Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[stasek]

Looks like I’ll be spending some quality time in Rockford/Loves Park - give or take 6 weeks of daily ~180 mile commute (did 220 today 😢) yay me!  If I miss the window to leave at a reasonable time, it probably won’t hurt to try and play 9 or 18 to wait out the traffic.  Anything besides Aldeen worth playing (especially toward Chicago)?  

[Shriner]

15 minutes ago, stasek said:

Looks like I’ll be spending some quality time in Rockford/Loves Park - give or take 6 weeks of daily ~180 mile commute (did 220 today 😢) yay me!  If I miss the window to leave at a reasonable time, it probably won’t hurt to try and play 9 or 18 to wait out the traffic.  Anything besides Aldeen worth playing (especially toward Chicago)?  

 

Wow, that is a crazy commute!  You have Atwood Homestead which is a brute, I believe 7500 yards.  Nice course with decent scenery but conditions are just ok.  You also have Ledges, a more gimmicky layout with a couple of strange par 4's.  Conditions fairly decent.  Neither is Aldeen but both are worth playing.

[Holy Moses]

2 hours ago, stasek said:

Looks like I’ll be spending some quality time in Rockford/Loves Park - give or take 6 weeks of daily ~180 mile commute (did 220 today 😢) yay me!  If I miss the window to leave at a reasonable time, it probably won’t hurt to try and play 9 or 18 to wait out the traffic.  Anything besides Aldeen worth playing (especially toward Chicago)?  

Blackstone in Marengo and PrairieView in Byron

[zer0]

14 hours ago, mci711 said:

 

That is shocking about the Pete Dye course. I've bee there twice and was basically the only one on the course both times. Pre-covid though. 

 

Yep, I've been a couple times as well pre-covid.  Back then your cost for the round also included a free replay and there was plenty of tee times.    Now, they got rid of the unlimited play and it's nearly impossible to get a tee time even 8 months in advance.

[mci711]

1 hour ago, zer0 said:

 

Yep, I've been a couple times as well pre-covid.  Back then your cost for the round also included a free replay and there was plenty of tee times.    Now, they got rid of the unlimited play and it's nearly impossible to get a tee time even 8 months in advance.

 

Wow, I didn't know that about the replay either. That is a bummer. 

[ldchristopher]

17 hours ago, stasek said:

Looks like I’ll be spending some quality time in Rockford/Loves Park - give or take 6 weeks of daily ~180 mile commute (did 220 today 😢) yay me!  If I miss the window to leave at a reasonable time, it probably won’t hurt to try and play 9 or 18 to wait out the traffic.  Anything besides Aldeen worth playing (especially toward Chicago)?  

Timber Pointe in Poplar Grove. Good course with large waste areas on some holes. Always plays longer than it is (right around 7000 yards) because the fairways are always wet. 

[Holy Moses]

Elgin Country Club is in great shape. Very nice greens and you ALMOST want to hit into the bunkers.

[Springsteennut]

39 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

Elgin Country Club is in great shape. Very nice greens and you ALMOST want to hit into the bunkers.

You have a better chance getting on Bowes Creek or Highlands of Elgin.

[ldchristopher]

My daughter had a Pre-K 3 stepping up ceremony this morning so I took off work. After brunch, I had a coupon for a free round at a Golf Visions course from the golf show that was set to expire on Friday so I figured I’d cash it in at Foxford. Got there, showed the voucher, and was told by the manager Foxford is the only GV course that doesn’t honor that coupon. I mentioned Foxford was the only decent GV course other than maybe Oak Grove and he said, “What about Tanna Farms?” He was being serious. Sigh. I shoulda played Bonnie Brook. $55 wasn’t bad I guess. Not as good as free though. Onto the round. 
 

I got paired up with two high school kids. One guy could kind of play. Drives were either long, low and straight or rope hooks. The other guys…oof. Shanks on just about every hole. He kept dropping extra balls and kept shanking it over and over. He was even shanking drives and long irons. It was tough to watch. 
 

They asked if they could go ahead because, as we all know, carts play faster. I laughed. Sure guys. I’ll watch the horror show from behind. Eventually they asked me if I wanted to tee off right after they did then just wait for them to clear the green. If you’re reading this and thinking, “These guys are stupid,” you are correct. But, again, carts play faster. Whoever first insisted on that needs it on their epitaph. And no, I will never drop this argument. My anti-cart stance only strengthens with each passing day. 
 

