Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[MountainKing]

37 minutes ago, mikes919 said:

It definitely would not have been my first choice. Pretty limited time window, so it was either there or Winnetka. I figured Winnetka would be more of a swamp.

 

I’m not a super long driver anyways, and the wind was in our face for a lot of holes. So I ended up pulling driver more than I would have thought. Conditions were surprisingly good. My game, not so much!

 

I started off a little shaky, then had a stretch of 7 pars in a row, then totally imploded on the back 9. +8 on the final 7 holes, 6 bogeys and a double. Oof. Need to practice my 3/4 wedge shots on real grass, they killed me today.

 

 

I would stay home, golf at Tanna Farms,  or even go to work over playing another round at Arboretum.   Generally in good shape, but it's a miserable layout.  You're a better man than I. 

[mikes919]

15 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

 

 

I would stay home, golf at Tanna Farms,  or even go to work over playing another round at Arboretum.   Generally in good shape, but it's a miserable layout.  You're a better man than I. 

It’s not great. There is so much water that your ball is always funneling somewhere. Plenty of drives that you assume are totally fine, only to see that they rolled straight sideways at the very end. First outdoor round since November, I definitely took a handful of water ball mulligans.

[TheBear95]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

 

 

I would stay home, golf at Tanna Farms,  or even go to work over playing another round at Arboretum.   Generally in good shape, but it's a miserable layout.  You're a better man than I. 

 

THE Arboretum Club is just smashed into that small piece of land. The Lost Marsh of the north burbs.

[@_the_crook]

6 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

 

I would stay home, golf at Tanna Farms,  or even go to work over playing another round at Arboretum.   Generally in good shape, but it's a miserable layout.  You're a better man than I. 

 I feel the same way about Arboretum and Bittersweet.  Wouldn't play them if there was a cash prize.

[TheBear95]

1 hour ago, @_the_crook said:

 I feel the same way about Arboretum and Bittersweet.  Wouldn't play them if there was a cash prize.

 

I would rather spend an afternoon at Gurnee Mills than Bittersweet. 

[MountainKing]

1 hour ago, @_the_crook said:

 I feel the same way about Arboretum and Bittersweet.  Wouldn't play them if there was a cash prize.

 

Yup, when I say I'd rather work i mean it.  I have opted to work multiple times vs taking a day and going to play there.    Neither are with my money or time.

[Holy Moses]

Played Hilldale today. They had new-to-me carts with GPS which was nice. Course was in good shape for the early spring including the greens and they only charged $40 which I thought was below the normal rate. After the 2nd hole, which we played it a little bit slow because someone from the 7th accidentally took someone in our group’s tee shot, the group in front of us tried to play through. Normally, I let people play through if we are a little slow, but yesterday I refused them because the entire course was already tight and it was busy and we would’ve been waiting on every shot thereafter because there wasn’t much space between us and the group in front of us. The group behind us wasn’t happy about it, but we played fast the rest of the day, finished right on time, and we were all able to finish before it got too dark.

Edited March 15 by Holy Moses

[DavePelz4]

11 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

 

I would rather spend an afternoon at Gurnee Mills than Bittersweet. 

 

If that afternoon was in Bass Pro Shops looking at the fish, count me in.

[MountainKing]

Village links of Glen Ellyn this morning.  They weren't letting carts out, so course was wet as expected. And we all know the wind.   Other than wet, course was in as expected condition.   With no carts it seemed like some groups bailed so we got around in 3 and a half.   solid.  Put up a 75, given tougher conditions I was thrilled with it.  

[mci711]

On 3/12/2025 at 7:41 AM, MountainKing said:

To piggyback on the walking - any of you have any experience with electric push carts?   With my back I can no longer carry, I have a bagboy nitron that I do love a lot but if I'm going to be walking a lot I'd rather just buy something to do the heavy lifting for me.   I'll probably hit up the bag section to see what I can find in there, but I'm between buying the Alphard and converting mine or going with one of the MGI's. 

 

Just saw this in the classifieds. FYI - 

Edit: Never mind, this isn't everything you need 😂

 

Edited March 16 by mci711

[@_the_crook]

First round at Sunset Valley this morning.

grounds were cleaned up but, still, nothings really growing in quickly.

even with last night's rain, we didn't encounter much casual water, which was surprising.

 

Windy?...besides our pushcarts moving unattended, there were moments where we actually couldn't take a step forward.

