You’re driving down Ridge Road, stuck in that typical Parma traffic, and suddenly the trees open up. There it is. Ridgewood Golf Course. It’s been sitting there since 1925, watching the city grow around it like a quiet, green lung in the middle of all those brick bungalows and strip malls. Honestly, if you grew up in Northeast Ohio, you’ve probably driven past it a thousand times without realizing just how much history is packed into those 18 holes.
It isn't just a muni.
It's a survivor.
While other courses are being turned into luxury townhomes or Amazon warehouses, Ridgewood keeps ticking along. It was designed by William "Billy" Rapp, and for a public track, the layout is surprisingly clever. You don't get many "cookie-cutter" holes here. Most people think of municipal golf as flat, boring, and slow. Ridgewood proves them wrong by using the natural Cuyahoga County topography to create some genuinely frustrating—yet rewarding—elevation changes.
The Weird History of Ridgewood Golf Course
Let’s get one thing straight: Parma was a different world back in the 1920s. When the course opened, it was basically the edge of the wilderness. It was actually part of a larger planned community project. The Great Depression wiped out a lot of those grand plans, but the golf course stayed. It became a community anchor. During the 1930s, it even hosted the Cleveland Open. Think about that for a second. Legends like Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen walked these fairways.
The greens have stories.
Most golfers today just see a challenging par 4 on the 4th hole, but they don't realize they're playing on ground that once hosted the world's best players. The course has undergone plenty of renovations—most notably in the early 2000s—to keep it from becoming a total relic, but the "old school" bones are still there. You can feel it in the way the fairways narrow and the greens tilt.
Why the Layout Still Messes With Your Head
Modern courses are built for modern technology. They're long. They're wide. They have massive bunkers that look like they belong in a desert. Ridgewood is the opposite. It’s "only" about 6,200 yards from the back tees. In the era of the $600 driver and the ProV1, 6,200 yards sounds like a cakewalk.
It isn't.
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The defense of Ridgewood isn't length; it's the angles. Many of the par 4s require you to actually think about where your ball is going to land rather than just "grip it and rip it." If you're on the wrong side of the fairway on a hole like the 14th, you’re basically blocked out by massive, decades-old hardwoods.
- The greens are small.
- The bunkers are strategically placed (and can be quite deep).
- The wind coming off Lake Erie—even this far south—swirls in the valley.
You’ve got to be a bit of a shot-maker. If you can't hit a fade or a draw on command, you might find yourself punching out of the treeline more often than you'd like. It’s a "positional" golf course, which is a fancy way of saying it’ll punish your ego if you try to overpower it.
Dealing With the "Muni" Reputation
Look, we have to be real here. Ridgewood is a municipal course owned by the City of Parma. That means it gets a lot of play. On a Saturday morning in July, you aren't going to finish in three hours. It’s just not happening. You might be out there for five hours. You might get stuck behind a bachelor party wearing matching neon polos.
But that’s part of the charm.
The course is inclusive. You’ll see a guy who looks like he’s played on the European Tour practicing his putting next to a teenager who just bought his first set of clubs at a garage sale. The clubhouse—which is a classic stone structure—feels like a time capsule. It’s not a country club, and it doesn't pretend to be. The food is standard "golf course fare": hot dogs, burgers, and cold beer. It’s exactly what you want after grinding out a round in the Ohio humidity.
The Maintenance Miracle
One of the biggest misconceptions about Ridgewood Golf Course is that because it's a city course, the conditions must be rough. Ten years ago? Maybe. But lately, the maintenance crew has been doing some heavy lifting. The greens are usually some of the truest-rolling surfaces in the Cleveland area for the price point. They keep them relatively quick, which is dangerous because some of those old-school slopes are deceptively steep.
If you're putting from above the hole on the 9th green, good luck. You're more likely to end up in the fringe than in the cup.
Pricing and Value: The Real Reason People Come Back
In a world where some public courses in Northeast Ohio are charging $80 or $90 for a weekend morning, Ridgewood remains aggressively affordable. You can usually walk 18 holes for the price of a decent steak dinner. For local residents, the deal is even better.
