Proglf08

I hadn't played this course in several years, so I was excited when a day of meetings took me to the Covington area. I booked a Noon tee time with my dad and we set out on what ended up being a very enjoyable round. The course has enough blind tee shots to frustrate those that aren't familiar with the course, but it's open enough to be forgiving if you happen to miss your mark. The greens accepted approach irons well and yet were quicker than I would have figured based on their softness. The course was well taken care of and though a few of the tee boxes were in need of some mending, it was nothing that every course doesn't struggle with to one degree or another. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to book this course again. It was a fun course that was quite the challenge and yet rewarding at the same time. Top if off with the gal in the club house being a joy to interact with and everything adds up to this course being quite the hidden gem...even though it's right off the interstate! :)

I grew up playing this course, so I understand that I have a bit of bias right off the bat! In central Illinois, there are few public golf courses that have the beauty and course conditions that Lake of the Woods brings year-in-year-out. There are trees everywhere, but you have to miss quite badly to bring them in to play on most holes. There are bunkers and water on a number of holes, but the greens are large with lots of landing areas. It's truly a course that I, as a 7 handicapper, can shoot in the mid-seventies on, and turn around and be 10 strokes higher the next time out. It's a real joy to walk, though it is incredibly hilly for our area, so a cart is a real treat if you can get one. The putting green is large, and though it's rather flat, there's also a chipping green behind the clubhouse that gives you plenty of slope if you want it! This is a course I hope to play my entire life, as it's level of challenging playability and beauty are hard to match.