 

Embarrassed to say on the first par 5, ,#2, 500 yds into the wind, I needed D, 5W, 5W, an 8i to chip on and had a two putt.

#12 was another long haul.

the plus, when we hit the back - 13, 14, 15, 17 were a pleasure. my drive on 17 was longer than anything I've ever hit there by a good bit.

 

One of the guys used his new remote cart, maybe a Navigator. Darned thing tipped over a few times.

my old tank Bagboy cart never wobbled.  thing must be almost ten years old.

 

As we say - can't wait to go back.

 

 

 

 

[B-Man]

Village Links this past Saturday for first time out this year. The 2nd hole played 520yds with a great drive and got a 4-iron in close to the front edge. Average par 4. The 4th hole at 430yrds played driver, 5 wood and more. It was windy and heavy underfoot in places.

[MountainKing]

45 minutes ago, B-Man said:

Village Links this past Saturday for first time out this year. The 2nd hole played 520yds with a great drive and got a 4-iron in close to the front edge. Average par 4. The 4th hole at 430yrds played driver, 5 wood and more. It was windy and heavy underfoot in places.

 

 

What time were you out?  Both par 5's on the front I managed to make a wrong club selection and flew the greens.    The 4th I just laid up lol.

[B-Man]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

 

 

What time were you out?  Both par 5's on the front I managed to make a wrong club selection and flew the greens.    The 4th I just laid up lol.

9:00am tee time. Got even windier the last 3 holes around 1pm.

[psygolf]

Rolling Green in 20 min 🏌️‍♂️

[psygolf]

6 hours ago, psygolf said:

Rolling Green in 20 min 🏌️‍♂️

Greens already mowed, rolled, and sanded

 

not too shabby for March

[DavePelz4]

Played Monday at Silver Lake South. Lots of improvement in conditions compared to last week. Maintenance done, some further tree pruning, greens picking up pace. 2 hour and 20 minute walk which could have been even faster except for the utes who refused to let me play through until the 6th hole. For some context, they teed off 30 minutes prior and starting with my 3rd shot on THE FIRST HOLE, I waited until 6.

 

Trekked to Marengo today for the first round of the year at Blackstone.  No open range, so stopped at Randall to hit a few balls. So far this year, with today being round 10, I've played with great people and nary a round has exceeded 3:45. At some point that streak is ending, and part of it ended today. In addition to another old retired friend, we were paired with a combination of Butch Harmon and Tiger Woods. This dude was just wacked. Walking in putting lines, check. Critiquing not only his shots but ours, check. He didn't stop talking/commenting until he got so pissed at himself for failing to get out of a bunker on 15 that he stormed off, said nothing, and made our last 3 holes enjoyable. 

 

This individual was so socially awkward that on 11, I was short in 2, and hit a tiny lob wedge that took one hop and stopped a few feet from the hole. He literally said "Good miss" to which I responded, "What exactly was the miss as that's exactly what I tried to do?" "Well, I wouldn't have played it that way." 

 

Lo and behold, after a rather pedestrian round through 12, he birdied both 13 and 14 and then stated, "You must think I'm a f******* amazing player." Well, no, my thought was "You're a narcisstic AH and the world would be better off if you just shut the hell up." But, being a kinder and gentler DP4, I tuned him out and focused and enjoying the round.

 

Blackstone is cart path only, they allegedly had 4 inches of snow Sunday. Fairways are slow but greens are nearly Blackstone pace. Bunkers, while groomed, are pretty much devoid of sand. So far only 1 person has expressed interest in buying it and he allegedly said no. 

 

The men's league at Silver Lakes starts Friday and it'll be the first of 3 rounds to establish a league index. We'll see how that goes.

[propman]

12 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Played Monday at Silver Lake South. Lots of improvement in conditions compared to last week. Maintenance done, some further tree pruning, greens picking up pace. 2 hour and 20 minute walk which could have been even faster except for the utes who refused to let me play through until the 6th hole. For some context, they teed off 30 minutes prior and starting with my 3rd shot on THE FIRST HOLE, I waited until 6.