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It makes the game accessible.
Golf is facing a bit of a crisis where it's becoming too expensive for the average person. Parma’s commitment to keeping Ridgewood affordable is actually a huge service to the sport. It’s where kids learn to play and where retirees spend their mornings.
- Residents get a discounted rate that’s hard to beat.
- The twilight rates are a steal if you don't mind finishing in the dark.
- Junior programs are consistently packed.
Surprising Facts Most People Forget
Did you know the course was almost sold off for development multiple times? It’s true. Every few decades, someone looks at that prime real estate and thinks "shopping mall." But the people of Parma are protective of this place.
Another weird detail: the back nine is actually tighter than the front. A lot of players find their rhythm on the first few holes, which are relatively open, only to have their scorecard wrecked once they cross over. The par 3s are particularly stout. They aren't just "flip wedges." You'll often find yourself pulling a 5-iron or a hybrid to reach a well-guarded green.
How to Actually Play Well at Ridgewood
If you want to post a good score here, leave the driver in the bag on at least four or five of the par 4s. I know, it’s boring. But hitting a 3-wood or a driving iron to the fat part of the fairway will save you three or four strokes a round.
Focus on your lag putting. Because the greens are small and old, they have "pockets." If you aren't in the right tier or section, you're looking at a 40-foot putt with three different breaks. Spend twenty minutes on the practice green before you head to the first tee. Get a feel for the speed, because it changes depending on how much rain the valley has soaked up the night before.
Also, watch out for the squirrels. I'm kidding, but only slightly. Since it's a mature course with tons of old-growth trees, the wildlife is bold. They will absolutely go through your golf bag if you leave a granola bar exposed.
The Winter Factor
Parma isn't Florida. But Ridgewood stays relevant even when the snow flies. The hilly terrain makes it a premier spot for sledding in the winter. The city often embraces this, allowing families to use the hills near the clubhouse. It's a 365-day-a-year asset for the community, which is why it has such a loyal following.
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Logistics: Getting There and Staying Sane
The course is located at 6505 Ridge Road. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare during peak outing season, so show up at least 30 minutes before your tee time. The pro shop is small but functional. They have the essentials. If you need a custom fitting for a set of $2,000 irons, go elsewhere. If you need a sleeve of balls and a new glove because you left yours on the kitchen table, they’ve got you covered.
- Book online: Their tee sheet fills up fast, especially on Friday mornings.
- Check the outing schedule: Ridgewood is a popular spot for charity scrambles. You don't want to show up expecting a quick nine only to find a 144-person shotgun start beginning.
- Walk if you can: It’s a great walk. The elevation changes provide a solid workout, and you get to appreciate the architecture a lot more than you would from a cart.
The Reality of the "Parma Powerhouse"
There’s a certain grit to this course. It’s not polished. There are no valet attendants. The cart paths are a little bumpy in spots. But that’s what makes it a "Parma" institution. It reflects the city: hardworking, unpretentious, and surprisingly deep once you get to know it.
The 18th hole is a fantastic finisher. It’s a par 4 that plays back toward the clubhouse, usually into a breeze. It requires a straight drive and an accurate approach over a bit of a dip. Making a par there feels like a real achievement. It sends you to the 19th hole feeling like you’ve actually accomplished something.
Final Thoughts on Your Next Round
If you’re looking for a "resort" experience, go to a resort. If you’re looking for a "championship" test that costs a week's wages, go to a private club. But if you want to play a course that has character, history, and some of the best green complexes in the county, go to Ridgewood.
It’s a reminder that golf doesn't have to be elite to be excellent.
Next time you’re looking for a place to play, skip the fancy new developments. Head to Ridge Road. Pay your greens fee. Grab a scorecard. And try not to let the 4th hole ruin your day.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before heading out, check the City of Parma's official recreation website for the most recent rate card, as they occasionally update resident versus non-resident pricing. If you're a regular, ask about the "Loyalty Card" options which often provide a significant discount over the course of the season. Finally, download a GPS app like 18Birdies or Hole19; since Ridgewood is an older layout, the yardage markers on the fairways can sometimes be tricky to spot in the rough.