Mill Creek Golf Club

Located in Ostrander, Ohio, 25 minutes northwest of downtown Columbus, Mill Creek is best known as the course where 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis learned to play golf. 6,300 yards par-72, 69.0 course rating, slope 116, approachable and walking-friendly even for higher-handicap groups. The family-owned atmosphere attracts a strong community of repeat local players. Peak green fee runs $28-45, budget pricing that's genuinely hard to beat in the Columbus area. Fits a Columbus trip as the 'hometown of a British Open champion' walking round when the big-name courses (Muirfield Village, Scarlet, Longaberger) have locked-up tee times.