Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[DavePelz4]

Agree with Blackstone but only play MR if you've got a lot of time to waste.

Could not disagree more about the Randall Oaks comment. High quality muni, lots of variety in holes, a touch of elevation changes, top 25 greens in Chicago, would definitely give it a go with the Bowes/HoE combination.

[TheBear95]

The front 9 at Randall Oaks is terrific. The back 9, ahhh, it's ok. Worth playing if you're local, not sure if you're coming from out of town. The greens have been excellent when I've played there though. So, that's certainly points for. A thousand times better than Whisper Creek.

With you on Marengo Ridge. You have to pay me to play there and I'm no course snob.

[chisag]

 

... I did kinda get paid to play Marengo Ridge when you consider a free meal and prizes playing in the 2018 Chicago Equity Outing. I was invited back for 2019 and passed because coming from Bolingbrook, I don't think it is worth the drive, even for free.

[geochitown]

or you could do a Pine Meadow / White Deer Run / Steeplechase / Thunderhawk / Shepherds Crook weekend.

White Deer Run / Pine Meadow / Steeplechase are grouped together

Thunderhawk and Shepherds Crook are closer together a bit to the north (Shepherds Crook is on the state line with Wisconsin).

[ldchristopher]

Or some combo of Stonewall Orchard, Thunderhawk, Shepherd’s Crook, and I guess Bittersweet, though Bittersweet isn’t in the same league as the other three. Lots of target golf on the front. It really comes down to where you’re staying. Your best bet for consistent quality is probably playing courses off of either 90 (Highlands of Elgin, Bowes Creek, Blackstone, Foxford Hills if you want to drive a little extra, and Makray Memorial) or 94 (Stonewall, Thunderhawk, Shepherd’s, White Deer Run, Pine Meadows, Steeplechase, Glen Club). If you stay in the city and want to minimize driving, you can do all 36 holes at Harborside and then Ravisloe and Calumet Country Club.

[DeeBee30]

Fun day with buddies at Stonewall Orchard yesterday on our annual 2v2 low ball match. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed the course layout.

Despite the recent high temps, the fairways were a bit on the spongy side (but still with a bit of runout) and the greens were very receptive.

Speaking of the greens, they looked like the surface of the moon. The starter told us twice that they had free repair tools by the first tee...they should have been reminding people to use them. We didn’t have a lot of putts affected by the pock marks, but it took a lot of repairing on many of the greens.

All in all, it was an enjoyable track and I’d definitely make the trek up there to play it again.

[Argonne69]

First visit to Hughes Creek tomorrow. 'Looks decent with a few elevation changes.

[ldchristopher]

The old Navy guy who works in the pro shop is a national treasure. We never know what expletive he’ll be uttering, he’s got absolutely no filter, and his hatred of Phil Mickelson is hilarious.

[Holy Moses]

Played Arrowhead for the first time. South course was nice, the West was a little plain. Course was in great shape and they even had rakes in the bunkers. Have you seen any other rakes out this year in Chicago?

[DeeBee30]

@ldchristopher is that Mike? I know he's been there for 20+ years...he's a good dude.

[DeeBee30]

You should make a point of going back in August, once they put the East course into the rotation. It certainly spices things up a bit with a few of the toughest holes of the 27. Not necessarily nicer than the West, but it'll grab your attention a bit more.

[stasek]

Played at Ruffled Feathers this morning. Needless to say, the weather didn’t cooperate. Waited out the first couple fronts in the cart (did anyone say lightning in the area?), and luckily was on 16th when the big one came. We hurried under the bridge between 16-17 and waited it out. The course (besides few traps) was actually in pretty good condition - as good as I remember in the past couple years.

The adult beverage service, though.... Ouch. $15.40 for 2 16oz 312s at the turn. A friend bought 3 drinks and a beer from the cart girl while we were under the bridge - $46! I get the courses are struggling financially, but frankly, I don’t think I’ll be supporting them (besides green fee) in the future.

 

[Argonne69]

The #1 hole on the East always eats my lunch.

 

[Argonne69]

I've seen rakes at a handful of courses over the past few weeks. Felt weird, as I was hesitant to grab them.

 

[VNutz]

Played there 9 days ago, no rakes. Kind of surprising, first I've heard of that.

West can play a little plain there, especially after the south on which most holes are unique. I prefer the East, but there's a lot of water there that can be a real problem if your tee game is off.

[DavePelz4]

Our group played Prairie Landing on Saturday. The course is in excellent condition although the greens were a hint slower than normal. Got to watch VNutz make 4 birdies with some excellent approach shots and putts. For our group, who plays a Stableford format, it was the highest scoring round of the year which is a bit interesting considering the slope/rating of PL.

 

On a different note, does anyone know if they've opened the Tournament 9 at Schaumburg? Their website is less than informative to say the least.

[DeeBee30]

I actually had an exchange with Scott Fawcett (from DECAGE Golf) on Twitter about East #1. After mapping out a "typical" driver shot cone at 275-300 yards, he commented that the hole is a joke since they give you less than a 40 yard wide landing zone and that laying back off the tee is just about the only smart play. Whether you like him or not, I agree that - if you play the percentages over time - it's better to hit whatever long club you can land within a 25-30 yard dispersion, hit a wood/hybrid into the wider layup area, then try to get up and down with a flip wedge or pitch from in front of the green.

[DavePelz4]

The last 3-4 times we've played that hole I've hit 6i, 6i, 6i. That hole is all about safety and minimizing the risk.

