If you’ve ever driven down Fifth Avenue in Youngstown, you’ve seen it. It’s that stretch of green tucked right next to Wick Park. Honestly, if you aren’t looking for it, you might just miss the entrance to Henry Stambaugh Golf Course. It isn’t some sprawling, 7,000-yard PGA championship track with a fleet of beverage carts and a $100 greens fee. It’s a 9-hole municipal course. It’s short. It’s hilly. And for a lot of us who grew up swinging clubs in the Mahoning Valley, it’s basically home base.
Most people see a "muni" and think of slow play or shaggy greens. Stambaugh is different. It’s got this weird, gritty charm that matches the city itself. Built back in 1923, it was a gift to the city from the Stambaugh family—the same names behind the famous Auditorium. You’re playing on a piece of local history every time you tee it up on the first hole.
What You’re Actually Getting at Henry Stambaugh Golf Course
Let’s talk about the layout because it’s sort of deceptive. On paper, it looks like a breeze. You see a par 33 that barely breaks 2,400 yards from the tips and you think, "I’m going to tear this place apart."
You won’t.
The elevation changes are the real deal here. Youngstown isn't flat, and neither is this course. You’ll have shots where the ball is a foot above your feet, followed immediately by a downhill approach where you have to guess how much the wind is going to grab your wedge. It’s a shot-maker’s course. If you spray the ball, you're in the trees or, worse, potentially clipping a car on the street if you're really wild on the perimeter holes.
The greens are usually smaller than what you’d find at Mill Creek or Reserve Run. They require a bit of touch. Because it’s a public city course, the conditioning varies depending on the season and the city budget, but the bones of the course are solid. It’s a Donald Ross-era style of design—even if it doesn't carry the official Ross pedigree—where the land dictates the play rather than a bulldozer.
The "Quick Nine" Culture
One of the biggest draws of Henry Stambaugh Golf Course is the time factor. We’re all busy. Trying to block out five hours for a full 18 at a private club is a nightmare for most people with a job or kids. At Stambaugh, you can zip through nine holes in ninety minutes if the crowd is light.
It’s the quintessential "after-work" spot. You see guys in work boots and jeans playing alongside retirees in pressed polos. Nobody cares. It’s one of the few places left where the "golf snob" vibe is totally non-existent. You want to practice your bunker play or teach your kid how to putt without a starter breathing down your neck? This is the spot.
The Financial Reality of Municipal Golf in Youngstown
Running a city course in a place like Youngstown isn't exactly a money-printing operation. For years, there’s been talk in the local government about the viability of the course. It’s a debate that happens in every Rust Belt city: do we keep the green space or do we let it go?
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Fortunately, the community usually rallies. Why? Because Stambaugh provides access. If you live in the city limits, golf shouldn't be a luxury reserved for the folks out in Boardman or Canfield. The rates here are some of the lowest in the state of Ohio. You can walk nine holes for less than the price of a decent steak at a local diner. That matters. It keeps the game accessible to kids who might otherwise never pick up a club.
The course operates under the City of Youngstown’s Parks and Recreation department. They’ve had their ups and downs with maintenance equipment and staffing, but the current vibe is one of resilience. They know they aren't Oakmont. They just want to provide a solid place to play.
A Breakdown of the Tricky Bits
- The First Hole: It’s a par 4 that plays uphill. If you don't wake up your shoulders before you tee off, you're going to chunk it into the hillside. It sets the tone for the rest of the round.
- The Par 3s: They aren't long, but they are guarded. You miss the green here, and you’re looking at a very delicate chip from a tight lie.
- The Wind: Because the course sits on a bit of a rise near the North Side, the wind swirls. It’s unpredictable. One minute it’s at your back, the next it’s pushing your ball toward the bunkers.
Why the Location is a Love-Hate Relationship
Stambaugh is located at 202 Gypsy Lane. It’s right there on the border of the North Side and Liberty. The location is great because it’s minutes from downtown Youngstown. You can literally finish a meeting at the tech block and be on the first tee in ten minutes.
The downside? It’s tight.
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Since it’s squeezed into an urban footprint, you don't get that "lost in the woods" feeling you might get at a place like Mill Creek’s North or South courses. You hear the traffic. You see the houses. Some people hate that. Me? I kind of like it. It feels like "street golf." It has an energy that reflects the neighborhood. It’s active. It’s alive.
Getting the Most Out of Your Round
If you’re planning to head out to Henry Stambaugh Golf Course, here’s the real talk on how to enjoy it.
Don't bring your tour-grade staff bag. Seriously. This is a walking course. Most people carry a Sunday bag or use a pull cart. The hills will give you a legitimate workout. If you’re riding, the carts are standard, but walking gives you a better feel for the slopes.
Check the weather. Because of the clay-heavy soil in the Mahoning Valley, Stambaugh can get a little "spongy" after a heavy rain. If we’ve had a week of downpours, give it a day to dry out or you’ll be splashing your way through the fairways. But on a dry July evening when the sun is setting over Wick Park? It’s honestly one of the prettiest spots in the city.
The Future of the Course
There’s always a bit of anxiety about the future of municipal gems like this. However, the history of Henry Stambaugh Golf Course is deeply intertwined with the identity of the North Side. As Youngstown continues to see small pockets of revitalization—new businesses downtown, the growth of YSU—the value of having a functional, affordable golf course within city limits only goes up.
It serves as a vital "starter" course. Most of the high school golfers in the area have spent time on these greens. It’s where you learn the etiquette of the game without the pressure of a high-end country club environment. You can mess up. You can hit a bad shot and not feel like the world is ending. That’s a rare commodity in golf these days.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
- Call Ahead: Even though it’s a muni, leagues often take over the course on weekday evenings. Call the pro shop to make sure you aren't walking into a 40-person outing.
- Bring Extra Balls: The rough can be thick, and those trees along the edges eat golf balls for breakfast.
- Walk the Course: Save the cart fee. The walk is part of the experience, and the elevation changes are great for the cardio.
- Post-Round: You’re right near the university and downtown. Head over to any of the local spots on Federal Street for a drink afterward. You’ve earned it.
Golf is a game that often takes itself way too seriously. We get obsessed with launch monitors, $600 drivers, and perfectly manicured bunkers that look like they belong in a Zen garden. Stambaugh is the antidote to that. It’s just golf. It’s a bag, a ball, and a few hills in the middle of Youngstown. Whether you're a scratch golfer looking to sharpen your short game or a total beginner just trying to contact the ball, this place works.
Go play it. Support local municipal golf. It’s one of the few things left that feels genuinely authentic in a world of over-polished experiences.
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Next Steps for Your Game:
If you want to play a round at Stambaugh, check their seasonal hours as they vary significantly between the spring thaw and the late autumn frost. Pack a light bag, leave the ego at home, and focus on your approach shots—the small greens will tell you exactly where your swing stands. If you’re a local, consider looking into the seasonal passes; they are arguably the best value in Northeast Ohio sports.