Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[DavePelz4]

Does anybody know when Oak Meadows is re-opening?

 

Planned for July.

 

Thanks DP4

 

No worries. BTW, it's going to be named "The Preserve at Oak Meadows."

[PuttCurseRepeat]

The only way to get a links style course in the Chicago area is to build it on a garbage dump or, in the case of HOE, an old quarry. The downside to that is it will never play like an actual links course for reasons people have already mentioned. The closest thing to a faux-links course around here that, if baked out, would play like a real links course is probably Chicago Highlands (another one built on a dump, but it was a dump that strictly held clean construction debris), but that's a private country club.

 

Are you sure about the clean debris under the Chicago Highlands dump? I seem to remember many gas flares on the site, burning for years, back in the day.

 

Is MT Prospect too hard now? I never played it before the renovation, but played it last year and those greens and the mounding around them are super difficult. I'm a solid player and that course has eaten my lunch both times. The greens are definitely playable and not over the top, but I wonder if they are the right type of greens for a muni that has so much play. I think the course is fantastic and infinitely interesting, I'm just very surprised they built that type of course in that spot.

 

I've heard that they might soften some of the greens. Not sure if and when that is supposed to happen. Its a bummer because at 6300 yds, the green complex are really the only defense for the course.

 

I've only played the front 9 and I thought the greens were borderline ridiculous. It's a catch-22 though. Without those greens the course loses its appeal. A little softening in some areas would be a good idea.

 

Did someone say Green Lake?????

 

 

Besides Lawsonia, the only course worth playing within 30 minutes is Mascoutin located about 10 minutes north of Lawsonia in Berlin. Mascoutin has 27 holes, 18 of which are pretty standard parkland style. The other 9, the Blue course, is really cool. Some really interesting unique holes. Definitely play the Blue 9 if you play there.

 

Could Green Lake be used as a base camp for Sand Valley? I saw it was 1.5hr drive or so.

 

I really want to get up to Sand Valley, I just don't know when I can make it happen with the short summer for kids near me.

 

That's exactly what I want to do in early June - a couple of rounds at Sand Valley sandwiched by rounds at Lawsonia, based near Green Lake.

[ldchristopher]

Walking 90 holes in three days was, in hindsight, a bit much given the wet, swampy conditions. Yesterday started out great, as I was putting exceptionally well en route to a 74. Round two was at Prairie View and that didn't go nearly as well. I talked myself into playing from the tips because I remembered the blue tees being woefully mismeasured. That's still the case but the black tees are correct about being 7160 and, with no roll and wind in my face for tons of holes, that was a bit much. Bonnie Brook today was a pit. The place was drenched and cold and the greens hadn't been cut or rolled in a while. There's also something about that place that gets in between the five inches between my ears and I can't put my finger on exactly what it is. Shephard's Crook had much smoother, better-paced greens but it has plenty of low spots as well and my legs were cooked. Lost Marsh and Aldeen were excellent but the last three really gassed me.

[Argonne69]

Ho hum. A boring round on Mars.

 

[St Jimmy]

Did you walk it?

[DavePelz4]

Played Schaumburg yesterday. The course was a quagmire. Plug balls on most holes. Bunkers were very nice and 100% dry which makes me wonder if they had an issue with the sprinkler system. Greens were punched a week ago but with the smaller tines so they rolled nice.

[Argonne69]

Did you walk it?

 

Lol. Heck no. When I'm on vacation and playing two a day I usual ride. Wolf Creek would be a real bear to walk.

[disk]

Did you walk it?

 

Lol. Heck no. When I'm on vacation and playing two a day I usual ride. Wolf Creek would be a real bear to walk.

 

I'm not sure they allow walkers, too far between some holes and some of the cart path incline/declines are insane.

[dhartmann34]

Ho hum. A boring round on Mars.

 

A friend of mine played that yesterday.

[St Jimmy]

Did you walk it?

 

Lol. Heck no. When I'm on vacation and playing two a day I usual ride. Wolf Creek would be a real bear to walk.

 

LOL!

 

I figured not, but you never know with some of you. I've only seen photos and played it on my kid's video game. Looks spectacular!

[Scratch2Plus]

Ho hum. A boring round on Mars.

 

 

Sure sucks to be you Arg!

 

Looks fantastic.

[Holy Moses]

I'm ready to meet some fellow WRXers. Who wants to play Saturday?

[MountainKing]

Played Seven Bridges on Friday, I won't add anything further on the course cause I'll sound like a broken record but beyond my feelings of the course the tee boxes and fairways were in great condition and despite being packed moved along nicely even for cart path only. I was shocked how dry the course was given all the rain. Greens were so so, they'll be a mess by mid summer. I also finally managed to break 80 on this course with a nice 76. Last time I had a chance to break 80 I doubled 17 and 18 to come in right at 80 so this course generally just has my number.

[Argonne69]

Ho hum. A boring round on Mars.

 

 

Sure sucks to be you Arg!

 

Looks fantastic.

 

Yeah. I'd have to say it's visually the best course I've ever played. I usually fly around a course in 2:15 to 2:30 when I'm the first out in a cart. It took me three hours to play, as I was snapping pics left and right. The full trip report and pics galore are here: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1472332-mesquite-st-george-trip-report/page__st__30.

[ldchristopher]

I took the last two days off to rest my legs and spend time with the in-laws but now I'm ready to get back on courses. White Hawk tomorrow morning. I avoided it in the past because they made everyone take a cart but they now allow walkers, at least when on Speing rates.

