gyoju

Now I understand why Byron HS golf team is so good and why this golf course is rated so high.
This course's layout is similar to Stonewall Orchard and Thunderhawk. Driving range is an ideal mix of Topgolf and Mistwood.
It's one of the most complete golf course in Illinois with a good amount of elevation change, nice undulating greens, and great practice facility.

This course has everything - Par-3 holes, foot golf, driving range, indoor golf simulator, elevation changes, undulating greens, lakes, and trees along the fairways. You can spot deer often.

“Frozen” at Balmoral Woods, I was “Elsa” today because I played golf alone marching against snow rain and howling wind but “the cold never bothered me anyway.” Despite taking off white gloves to deliver magic, I ended up shooting snowman (8) on many holes. Thus, at the last hole, I looked more like “Olaf” than“Elsa.”

Yes, the course was super fun even on bad weather. With the right amount of hills, creeks, and lakes, water drained well and I had no trouble walking the course with pull cart. The course starts easy and ends easy. The real roller-coaster fun begins from 7th hole and lasts until you reach 17th hole.

I’d like to thank Balmoral Woods staff who not only opened the course in bad weather but also allowed me to play golf. The staff was very friendly and seemed to understand what the love of golf is.

It is a fun course with a dramatic change between front 9 and back 9. Great play ground for golfers! I wish the course has a bear statue hidden in the woods and a slide instead of steps at the 18th hole green.

Club head pro told me that this legendary course will be closed in 2018 for urban development. Thus, hurry up and play there if you can.

The layout of bunkers looks like the paws of wolves. and I felt like Dino-size wolves roaming around the course. What a design!

Expect one of the worst scores of your golf life. The ghost of wolves will bite all your balls.

This beautiful course has everything that I'm always looking for - water, elevation change, and mature tree lines. It is one of the toughest golf courses in the area. Bring enough balls!

I still cannot believe it is a public course. Hulman Links was a dream of racing legend Tony Hulman and I really thank him for donating land and funds.

Lots of weeds are growing in many bunkers; thus they are marked with white lines. Some bunkers have fresh sand and I hope all bunkers are repaired as soon as possible.

The only good thing about this course is that every hole has elevated undulating green. Tree lines are mature but the terrain is so flat. You may like this course if you come from Rocky mountain area.

With lots of white lines and flat green surface, I feel like I'm solving a simple 2D geometry problem on a large chalk board.

Scovill is born superior than other Decatur courses nearby - Red Tail Run and Hickory Point. Tree lines are tall and mature. Dick Nugent renovated the course and he will not disappoint you. The rumor says that the course will be closed in 2018 so enjoy this hilly little fun course while you can.

I took one star off simply because the course is short and greens are sick on a few holes.

The course layout is very interesting with lots of lakes, creeks, gentle hills, and tall trees. The fairway is covered with Zoysia grass, which is unusual in central Illinois. All par 5s except Hole 18 are tough with handicap 1,2,3. Par 4 holes with water (6, 11, 14) are very fun to play! Hole 9 is very scenic from the middle of fairway and it reminded me Mauna Kea golf course in Hawaii. However, you need to be careful at the tee box because Hole 9 is right next to a road although it is hidden by tall trees.

Here are a few disappointments that led me to give one less star in rating:

1. Only Hole 9 and 10 have lake view. It would have been a great course if it was built along the large lake entirely. Tennis court (is it under repair or closed?) looked ugly.
2. Hole 4 was noisy because of nearby national guard facility. A helicopter was constantly flying.
3. Driving ranges are below average.

Overall, this course is definitely worth playing.

If you're looking for a golf course with great lake view in central Illinois, this is the course! Unlike Lincoln Greens golf course at Springfield, Lakeshore gives a great full view of large lake on many holes. I think the golf architect of Lakeshore carved the rolling terrains along the lake very well. There are many courses near huge lake but have limited view of lake; this one doesn't.

The only drawback is the quality of fairway and slow greens with shallow bunkers. Otherwise, the beautiful tree lines and great view of lake can match the TPC Deere Run. I think this course is a hidden gem.

The speed of play was excellent. I started at 10:52am and could finish at 3:00pm on busy Saturday. The staff was very friendly and allowed me to start at earlier T-time than my original T-time when a group cancelled T-time at the last minute.

I still cannot believe that this incredible course was open to public in the middle of February. Tom Fazio did a great job in carving valleys and ridges to create super-fun layout for golfers. Although it is par 71 course, there is no gimme hole. Sand bunkers were so soft and fluffy. Thus, I’d like to call the course “Missouri Fluffs.” I’m normally bad at bunker shots but all my balls came out nice and high. I regret that I hit only two bunkers.

As other advisors mentioned, the staff was extremely friendly. Due to incredibly warm weather, many players flooded to the course on Saturday and there was a slight delay in T-time. Yet, the starter tried his best to accommodate everyone on the course. I could finish all 18 holes starting at 1:24pm with twilight rate.

Clubhouse facility was also top-notch. Locker room is super-clean and modern. If you climb up the spiral stairs on the 2nd floor, you’ll find a great lookout area to take pictures. The best part was the restaurant. My friend recommended me to try hamburger so I tried it before I play. It was so fresh with a meat that was grilled perfectly. Thus,I’d like to call this course “Missouri Beefs.” What a fun weekend golf in the middle of February! I highly recommend the course.

Prince recently died and one of my favorite Prince's songs is "I would die 4 u." The Straits course is designed by world famous Pete Dye and I'd die here while I watch my T-shot going straight into the hole in par 3s. Then, I hope that my golf buddies bury my body under one of 1,1000 bunkers.

Yes, the course is so beautiful and the scenery along Michigan lake is surreal as if I'm walking on another planet. Caddies in white uniform sing "fore" like angels and the wind whistles in harmony. This course is a grave yard for your precious balls yet a perfect place to bury your favorite golf memories.

This course is under new management from 2016 and I can notice a significant improvement all over the place from parking lot to club house. There are no trees or bunkers so you can easily hit waters on almost every hole on windy days. It's a great course for practicing short game for par 3 holes and improving your accuracy of long clubs on par 4 holes.

The staff members have been friendly since their first opening so I can't stop renewing my membership. They are working hard for new set of tee boxes now and I can't wait to play from new tee boxes.

I like their undulating fast greens. It's easy to make 3 or 4 putts if you are not careful. Some holes are adjacent to grave yards and I-74, you'll have a hard time to find your ball.

Although it's not a long course, it has a little bit of everything that troubles golfers - trees, creeks, elevation changes, undulating greens, even deer!

The renovated club house is awesome and locker room is really clean.