Put-In Bay, OH Golf Weekend
Put-In Bay, Ohio (island on Lake Erie)
Fat Guy Research: I've never been to Put-In Bay, but I feel like I have. My good buddy Matt was a lifelong Toledo resident, and spent most of his drinking-age summer weekends here, so I've heard quite a few stories.
Put-In Bay is the Ohio version of the Florida Keys, where it's all about relaxing and partying (there are entire blocks of nothing but bars), so a round at the 9-hole Saunders would likely be a secondary distraction rather than the central focus of your weekend.
Getting There: Head for Port Collins or Sandusky, OH and take the 45 minute ferry ride out to the island (www.jet-express.com). There is a small airport on the island, but there are no commercial flights available.
Getting Around Once You're There: Cars are allowed on the island, but parking can be scarce. Most folks go for one of three more compact modes of transportation once they step off the ferry: mopeds, golf carts, or bicycles, which are all widely available for rent by the hour, day, or week.
Where To Play: There's only one course on the island, and it's a 9-holer, so a round at Saunders GC will be more of a secondary distraction than the main focus of your weekend. Saunders is a 9-hole par three and four challenge for golfers of all ages. This is a walking course and golf carts, rented or private, are not permitted on the course. Near South Bass Island State Park.
Where To Booze, Grub & Crash: There are legions of tiki and pool bars here... Tiki bars themed on the Ohio State Buckeyes, hotel tiki bars, pool tiki bars, you name it. There are also sports bars, Key-West-style bars, regular ol' taverns, dives, the world's longest bar (450 feet with 56 taps) at the Beer Barrel Saloon (www.beerbarrelpib.com), and even a bar in a round barn that's been serving buckets of beer (literally) for 130 years (www.theroundhousebar.com).
Matt spent most of his time at The Commodore Hotel (www.commodoreresort.com). Crash there and hit The Commodore's new MIST VIP pool bar for swim-up bars, huge walk-up bars, two waterfalls, four cabanas, and plenty of frozen drinks.
Further Distractions: There's an antique auto museum, fishing charters, jet ski rentals, shopping, camping, a butterfly zoo, kids activities, Perry's Cave, parasailing, mini-golf, and an island train tour.
Definitely check out the Put-In Bay weblink above for all there is to see and do.