Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[zer0]

1 minute ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Yeah, pretty much every "Prairie Style" layout that strives to have lush green fairways. Nothing wrong with a little brown if it makes the course firm and fast.

 

Just because a course has no/few trees and some native grass doesn't make it links. There's also the target golf aspect of the designs on many of these courses. If you can't run a shot up on the majority of the holes, it's probably not true links. 

 

 

That's why I love Lawsonia so much.  It's built on Limestone and sand and drains better than any course I've ever played.    So firm and fast you could play the whole course with nothing but punch and run shots if you wanted to.

[MountainKing]

28 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Yeah, pretty much every "Prairie Style" layout that strives to have lush green fairways. Nothing wrong with a little brown if it makes the course firm and fast.

 

Just because a course has no/few trees and some native grass doesn't make it links. There's also the target golf aspect of the designs on many of these courses. If you can't run a shot up on the majority of the holes, it's probably not true links. 

 

 

Last year during the 4 week period we had no rain, Highlands for the first time ever played like it should always play.  I remember how I excited I was to pull in and see a brown golf course.   

[@_the_crook]

19 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm pretty sure I invented the term "prairie-style" after suffering through many years of soggy conditions at Harborside. Many courses look, and/or claim to be links courses, but if you're a soggy mess that plugs balls that land 3 feet in front of the green you're not a links layout. 

 

the players at Shepherd's Crook just might agree with you.

[ldchristopher]

We’ve had the faux links versus prairie style (copywrite Arg, 2017ish) discussion before. The number of actual links courses in the area is zero. No ocean makes that impossible. The number of faux links courses in the region can be counted on one hand. Mistwood, Glen Erin, umm….Chicago Highlands and Strawberry Creek if you know someone. Lawsonia is really pushing “Chicago area.” That’s. About. It. Is this Prairie Bluff erasure or can we pretty comfortably call that a prairie style course? 

[DavePelz4]

1 minute ago, ldchristopher said:

We’ve had the faux links versus prairie style (copywrite Arg, 2017ish) discussion before. The number of actual links courses in the area is zero. No ocean makes that impossible. The number of faux links courses in the region can be counted on one hand. Mistwood, Glen Erin, umm….Chicago Highlands and Strawberry Creek if you know someone. Lawsonia is really pushing “Chicago area.” That’s. About. It. Is this Prairie Bluff erasure or can we pretty comfortably call that a prairie style course? 

 

PB is definitely a prairie style course. We're in IL after all, and the differential between the highest and lowest points in the state is only around 1,000 feet. 

[DavePelz4]

Greens at The Preserve were just punched, the range is closed and the weekday rate is still $95.

[TBone0576]

19 hours ago, MountainKing said:

Erin Hills, special is the only way to describe this one.   We had an afternoon time so we planned to get in there a few hours prior to the time so we could get some food and just take it in. The patio overlooking the course was a great place to get some food and take in the views.   TV, pictures etc just don't do this property justice in terms of size and elevation.   After food and spending some time in the pro shop we ran out to the range and they had real tp5 golf balls out there, awesome!  The range was enormous, and in better shape than almost any golf course I've ever been on.   We hooked up with our caddies on the range, the guy on my bag and my buddy was a + handicap golfer and new his stuff, and just added to the incredible day.   Our group was a perfect mix with two guys who play fades and two who draw so we had the caddies pair up with us based on that.   My buddy played the tips (he holds the Whistling Straits Irish course record so he's legit) and we played one tee box up.  Course was firm, fast and a lot of speed slots resulted in some pretty insane drives.  Anyway, the course was just incredible, every hole felt like a walk through a picture, they were all perfectly put together.  The walk was brutal, 22,000 steps is what I clocked, just a ton of up and down some pretty hefty hills.  Conditions were beyond immaculate, with greens rolling around a 12.  I really just don't even know what to say about it at this point other than go play it's worth every penny and then some.  I do suggest splurging on a caddie,  the course knowledge he provided was invaluable and saved us a lot of strokes & potential frustration.  He had me hitting on lines that I would have never guessed and they resulted in perfect shots, and his reads were great (if I only I was able to hit the lines he told me to hit).   Erin is golf perfection.  I don't think I even need to bring up the weather, you all know what we had yesterday.  Pace was 5 hours on the dot and it was the first time ever 5 hours felt appropriate.  No waiting and I'm not really sure you could get around it walking any faster than that. 

