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Tyoga Golf Course
Played On 08/10/2022A Must Play in the area
This was my third time playing at Tyoga and the course keeps getting better and better. The superintendent here is doing an absolutely REMARKABLE job. The course is not terribly challenging, but is really interesting with spectacular views, dramatic elevation changes, beautiful greens with deceptive undulation, and shots throughout that make you think, particularly off the tee. But the stars here are the course conditions and the views. It's no surprise that as a visitor from outside the area, the members and staff demonstrated great pride in the course and offered a warm warm welcome to their golf home. If I lived in the area, I'd play here every day. It's well worth the $49 and having seen multiple other courses in the area on this trip, Tyoga is in the best shape of the bunch by a mile and is a blast to play.
Challenge at White Deer Golf Club
Played On 08/08/2022Still potential, but still missing the mark
This is my second review of this course, specifically the Heritage Course having played a couple of years back.. I was hoping that things would improve two years later when I played this morning and sadly that was not the case. I was looking at the Vintage Course today as I played past on Heritage (I may have been the only person playing Heritage) and wondered if most of the maintenance budget is going to Vintage where things looked a bit cleaner kept? Hard to say. At the end of the day, Heritage feels like the course management does not like fairways or tee boxes at all. Greens? They dig and maintain well and true.
While bunkers have been re-sanded since I last played, the tee boxes show no signs of being mowed, weeded, seeded, or fertilized. Teeing off was effectively playing from the rough and fairways were playing from hazards. Fairways on almost every hole were missing huge areas of grass to the point where on nearly every hole I made a deal with myself to place a ball on whatever grass I could find in order just to play. The 16th hole in particular needs to in all honesty be completely rebuilt from tee through green. The fairway no longer exists, hard pan bounces good balls into unplayables, etc, standing water everywhere...
It's clear that the course is trying to clean up some things from the last time I played. I noticed a lot of work on cart path rebuilding across the property which was a need, but honestly, the course management seems to have the focus backwards. White Deer has a great app that is super interactive, a friendly and attentive staff, and a clean website...But the PRODUCT, the actual golf is just falling apart (at least on Heritage) and that makes it far less interesting than it should be. Not sure what it will take to actually create even average playing conditions. But I hope that happens as this place could be the centerpiece of an entire region. It's run by good folks who definitely care, but it'd be great to see an investment in the golf experience!
Lost Marsh Golf Course
Played On 09/19/2020Gorgeous, but Gimmicky
We played a morning round this past Saturday at Lost Marsh and were really impressed with the facilities and solid course conditions. The first hole is particularly striking and as reviews all mention, the first five holes are BRUTAL if you're a mid-high handicapper. The course is super interesting and fun, but as you get into the middle holes, our foursome felt that the layout becomes shockingly unfair. There are a ton of blind shots that lead to penalty outcomes for good shots, and multiple holes in a row in which great shots in the fairway are rewarded with nearly impossible lies behind multiple overhanging trees on the fairway. Greens were tricky but in excellent shape. A few of the fairways look to be in rough shape on the edges, but overall a cool place to go not far from the city. Given the pandemic, there wasn't really a way to enjoy the amenities, but the clubhouse is beautiful and looks to be a neat spot to hangout!
It's not too far from Harborside and does a very similar thing at a much lower price. That said, Harborside's course is far more accommodating to the average golfer albeit at a price. Well worth a trip, but possibly not a trip back that soon!
Challenge at White Deer Golf Club
Played On 08/10/2020Could be Great!
This course COULD be really terrific. The layout is interesting, challenging and set on a BEAUTIFUL piece of property. Unfortunately, the course itself is badly in need of maintenance. Tee boxes are rock hard and often like hitting from rough, bunkers In many spots lack sand and are overgrown with a variety of weeds, water hazards are covered with algae as others have noted, and many fairways are stripped of grass turning great tee shots into impossible second shots. That said. The greens are in excellent condition, the layout is SUPER fun (makes you think), and the location is accessible with easy check-in/start. I just wish they had more maintenance funding available. It looks as if the grounds crew is working to their best, but are just lacking resources.
If you go, make sure to download the mobile app as navigating the course without GPS is nearly impossible. Fairways are poorly marked for distance and often inaccurate. The app works nicely and was a huge boost the second time I played here. A course worth enjoying that I hope gets an upgrade soon!