[VNutz]

Played Prairie Landing Saturday for the first time in a few years. I had forgotten how much I enjoy some of the holes out there, some real interesting holes that require some planning and thought rather than just bombs away. Some short par 4s that are fun even taking the driver out of your hand. Unfortunately I dropped my range finder along the way, and having had it for 1 day short of 9 years to that day, I wasn't going to let it go so I went back and found it, but lost 2 holes in the meantime. The heat wasn't nearly as unbearable as forecast thanks to a nice breeze. Only minor nuisance on the day was that the airport was buzzing with planes, and with the wind they were taking off over the course. Not a huge issue, just got pretty loud for a bit.

 

Also got to play Village Links 9 holer with the wife and kids last night. Teed off at 7 and finished the 9th in the dark. Hit my best shot of the day on 9 with a wedge to a foot, which go figure I couldn't see. IMO their twilight deal is the best one around, provided you can finish. For the 4 of us and 2 carts was less than most rounds I've played this year. I still think the cashier wrung me up wrong, but she was adamant she was right even when I asked twice. Worth a look for sure for anybody looking for a cheap fix.

[cpeck12]

Village Links has great twilight deals all around. 9 hole course after 630pm tops out at $8 for the round and $12 for a cart.

[cpeck12]

36 holes at Cog this upcoming Saturday with 16 guys. A group of 12-16 of us usually do a "Masters" tournament in the Spring and travel somewhere but that obviously wasn't able to happen... 18 in the morning on Dubs is a skins match and and the afternoon 18 is a scramble on Ravines. I've actually never played any Cog courses, so I'm excited to check them out.

[chisag]

 

... It would have been better to play Ravines in the morning and Dubs in the afternoon as it will be quite a let down, but Ravines is a pretty course so I hope it all goes well.

[cpeck12]

I didn't plan the rounds, but I think the reasoning for Ravines in the afternoon as the scramble course is that even playing the back tees there should be a good amount of grip and rip eagle opportunity holes if the first or second guy can get one down the fairway in play. Also as the day goes on the beers will continue, which is always better for a scramble than a singles round on Dubs.

[chisag]

... I hear that. For mid/long to long hitters all 3 par 5's on the Ravines are reachable in 2. And 13 is a drivable par 4. Should be fun!

[VNutz]

Exactly. Great deal. I've been playing twilight there for years. I assumed the cart charge would be per person like most courses charge, but it was per cart. I suppose that's about right being 9 holes, but other places I've done something like that tend to charge full cart rate x2.

[stasek]

I JUST (Friday) signed up for Ruffled Feather's Arcis $59/month membership :).

Since it's the closest (along with Cog) driving range to my house, I decided to recommit myself (ha!) to some practice. This "show up in the last minute and play" tactic has not been working out lately.

Bonus - you can walk the course for free after 5pm. The front 9 should be quite walkable. You don't even have to walk into the clubhouse to get balls any more.

Members enjoy the following:Member Rates at 4 Area Public CoursesFree Super Twilight Green Fee*Unlimited Range BallsPreferred Rate for Guest**Complimentary Weekly Golf Clinics20% Off Pro Shop Apparel***Preferred Rates for Club EventsPrivate Club Play Days at Eaglebrook CC 10-Day Advance Tee TimesFREE GOLF NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY*Members may walk the course free of charge starting after 5pm.

**Guests of members will receive a 10% discount off the posted public rate at the time of play.

***Members will receive a 20% discount off of non-sale pro shop apparel.

 

[DeeBee30]

LOL! I agree...try to ensure a 5 any way you can and get the hell out of there - a reasonable look at birdie is just a bonus. It's usually 4i, 4i, 56* for me. And then tee off with the same club on E #9 to finish the side.

[Argonne69]

A very enjoyable day out at Hughes Creek. As noted earlier, it was my first time playing the course. About what I expected. The clubhouse sits on top of a ridge, so the 1st hole plays down into the low part of the course. The 9th and 18th play uphill back up the ridge. The front is fairly short, but tight. Landing areas felt pinched. It's basically flat as a pancake other than the 1st and 9th. The back was much different, with longer holes, wider fairways, and some nice elevation changes. If I had my choice I'd play the back twice. There are some homes surrounding the course, but it generally feels wide open. Certainly not a top course, but it was well worth the $24 to walk. Conditions were fairly good. Fairways were on the shaggy side. Yesterday's rain left the bunkers wet, but playable. Greens were a little bumpy, and rolling the typical 9. The pace was a little slow for my liking, clocking in at 4:20.

Only managed 4 fairways on the front with the tighter fairways, but I did manage back to back birdies on the short par 5 2nd, and the par 3 3rd. Much better ballstriking on the back. I finished the day with nine fairways, 11 greens, two birdies, and four bogies.

Highlight of the day was the two wonderful ladies I was paired with. They had me in stitches most of the round. I knew it was going to be a good day when one of them hit her 2nd shot on the 4th into the water. I grabbed my handy telescoping ball retriever out of my bag, and fetched the ball from the creek. She complemented me on my nice tool with a smile and a wink. I said that it was handy, but it could be longer, and that unfortunately it's only good for one quick use, and then it has to be put away until next week's round. That got the ball rolling. On the next hole her playing partner informed me that she was having a wardrobe malfunction. She said that this is the first time they've been paired with a stranger, so she didn't think she needed to fix it before the round. I told her than if she saw me grinning ear to ear for no apparent reason, she'd know why.

Deerpath tomorrow.

[ldchristopher]

White Hawk tomorrow. I’m playing Black to Silver. I know Silver well but it’s been a couple of years since I played the Black nine.

[taylorx300]

Very nice weather today for my practice round at Blackstone before the McHenry Co. Am this weekend. Conditions and greens were really soft. Not the usually Blackstone. Had 4 birds / 5 bogs so 73. Hope it doesn’t rain anymore this week. They actually had the sprinklers going in some of the fairways today.