The course was in okay shape. Fairways were giving tons of roll with huge hops off the tee. The ball was really flying with the dead, humid air. Bunkers had plenty of sand but also a lot of rocks. I was in three and my clubs emerged unscathed so…a win? The 9th toughest greens in Chicagoland were slow. I’ve played there when the greens moved at a very good pace. Not today. 
 

I played very well. I hit 8 of 9 greens on the front, had one birdie (2) and one bogey (3) for a 36 at the turn. With the weather, the course felt far shorter than the listed 7000. I continued solid ball striking on the back but couldn’t buy a putt. 2 lip outs from about 10 feet, 2 juuuuuust short. The story of my season. Had two bogies on 15 and 18 for a 74 that could (should?) have been lower. Starting to get into my summer groove though. 

[TheBear95]

56 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

My daughter had a Pre-K 3 stepping up ceremony this morning so I took off work. After brunch, I had a coupon for a free round at a Golf Visions course from the golf show that was set to expire on Friday so I figured I’d cash it in at Foxford. Got there, showed the voucher, and was told by the manager Foxford is the only GV course that doesn’t honor that coupon. I mentioned Foxford was the only decent GV course other than maybe Oak Grove and he said, “What about Tanna Farms?” He was being serious. Sigh. I shoulda played Bonnie Brook. $55 wasn’t bad I guess. Not as good as free though. Onto the round. 
 

I got paired up with two high school kids. One guy could kind of play. Drives were either long, low and straight or rope hooks. The other guys…oof. Shanks on just about every hole. He kept dropping extra balls and kept shanking it over and over. He was even shanking drives and long irons. It was tough to watch. 
 

They asked if they could go ahead because, as we all know, carts play faster. I laughed. Sure guys. I’ll watch the horror show from behind. Eventually they asked me if I wanted to tee off right after they did then just wait for them to clear the green. If you’re reading this and thinking, “These guys are stupid,” you are correct. But, again, carts play faster. Whoever first insisted on that needs it on their epitaph. And no, I will never drop this argument. My anti-cart stance only strengthens with each passing day. 
 

The course was in okay shape. Fairways were giving tons of roll with huge hops off the tee. The ball was really flying with the dead, humid air. Bunkers had plenty of sand but also a lot of rocks. I was in three and my clubs emerged unscathed so…a win? The 9th toughest greens in Chicagoland were slow. I’ve played there when the greens moved at a very good pace. Not today. 
 

I played very well. I hit 8 of 9 greens on the front, had one birdie (2) and one bogey (3) for a 36 at the turn. With the weather, the course felt far shorter than the listed 7000. I continued solid ball striking on the back but couldn’t buy a putt. 2 lip outs from about 10 feet, 2 juuuuuust short. The story of my season. Had two bogies on 15 and 18 for a 74 that could (should?) have been lower. Starting to get into my summer groove though. 

 

Should have played Bittersweet

[stasek]

Last minute date with Coyote Run.  Needed to hang around Flossmoor till it got dark, and quick 18 in the area seemed like a great idea.  The forecast looked iffy, but luckily the front missed the area by couple miles.  Teed off as a single at 5:20pm, and thank heavens, the pro shop told me to go off 10th tee. Caught up with a twosome on 16, but they were moving pretty well - only “cost” me extra 15 minutes to finish front in 1:30. Once I made the turn, it was smooth sailing - 1:15 later I was done.  2:45 walking and carrying?  Sign me up!   
Course was in overall good condition - the greens were punched fairly recently, but rolled quite well.  Golf wise - glimmer of hope.  Shat the bed on first few holes, but managed 40. 2 birdies/3 bogeys on back for 37.  

[DavePelz4]

20 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

Timber Pointe in Poplar Grove. Good course with large waste areas on some holes. Always plays longer than it is (right around 7000 yards) because the fairways are always wet. 

 

Will second this recommendation.

[DavePelz4]

17 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

Elgin Country Club is in great shape. Very nice greens and you ALMOST want to hit into the bunkers.

 

Those bunkers are brand new, they should be perfect.

[DavePelz4]

Wasn't aware that Cantigny is going through a renovation of all 3 nines over the next 3 seasons. New grass for greens/green complexes and tees, replacing the irrigation system, doing some bunker work, intriguing.

[mci711]

11 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

My daughter had a Pre-K 3 stepping up ceremony this morning so I took off work. After brunch, I had a coupon for a free round at a Golf Visions course from the golf show that was set to expire on Friday so I figured I’d cash it in at Foxford. Got there, showed the voucher, and was told by the manager Foxford is the only GV course that doesn’t honor that coupon. I mentioned Foxford was the only decent GV course other than maybe Oak Grove and he said, “What about Tanna Farms?” He was being serious. Sigh. I shoulda played Bonnie Brook. $55 wasn’t bad I guess. Not as good as free though. Onto the round. 
 

