Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[stasek]

I have a hard time believing no one ever reached 9th in 2. Several years ago, I played with a former college player, who was still hovering around plus handicap. He went driver, driver and was about 5 feet short. He was a pretty long hitter, but definitely not WRX long. On 18, he went driver, 2i and was over the green.

[geochitown]

True that stasek

I bet those descriptions are 20+ years old

[DavePelz4]

And, that hole perpetually plays into the wind.

[TheBear95]

I disagree about #9 at Sportsman's. Yes, it is long, but it is a straight-forward hole. Given that the par 5s on the front (#1 & #7) are extremely score-able, I see nothing wrong with a long challenging par 4. I really hope they don't change that hole. One solution would be to add a new tee box that moves the maroon tees further up, while keeping the blacks at the current location.

That said, I agree about #17. I see two options for that hole. The simple solution would be to cut down the stupid willow trees that are on the right side of the pond. Doing so, would open up the small silver of the fairway that runs to the right of the pond. That would give players the option to hit more club down that right side.

The other option is to move the pond up, like another 100 yards towards the green. This would make the hole more risk-reward for the bigger hitters. And, for the short hitters, it would eliminate the awkward layup and allow you to clear the pond with a wedge or short iron on the 3rd shot instead.

[Argonne69]

No doubt. I'd put it in the top 5 for sure. Every time I play it the wind is in your face.

I think #9 at Sportsman's falls in to the difficult camp. I've birdied it once, parred it a handful of times, and bogied it more times than I can count. It's not tricked up by any means, just a good 'ol fashioned long par 4.

Now, #17 is just plain 'ol bad. 'Agree that the willow needs to go, or the pond moved 40 to 50 yds closer to the green. 'Can't count the number of times I had to lay up with an 8 or 9 iron after hitting a decent, but not great, drive. In the early spring and late fall it's playing into a good headwind.

[Argonne69]

Fun day at The Preserve again. I generally don't play a course soon after a visit, but for $49.50 I couldn't pass it up. It's looking great. Greens are still too slow for my liking, rolling 8 to 9, but otherwise it was fine. Pace was excellent at 3:40. My only complaint today was that the maintenance crew were as annoying as gnats. I swear you couldn't take a shot without seeing or hearing a cart roll by, or a mower working nearby. They had the blower out today as well, and he seemed to be keeping perfect pace with me. Now, I know they have a job to do, but some days you get the unlucky break of playing hopscotch with them. Pfffttt.

'Loving the power fade off the tee. Heck, I actually managed to hit a few fades with my irons. That's quite an accomplishment. Going to keep working at it. The big hook has met its match.

 

[jcook10]

@Argonne69 Teed off at 6:30 this morning at The Preserve and on 3 and 4 the mower around the greens had not a care in the world. Completely agree with you on the green speed, for as good shape the course is in I'd like the greens a touch quicker but beggars can't be choosers. They sped up the last couple holes when they dried up.

[GSDriver]

Indeed, I played there for 3 years when I lived in that area, back in late 90s. I can remember days, depending on the wind, where hit driver, 3w, 3w; other days, driver, 3w, wedge.

Great course! Curious if they softened it from original design?

[Dashfast]

#17 at Sportsman’s is always a doozie. I had a birdie putt once (that I missed).

[ldchristopher]

Meh. I don’t have any issues with 9. I made a 40 footer for birdie the last time I played there so reaching the green in 2 is doable and I’m not a long hitter by any means. The willow tree on 17 needs to go but I wouldn’t put 17 in a top 5 worst holes list. Maybe top 25. There’s a difference between “worst holes” and “hardest holes.” 18 at Stonewall is an objectively bad hole. You can see three greens from the top of the hill (9, 18, and the putting green) and the one you’re hitting to is the least visible of the three. That’s a poorly laid out hole on a course that otherwise lays out very well. 5 at Blackstone is another bad hole. 234 yard par 3 with a miniature golf green? That’s not well-thought-out and is a pace of play killer. Just move the tips up and play as a 200 yard hole if the dumb green is so necessary. We’ve had this exact debate/discussion before though. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[mci711]

Played the Glen Club today for the first time. Mixed thoughts. I liked the course, preferred the back 9. It was in great shape and a fun layout. It took almost 5 hours to play. Which is just unacceptable. I also felt like it was the stuffiest public golf course I've ever played. The whole atmosphere felt like people trying to hard. There were 3 or 4 instances of members trying to puff out there chest before even teeing off. The member i was paired with shouted at the group of "public play" ahead us. He got ahold of the marshal on the 2nd tee unreal. They act like they are members of Butler and not an above average public course that normal guys like me can play for 100-150 bucks, also overpriced. The course was really good, just the vibe was way off. 44-36. Interesting round.

[Hawkeye77]

Tough one to answer. There are times, particularly after events, when it is a lot worse. I guess I can't say it's a problem on average any more than anywhere else. Seems like I can always find a few other marks to fix.

