KC Courses 2015

[Carl smith]

I'm coming down for the USA V Panama soccer match at SKC on Monday the 13th. I will be staying in the Overland Park area through Monday and will be staying near SKC Monday night. I want to play a couple of rounds down there. Last visit I played Ironhorse and liked it, however we will have a guys trip in August that will play Ironhorse. Location is not that critical to me, I play early in the morning and get up at 5, so ok with travel time.

 

So I have questions on recommendations and course conditions to what I have gathered are the better public courses in the area.

 

(The Falcon Group, wth?)

Falcon Ridge

Falcon Valley

Falcon Lakes

Tiffany Greens

Shoal Creek

 

Any other courses, I should consider. Yes, there are threads going through the courses however doesnt take in account upkeep since most threads are from 2013 prior.

 

Secondly, any early risers want to play with a visiting 16 handicapper? LOL.

[pdakc]

Shoal Creek is a fantastic course, although I can't testify as to course conditions as I haven't played it in the last few years. If travel time is no concern, check out Creekmoor in Raymore, Missouri. Fantastic course and always in excellent shape. I would also check out Stone Canyon in Blue Springs/Independence area, and Canyon Farms (formerly Golf Club of Kansas). My other recommendations would be Sycamore Ridge (although I hear they have recently undergone some construction/renovations on the cart paths, the effects of which I am not currently aware), Prairie Highlands (sometimes hit or miss on condition, but a fun layout). Of the Falcons, I like Falcon Ridge the best.

Good luck1

[vernon]

Played Shoal last week and the greens were awful. Usually some of the best rolling surfaces in town but the weather apparently put a beat down on them this year. Extremely slow and bumpy with lots of damaged areas and resodded fringe. Everything else was great as usual. Prairie Highlands is about the best I've ever seen it.

[QMany]

When you are staying in OP, I would recommend Sycamore Ridge. They just finished a renovation that is supposed to be great. The front nine is open links-inspired. The back nine is tight and cut through a scenic forest.

When you are staying near the SKC stadium, I would recommend Falcon Lakes. It is only 5 minutes from the stadium and is a great track that is always in great condition.

Creekmoor is a drive, but is one of the best layouts in KC. Unfortunately, I played it yesterday and the greens were painfully slow.

[vernon]

Lots of shaggy greens around town due to the heat. With all the rain early, the root systems didn't really develop and now the heat is putting a lot of stress on them. Buzz cutting them down right now would be suicide. The courses that have access to rollers are usually the fastest this time of year. Being a superintendent in this part of the country is a nightmare.

Just got back from a week playing in Branson and Payne Stewart (sadly, now known as Branson Hills) and Buffalo Ridge were the slowest I've ever seen them. By far.

[dlygrisse]

If you want to play a classic Donald Ross course play Hillcrest. Played it yesterday, it is in good shape, although not pristine like it was when it was private. Still a challenge with lots of hills and slopes, the greens were in good shape although not super fast like they used to be, but with the slope on them they are fair and not absurd like they were 8 years ago.

Canyon Farms, Tiffany, Sycamore, Falcon Ridge, Ironhorse, Shoal, and Prairie Highlands are all decent choices.

[QMany]

[quote name='vernon' timestamp='1436208383' post='11897522']
Lots of shaggy greens around town due to the heat. With all the rain early, the root systems didn't really develop and now the heat is putting a lot of stress on them. Buzz cutting them down right now would be suicide. The courses that have access to rollers are usually the fastest this time of year. Being a superintendent in this part of the country is a nightmare.

Just got back from a week playing in Branson and Payne Stewart (sadly, now known as Branson Hills) and Buffalo Ridge were the slowest I've ever seen them. By far.
[/quote]
I wouldn't say we have the best weather for Superintendents, but some of the greens I've seen in the area are painfully and embarrassingly slow, my club included. Eagle Bend, a public municipal track in Lawrence, had some of the best greens I have seen all summer and they have the same grass, temperatures, and rain we have received in KC. They were firm, smooth, fast, and healthy!

[dlygrisse]

If you want fast greens in KC, play in the fall, much firmer and faster. I think some super's learned their lessons in years past and keep them a bit shaggier now. Especially on the public tracks with a lot of play. OTOH the zoysia fairways flourish this time of year.

[Jlutgen0]

Dubs Dread, I really like the layout and the course is usually in pretty good condition. They run a special every Tuesday, $20 for 18 holes and a cart.