joh10usa

Overall we had a great time. I thought the greens ran very slow for this course. I noticed that the fairway bunkers had no sand. I'm pretty this had to do with all the rain we've been getting. At the turn we got some Sheboygan brats, for $5, what a great deal and there were very good. Wheather was perfect with some wind on the 2nd nine but the wind was playing in our favor on the last 4 holes which made for a good finish.

The course was in outstanding condition. This was the first time playing the course and it will not be the last. The staff was very nice and the pace of play was good but we did play in during the weekday AM. Overall, for a park district course this place was in excellent condition.

This course was not able to keep my tee time and miss informed me when I called them ahead of time to make sure there was not going to be a jam up in the early morning. I had 4 tee time after sunset. When I arrived to the course the parking lot was packed. I checked into the clubhouse and was told there were 30+ people in front of me. (Doing the math, that's at minimum 8 groups and at 8 minute tee off increments I would have to wait over an hour.) I made my case to the staff and they try to tell me that the groups would play fast going out at 5 minutes increments. This would still miss my tee time and I could only imagine the jam up on par 3s. After some back and forth, they offered to have me tee off the back. I told them I would think about it, stepped outside and checked out the greens. After looking at them (they were not mowed and shaggy), I went back and declined.

I was pleasantly surprised by the conditions of this course. The greens looked good but were running slow due to the fog and weather on the day I played. The locals said it was very slow for the course. There was lots of water on the course but not terribly difficult. There was a very good mixture of different holes and the course was well maintained. If I come back to Madeira Beach, I'll be playing here again. (Pasadena was also nice but for me I like this course better.)

I would give this a 3.5 stars if there was an option. It was nice to play this private course as it is open on Mondays for the public. The greens and fairways were in excellent shape. Visually this course did not fit me and water came into play on many holes. This added to the challenge since the course is not that long. I played with some members who friendly and made it more enjoying to play the round since I was a single.

<<<We played as 4-some and the members bump a 2-some in front us on the 2nd hole went out earlier their assigned tee-time. As you can image, we held them up on many holes. I suppose this is the right of the members but I can see the course getting a bad review from those that were playing behind us.>>>

This is a championship caliber course. The greens were fast and the course is set up for tournament play. The conditions were perfect and there was nothing you could really pick at. I played afternoon round for under $50. Not your bargain course but if you are an avid golfer looking for a fun track this is it.

Well, thought the course was going to be nice since it had the Nicklaus name on it and all. Yes, you can see that the layout has his signature design but the maintenance on this course terrible. Greens were burned out, fairway had plugs, and black tees on the first tee was on the practice green (not joking). When we saw the gravel parking lot, we should have turned around and left. As for the clubhouse, it's basically a double-wide. The service was terrible, the pace of play was a nightmare, about 6 hours and no ranger. When we made the turn, the manager on staff told us we were not that far off pace at 2:50 minute. Are you kidding me. I've played 18 in that time with a foursome. We asked for a refund and we were denied because, "the course was playable." On we went because by then it was too late to book a round else where. We ended up pulling up the Ryder cup on the iPhone app and watching it in between holes where we had up to 5 groups on a hole. What a waste for such a track that could be great. Maybe we went to this course on the wrong day and wrong time but it was a terrible experience. If I was Jack Nicklaus and saw this course in its current state, I would be looking to take my name off this one.

FYI: I don't know if this is true or not but someone on the course told me that the original investors went bankrupt and the current owners are getting sued. That would make sense because the course seems to be missing many things. Best of luck to them and I hope they can save the course but this is the first and last time for me.

The conditions were great. Very fast greens (likely a 12-13). I beleive there was a club championship during the week we played (round was Friday and tourament was on Sunday). Cart girl was friendly and came around often enough. This place is a driving range short of being a very high caliber championship course. I think the standard rates are too much but with the golf now it is a great deal. The back nine is extremely difficult, you have to hit some great shots otherwise you will take penalties. It was a nice day but the back destroyed me.