I got paired up with two high school kids. One guy could kind of play. Drives were either long, low and straight or rope hooks. The other guys…oof. Shanks on just about every hole. He kept dropping extra balls and kept shanking it over and over. He was even shanking drives and long irons. It was tough to watch. 
 

They asked if they could go ahead because, as we all know, carts play faster. I laughed. Sure guys. I’ll watch the horror show from behind. Eventually they asked me if I wanted to tee off right after they did then just wait for them to clear the green. If you’re reading this and thinking, “These guys are stupid,” you are correct. But, again, carts play faster. Whoever first insisted on that needs it on their epitaph. And no, I will never drop this argument. My anti-cart stance only strengthens with each passing day. 
 

The course was in okay shape. Fairways were giving tons of roll with huge hops off the tee. The ball was really flying with the dead, humid air. Bunkers had plenty of sand but also a lot of rocks. I was in three and my clubs emerged unscathed so…a win? The 9th toughest greens in Chicagoland were slow. I’ve played there when the greens moved at a very good pace. Not today. 
 

I played very well. I hit 8 of 9 greens on the front, had one birdie (2) and one bogey (3) for a 36 at the turn. With the weather, the course felt far shorter than the listed 7000. I continued solid ball striking on the back but couldn’t buy a putt. 2 lip outs from about 10 feet, 2 juuuuuust short. The story of my season. Had two bogies on 15 and 18 for a 74 that could (should?) have been lower. Starting to get into my summer groove though. 

 

I think you are mad at the wrong thing 😂! If everything is equal, carts do play faster. Coming from someone who mainly walks. The problem isn't necessarily the method of getting around the course, it is etiquette, skill level, and common sense. If I replicate the exact same round walking vs riding I'll probably play 30 min faster. (2:15 vs 1:45ish). If you think guys in carts playing bad etiquette, non ready golf is bad, think about how bad it is when they walk and do those things. Your stance should be against stupid people not carts! lol

 

Though the argument for your stance would be that if you get rid of carts you probably eliminate a ton of the idiots who are never going to walk because they can't carry a case of beer or walk up a hill without getting winded. 

[VNutz]

Bloomingdale for an outing yesterday, 2nd round of the year. Game was rusty but we turned it on to go -8 the last 7 holes after not being able to buy a putt on the front.

 

More shockingly, driving there I was unaware of the work being done to Medinah. WOW. That course looks entirely different right now. So many trees cleared out. The word that came to mind, not in terms of course quality but the type of change, was Oakmont. From an abundance of trees to very few and much more fescue. Very surprising.

[Shriner]

18 minutes ago, VNutz said:

Bloomingdale for an outing yesterday, 2nd round of the year. Game was rusty but we turned it on to go -8 the last 7 holes after not being able to buy a putt on the front.

 

More shockingly, driving there I was unaware of the work being done to Medinah. WOW. That course looks entirely different right now. So many trees cleared out. The word that came to mind, not in terms of course quality but the type of change, was Oakmont. From an abundance of trees to very few and much more fescue. Very surprising.

 

Yes, you are probably aware but they have the President's Cup coming up and they hired Ogilvy to do the remodel. I live walking distance from the course and it is amazing to see what money and experience can do.  I swear they have magic powers to get the grass to grow in as fast as they do.  For me, it is sad to see the trees go but I have no vested interest other than driving by it every day.  I run into a few members around town and I believe the course opens for play in July.

[Gdane]

Has anyone made it out to Dubsdread this year?  Looking at their tee sheet I'm surprised to see that once you get past 11:30 that almost every time slot remains available this Saturday.  

 

I get that $150+ isn't cheap, but other (comparable?) publics in Chicagoland are charging $100+ for a weekend time these days and don't have nearly the inventory available.

 

 

[MountainKing]

4 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Wasn't aware that Cantigny is going through a renovation of all 3 nines over the next 3 seasons. New grass for greens/green complexes and tees, replacing the irrigation system, doing some bunker work, intriguing.

 

I've seen some of the plans and this re-design is going to make a handful of holes a lot better/more playable.  They're moving the green further to the right on hole 2 of Woodside so it becomes a good risk/reward par 5 instead of a silly 4iron, 8iron wedge. I believe hole 3 on Woodside is completely changing as well, tee box will be where the old 2 green is.    The tee box  on Lakeside 2 is being moved over a bit which should make hitting driver a little more possible.   Few other small changes, I was hoping to see them change hole 7 a bit on Woodside also as that's another horrible par 5. 