 

So how did I play?  I came out hot and was 1 under standing on the 9th tee box.  9 is a shorter par 3 and I'm not really sure it could be any more difficult.  I pulled my shot into weeds, then found a bunker and walked away with a triple bogey and a bit deflating.  Back 9 was a lot tougher than the front but I kept it to 3 over on the back, all 3 bogies were results of me not playing shots the caddie advised me to play, but 77 on the day, which I was very happy with.  I wanted to try the JT shot on 18 until I actually stood there and looked at it (we had the same pin placement yesterday).  Trying to hit a 299 yard shot would have just been silly, my best 3 wood would still be 50 yards short.  Erin is a great design that rewards good shots, penalizes bad shots but still gives you an opportunity to recover.  I just can't say enough about the course or the experience.   We stuck around for dinner and an awesome sunset on the patio to end a great day and a great few days of golf.

 

Randall Oaks is up next this weekend, not sure how I feel about that one after Harborside, Dubs, Pine Meadow and Erin Hills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome review.   I haven't played it in a number of years.  Actually got out there shortly after it opened years ago and it was 19 holes.  Number 9 was an extra hole to settle bets and they used to have a short par 3 along hole 3 that was blind and you hit into a deep gully.  They would set a colored rock above the drop off to show you where the pin was.   My wife and I went out there to watch the Mid Am tournament last summer.  I bet there was maybe 50 spectators out there.   We enjoyed a drink at the bar, sat on the patio, hit the pro shop and walked out to 15 tee and back.  I wanted to show my wife how beautiful the place was and while we were out there I spread my brother and dad's ashes.  

[mikes919]

Played Mount Prospect today with my dad. It’s still in fantastic shape, and the greens are as tough as usual. Not quite as fast as I was expecting; I burned by the hole on #1 and then ended up leaving the next bunch of putts short because I was expecting the same thing. But they’re a tick slower than the last time I played.

 

Scary situation after Hole #11, we were sitting in the cart and out of nowhere, a ball rockets in and hits my dad square in the chest. Bounced past my face and into the pond that we’re parked next to. It was coming in super fast and almost sideways to hit at that angle. Guy sliced it from way over on #15 and never called fore or anything. Came walking up sheepishly and didn’t even apologize until I started giving him a hard time. I was really pissed. I mean, stuff happens. But at least call fore, and when you screw up, at least apologize and/or ask if everyone’s OK. The guy got all defensive and said “I’ve been playing golf a long time and call fore all the time.” I guess his previous calls give him lifetime immunity.

 

Huge welt on my dad’s chest and he was really rattled for the rest of the round. I thought he would walk off the course but he decided to power through, it’s gonna be really ugly in a couple days. Really lucky it didn’t hit him in the face, it was only a few inches away.

[MountainKing]

49 minutes ago, mikes919 said:

Played Mount Prospect today with my dad. It’s still in fantastic shape, and the greens are as tough as usual. Not quite as fast as I was expecting; I burned by the hole on #1 and then ended up leaving the next bunch of putts short because I was expecting the same thing. But they’re a tick slower than the last time I played.

 

Scary situation after Hole #11, we were sitting in the cart and out of nowhere, a ball rockets in and hits my dad square in the chest. Bounced past my face and into the pond that we’re parked next to. It was coming in super fast and almost sideways to hit at that angle. Guy sliced it from way over on #15 and never called fore or anything. Came walking up sheepishly and didn’t even apologize until I started giving him a hard time. I was really pissed. I mean, stuff happens. But at least call fore, and when you screw up, at least apologize and/or ask if everyone’s OK. The guy got all defensive and said “I’ve been playing golf a long time and call fore all the time.” I guess his previous calls give him lifetime immunity.

 

Huge welt on my dad’s chest and he was really rattled for the rest of the round. I thought he would walk off the course but he decided to power through, it’s gonna be really ugly in a couple days. Really lucky it didn’t hit him in the face, it was only a few inches away.

