Links course in KC?

[Stetson]

Are there any true links style courses in KC?

 

If not, what is the most challenging course in the area? Stone Canyon, Shoal, Drumm, etc...

 

Thanks in advance

[bhj83]

I've played most of the public courses in and around KC but I haven't played what I would consider a links style course. Doing a Google search, Falcon Lakes claims to be a links-style course and Sycamore Ridge claims to have a links style front 9 but those are a couple of the courses I haven't yet played. Planning to play FL soon though.

As for toughest, Stone Canyon will give you all you can handle but I've heard it's not in the best shape this year. Haven't played there yet this year, but others on here have stated that it has a lot of bare spots in the fairways. Too bad, because I love that course but it kicks my butt nearly every time. If you want a tough course that is always in great shape, look into Creekmoor down in Raymore, MO. It's quite the trek south from downtown but it's a fantastic course IMO. I just played there last week and it was definitely a tough play...they have some of the longest, thickest rough in the area.

[Stetson]

[quote name='bhj83' timestamp='1400639025' post='9336429']
I've played most of the public courses in and around KC but I haven't played what I would consider a links style course. Doing a Google search, Falcon Lakes claims to be a links-style course and Sycamore Ridge claims to have a links style front 9 but those are a couple of the courses I haven't yet played. Planning to play FL soon though.

As for toughest, Stone Canyon will give you all you can handle but I've heard it's not in the best shape this year. Haven't played there yet this year, but others on here have stated that it has a lot of bare spots in the fairways. Too bad, because I love that course but it kicks my butt nearly every time. If you want a tough course that is always in great shape, look into Creekmoor down in Raymore, MO. It's quite the trek south from downtown but it's a fantastic course IMO. I just played there last week and it was definitely a tough play...they have some of the longest, thickest rough in the area.
[/quote]

Thanks for the feedback, I really wanted to play Stone Canyon but the reviews in the past two weeks on golfnow are not good at all and confirm what you said. Falcon Lakes I looked at, due to google search before posting, and the pictures weren't links style. It blew my mind there weren't links courses in the area considering some of the best links courses in America are in the Midwest (Sandhills, Wild Horse, Prairie Dunes, The Territory etc)

[bhj83]

If you can find a deal on GolfNow or teeoff.com for around $20 for Stone Canyon, I'd probably do it. It is a fantastic layout and is one of the best public courses in the state of Missouri when it's maintained. I'm sure it's not a goat ranch or anything. But definitely check out Creekmoor if you want a challenge. I've played that course 3 times now and I love it more and more every time I play it. Would play there more if it weren't a 45 min drive from my house! Another course to look at if you're planning on playing from the tips and want a challenge is Dub's Dread. Used to be one of the longest courses in America and while they've scaled that back a bit, it would still provide a good challenge from the tips. I've never played from there because I'm not good enough haha!

[Stetson]

I'm not playing good golf at this time but when I travel I prefer to see the best track I can. Stone Canton looks like the best course in the area when conditions are up to standard. I booked a tee time at Shoal for a place holder but still am debating Shoal, Stone Canyon and Creekmoor

[CallawayLefty]

Would agree with others than Stone Canyon is one of the best layouts in town. I haven't played there in a while and am sorry to hear that it might be in less than stellar shape. I played there last year and they had the best greens I had ever putted on a public course - including many BIG name courses around the country. Might have just been a really good month for them or something...

I would consider all the courses named above to be as close to links style golf as KC has, and I like all three of them. They all have woods/tree lined holes because that's just what this part of the midwest has in its landscape. I would also throw Sycamore Ridge into your stack. It's pretty far south of the City - not any further south than Creekmore, just in a different direction. Sycamore Ridge is probably the hardest course around, and I would consider its front 9 to be the "most links" style that we've got. It goes from exposed prairie on the front to playing in a forest on the back. But it's a great track and very very difficult. I think it's rated like 76.0/150 from the tips. They host a lot of USGA qualifiers there.

[mfleagle]

Got a group of guys coming down for a golf trip in Mid-June and we are looking to play Deer Creek, IronHorse, and one of Dub's Dread, Shoal Creek, or Stone Canyon. Based on the reviews it sounds like Dub's Dread might be in the best shape...wonder if Stone is getting a lot of play leading to the poor conditions.

[QMany]

[quote name='Stetson' timestamp='1400638023' post='9336279']
Are there any true links style courses in KC?
[/quote]
No. Closest you are going to get in Kansas City is Stone Canyon and Sycamore Ridge (front). Farther west, Colbert Hills and Firekeeper will be more links-style.

[quote name='Stetson' timestamp='1400638023' post='9336279']
If not, what is the most challenging course in the area?
[/quote]
I think Sycamore Ridge is one of the more challenging tracks in the area. That is where the recent US Open Local Qualifier was held, and 68 got in. If the wind is up, Stone Canyon is quite tough because of little tree protection. It has some good green complexes, too.

[quote name='Stetson' timestamp='1400639210' post='9336451']
It blew my mind there weren't links courses in the area considering some of the best links courses in America are in the Midwest (Sandhills, Wild Horse, Prairie Dunes, The Territory etc)
[/quote]
The topography is much different in Kansas City compared to these courses. I have played Sand Hills and Wild Horse, and I am going down to Prairie Dunes on Friday to watch the NCAA Championship and will play it later in the summer. First, the Nebraska courses are located inside the Sand Hills region which allows for perfect (and cheap) golf conditions. Also, those courses, along with Prairie Dunes, are located above the Ogallala Aquifer. Not one course in Kansas City compares to SH/WH/PD.

[Truman]

Stone Canyon is a great layout, but is in horrible shape. It has been In receivership for a couple of years and the bank is reducing the amount the will put into maintenance. Shadow Glen or Halbrook are probably the two most challenging courses in the area; neither are links style.

[QMany]

I just played Hallbrook last week in KC Cup. I have never been more disappointed with a course in my life. I'd heard great things. The layout was pretty good, but the condition was turrrrible. They have an unreal amount of burned out fairways, but even worse, their greens were miserably slow! I shot my scoring average without ever seeing the course before (and topping my drive and taking double on #1).

[CallawayLefty]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1400724274' post='9344005']
I just played Hallbrook last week in KC Cup. I have never been more disappointed with a course in my life. I'd heard great things. The layout was pretty good, but the condition was turrrrible. They have an unreal amount of burned out fairways, but even worse, their greens were miserably slow! I shot my scoring average without ever seeing the course before (and topping my drive and taking double on #1).
[/quote]

That's too bad. That course is usually immaculate. Probably the best layout in town, and usually in great shape.

[Ludin]

I just played Sycamore Ridge for the second time this week yesterday and it is in immaculate condition. It is very challenging on the back nine and forces you to hit fairways.

As for Dub's Dread. I was out there a month ago and it was in good condition compared to most of the courses in the area.