Heritage Oaks Golf Club - Legacy 9
Played On 07/05/2019Convenient, fun track.
I had not been to the Sportman’s facility before and as a North Shore resident it was great to discover this place which features a full length 18, 9 hole, par 3 course, decent range, and mini golf for the kids. We played the East 9 on a time crunch and though straightforward and simple, the East 9 was really fun to play. Tight to the marshland in spots, we definitely lost a few balls due to lack of course knowledge, but the gps in the carts was generally useful (missing several bunkers), and if we kept it straight, we were out of trouble. Staff was friendly, attentive, and fun. Will definitely be back!
Midlane Country Club
Played On 05/14/2019Still great value
I’ve played Midlane a bunch and still love popping up from the north suburbs. While the course definitely could use some improved maintenance, particularly around tee boxes and the practice area, this track is challenging, interesting, and fun.
Arboretum Golf Club
Played On 06/23/2018Pace of Play is a huge problem
I’ve played Arboretum five times or so as it gives you a solid golf round for thr money and is located not too far from my home in the north shore area. The course is short but challenging. Each hole offers a unique set of demands and affords you a different look at the landscape. The staff is friendly and the patio is awesome. That said, the pace of play here is atrocious and inexcusable. Whether playing on s weekday or weekend it’s clear that pace of play is a major source of indifference. There are no rangers, no pace clock, no one sitting groups or pushing those who lag behind. In a late Saturday morning round it took us three hours and change to play the front nine. We watched the group in front of us take ten minutes looking for a lost ball, the group in front of them hitting from the wrong tees, you name it. I’ve never played a sub five hour round there. The management needs to get a handle on the situation as you can tell from the other reviews. It’s a great facility and could be an area gem, but it took an entire day to play. Not acceptable. I sadly wont be back.
Midlane Country Club
Played On 07/24/2014Best kept secret in Chicagoland
I had recently popped up from Chicago to play at Thunderhawk and learned that there were several other high quality affordable courses in the area. It was nice to get out of the city a bit and shoot up north for Thunderhawk so I figured I'd give Midlane a chance. The reviews online were great and the price could not possibly be beat. I was shocked to discover what a beautiful, challenging, and fun course exists on the property. The staff was fabulous, the course was in great condition, and the round was swift, and pleasant. Midlane is slightly less challenging than Thunderhawk but at half the price as a walker, it's a steal. The course presents a number of challenges, particularly water, but I loved that the hazard placement pushed you to think your way around the course. I played from the blues walking and had a great time. The facilities of the resort community could certainly use some updating. The clubhouse took me back to 1985 and the range looked a bit beat up and in need of new yardage signs not taken from Tin Cup. But aside from cosmetic issues, a drive up to Wadsworth is time well spent for a wonderful golf experience. Pair a morning round here with an afternoon at Thunderhawk and you've got golf heaven. I'll be back again and again. Best bargain in the region.
Royal St. Cloud Golf Links - Red/White Course
Played On 4/19/2013Fun course with one excellent 9
Royal St. Cloud was a nice convenient option after picking up a friend at the airport to play. The Red 9 is a terrific layout. the White faded a bit into mediocrity but the overall golf was excellent. It's a challenging course that requires plenty of thought in each shot and a keen eye for the links visual. Wind made the course more challenging as we went. Staff was friendly and easy going and the experience was solid from arrival through departure.
West at White Pines Golf Course
Played On 9/17/2012Standard issue suburban golf
I had been eyeing White Pines for a while as the course layout looked interesting and the course seemed to offer frequent specials. It is located a bit far from my home, about 45 minutes so I had been reluctant to go until seeing a great tee time on Golf Now for a weekday morning. While there is nothing negative really about the course to note here, there is equally nothing extraordinary. The visual on most holes is identical to every other hole and the round grew a bit tiresome over time as there was never much to think about on a given hole. Hit it straight and everything will work out. The staff seemed friendly enough. I was able to get on before my tee time as a single and played in about 2hrs. 45 min. The clubhouse facility looks decent and there is ample parking. The course seems most concerned about quick rounds for business people staying near O'hare and weddings. So the facility is designed for quick simple rounds and events. A nice facility if you are in the immediate area, but not really worth a longish drive to play.
Thank you for taking the time to review us AHG940. Your feedback is valuable, and we look forward to delivering you excellent service again soon. Lost Marsh Golf Course thanks you!