cities during the 1960s and 1970s. The course provides a straightforward test of golf suited to regular member play, with enough variety in its holes to maintain interest across different skill levels.
Quick facts
- Location
- Newark, OH, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1960
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Jack Kidwell
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,076 yards
- Difficulty
- 69.4/116
- Course Vaults score
- 5.5
Getting there
The journey to The Trout Club begins at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, roughly forty minutes northwest of Newark in the rolling farmland of central Ohio. The drive southeast traces the transition from interstate to state routes, passing through Licking County's gentle hills and historic small-town squares before arriving at this discreet enclave tucked into the wooded countryside. The final approach feels deliberately understated - no grand gates or sweeping vistas, just a quiet turn off the main road into a landscape shaped by water, timber, and the kind of privacy that has defined American golf's most guarded retreats since the early twentieth century.

FAQ
Common questions about The Trout
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Trout has a Course Vaults score of 5.5 out of 10 based on 8 logged golfers.
The Trout was designed by Jack Kidwell.
Yes. The Trout is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Trout is 71.
The Trout plays 6,076 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Trout is 116.



