Sendog

First time playing here and the course was in great shape for being so scorching hot lately. Everything was lush and green. Looked like the greens were aerated recently but they still rolled well. If you play before 2pm, you get a free bucket of balls. Drinks and a hotdog at the turn was a great price, and so is the round itself. You could easily pay double at other local courses but the value here is practically unbeatable. Front side is tighter and you need to hit the fairway to score. Tons of doglegs which you can shorten if you can cut the corners. Back nine is more open but you can easily find the trees and end up with bogey or worse. Staff was friendly and welcoming. I had a great time and will be back.

I played on a very hot and humid afternoon so there wasn’t much course traffic. The course is beautiful and it really feels like you’re out in nature. Every hole offers a different challenge, including elevation changes, blind tee shots, tricky greens. Luckily the cart GPS helped with those blind shots. It doesn’t feel like a resort course layout and you really only see the hotel on one hole.

Drinking water is abundant and the range before the round was nice. The greens were punched a few weeks prior so they were a bit bumpy but otherwise the course was in good shape for this time of year. The only downside is that it’s at least 45 minutes from downtown without traffic.

I wish I could say I really enjoyed Avery Ranch, but it was just ok. I was grateful the starter let me join a group early because of a no-show. Luckily I was paired with members and they shared some course insight along the way. There were a handful of blind shots and dry creek beds which I would have never known were there. Some great shots could be penalized if you aren’t careful.

The course has some nice views and elevation changes which made fun tee shots but it was a weird layout. A couple of short par 4’s, then a long par 4, a few par 3’s over 200 yards off the Golds and back to back par 5’s on the back 9. Plenty of trees line the course and there’s cold water every few holes.

What drove my rating down was the conditions. The greens are fast, which I like, but we’re bumpy and spotty because nobody seems to repair their ball marks. The bunkers...don’t get me started. They are full of rocks; not just pebbles, 2-3”+ rocks. One of which was below my ball and chipped my brand new Titleist wedge. Needless to say, I was NOT happy. For what I paid for, rocks in bunkers are unacceptable. Some of the tee boxes are also in need of repair. The 18th is dismal to say the least. I might be back knowing what to expect. Look for the hot deal instead of paying full price.

A pretty windy day made Whietail difficult off the back tees. But the course is in great shape for this early in the year.

The greens were faster and rolled with more break than anticipated. The bunkers looked like they could use a "fluff" but overall a great day. We keep coming back because it's one our of favorite courses out this way. Be sure to grab a hot dog at the turn!

The Good:
It was a beautiful day and the Links Course hosted a tournament earlier that morning so we were the first off the tee. No traffic for us, but we heard everyone talking about how backed up this course gets. The greens were fast and rolled really well. The course was green and mostly in good shape. Every hole was different and the drink carts visited frequently.

The Bad:
This is a typical resort course with surrounded by houses and condos, and plays very short. A driver and nothing more than a wedge for most of the day. The tee boxes were torn up and sandy. Postage stamp small greens might frustrate players. The bar service was terrible and the food was average. Not enough drinking water on the course if you ask me.

The Verdict:
If the weather is nice and you can get a deal on greens fees, it might be worth playing. For me, it was just average and too short for my play.

Big Run was really fun to play, and I can’t complain about playing golf in October. I’ll be up front, this course is difficult. Many elevation changes, blind tee shots and altering wind directions will definitely put your game to the test. It reminded me of Cog Hill a bit with the elevated tee boxes and undulations of the greens. A few of the par 5’s are monstrous and very large mature trees line the fairways.

The greens are fair and true but the topography can be a real bear. There are some really awesome views on par 3’s, and I feel like I played every club in my bag. Yes there are a ton of trees, but there is room when you miss the fairway because the overall site of the course is huge.

The clubhouse is old since this course has been around for quite some time, but the staff was very friendly and the hot dog at the turn was awesome! The carts have a rangefinder which is helpful, but we never used because had our personal Bushnell. We'll be back for sure.