Sorry, not in Chicagoland - not trying to take the thread off course, just think that most of those who won't fix them won't change.

[psygolf]

I just think if it a matter of pride for a course/community...it’s easy to promote & embrace.

There are easily a handful of Chicago public courses with a reputation for nice greens at a reasonable green fee...easy to campaign, just need to do it.

[SpeedKills7]

I live in the area and play it a lot. I absolutely hate the 4th hole. I don’t mind 10 that much but 13 is brutal, dumb hole.

Won the B Flight at the Club Championship there last year so it haha a special place for me. Lol.

[B-Man]

 

Played The Preserve late this afternoon too. Course is in great condition but yeah, the greens were slow and some pin positions were extremely tight. Lots of 3 woods off the tee today with a decent amount of roll out.

[Argonne69]

My understanding is that they wanted to make the course private, but because it was built on public land it was a firm no-go. Option 2 was to price it like a private course, and make it difficult to get a public tee time at a decent time. I've had good luck with the staff there. I haven't had an issue with any members, but then again I usually play it in the late fall when the majority of players have put away the clubs for the season.

[Argonne69]

 

[B-Man]

On a humorous note out at The Preserve yesterday.... When you drive it over the 4th hole par 4 green and near the 5th tee, chip it close and make the putt for birdie, then you're playing partner asks, "Hey Lefty, I guess the secret to making easy birdies is a specific pair of golf shoes?"

FFS! I never noticed despite hitting the range, practice green etc. early and playing 4 holes.

 

[VNutz]

Welcome to the northern burbs. Sounds like they could fit in with some of the WRX pace of play crowd.

[VNutz]

Kinda makes you question if you've done it before and not noticed...

 

At least you got the brand right.

[mci711]

I wasnt going to say it, but I don't enjoy going up to that area in general. Too many cubs fans too. ?

[zer0]

they definitely need to move the tee boxes up on #9. As it is there is about 10 yard difference between the tips and the maroons. as it stands it is definitely my #1 least favorite/ hardest hole in the area as it's one of the only holes where I have zero chance of ever getting to the green in regulation.

 

or they could move the tee boxes back and call it a par 5 and then move #1 up a bit and call it a par 4.

 

 

[DavePelz4]

BMan probably has another pair like that at home, too.

[mci711]

A little off subject but I started collecting golf balls from every course I played about 5 years ago. About half of these are Illinois courses. Last spot was filled last night. Now I have to figure out how to keep adding some how and it still look good. Also need to replace that damn red cantigny ball lol

[B-Man]

That has been commented five or so times already also around the locals. Playing Ravisloe tomorrow which for me requires a few more tee shots with a draw so switching to the "other pair" for that. I'll let you know how it works out!

[VNutz]

OK, now you've crossed a line. :)

[Argonne69]

'First visit of the season to Glencoe this morning. By this time of the year I've usually played the course a half dozen times, but this is no ordinary year. The course was in fantastic shape. Fairways were getting a good amount of roll. The rough had been cut to an appropriate height. Penal but not punishing. Bunkers were nice. Greens were rolling at 9. I'd like to see them a couple of notches faster, but slower greens seems to be the order of the day. The pace was excellent at 3:40. 'Must be all those healthy young guys in their solo electric carts flying around the course.

The course appears to be in the process of adding (crushed stone) cart paths around the entire course. They finished 7 holes. 'Not sure how long it's going to take to finish the remaining holes. I'm sure they lose a ton of revenue when they have to restrict the course to walking only.

'Very nice round today. After a tap in birdie on the par 5 2nd, and a bogie on the par 3 7th, I finished the front nine with nine 4's. Lol. Don't recall ever doing that at Glencoe before. Best shot of the day was a nice high draw out of the left fairway bunker with a hybrid to 8 feet on the par 4 13th. Missed the birdie, though.

Glenview Park on Monday. 'Looks like Palatine Hills is finally allowing singles to book. I may play it for the first time on Tuesday.

 

[Argonne69]

'Very nice. Do they make bigger cases? I'm glad I didn't start collecting balls. I have a handful, but if I had one for each course I'd be labeled a hoarder.

 

[mci711]

My played list is only about 150. I started collecting late. This holds 108, I haven't seen much bigger. But I'll find something.

[oldpalchamp]

Played Prairie Bluff yesterday and was reminded how much I enjoy the course. It was in excellent condition and the greens were rolling very nicely. The rough had been cut and you could play out of it, and the fairways seemed pretty firm. My buddy and I teed off around 6:40 a.m. and played as a twosome behind a couple of 4-somes. It seemed like a longish round but we finished in under 4 hours. A really positive experience.

Talking about difficult holes in the Chicagoland area made me think of #16 at Glenwoodie. Haven't played there in probably 25 (or more) years, but remember #16 as one very tough par 4!