Let's talk public golf in KC

[ddechant]

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

I guess I'll go ahead and give my two cents on the courses I have an opinion on so far:

 

**Ironhorse:** Fun track, makes you hit a lot of different clubs. It is the course I have played the most, as I joined the membership last year. Fairways and rough and in great shape always, but the greens got a lot of ballmarks last season, which is better than half of the green dying like some courses in the area. Probably My favorite public course I have played all things considered.

**OP/St Andrews:** Busy, would never play on a weekend. But as an evening option you cannot beat these prices or honestly, the conditioning.

**Heritage Park:** Play this course quite a bit, and I enjoy it every time. Once again a good evening option, and can stretch out to be plenty long for me. Cheap and fun. Hole 9 is ridiculously stupid though.

**Dub's Dread:** Underrated, I think it is ran really well compared to every other public course I've played in KC. Always get off on time and doesn't take *too* long to play. Hole 3 is awful. This course can be as tough as you make it if you want to stretch it out to the tips and make it stupid long if you want to mix it up. Never played in the heat of summer, but has been in good shape in the spring and fall when I've played it.

**Stone Canyon:** Conditioning was good when I played, but for some reason I didn't love the course. I'll need to play again and see if it grows on me. I think it had something to do with what you had to look at in between holes whether it was crossing a road or a giant mud pit. I just wasn't a fan. Also will say I didn't like Canyon Farms for similar reasons when I played it. Maybe it's a "me problem."

**Hillcrest/Swope:** Can't look past the conditioning or the amount of trees on these courses. It just makes it impossible to enjoy for me. Although I will say there are a few great holes at both.

**Deer Creek:** Sucks. Bunkers are the worst in KC that I've played.

**Eagle's Landing**: Actually like the layout here a lot. The grass just isn't as good here, but is really fun. Oddly, every time I've played here the greens have been recently been punched, so I cannot comment on the greens.

**Falcon Lakes:** Played on a busy day, but really enjoyed the course. Thought it was pretty playable and not too difficult. A course I could play over and over.

**Painted Hills/Tomahawk/Royal Meadows/River Oaks:** So bad.

**Sycamore Ridge:** Really like the back nine and think this is a course I will play a lot this year. Good shape and good layout. One of my favorites

**Minor Park:** Short, serves a purpose as an easy short place to learn how to play golf.

**Falcon Valley:** Little 9 holer thats in good shape, but some of the holes are so tight and the rides in between holes so long. It would be nice to have a super walk-able and playable 9 holer in KC.

 

On my list to play this summer: Shoal Creek, Tiffany Greens, Fred Arbanas, Creekmoor, Winterstone.

 

I used to think KC public golf sucked too, but after travelling to some other cities and looking for public golf, I have come to the conclusion that public golf sucks *almost* everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

[scagnetti]

> @ddechant said:

>**Falcon Valley:** Little 9 holer thats in good shape, but some of the holes are so tight and the rides in between holes so long. It would be nice to have a super walk-able and playable 9 holer in KC.

>

 

Maybe it's recency bias, but I am a fan of the HOA/Blue River/Watson Academy Course near Swope Memorial. Pleasant and very walkable 9 holer. At least 'The River' course is. They have a par 3 course ('The Rock') that's fun enough if yer crushing beers with buddies trying for aces and playing simple money games.

 

[macedan]

Pops and I got out and played Stone Canyon a few days ago. Beautiful scenery and well maintained. They were in the process of reconstructing the 12th green, so the temp. green was a flag and cup well short in the fairway with a ring of sign markers and a 2 putt limit, which was odd to play. Buuuut, I secured our tee times for only $28/player w/ cart so it was beyond the value of the deal.

[Shankapotomus45]

This post is a bit old so not sure if anyone will see this but does anyone know what Sycamores membership looks like? Do they have any weekend games, good men’s league, member/guest, etc.? I live in Baldwin and don’t have anything too close. Looked at Lawrence Country Club which is only $350 a month but doesn’t include cart so probably looking at $500+ once I add cart fees and food/beverage mins. Thanks for any input!

[duckboat24]

I’m assuming you’re talking about Sycamore Ridge in Spring Hill. It’s public but does have a membership program. Not sure on the games but I believe most of their tourneys are open to the public with a discount for members. I think they do have a club championship for members only, I could be way off though. Conditions were good there early last summer but then deteriorated later into the summer. Much of the front 9 had fungus on the greens and some dead areas. Still a great track and I enjoy the bentgrass fairways. One of my favorites in the city.

[Shankapotomus45]

You are correct and I do enjoy the course. Agree that conditions were down at the end of the year but I’m sure they’ll bounce back, course is usually in great shape and my favorite public course in the metro area. I’m just more curious on if membership out there is worth it. The price is great but I’m more looking for a good men’s night, member/guest and some good weekend games to jump in. The guys I play tournaments with all live north and would like to find a club south I can find some fun games and a good men’s league.

[QMany]

I think that is pretty normal for bentgrass fairways during summer, exactly why you see most courses using zoysia.

[REJ]

Love KC

[KUJayhawks]

Hopefully we get some better spring weather this year. Should be less winter kill with a soft winter and HOPEFULLY LESS RAIN. May killed us last year.

[Guest]

Moving to KC, how are the courses holding up this year? I'll be living in the Rivermarket Area so nothing is all that close. Looking at primarily playing at Shoal Creek and WinterStone, is there anyone that plays these two courses regularly that can give me their honest opinion?

 

[Rory4Pres]

Welcome to KC. Shoal is a very nice course. Usually in very nice overall condition with nice greens. Winterstone is nice as well, less foot traffic and a little cheaper but greens aren't usually as nice as Shoals are. Winterstone is very hilly, so beware if you plan to walk. I recommend you try out Swope Memorial some time as well.

We've gotten a decent amount of rain so all the courses should be in pretty good shape right now.