I played on course #2 yesterday for an outing and had a great time. The course seemed to be in excellent shape and the greens rolled very true- made some long putts and the ball never wavered or bumped on its way to the hole. The pace of the greens was perfect for my liking, and never had a problem with speeds.

Large mature trees line the fairways which have some undulation and topography changes that result in a few blind shots so having a GPS in the cart was very helpful. You may have to lay up on a few holes to avoid the hazards but overall the course plays well for all levels. There is a good mix of long holes and short holes, and plays pretty fair.

They have one of the best practice facilities I’ve seen in a long time with a large turf tee area and a deep range to hit drivers. If St. Andrew’s wasn’t so far away from where I live in the city I’d play here again for sure. If you live out that way, definitely check it out.

After moving back to Chicago a few years back, I needed to find a new course to call home, and Harborshide definitely stepped up to claim that spot. Harborside offers two courses both with great views of the Chicago skyline and excellent playing conditions. Both courses play similar to links style like you’d find at The Open Championship.

The Starboard has been my preferred course recently because it’s slightly less challenging than the Port, but still puts your game to the test. The greens are always in good condition, the facilities are great, the staff is friendly and the starters keep everyone on tack. Slight elevation changes and ever-changing wind conditions allows this course to play really long some days and shorter on others. But at just over 6600 yards off the blues, it plays just right if you ask me. Starboard has a handful of really fun holes on the back nine including the signature #17 par-3 which overlooks Lake Calumet and the city in the distance.

Harborside has one of THE best practice facilities in the Chicagoland area, period. Huge range to hit all kinds of shots, putting greens, chipping greens, etc. Prices have increased because of a major bunker renovation in 2017, but you can book a twilight tee time and save a bit on greens fees. It’s worth the drive from the city and great for playing with friends. I'll keep coming back; no wonder it’s on the top places to play.

I played Springbrook for the first time recently with my cousin who lives in Naperville on a particularly warm day last week. There are a handful of nice courses out this way in the suburbs and are all worth a try. The starter was very friendly and makes sure everyone is on schedule, unlike some courses.

We played off the blue tees which stretch to around 6500 yards, but can feel a little short at times especially if the wind is gusting. There are some fun holes, particularly a long par 5 on the front and a par 3 on the back, and nice scenery with a mix of water features and grasses. Each hole feels different and offers a new challenge, and you are rewarded for good shots most of the time. The only aspect that I disliked were the greens…They were in great shape and speedy (which is fine), however there were so many subtle reads and difficult topography that it became extremely frustrating towards the end of the round for a low handicapper such as myself. Putts just didn’t seem to drop. Would I play here again, probably yes for the scenery and difficultly level, but for a more enjoyable round I prefer the sister course Naperbrook, just a bit better.

Harborside’s famous Port course is absolutely worth playing if you are an advanced golfer. The Port is more difficult than the sister course, Starboard, but both are certainly worth playing. These link style courses are fun to play, are always in good conditions, and force players to hit a variety of shots. The Port hosted a Senior PGA Tour event in the early 2000’s and it’s easy to see why at 7,100 yards off the championship tees.

The course wraps around Lake Calumet and offers major elevation changes and views to the city along the way. If it’s a windy day, it will certainly feel like you’re playing at The Open. The closing holes are very entertaining including the signature #15 Anchor hole (shaped like an anchor), #16 plunges back down to the lake with an elevated tee box, #17 and 18 finishes with the lake looming on the left. All of the par-5’s are over 500 yards, so make sure you bring your long game.

Again, Harborside has one of THE best practice facilities in the Chicagoland area, period. Deep grass range, putting greens, chipping greens, etc. Prices have increased because of a major bunker renovation in 2017, but you can book a twilight tee time and save a bit on greens fees. I keep coming back and I always leave happy I played here; no wonder it’s on the top places to play.

