shelman88

Several years ago I played Baytowne for the first time and was disappointed by the conditions, namely the greens. Assuming it was an anomaly given the green conditions at nearly every other course in the panhandle, including The Raven which shares a clubhouse with Baytowne, I returned this year looking forward to a fun time. I was met immediately, however, with the same conditions that left me frustrated and perplexed just like my initial visit. The course is a really fun layout that has extreme potential but clearly needs an increase in the maintenance budget. The fairways were too long and unevenly mowed with gashes in the fairway due to the mower deck, the bunkers hadn’t been touched that day, and the greens may have been the slowest, bumpiest greens I’ve ever played. The uneven mowing carried to whatever mowing they DID do on the greens creating a heavy plinko effect on greens rolling a lighting fast 4 on the stimp. There were no water coolers on the course and we saw the beverage cart only twice the whole day, the first time being on the 9th hole where a 5some spent approximately 30 minutes talking to her on the green. Slow enough we played through them thinking they had completed the hole given we had not seen them in several holes, only to be surprised when they continue on, completing the hole after we walked off the green. Given the price for the place, the expectation we’re much higher. I’d recommend spending the extra $20 to get great conditions at the Raven or expand your search beyond the Sandestin pocket.

Played on 4/16 and it's Chicago so weather was spotty. That aside, course was in excellent condition for early in the season, greens were solid and smooth. A bit slow but to be expected. The layout is great and really allows golfers to choose their challenge as the course does a great job of making each set of tees respectively more or less difficult. I played the whites on this day as I was playing with some buddies and if you're a 10 handicapper or less, you shouldn't be here. With that said, unless you're a 4-5 handicapper or better, avoid the tips. I usually play the tips and it's a tough course from back there. Great, fair layout and always one of my favorites in the metro area.

This was a great course... conditions were impeccable, pace was good, greens were quick and rolled true. Great course and well worth the full price, if you get a discount tee time, take it!

For only being an hour outside downtown Chicago, this course is a great bargain! The course was in phenomenal condition. It had rained quite a bit the night before so the bunkers were slightly washed out but nearly all were still playable. Greens were a touch on the slow side but I attribute that to how wet the course was. Overall, great find and I will be back!

Getting this deal for under the "Hot Deal" promotion was a great find. For under $50/person, the course was in great shape. Greens were a touch slower than I would like but they rolled great. Pace was slow but to be expected with one of the few good public courses in the North Shore. Overall, good visit.

This is my second time at Thunderhawk and I couldn't be happier. It is in beautiful condition, people extremely friendly and the weather was beautiful. Round apparently took near 5 hours but it never felt slow playing in a foursome. Great track!