Prairie Landing

This course had been a top course in IL, currently so poorly managed. They have sand and soil bottles on the golf carts but instruct players they are only to be used on the tee boxes, do not fill divots in fairways???? makes zero sense. There were so many divots in the fairways, had to continually move the ball out of a divot.
Certainly the potential to be a top course again, needs new management, start by getting rid of the guy from the airport admin!

This track used to be so nice. Most of the course is in decent shape but the greens were horrible. I equate these greens with Orchard Valley, where there are no many ball marks and miscellaneous bad spots that make these greens just about unputtable. You have to get lucky to make a putt out here. In addition, our GPS did not work in the cart and we had to switch carts after 9. When I called in they said "just find a ranger on the course and they will help you get it going". Well I called when we were on the 4th hole and no ranger was around until 8 and he couldn't get it working either. When you are cart path only, you definitely need the GPS yardage on the cart to get an idea of what clubs to traipse across the fairway. We got a Hot Deal at $65 and I wouldn't pay a penny more to play here ($65 was too much). Unfortunate because I like this track...

Can't knock much about my experience with Prairie Landing- beautiful conditions and layout.
The only problem we had was that the course was "cart path only" for the carts and there were several times when the cart would beep or stop moving, despite never leaving the cart path.

Would 100% play again.

Always telling like it is -

Prairie Landing is an excellent very difficult demanding layout but does contains several over looked issues by other reviewers -
1) bag drop that requires you check in at the upstairs pro shop - then you to lug sticks gear down a long flight of stairs to place on a cart. Even a fit golfer with spikes just not an "easy" welcome. You also have an option to play dodge car (and dodge cart) but that's only if you know where you are going reach the parking lot - both pre round/post round load out. Many riders take their cart into the parking lot post round...or lug clubs up steep long flight of stairs post round. A redesign to considered....perhaps relocating bag drop to a dedicated load/unload cart area currently where a tent is set up on the opposite site of the clubhouse near the halfway house.
2) POOR COURSE SIGNAGE especially for first timers. Where's the 10th tee box? Hiding in the bushes past the driving range - completely counter to what you'd think. You never have any idea of the right place to park at a green. Starting from the very first green people park directly in front of it versus walking in from the back of it. First timers we played with got lost a few times/parked their cart to get to the green in worst place. Slows play and we suggested on 2nd tee to consider following our cart arrived at the 2nd tee several minutes after us. And these first timers were experienced players. How about some signage for parking at green sites? Even navigating this course safely in a motor cart is difficult with all the small yellow ropes and mounding you climb up and over to get to fairways. Course is set up for walking golf in some areas but contains long stretches between greens/tees where it's not walker friendly at all. A real conundrum exists for either option. Switching the nines might assist - but then would need to consider installing a practice putting green near the range.

3) DANGEROUS SAND TRAPS - 1st trap right of the green on the 11th hole...bad me hit a ball there. I was mid trap about four feet from the front lip green side. Dug my feet in finding a good amount of sand base...at least a couple inches of loose. Took my swing and WHAP! ball sculled across the green practically into the water other side of green. Further inspection revealed a mere 1/4 inch of sand a rock like base of the trap in least a 4 foot by 4 foot area....likely much more. Cement lined. Something you'd never expect or anticipate. Using a rake I could make a pretty good sound tapping on it. Sole of my sand wedge got scratched up and I have a slightly twinged wrist today. Sand traps have appearance of decent to well maintained - enough for you to trust consistency of sand depth. Would discount this experience to bad luck however very same occurred to playing partner on 18th green side right trap. Very front of the trap a thin layer of sand hiding another large completely rock hard area.... again dug out rock base cement like base...WHAP! sculled shot across the green almost hitting another in our group. Tweaked his wrist a tad - also scratched up his sand iron. Next time I play Prairie Landing will recommend to my group an allowance rake/inspect sand depth & make certain of sand depth to prevent injury/club damage. Please take care and be aware. Sleeping on this review and racking my brain when Prairie Landing first opened in some areas it appeared tons and tons of soil was thrown over very rocky ground around the 18th hole greeside...with the traps seemingly dug out or blasted out of a rock hillside. I still have the mental picture of it. Pretty horrible there's nothing the grounds crew to fix this issue except put a massive amount of sand in them. It's a highly manufactured yet pleasing course design.

4) Hard hat needed 13th green/14th tee box - driving range balls can reach you quite easily and several had finished way over the cart paths in play.

Play can be far from relaxing. Aptly named Prairie Landing.....should be called Planes, Trains and Automobiles National. They can't do anything about it however you should be aware that small planes (some small jets) will be taking off or landing right over or near you all day from DuPage Airport. Backed off 2 shots as planes flew over directly above my sight line to green...planes flight path to land can be right over the 1st fairway. Commuter/freight train line abuts a few holes on back nine adding more decibels... south wind will add traffic noise. Prairie grasses contain aggressive chirping birds flying at you protecting nests of even more young aviators. Constant cacophony.

A nice surprise we finished our round in slightly over 4 hours - first timers admitted it would have taken at least another 1/2 hour or more had they not played with us...the group directly behind us did just that - 430 pace probably more observed them finishing up driving out.

Fast fairways and extremely slippery green speeds....all lands rock hard due to recent drought conditions. Grasses in good shape - some tee boxes need work and/or re grassed. Even light winds provided plenty of challenge on a very open course - wind up this course is beastly....also when sunny there's very little shade. Start of back nine has trees around what was originally was swamp land.....so pack bug spray and sunscreen. Observed repaved cart paths since my last play....they used to be cracked back breakers.

Staff start to finish very welcoming, pleasant and helpful. Driving range/good looking exterior clubhouse - weird bizarre where I am going interior layout parts showing age - showers/locker room lower level with on course beverage cart but we were never approached by it or asked if we wanted anything despite seeing in distance several times. Added bonus - 3 additional holes for pre round warm up practice or play post round on provided you have paid a green fee that day.

Upper tier pricing. Always crowded but for my taste it's not worth the extra freight unless you get a deal....$50 would be my price point. Play it......you'll love the layout, design, challenge and conditioning but plenty of nuisances to thoughtfully rate Prairie Landing below a 4 star level - not that current 4.7 star average. 3.7 to 3.9.

I really enjoyed my round of golf today. The course was in great shape. We finished in just over 4 hours. I look forward to coming back again.

Target golf. Some fairways and very small landing areas and questionable layouts overall. Somewhat disappointing. Will not return.

It's a tough course. Not for beginners, or old people who hit it 20 yds at a time. The group of old people in front of us struggled, and played slow. The ranger said they weren't slow. He didn't have to sit behind them all day. Starting on a driveable par 4 doesn't help pace of play. There are some good risk/reward holes. There are also a few bland, straightforward holes. The greens are relatively smooth and fast, but poa annua is creeping in. At this price point, I expected near perfection. It's pretty good, but there's room for improvement.