juntnthjazz

This course has always been a hidden gem. First built to compete with a local 5 star course Annbriar, Acorn does. Some manicure care is needed around a few holes, tee boxes and club house for providing a more scenic atmosphere but, some wouldn't notice or care.
Staff is friendly as were other golfers we encountered. Its a drive if you don't live fairly near but, worth it.

I've played Belk Park for a number of years. Only recently since under new management have I truly enjoyed playing it. I hated in the past given the type of grass in the rough, it was cut with huge amounts of clippings left making finding your ball almost impossible to find. Added to that when you did, getting it out was very frustrating. Now, if you're there getting it out may still be difficult, but you can find your ball. The course plays long from the white and blue tees with little carry, so seniors should play from the gold. Greens and fairways are in the best condition I've ever seen. If you get Golfnow trade pricing usually under $20 you get a whale of a deal.

What can I say about Spencer T. but; "It continues to be one of the best public courses in the area". The Arnold Palmer designed course with its blind tee shots gives golfers challenges as to where to place the ball for a good second shot. Add the excellence in maintenance from tee-box, fairways, bunkers and greens playing this course is sheer pleasure. Recent elimination of curbs at several holes now allows easier cart access that can reduce time of play. Did I mention the friendly staff and management....and they (ladies) are pretty too. :}

I've played Fox Creek for several years. It has been under some sort of construction from my first visit. Last year they planted a new grass on fairways that has yet to root and grow. Ruffs on the other hand, are doing well. This not only takes away from play, but also from the scenic visuals that one comes to appreciate when golfing. Some fairways due to low elevation, are affected by heavy rains during that season. Green are very good once gotten to. Despite the surrounding high end community, until they solve their fairway problem Fox Creek is at best a $25 play seven days a week.

Gateway is one of the challenging premier course in the eastern St. Louis area. On a windy day (15-25) it can be a monster. Not getting to greens in regulation or hitting low hybrids on 150 yd. par 3's can be expected. The course, as usual, is in great shape. The bent grass fairways and greens are in very good shape now and will only get better. The greens run fairly fast and take care to read them for subtle breaks that cause birdies to be bogeys quickly. A great course and friendly staff. If you get a Hot Deal on Golfnow as we did..$20 jump on it.

Eagle Springs is a public course somewhat known for its greens. No matter what the time of year or when other courses greens struggle from heat, Eagle Springs will have great greens. I rate the course as moderate given its friendly walk-able design. Though hazards exist, not easy to lose your ball, but too far off some fairways will present a challenge to make bogey. The course is always clean and well maintained and pace of play is usually good, even when lots of foursomes.

Normandie is said to be the oldest course in St. Louis dating back to the late 1920's. Its seen it good and bad days when it comes to conditioning in the several past years but, now under Walter's Mgmt. it's returning to its glory days. If you're a walker be prepared to get a good workout. Normandie has enough hills to test your endurance while also testing your shot capabilities with long irons if you're not a big hitter of the tee. Undulating greens continue to challenge your putting skills sometimes even within 2 ft. of the hole on several greens. If you think you've got a good game, by all means try Normandie to see how good it is.

Stonewolf has maintained being one of my favorite courses for several reasons. It always presents a challenge in shot placement, its scenic, staff and facilities are always friendly and clean and, pricing is always attractive for avid golfers who play a couple times a week on fixed incomes. When peak season is in full bloom, Stonewolf is a beautiful scenic course with great greens. When they cut them to 11-12, they'll give you the blues in speed, quickly turning a birdie or par to a bogey or double.

I've played Stonebridge many times over the past several years and rarely found it in bad condition...of course depending on season. Some of my golf buds don't like it because its a tight play were errand tee shots could easily turn birdies and pars to double bogeys or bogeys. I've heard it said that its an 18 hole course squeezed into a 16 hole terrain. You'll find only 125 yd. markers instead of 150 and some will play like 150. Lots of up and downs in course design creating destortions in distances with several blind tee shots, making for careful club selections for which you'll use most all in your bag. Greens usually role fast and aren't very large. Friendly staff and $2 shots if you desire mixed drinks over beer.

One of the most challenging courses in the St. Louis area. Windy days adds stokes to some par 4's making reaching greens in 2 almost impossible, even for big hitters. Signature hole #17 as a par 3 150-165 over water makes par a good thing. Not a walkers course so don't look to do. Prior to becoming a Walter's managed venue a few greens would suffer from heat during summer. Fans where placed on those that now provides for all to be perfect under the hottest conditions.

The course layout is a good rolling tarain with some holes presenting wind challenges. Water comes into play on 3-4 holes and scorecards have no layout diagrams. Most holes don't have clear yard markers and no GPS are on carts. Pro Shop staff is friendly but if you want to grab a beverage and have a snack after your round you're out of luck since there's no bar or restaurant. Prices presented on Golfnow are closer to what weekday course prices should be..about $25.

What can't you say when you play Far Oaks when the season begins to blossom? I've played just about all of the public courses in a 40-60 mile radius of where I live including Annbriar, and none can boost beyond the quality of Far Oaks. If you're a golfer, and you live or visit the St. Louis Metro, by all means experience this course.