home Plan Your Columbus Golf Trip in 60 Seconds Big Ten energy with Jack Nicklaus' backyard golf
Columbus is Ohio's biggest city and Jack Nicklaus' hometown, so the public golf scene benefits from that legacy. The Short North and German Village neighborhoods deliver a walkable bar and restaurant scene, and the Ohio State game-day infrastructure means large-group logistics are second nature here.
The best courses, bars, and rentals in Columbus — curated for groups.
5 coursesSpring, Summer, Fall CMH (15 min drive)50-200k population
Courses Where to Stay house Sleeps 12-16
$500-$1500/night
German Village and Short North area
full kitchen parking hot tub game room fire pit grill
house Sleeps 10-14
$350-$900/night
Dublin and Westerville suburbs
full kitchen parking grill washer/dryer game room
Dining
The Top Steakhouse $$$$ steakhouse Bexley's retro steakhouse institution since 1955 — huge cuts, strong drinks, and old-school atmosphere
Wolf's Ridge Brewing $$ brewpub Upstairs fine dining and downstairs taproom — best brewery food in Columbus
Schmidt's Sausage Haus $$ casual German Village landmark — giant bratwurst, cream puffs, and an oompah band on weekends
The Pearl $$ seafood Short North oyster bar and seafood — great raw bar, craft cocktails, and a buzzy atmosphere
Nightlife
Seventh Son Brewing brewpub Italian Village taproom with a great outdoor space — hop-forward beers and a loyal local following
The Walrus Late Night dive Short North's best dive bar — pinball, cheap PBR, and the kind of unpretentious vibe every crew needs
Denmark on High Late Night cocktail Speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden in a Short North alley — inventive drinks and a moody atmosphere
Pins Mechanical Company Late Night sports bar Duckpin bowling, pinball, and craft beer — the ultimate group hangout spot
Activities Short North Gallery Hop & Bar Crawl brewery 2-3 hours $20-$40/pp
Walk High Street from Short North through Italian Village — art galleries, breweries, and cocktail bars
Topgolf Columbus go karts 2-3 hours $30-$60/pp
Three-level driving range with food and drinks — perfect competitive warm-up
Scioto River Kayaking kayaking 2-3 hours $30-$55/pp
Paddle the Scioto River through downtown Columbus — urban scenery and an easy float
Pins Mechanical Duckpin Bowling axe throwing 2-3 hours $15-$30/pp
Duckpin bowling lanes plus bocce and pinball — competitive group fun with craft beer