Whitetail Ridge is totally worth the drive and a very fun course. We played early on a Saturday morning to get out before the crowd, but even with an early tee time there was some early traffic mainly due to the first hole, which is a short par 4. But after a few holes it seemed to open up and we didn’t encounter many groups after that. The two nines play totally different from each other; the front nine is more of a shot selection and strategic ball placement for a few holes and the back nine is a grip-it and rip-it with much more elevation changes. I prefer the back because you feel more secluded and the scenery/ topography is more exciting. But both sides offer nice views and course design.

The course condition was excellent and the greens were in good shape. For some it might be a tricky track and challenge your game, but I had a blast playing Whitetail Ridge. Note: 7 holes on the back are located in a dry county so they are unable to sell alcohol so just stock up at the turn if you really need to. Definitely coming back for another round, and looking forward to it.

Naperbrook is one of my go-to courses out in Naperville. I can usually get a tee time for a reasonable price and the course is fun. It can feel a little short sometimes at 6,350 yards from the blues but I always seem to have a good time playing this course. Generally speaking it isn’t a very difficult course compared to the sister course, Springbrook, the greens are easier here and the overall design is more forgiving. You play a few holes along houses and the street but it doesn’t bother me. In fact, the par 5 #7 is probably my favorite hole at Naperbrook. Pace of play usually decent, but can get crowded on weekends as expected. Snag a ‘Hot Deal’ on GolfNow and it makes the round worth it.

Formally named the National “Natty” 9 in The Glen, The Prairie Club is a short 9 hole course good for beginning and higher handicap players. It is mainly comprised of shorter par 3’s and three par 4’s that one might be able to use a driver or long iron off the tee. It is usually well maintained and there are a few nice natural features on the course; tall grasses, water hazards, some very slight topography changes. Even though it is surrounded by housing and streets on two sides of the course, it doesn’t really feel like it, which is great.

It’s mainly a walking course because of its length and if you’re a better player you’ll probably be waiting on shots or for the green to clear on the par 3’s. I used to play here often with friends to have a good time after work or to work on my short irons. There are two holes with a shared green which can be confusing for some who are playing for the first time. It’s a fun little track if you live nearby. Lower handicap players won’t enjoy it as much, however.

Let me preface with this: I grew up playing summer youth golf at Glenview Park Golf Club. I have a lot of good memories from playing this course and when my future brother in-law asked me to play here I had to laugh because many years ago, GPGC was known for being a so-so public course- torn up greens, terrible bunkers, and spotty fairways. I agreed to play for the nostalgia, if anything else.

But I learned quickly GPGC had a recent major course renovation and I have to say it was such a joy to play. To see a course transformed and much improved but still keep the same feel and shots that I remember as a kid was a wonderful feeling. The fairways and greens were in good shape and rolled true, trees were removed and the course felt more open and appealing. The best part was GPGC still remains an affordable option, and you get your money’s worth here if you find a good GolfNow deal. So glad to play this course again; I’ll definitely be coming back, and not just for nostalgia.

I played Talking Stick North the other day on a two day trip to Phoenix. We decided to splurge a little bit and spend the money to play a nice course on the holiday weekend and I'm so glad we did. The course was in fantastic condition and was really fun to play. Every hole is different and the views are nice. One of the best aspects of the North Course is that you're tucked away from your surroundings and you don't see other groups on the course. It makes it feel like you're the only one out there, which I find very enjoyable. Wide fairways on the front 9 turn into narrower, pick your shot towards the back 9.