 

No excuse at all - if you hit your ball anywhere off your hole, and have no visuals on where it could head, you yell your head off just in case.  The only time it's okay not to yell is when you are 100% certain the area your ball is headed to is clear.  It's ridiculous how many golf balls have landed within a yard or two of myself or somebody in our group this year with zero yell. 

[Holy Moses]

22 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Greens at The Preserve were just punched, the range is closed and the weekday rate is still $95.

Are the grass tees on the range ever open?

[sittonsideways]

Continuing to make my way around Chicagoland. Prairie Landing today. 
 

I randomly played here with my dad about 20 years ago. We were in town for a classic car show and this was the closest course. Although I was only 14 or so at the time, I still remembered many of the holes. Not my favorite layout, but the conditions were great even with the heavy rain from last night. All in all, it’s not my style of course and too far/pricey to play frequently, but I really enjoyed calling back to the times with my old man. 
 

 

We’ve crossed off Cog Hill 2 & 4, Ravisloe, Mt Prospect, HoE, Shepherd’s Crook, Harborside, and now Prairie Landing. Where else do I need to play before I’m back in the office and winter winds start blowing in?

[ldchristopher]

1 minute ago, sittonsideways said:

Continuing to make my way around Chicagoland. Prairie Landing today. 
 

I randomly played here with my dad about 20 years ago. We were in town for a classic car show and this was the closest course. Although I was only 14 or so at the time, I still remembered many of the holes. Not my favorite layout, but the conditions were great even with the heavy rain from last night. All in all, it’s not my style of course and too far/pricey to play frequently, but I really enjoyed calling back to the times with my old man. 
 

 

We’ve crossed off Cog Hill 2 & 4, Ravisloe, Mt Prospect, HoE, Shepherd’s Crook, Harborside, and now Prairie Landing. Where else do I need to play before I’m back in the office and winter winds start blowing in?

Stonewall Orchard, Thunderhawk, Bowes Creek, Glen Club and Mistwood are the best of the bunch. I guess Blackstone but Marengo is a pain to get to and the membership there are…difficult. Pine Meadow is a fun course. Not super difficult but it has a stellar layout and no bad holes. I like White Hawk in Crown Point, IN. A modern monstrosity cart course but they do allow walking. George Dunne National is another great layout with hit or miss conditions. 

[geochitown]

I’d add Sunset Valley, White Deer Run, Foxford Hills, Steeplechase, Schaumburg

[Argonne69]

Probably should add Cantigny, and The Preserve. 

 

[geochitown]

30 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Probably should add Cantigny, and The Preserve. 

 

Both are in rough shape currently, so maybe double check conditions or wait until next year?

[zer0]

you guys are missing some of the must play courses for someone new to the area.  These may not be the best courses and some of them may even be the worst courses, but in order to fully be a part of this community you need to be able to reference these fine locations when they are discussed.

 

Lost Marsh, Big Fun, Fresh Ghettos, Jackson Park, White Pines, Carriage Greens, Chick Evans.

 

 

[Argonne69]

Just now, zer0 said:

you guys are missing some of the must play courses for someone new to the area.  These may not be the best courses and some of them may even be the worst courses, but in order to fully be a part of this community you need to be able to reference these fine locations when they are discussed.

 

Lost Marsh, Big Fun, Fresh Ghettos, Jackson Park, White Pines, Carriage Greens, Chick Evans.

 

 

 

No Tanna Farms?

 

[zer0]

3 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

No Tanna Farms?

 

lol I was thinking about putting that one in there as well, but I couldn't remember if it was that course or Settler's Run (or maybe both deserve a mention)

[sittonsideways]

I almost played Lost Marsh just to witness it for myself. Is there an argument it falls into the “so bad it’s good” category?

[Argonne69]

50 minutes ago, sittonsideways said:

I almost played Lost Marsh just to witness it for myself. Is there an argument it falls into the “so bad it’s good” category?

 

I'm one of the few here that like it. Very tough opening 5 holes. It's an acquired taste. Lol. 