[MountainKing]

3 hours ago, Gdane said:

Has anyone made it out to Dubsdread this year?  Looking at their tee sheet I'm surprised to see that once you get past 11:30 that almost every time slot remains available this Saturday.  

 

I get that $150+ isn't cheap, but other (comparable?) publics in Chicagoland are charging $100+ for a weekend time these days and don't have nearly the inventory available.

 

 

 

Have not been there this year, just opened back up after a bunker/green project.  I'm going to give the bunkers a bit of time to settle and maybe hit it up in August.  Bunkers right now are probably just quicksand since they are new.

[ldchristopher]

10 hours ago, mci711 said:

 

I think you are mad at the wrong thing 😂! If everything is equal, carts do play faster. Coming from someone who mainly walks. The problem isn't necessarily the method of getting around the course, it is etiquette, skill level, and common sense. If I replicate the exact same round walking vs riding I'll probably play 30 min faster. (2:15 vs 1:45ish). If you think guys in carts playing bad etiquette, non ready golf is bad, think about how bad it is when they walk and do those things. Your stance should be against stupid people not carts! lol

 

Though the argument for your stance would be that if you get rid of carts you probably eliminate a ton of the idiots who are never going to walk because they can't carry a case of beer or walk up a hill without getting winded. 

The “carts play faster” argument ignores the human element. Yes, in theory, a cart moves faster than a walking human. Can’t dispute that. But the cart, as you alluded to, enables all of people’s worst tendencies on a golf course. Driving to each other’s balls, hitting multiple balls for every shot, drinking on the course, playing holes in whatever order a person wants, giving lessons on the course. All of a sudden, walkers are blowing past these buffoons. If you’re a cart golfer but you abide by basic course etiquette, are aware of pace of play, play ready golf, etc., good on you. But you’re the outlier. The norm is what I described above. 

[DavePelz4]

Foreshadowing...get ready for a HIO post from one of the forum's wonderful Dad's and posters. 

Edited June 6, 2024 by DavePelz4

[braincramp52]

On 6/3/2024 at 6:34 PM, stasek said:

Looks like I’ll be spending some quality time in Rockford/Loves Park - give or take 6 weeks of daily ~180 mile commute (did 220 today 😢) yay me!  If I miss the window to leave at a reasonable time, it probably won’t hurt to try and play 9 or 18 to wait out the traffic.  Anything besides Aldeen worth playing (especially toward Chicago)?  

There's Park Hills in Freeport but that's about 25 minutes west of Loves Park.

[Chicago Lefty]

15 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Foreshadowing...get ready for a HIO post from one of the forum's wonderful Dad's and posters. 

 

Chest bumps all around 

[MountainKing]

On 6/5/2024 at 8:52 PM, ldchristopher said:

The “carts play faster” argument ignores the human element. Yes, in theory, a cart moves faster than a walking human. Can’t dispute that. But the cart, as you alluded to, enables all of people’s worst tendencies on a golf course. Driving to each other’s balls, hitting multiple balls for every shot, drinking on the course, playing holes in whatever order a person wants, giving lessons on the course. All of a sudden, walkers are blowing past these buffoons. If you’re a cart golfer but you abide by basic course etiquette, are aware of pace of play, play ready golf, etc., good on you. But you’re the outlier. The norm is what I described above. 

 

As a rider myself (but hoping to transition later this year), I would gladly give up carts to get rid of the clowns.  Every week we're out there watching the best Benny Hill reenactments, it's ridiculous.   The rounds this year that we've had the best pace of play have been at courses that all have a great walking culture. 

 

Heading down to play Kankakee Elks tomorrow, depending on the pace there we might throw in another cheap country course on the way back.

Edited June 7, 2024 by MountainKing

[DavePelz4]

26 minutes ago, Chicago Lefty said:

 

Chest bumps all around 

 

It was rather embarrassing to watch that!  Do you think the HIO guy is going to share the story???

[VNutz]

Well, had myself a day yesterday. Had the wonderful opportunity to play with @Chicago Lefty and @DavePelz4 at Flossmoor yesterday, along with our gracious host who we've played with many times in the past. Been a couple years since playing with Lefty and hadn't seen DP4 since September, normally we'd have played 5-10 rounds by now, so it was a great day to hit the links.