 

Trekked to Marengo today for the first round of the year at Blackstone.  No open range, so stopped at Randall to hit a few balls. So far this year, with today being round 10, I've played with great people and nary a round has exceeded 3:45. At some point that streak is ending, and part of it ended today. In addition to another old retired friend, we were paired with a combination of Butch Harmon and Tiger Woods. This dude was just wacked. Walking in putting lines, check. Critiquing not only his shots but ours, check. He didn't stop talking/commenting until he got so pissed at himself for failing to get out of a bunker on 15 that he stormed off, said nothing, and made our last 3 holes enjoyable. 

 

This individual was so socially awkward that on 11, I was short in 2, and hit a tiny lob wedge that took one hop and stopped a few feet from the hole. He literally said "Good miss" to which I responded, "What exactly was the miss as that's exactly what I tried to do?" "Well, I wouldn't have played it that way." 

 

Lo and behold, after a rather pedestrian round through 12, he birdied both 13 and 14 and then stated, "You must think I'm a f******* amazing player." Well, no, my thought was "You're a narcisstic AH and the world would be better off if you just shut the hell up." But, being a kinder and gentler DP4, I tuned him out and focused and enjoying the round.

 

Blackstone is cart path only, they allegedly had 4 inches of snow Sunday. Fairways are slow but greens are nearly Blackstone pace. Bunkers, while groomed, are pretty much devoid of sand. So far only 1 person has expressed interest in buying it and he allegedly said no. 

 

The men's league at Silver Lakes starts Friday and it'll be the first of 3 rounds to establish a league index. We'll see how that goes.

So you are in the men's league at Silver Lakes? Maybe you know my BIL? Art Bailey?

[DavePelz4]

5 minutes ago, propman said:

So you are in the men's league at Silver Lakes? Maybe you know my BIL? Art Bailey?

 

Just joined this year, haven't had the pleasure of meeting Art as of yet. Looks like he plays to a 4...so he's probably done very well in the events?

[propman]

5 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

Just joined this year, haven't had the pleasure of meeting Art as of yet. Looks like he plays to a 4...so he's probably done very well in the events?

Well, if he's at 4, he's gotten better with age. What tees are they playing from?

For the record, he is much better than me but that's not really saying much 😂

[DavePelz4]

40 minutes ago, propman said:

Well, if he's at 4, he's gotten better with age. What tees are they playing from?

For the record, he is much better than me but that's not really saying much 😂

 

The league solely uses tournament rounds as the basis of the handicap, so what he shoots at other courses has no impact on his handicap for the league.  He's a 4.7 on both courses from the white tees. His low score was a 69 and his high score, which obviously isn't used in his index, was a 90. The vast majority of his rounds are in the 70's. He looks very consistent overall.

[TheBear95]

LD and I are headed downstate early next week for some rounds. Will be playing Piper Glen, Olin, Annbriar and Gateway National.

 

I need to get in a round this weekend. Thankfully this snow is melting fast. Played two weeks ago, but I feel like I have hit no balls this month.

[MountainKing]

Hoping to get out on Prairie Bluff Saturday.  Seems like the last couple of years spring came early, and this year winter just doesn't want to let go. 

[mci711]

5 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

LD and I are headed downstate early next week for some rounds. Will be playing Piper Glen, Olin, Annbriar and Gateway National.

 

I need to get in a round this weekend. Thankfully this snow is melting fast. Played two weeks ago, but I feel like I have hit no balls this month.

 

What days are you playing Annbriar and Gateway? If you're open to it, I'd be interested in joining for one, depending on my schedule. 

Also, unless you are dead set on your courses, you should look into playing Far Oaks. 

Edited March 20 by mci711

[TheBear95]

1 hour ago, mci711 said:

 

What days are you playing Annbriar and Gateway? If you're open to it, I'd be interested in joining for one, depending on my schedule. 

Also, unless you are dead set on your courses, you should look into playing Far Oaks. 

 

We are playing Annbriar and Gateway both on Tuesday. If you're able to join for a round, PM me. 

 

I have read good things on Far Oaks. Definitely could swap that with Olin. These are all new courses for us. We're staying overnight in O'Fallon which I believe is right next to Far Oaks anyway.

 

We are playing Piper Glen in Springfield to break up the drive down since we are getting old, lol. 

 

 

 

Edited March 20 by TheBear95

[mci711]

15 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

 

We are playing Annbriar and Gateway both on Tuesday. If you're able to join for a round, PM me. 

 

I have read good things on Far Oaks. Definitely could swap that with Olin. These are all new courses for us. We're staying overnight in O'Fallon which I believe is right next to Far Oaks anyway.