The only downside I would mention is that if you play off the back tees, most of the holes you have the same shot into the green. 280 off the tee, 200+ into the green. It became rather boring hitting my 3 or 4-iron nearly every hole. Additionally there's a 260yrd par 3 which is a bit mean and long. The greens are fast and can be sneaky tricky. Good luck making long putts with all the subtle breaks. Nonetheless I had a great time and would play this course again. Free range balls before the round! Get out early before the heat hits and you’ll have a good time.
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Raven was a really fun course to play and the Golf Now deal was so worth it. We booked a tee time for $25 on a Sunday afternoon, with a cart and range balls. But, the best thing about this course is the trees and landscape. Unlike most courses in Phoenix which typically offer a desert track, Raven with filled with pines and other trees. It didn't feel like I was playing in Phoenix and it was pretty refreshing. There are some challenging holes mixed with some good birdie holes and the greens rolled pretty true. However the greens were very hard and didn't hold many balls with spin. The bunkers were fantastic, despite hitting into them, the sand was nice and fluffy rather than rocky and hard. Overall a fun course and a great deal. Defiantly try Raven out, you won't be disappointed.

All of the Eagle Ridge courses are fantastic and fun to play, but The General remains the crowning glory of Galena. I played The General many years ago and finally made a trip back specifically to play this course. Known for its difficulty, The General provides tremendous experience from all of the tee boxes. However, if you are visiting Galena and are not a serious golfer, stick to the North and East courses because the General and the South courses are far more difficult. The views are stunning, the greens rolled perfectly and were very fast which I enjoy (some may not) and we played early so the round was fast. No hole is alike with undulating fairways and dense brush, but if you are able to hit the fairway you are left with a chance at par, but birdies are rare. Some holes plunge hundreds of feet down into the forest, some bend around some water and through limestone bluffs. We played at 7am and morning sun was just spectacular...bring your camera and your A-game, you'll need it. This is truly one of the best courses in the Midwest, and perhaps the country. The General is well worth the price and it is a round you will never forget. This is golf.

Arroyo Seco is an 18 hole par 3 course that offers some entertainment and the ability to work on your short game. The best aspect of this course is that it's lighted after 7:15pm or so (depending on the time of year) so you can play after work until it closes at 10pm. The holes are relatively short, with the longest reaching up to 145 yards; but on the shorter holes you must navigate around large trees in order to hit the green. As one could imagine tee boxes on a par 3 course can become extremely beat up so at Arroyo Seco players tee off mats. I usually despise hitting of mats, but I don't seem to mind here. If you play later in the evening when the course empties, you can hit a few balls off the tee and chip around the greens. The greens are slow but again I don't seem to mind as much since I really just try to play here and work on my wedges. Overall this course can be fun and a good place to get out and play quickly and at night.

I played Robinson Ranch Valley Course last weekend and had so much fun I decided to make the 45 minute drive back up to give the Mountain Course a try. In comparing the two courses, I beg to say that perhaps the Mountain is more difficult than the Valley despite the higher slope rating for the Valley (Mountain 72.3/137 and Valley 74.4/149). Yes, I was a little off today and the putts weren't dropping but all that aside, the terrain of the Mountain course proved to be more difficult.

Elevated tee boxes made drives fun and tempting but there is a premium on course management on the Mountain Course. I found myself trying to layup more often and calculating my next shots more frequently than normal. This course can be a bit frustrating because of the undulation and tight fairways. I can remember a handful of drives that were hit very solid, heading towards the center of the fairway and when I drove up to where I expected my ball to be, it was nowhere to be found. Needless to say I took penalty strokes for near perfect drives for balls that should have been easy to find.

The elevation changes are overall probably more dramatic on the Mountain Course but the gem remains to be the Valley Course. The Mountain was not quite as well maintained but was still in great condition. Bring some extra balls for both courses and look for the deals here on Golfnow and you'll have a great time. Both courses are enjoyable and are in great condition, especially for a public course... It really felt like a private club. Again, the views are spectacular and the water features are a great addition to this hidden gem.

I call Brookside my home course because it is nearby and usually the rates are affordable for afternoon play. The city championship was last week so they grounds crew whipped the course into shape. Honestly this is the best I've seen Brookside in a few years. The greens just looked a lot healthier and the overall play was improved because of the maintenance. If you are able to play this course, be sure to play on weekday mornings. The course is far less crowded and the pace of play was improved drastically. Overall Brookside is hit or miss with pace and conditions, but today was a good day.