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4.6
460 Reviews (460)
5 Stars
251
4 Stars
153
3 Stars
39
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
96.0%
Recommend this course
433 out of 460 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
100.0%
Recommend this course
13 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
50 Reviews (50)
5 Stars
39
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
100.0%
Recommend this course
50 out of 50 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Links
Par 71
Length 7178 yards
Slope 138
Rating 75.0

Gateway National Golf Club is the top public golf course in St. Louis. The course sprawls across gently rolling pasturelands crossed with ribbons of tall native grasses and sprinkled with mature cottonwood trees. There are also several sparkling lakes that dot the course, providing challenges on several holes. Although it's nowhere near the ocean, the golf course has a classic links layout with wood-tie bunkers and subtle but tricky mounding that is in the tradition of great British Isles courses such as Carnoustie and the Old Course at St. Andrews. The Gateway National layout even incorporates Scottish-style burns. The fairways are generous but they are lined with rough that will readily swallow errant shots. It is a long golf course at 7,178 yards and it even boasts one of Illinois' longest par 4s, the 482-yard fifth hole.

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Course Details

Year Built 1998
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Keith Foster (1998) Kevin Hargrave (1998)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Bar

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Illinois (2023 #4)
  • Golf Advisor: Golfers' Choice (2023 #39)

Reviews

4.6
460 Reviews (460)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 16
Watching the Game 8
Brunch 6
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 24
Bunkers 23
Thick Rough 22
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 28
Locals 24
A Weekend Splurge 22
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 33
Worth the Drive 19
Near Local Attractions 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 247
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Missouri Advisor
Top 25 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

About As Good As It Gets

Gateway National offers views of downtown St. Louis and the Arch. It is the only all bent grass public course in the St. Louis area. It is a links style course with berms between the holes where you feel like you’re the only one on the course.

Gateway National is always in good shape, but this time, it may have been in the best shape I have ever seen it. There really was nothing to complain about with the conditions. The greens had a little firmness to them and rolled at a great pace. Now, they have even added GPS screens in the carts. The yardages are all to the center of the green, not the specific pin locations of the day. The rough was manageable and pace of play was outstanding. They had plenty of water coolers on the course, water machine and ice chest in the restaurant and the beverage cart was out before 9:00am. The snack bar on hole 10 was already open by 9:00am.

The only small issues I saw were the 3rd green had some splotchy areas on the slope in the middle of the green. The 4th white tee is small and gets beat up some. There are a lot of ball marks on the greens but this is not the course’s fault. It is the players not fixing their ball marks. Overall, you will not find a better conditioned golf course in the St. Louis metro area.

I did notice they let the high fescue grow to the left of the fairway bunker on hole 8. Eliminating you trying to cut the corner over the left side of that bunker.

Of my top 4 Illinois courses, Gateway National is the most expensive. We paid nearly $79. You can play Spencer T. Olin in the low $50’s as a senior and Far Oaks & Annbriar for around $70 on the weekends. However, I would pay a little extra to play this course that is in impeccable shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great course condition!

From new range balls to great course conditions the Gateway team nailed it. From the front desk to the greens keeper everyone was on point! Snow Wolf should have their entire staff come take notes!

Highly recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Above average, but better options in area.

Course is worth giving a go. Conditions of greens/fairways always very good. Bunkers are not any better than a standard muny though. Either hard and dry or just like hitting out Mississippi mud. Several filled with water. Some in good shape. Just random with the bunkers always. The smell of the landfill across the street can be very potent, and on about 6 or 7 of the holes you have to try your best to time your swings around the train horns from the rail yard that basically runs along the front 9. And they love honking those horns. Then on the other side, you can hear the raceway next door - there is some serious horse power rumbling through the golf course at times or the noise from crowds/announcers. For a course not near any neighborhoods, it sure sounds like there’s a lot going on around it constantly.