 

We are playing Piper Glen in Springfield to break up the drive down since we are getting old, lol. 

 

 

 

 

Ah, that is a good 36! I won't be able to pull it off on Tuesday. Enjoy it!

 

Regarding Far Oaks. The layout has always been pretty fun. They did a bit of a renovation, all new bunkers (better billy bunker), removed a ton of trees, etc. Conditioning can be spotty occasionally. I think I saw they may have aerated last week though. I wouldn't be surprised if you run into that issue at other courses. May want to check if that matters to you. I've been getting a bunch of notifications about courses aerating right now. 

 

I do think Far Oaks is a better course/option than Spencer T Olin, especially if you are already in O'Fallon. 

[TheBear95]

35 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

Ah, that is a good 36! I won't be able to pull it off on Tuesday. Enjoy it!

 

Regarding Far Oaks. The layout has always been pretty fun. They did a bit of a renovation, all new bunkers (better billy bunker), removed a ton of trees, etc. Conditioning can be spotty occasionally. I think I saw they may have aerated last week though. I wouldn't be surprised if you run into that issue at other courses. May want to check if that matters to you. I've been getting a bunch of notifications about courses aerating right now. 

 

I do think Far Oaks is a better course/option than Spencer T Olin, especially if you are already in O'Fallon. 

 

Sounds good.  Yeah, I saw a number of courses were aerating. To be expected.

[DavePelz4]

What a difference 10ish miles makes.  The pic below was my backyard this morning. I called Silver Lake to see if the round was still happening and to my utter surprise, they said yes.  The Real Feel for our 10:20 tee time was supposed to be 23 degrees with winds up to 30MPH. Eh, I played the K Club in Dublin the week before the 1996 Ryder Cup in 34 degree temps, with a freaking driving rainstorm, sans rain gear, and at some point in the round, I'm sure my testicles had found warmth around around my pancreas, so today is a piece of cake, let's go build a handicap!

 

Wait, where in the Cheese Whiz is the snow in Orland? Other than perimeter areas with shade, there was no snow.  Wet, sure, but not terrible except for very low spots..  Lots of mud balls, definitely. Greens? Shockingly quick if you were putting down wind and obviously slow on putts the other direction. Kudos to the grounds staff who did a great job of making the course playable.

 

And much to my chagrin, was paired with the guy who runs the league (super nice guy), someone who is probably the longest hitter in the league (flew one 355 down wind, all carry) and the infamous Art B. All were wonderful guys to play with, no one displayed their best, but you pretty much saw everyone's ability. 

 

By the 5th hole, I dumped the winter golf attire, and played the rest of the round in a polo over an Under Armour compression shirt. It was that nice out.

 

To be honest, my short game up to today was Dave Pelz effective. Borderline crazy good. Today, it was more David Hasselhoff like with great results from the beach, but the rest was, um, ah, like my NCAA pool, crashing and burning. 

 

Compared everyone's score to their handicap post round, no one was less than 12 shots over their index, some way worse. But, totally great guys, they hit the ball and literally go. Although we waited on a 2 some for the last 5 holes, it was still a 4 hour round. Compared to the 2 hour and 30 minute rounds of this week, my level of tiredness is basically non-existent.

 

Learned a lot today about the league, Silver Lakes, etc., looking forward to this competitive season.

 

 

 

Edited March 21 by DavePelz4

[ldchristopher]

GCI this morning. We wanted to get in a round before St. Louis. With the wind coming straight from the North, the front nine felt like it was playing 4000 yards from the Blue tees. I was lucky to scrape together a 40 at the turn. I played much better on the back. Hit 6/7 fairways and parred every hole but 11 (driver-5 wood-4 iron missed the green right and two putted, before DP4 asks). The course was in okay shape for late March. It’s still mostly brownish/green and a couple of bunkers were washed out. But most were playable. There were some totally chewed up spots by the water on 12 like always but that’s the case in the middle of June. 77. Excited to see what Annbriar and Gateway are all about. Up at 4 AM on Monday to get this trip going. 

[MountainKing]

Prairie Bluff was a go.  Bit chilly,  cart path only,  both solved by walking.   Course was in expected condition,  driest we've seen this year.   3 hour round thanks to a mostly empty course.  No complaints with the game,  4 bad bogies,  2 birds for a 74.