 

Little parkland. Little prairie. Little watery graveyard. 

 

Edited September 7, 2024 by Argonne69

[TheBear95]

20 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm one of the few here that like it. Very tough opening 5 holes. It's an acquired taste. Lol. 

 

Little parkland. Little prairie. Little watery graveyard. 

 

 

You forgot to add, a lot of industrial waste!

[TheBear95]

1 hour ago, sittonsideways said:

I almost played Lost Marsh just to witness it for myself. Is there an argument it falls into the “so bad it’s good” category?

 

It is a must play once. Simply for the comedy. 

[Argonne69]

9 minutes ago, TheBear95 said:

 

You forgot to add, a lot of industrial waste!

 

Lol. Watching the gas flames is nearly as entertaining as watching the Bellagio fountains. 

 

[ldchristopher]

1 hour ago, sittonsideways said:

I almost played Lost Marsh just to witness it for myself. Is there an argument it falls into the “so bad it’s good” category?

You should definitely play there once. The surrounding area (giant casino robbing seniors of their Social Security check, huge oil tanks, methane torches) adds to the experience.  

[DavePelz4]

On 9/7/2024 at 8:31 AM, Argonne69 said:

 

No Tanna Farms?

 

 

Exactly...who wouldn't want to play the Augusta National Golf Club of Geneva?

 

[DavePelz4]

Comp round at Broken Arrow yesterday, just before NIU BEAT NOTRE DAME in South Bend!

 

First time playing here since the new owner took over a few years ago.  The course is greatly improved and absent sandless bunkers, would say the conditions were very good and the course played very fast. Some difficult holes such as 2 550 yard+ par 5's with a ribbon thin fairway and water on both sides.  Didn't remember the amount of water on the course and it comes into play on quite a few holes. 

 

Nice variety in par 3's and hit everything from a wedge to a hybrid. Messed up several times by not knowing the course and on the 8th hole for example, a well struck layup found the junk past the fairway, hmmm.  Greens were fast and huge, with some really difficult pin positions.  Had 6 putts over 50 feet based on approaches that went to far. Very much a second shot course.

 

No bar or restaurant as the new owner doesn't think there's enough volume to support it right now, but they do have a limited selection of beverages.

 

The day started with a wind chill, wait, isn't this early September...but warmed up throughout the day. It seemed we either hit into the wind or a cross wind on 16 of the 18 holes. Fortunately, with the firm conditions it was easy to keep the ball low and let the ground do the work.

 

Comp round next Sat at Village Links.  Can hardly wait.

[ldchristopher]

3 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Comp round at Broken Arrow yesterday, just before NIU BEAT NOTRE DAME in South Bend!

 

Best part about that was NIU got paid $1.4 million to beat ND. 

[Springsteennut]

6 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

Exactly...who wouldn't want to play the Augusta National Golf Club of Geneva?

 

It’s not Mill Creek?

[ldchristopher]

43 minutes ago, Springsteennut said:

It’s not Mill Creek?

I will die on the hill that MILF Creek is worse than Tanna Farms

[ldchristopher]

We should put together a comprehensive list of turds for the new transplants to our fair area. 

Indian Boundary: I’ve avoided IB but Bear has some stories about their clientele. Very open about their niche bathroom reading material. 
Edgebrook: A lovely dirt/weeds/hardpan mixture with mats on tee boxes. Wildlife is good though. 
Scherwood: A trashy favorite of mine. Their fairways currently have grubs. Greens and bunkers are good though. 
Fresh Meadows: Is it a cemetery yet? Is it still open? Does it matter? 
Jackson Park: Oldest public course in the Midwest. Tiger claims he’s going to convert JP and South Shore (9 holer across the street) into a 7300 yard par 70 that can host tour events. Insert “I don’t believe you” gif here. 
Midlane: The blades of grass to goose sh!t ratio is 1:1

Chapel Hill: Holes 11-14 are very Edgebrookian. 
 

Oh, if you play a course that has a good layout and feels like it could be really solid if it was operated by a functional management company (cough-Foxford Hills and Oak Grove) it’s probably a GolfVisions course.