I have been going to Thorn Apple for the past 10 years. I booked a tee time thinking I was getting the same old Thorn Apple experience—but boy was I pleasantly surprised! The new ownership has made fantastic changes—from phenomenal new carts (the most comfortable carts I’ve used anywhere) to the improved parking lot to much improved shape of the grass itself. I hesitated to leave this review so I could gatekeep it…but I think the new ownership deserves the credit!

I’ve always liked this course but the new ownership has really taken it to a whole new level of enjoyment! They are working so hard to enhance the experience and it’s working. From course and parking improvements to new carts it’s been great to see. I live at Heritage and happily drive the 3 miles to play with friends and family usually once a week or more.

Thorn Apple is the best public golf course in the Columbus area IMO. I'm writing this review in mid August after playing here in the past week. Course is in great shape during these dog days. Tees, fairways, and greens all in good shape. Physical changes to clubhouse, new carts, and online booking implemented this year. Great staff, reasonable rates, and good food/drink prices will have me coming back!

Be careful not to book tee times in the afternoon of the golf league. We had a mid afternoon tee time. We finished the front 9 in just under 2 hours and found 7 groups waiting to tee off at hole 10. We quickly found out that the golf league was put in front of us, and we were given a “turn time” 45 minutes later. I’ve never in my life heard of a turn time. When we asked the staff, the man in the Pro Shop could not care less. “The system put in 2.5 hours for each nine so your turn time is what it is. It told you when you registered.” It in fact does not show that anywhere and when I attempted to show him, he said, “I don’t care what that says.” We asked to get refunded for the back 9 as we were unable to wait almost an hour to start. “Sorry it’s not raining so no refunds.” We walked out after that. Thankfully we found someone with a little bit of sense that worked there. We explained the situation, and he went in to talk to the cashier. When he returned he confirmed that we could get a refund. We went back inside to get the refunds and proceeded to get as much attitudes as possible from the gentleman that turned us away initially. This is the WORST customer service I’ve experienced in a long time. I don’t write reviews ever, but this is unacceptable as a business to operate this way.

Fairways are in rough and spotty at best condition. It looks like they are trying to save on irrigation…. The whole course is drier than an asphalt parking lot! Hole markers are peeling paint and flaking off. Green side bunkers are concrete. Disappointed to say the least…. Would not recommend to anyone. The pro shop and rangers were rude and had a very bad attitude… for a course trying to put themselves out as a ‘Golf Club’, they need to get a clue on what that entails.