[Argonne69]

Ho hum. A boring round on Mars.

 

A friend of mine played that yesterday.

 

Any idea what time he teed off?

[zer0]

Anyone know a good instructor in the northern burbs? My driver has gotten even worse than last year and its at the point now where its making me lose my love for the game and desire to even play. Hitting 190 yard slices or topping the ball 40 feet is not very fun, especially when you do everything else pretty well.

[geochitown]

not cheap, but I'd recommend Todd Sones

He has a 5 lesson package, where he does the first 1 hour lesson and then you work with one of his instructors for the middle 3, and then back to finish up with Todd for the last...

 

dhartmann has been golng to golftec, I think?, and likes it (see some posts a couple of pages back)

[B-Man]

Saturday was the first official round for the season at George Dunne. 1 under after one. Nothing more to add.

 

 

[DavePelz4]

Anyone know a good instructor in the northern burbs? My driver has gotten even worse than last year and its at the point now where its making me lose my love for the game and desire to even play. Hitting 190 yard slices or topping the ball 40 feet is not very fun, especially when you do everything else pretty well.

 

My instructor can help you to slice it 245. He's that good.

[Argonne69]

Anyone know a good instructor in the northern burbs? My driver has gotten even worse than last year and its at the point now where its making me lose my love for the game and desire to even play. Hitting 190 yard slices or topping the ball 40 feet is not very fun, especially when you do everything else pretty well.

 

My instructor can help you to slice it 245. He's that good.

 

Hmmm, that might not be a bad trick to have in the bag on a number of doglegs in the area, e.g. Lost Marsh #10.

[Thunder Dan]

Got out for the 2nd round of the year at Cantigny yesterday. Conditions were what you'd expect but pace of play was awful, teed off at 8:30 and took 5 hours to get around. For some reasons the rangers waited until we were all 15 holes in to start doing something about it, as one said to me the backup out here is causing them to fall behind on the first tee. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come for the year. I love the game but I hate watching grass grow, pace is getting to the point where I would gladly pay a premium price to get around in a reasonable time without having to wait shot after shot.

 

I also played Cantigny Saturday, cart path only always adds time.

 

I played Cantigny that Saturday too, I got done in 2:45. Helps when you are first person out, walking and solo. They were packed that day and it was cart path only. CPO at Cantigny is a death march. They also had a temp green on #3 Lakeside which looks like they are re-doing.

[DavePelz4]

Anyone know a good instructor in the northern burbs? My driver has gotten even worse than last year and its at the point now where its making me lose my love for the game and desire to even play. Hitting 190 yard slices or topping the ball 40 feet is not very fun, especially when you do everything else pretty well.

 

My instructor can help you to slice it 245. He's that good.

 

Hmmm, that might not be a bad trick to have in the bag on a number of doglegs in the area, e.g. Lost Marsh #10.

 

Oh if a slice is needed, then I hit it dead straight.

[dhartmann34]

A friend and I are looking to use the Bowes Creek groupon on May 30th if anyone is interested.

[Waterboy]

Anyone know a good instructor in the northern burbs? My driver has gotten even worse than last year and its at the point now where its making me lose my love for the game and desire to even play. Hitting 190 yard slices or topping the ball 40 feet is not very fun, especially when you do everything else pretty well.

 

My instructor can help you to slice it 245. He's that good.

 

I started using one of the Todd Sones guys. He just made a few minor changes and am starting to see some results in fatigue and contact.

 

I'll go back middle of next month to see what tweaks are next.

[zer0]

thanks for the tips, fellas. Ended up making a lesson with the pro who runs the after work golf league I play in at Sportsman. He was very eager to work with me when I explained to him that I have deep pockets and am historically known for throwing money at all my golf related problems until they go away.

[Argonne69]

thanks for the tips, fellas. Ended up making a lesson with the pro who runs the after work golf league I play in at Sportsman. He was very eager to work with me when I explained to him that I have deep pockets and am historically known for throwing money at all my golf related problems until they go away.

 

[Scratch2Plus]

thanks for the tips, fellas. Ended up making a lesson with the pro who runs the after work golf league I play in at Sportsman. He was very eager to work with me when I explained to him that I have deep pockets and am historically known for throwing money at all my golf related problems until they go away.

 

 

Well, in that case, did I mention I give lessons?!?

[ldchristopher]

I walked all 36 holes at White Hawk today. I was the first one out and was on the course with the maintenance crew. That's definitely what I prefer, though by playing at a really quick solo pace I was ahead of the guy who removed the dew from the greens for the first nine holes. I hadn't been to White Hawk in about three years and forgot how long it plays. Grey Hawk to Black Hawk was playing the full 7,024 yards while Red Hawk to Silver Hawk was playing about 200 yards less than the 7,265 that's listed on the card because of a lot of ground under repair on Silver. Three of the four courses (Grey, Red, and Black) were all in really good shape, while Silver was in the midst of being worked on. Most of the bunkers weren't playable on Silver and some tee boxes were being touched up. I'll definitely head back this season since I was really impressed with Grey and Black. 75 for round one and 74 for round two.

 

This is by far the fastest I've gotten to 30 rounds in a season. Hopefully I can keep this pace up, though I'm running out of Jewish holidays to play golf during. I still have Shavout on May 31st and June 1st though, so that should be good for four more rounds.

[fanofsaosin]

Hey zer0 which day is your league on? I just moved to the area and joined up for the Wednesday night golf league.