BryanTweed16

The Good: Gil Hanse's redesign of Tom Fazio's previous rendition of a Donald Ross routing is truly stunning. As beautiful and compelling of any land at the Pinehurst Resort, No. 4 stays true to Fazio/Ross' vision but is a significant upgrade in terms of green complexes. Excellent variety in Par 4's with several doglegs both left/right and a couple drivable "go for broke" holes on the back nine. The 13th/14th one-two punch around the pond is one of the best at the entire resort. As impeccably conditioned of any course I've played from tee-to-green. First-class clubhouse, practice facilities (including Hanse's newly created short course The Cradle nearby), and on-course amenities throughout make for an unforgettable experience. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating throughout the resort. The $175 "Evergreen" rates from November to February are a steal!

The Bad: Pace of play for a Thursday afternoon round was fair at best, taking us nearly 5 hours. The greens, while extremely interesting, didn't hold very well and were inconsistent at times. No GPS on the carts and limited yardage markers on the course. Comes with a heft price tag for an "inland" course.

The Verdict: Pinehurst No.4 is an outstanding overall experience and one of the better courses in North Carolina. A Top 10 course that I've played. A truly fun, memorable golf experience!

Best Hole(s): The aforementioned 13th is a long Par 5 that borders a pond and requires approaches to cross the hazard at many angles. The Par 3 14th is a tough little Par 3 with water left and tough bunker right. Great back-to-back holes!

The Good: Fun, sporty parkland layout is an old school municipal course that received a complete overhaul by Rick Jacobson and re-opened in 2018. What was once a course with little undulation and small greens is now much more visually appealing with Jacobson's signature rugged sand bunkers and large, undulating greens. The Par 5's are particularly great and interesting to play. Conditions were solid considering all the rain in the Midwest and greens putted true. Very nice staff will ensure you have a fun golf round. Updated clubhouse, while still small, is excellent for a quick bite and a beer after your round. Updated restroom areas on-course are a nice improvement as well. Very appropriate pricing, particularly online, for a north shore municipal course.

The Bad: The Par 3's have limited length variety. I wish there were more doglegs, particularly with the Par 4's. Except for the 10th hole (a tough little dogleg right), the Par 4's are mostly straight away and of similar length. The lack of fringe around the green is a little odd and tough to chip/putt around, putting a premium on high iron play. No driving range is a significant detraction.

The Verdict: Sunset Valley is now a huge player in the public Chicago North Shore golf sweepstakes. Has a "mini-Exmoor" feel to it. the Park District and Jacobson should be very proud of what they accomplished with the renovation.

Best Hole: The Par 4 1st and Par 3 4th tend to be the most talked about holes at Sunset Valley, but the 12th, a shortish Par 5, is the best hole. A drive must navigate several fairway bunkers and then a short sided pond left of the green. Beautiful hole!

The Good: Extremely private, personal golf club of wealthy Chicago real estate developer Dan McLean based in the outskirts of Lake Geneva is one of the quirkiest, most unique golf experiences I’ve had. Centered around a beautiful reservoir, this design created by McLean and quasi-architect buddy Mike Lasch, features double fairways, double greens, and multiple holes with “boomerang” style shaping around ponds. Impressive property that has to be a thousand acres, includes a modest, nice clubhouse that is fully stocked with cocktails and beer at all times, a little putting green, and has a nice staff that operates the facility despite its limited play. Was in very good shape considering the poor weather in the Midwest and the lack of revenue stream for small membership and no public play.

The Bad: No practice facilities other than a small putting green. Too many holes with blind tee shots and crazy small greens for my liking. The fake turf on several of the tee boxes is understandably economical & slightly comical, but not the best for consistent play. NOTE: The club has to outsource its cart maintenance when there are group outings: our cart died on the first hole.

The Verdict: Lakewood is one of the most unique golf experiences in all of Wisconsin if you are lucky enough to get on. Once you get past some of the quirk and interesting features, it truly is a fun golf course and one that is great to talk about over a beer on their patio dining area that overseas the reservoir.

Best Hole: While the 10th & 11th holes on the other side of the reservoir are interesting, nothing holds a candle to the Par 5 15th, one of the craziest holes I’ve ever played. Almost a complete U-shape, you can either play around the large pond guarded by tall trees or you can take on the green with your second shot over the carnage if you have the stomach.

The Good: Nice, little Edward Dearie Jr. design (a disciple of Donald Ross) in Northbrook, IL. One of the better 9-hole courses on the North Shore and a good peaceful stroll compared to the more challenging "Classic" 18-hole course. Good course conditions considering how rainy it was the Spring of 2019. Greens putted true but tended to be a little on the slow side. Good Par 3's! Very nice practice facilities with multiple short game areas perfect for junior practice.

The Bad: The Par 4's aren't overly interesting and seem to be all be straightaway / the same length. Sand traps are a little to be desired . The clubhouse and dining options are fairly rudimentary for a pretty pricey park district course.

The Verdict: While I typically feel that Sportsman's is on the expensive side for what you get, I was pleasantly surprised with the East course. It is playable, yet challenging enough to keep you thinking. Fun little course!

Best Hole: The short Par 3 8th is a tester despite it being a wedge. Two-tiered green can be demanding and back right pin location is just asking for trouble!

The Good: Private Arthur Hills design part of the "Palmer Ranch" community just south of Sarasota allows tee-times with 2-days advance. Solid design with many of Hills' cape template hole twists and turns, yet very playable off the tee and green complexes that aren't overly demanding. The signature short, drivable Par 4's are a staple throughout the course. Excellent course conditions and greens, while undulated, aren't too slick for the average player. Beautiful clubhouse and extremely nice restaurant/bar area adjacent to the golf shop. Very nice practice facilities with large driving range, big putting green, and short game area. Good value at under $100 during peak season for non-members.

The Bad: Service is mediocre for an upscale, private facility. There was no on-course service and no starter other than names announced on an intercom. Pace of play dragged as they sent groups off both the 1st and 10th tees.

The Verdict: Stoneybrook is a fun, well-conditioned track and one of the best available to the public in the Sarasota area. Playable for the higher handicapper and challenging enough for the most skilled players.

Best Hole: The Par 5 4th is the most demanding drive on the course as it must carry 200 yards to a dogleg left fairway.