Tip: If the wind forecast is 10 mph, it will be 25mph and at least two clubs there. The courses only defense mainly is the wind - but it’s abundant nearly every time I play here. Wind at gateway is 2.5x the forecasted wind speed.

The course can get monotonous after a while, as is the case with many attempts at a links course. Out of 18, I would say there are 2 or 3 holes per 9 that I would call “interesting” the rest is just long links style holes - wide with little trees, pretty straight, and big greens. Trouble is usually very obvious and easy to miss assuming you even get it remotely on your line. The greens are quick and will keep you on your toes if you are on the wrong “shelf” so short game needs to be a little better than average to score well relative to your handicap.

Practice green and range are good - real grass but little as far targets and range finding goes. Just set up and hit kinda range. At club house, No one there to help unload bags, load carts, and clean clubs etc., if you care about that. Not a big deal, but at the price point for the area that is usually coming with the price.

Pace is usually average to a little below average. Weekday round can be done in about 4 hours, however weekends will be minimum of 4.5 if not pushing 5.

Overall, at the price point I give it a B. B+ if they ever get their bunkers figured out. You will have a good time and enjoy a good golf course. Not as interesting as Tapawingo, or as nice as Ann Briar, but definitely ranks among the top 5 (public) courses in the Metro area. If prices comparatively to others in the area instead of being the priciest, then it could climb the ranks a bit. I play this course about once a month for past couple of years, so this review reflects my overall impressions across that time, not just a single round.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Solid

Was in town & wanted to get out quick. Really solid course, well maintained. Well kept tee boxes & greens, good fairways - really nice course. I’d play again if back In STL area.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Perfect course

I strongly recommend this course. The Gateway golf is the best golf course among public golf courses. I guarantee your satisfaction.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A must play course

Even in January, this is a really well maintained course. I would recommend it any time if the year. Pace of play was a little slow, but that would have to be my only complaint.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great course, awesome staffs

Great course, my fav on this side of the river near StL. Pace of play can get slow during heavy traffic time. Staffs are knowledgeable and friendly.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Always a Pleasure

One of the best in St. Louis area. Greens roll fast and true and always well maintained.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Had a good time

Had a good time playing here for the first time. The fairways and greens were in good shape. Some of the areas in the rough, around the greens, and the bunkers need some attention though. Played on a weekday and the pace was great, as our foursome finished in under 4 hours. The course offered a good challenge with it's layout.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Adjust the rates

Overall a good course but to charge $90 is truly outrageous. There are a few holes that are absolutely beat up and on hole 17 there is absolutely no fairway, it’s a par 3 that consists of a tee box a green and then about 115 yards of nothing but mud and swamp.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Always in Tip-Top shape

I always look forward to playing rounds at Gateway National. The greens and fairways are ALWAYS some of the best around the STL area.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Gateway

Top public course in the metro area. Greens are immaculate and layout fair and challenging.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Nice course, but they need to push the pace.

It would have been a lot better, but a slow group held us up. No one ever pushed them to move faster or let us pass. They had 1 1/2 holes between them and the next group. It makes it hard to drive down to play a course during the week if they are not going to keep pace.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 247
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Missouri Advisor
Top 25 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Good Place To Play Your Winter Golf

Gateway National is one of the best tracks in the St. Louis area. Getting a chance to play golf in the middle of December is very rare in Missouri. Since the course has bent grass fairways, it is much greener than the dormant zoysia grass you see on most courses.

I thought the greens were in great shape for December and rolled really smooth The price of $45 was in line with what you would expect from a top tier course in December.

In the winter months, you do start on hole 10, so when you finish your 9th hole, you finish at the clubhouse. In the warmer months, they have food/beverage shack at the 10th hole - which is closed in the off-season months. They are aerating the fairways and we played the par 5, 13th hole as a par 3,

There were some nice touches they offered for a December round. They had the beverage cart out and they offered a limited menu in the clubhouse.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
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