 

Flossmoor is absolutely a treat any day, always tough, but yesterday it had some more teeth than normal. Big winds in an unusual direction, always felt across or into the wind, rarely down. Made even more difficult in that the blue tees were about as far back as possible, basically playing where black tees should be, nearly tipped out. Had a stumbling start with bad tee shots and poor short game. Came to the 7th tee, playing from the front boxes instead of the deeper box behind the trees. 116 to the pin, wind howling right into us. Our host teed off first and hit a really hit ball that kept climbing on the wind. Landed near the hole and sucked back 20ft. I don't like letting the wind dictate the ball much so I decided on a punch PW. Shorter backswing and lower flight, drove it into and a bit under the wind. Ball stayed a couple yards right of the pin but on it the entire time. It looked really good in the air but I always think no chance. Landed 6 feet or so past, and started coming back. I still thought no chance. Then it dropped and I lost all idea of what I was doing. Turned around and Lefty was right there, neither of us knew what to do, so we went for the big chest bump. Pretty sure I let out a Rick Flair "WOOOO". Bunch of amateurs we were.

 

Flossmoor was awesome in all of this. Our host sent a text to the clubhouse and by the 9th tee there was someone there with Jameson shots to congratulate us. They also kindly gave me a 7th hole flag to commemorate.

 

Rest of the round, don't care. Beautiful sunny day with friends on a truly amazing course. Can't ask for much more.

 

HOWEVER, that was not the highlight of my day. That belongs to going to the Sox game at night (not as punishment), but for my son's little league. Thanks to my involvement helping the league my son was allowed to be one of the First Pitch kids on the field and got to man center field until the players came out. Truly an awesome experience for a father and the true highlight of my day.

 

 

 

[VNutz]

To follow up, this was my second ace, the first on June 1, 2019 so just over 5 years apart.

 

1st ace: Schaumburg, 118 yards, into the wind, flighted punch PW, landed long, rolled back and in.

 

2nd ace: Flossmoor, 116 yards, into the wind, flighted punch PW, landed long, rolled back and in.

 

Gotta re-think my short game approaches. And I can never get rid of these clubs. WRX problems...

Edited June 7, 2024 by VNutz

[DavePelz4]

Whew...glad the cat is outta the bag.  I've had the privilege of seeing both of V's HIO's.  The first was on the last day that the tournament course was open before the re-do at Schaumburg.  He said yesterday that it was the same club and the shot was pretty identical to the first.  It was a pleasure to watch. That was the capper on a great day overall.

 

As V also noted, it was wonderful to play with Lefty and our amazingly gracious host JL.  It's been way too long, and speaking of long, Lefty has clearly found a new gear.  We started playing together about 10 years ago, and I could generally be within 25 yards of him off the tee.  Even playing a tee box up yesterday, he was generally 75 yards past me, it sucks getting old. Flossmoor very possibly has the best greens in Chicago and the course was in wonderful conditions, cicadas and all.  It's refreshing that you're not seeing ballmarks, and geez, those greens played fast and firm.  Above the hole is nearly a guaranteed 3 putt.

 

Tomorrow is 3 months post surgery, and yesterday was the first round where things started to feel normal.  Started off birding the first, and then to everyone's amazement, holing a bunker shot on the third.  The front 9 went well, the back, eh.

Edited June 7, 2024 by DavePelz4

[Shriner]

34 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

Whew...glad the cat is outta the bag.  I've had the privilege of seeing both of V's HIO's.  The first was on the last day that the tournament course was open before the re-do at Schaumburg.  He said yesterday that it was the same club and the shot was pretty identical to the first.  It was a pleasure to watch. That was the capper on a great day overall.

 

As V also noted, it was wonderful to play with Lefty and our amazingly gracious host JL.  It's been way too long, and speaking of long, Lefty has clearly found a new gear.  We started playing together about 10 years ago, and I could generally be within 25 yards of him off the tee.  Even playing a tee box up yesterday, he was generally 75 yards past me, it sucks getting old. Flossmoor very possibly has the best greens in Chicago and the course was in wonderful conditions, cicadas and all.  It's refreshing that you're not seeing ballmarks, and geez, those greens played fast and firm.  Above the hole is nearly a guaranteed 3 putt.

 

Tomorrow is 3 months post surgery, and yesterday was the first round where things started to feel normal.  Started off birding the first, and then to everyone's amazement, holing a bunker shot on the third.  The front 9 went well, the back, eh.

 

Does your gracious host's first name have and "eff" after the J?

 

Their greens are amazing, especially since they keep them like that all season long.