Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[saggysag]

played big run this week...fun track, interesting holes, challenging golf.

 

Greens were the slowest greens I've ever played....furry , shaggy, carpet, ...u name it...needs to be improved.

[VNutz]

played big run this week...fun track, interesting holes, challenging golf.

 

Greens were the slowest greens I've ever played....furry , shaggy, carpet, ...u name it...needs to be improved.

 

Same when I played there, but somehow I found a way to roll off the front side of a few. If they were normal speed they might be borderline unplayable with all the slope.

[zer0]

Yesterday I played the 18 hole course at Sportsman's for the first time in years. My usual weekday locals were booked, so I gave it a shot. I have to say it's better than I remembered. There's some decent holes, and the greens are really firm and fast. It's not a place I would go out of my way to play, but if your in the area, it's worth a shot.

 

 

This year has been the best I've seen in 3 years there in terms of the greens. They've been great all season.

[Argonne69]

First visit to Midlane today. I'd say it was a success. The course is a prairie/wetland style course with plenty of water on the majority of holes. It reminded me a lot of Bittersweet, although not as tight. You can get away with a few errant drives here. The course was in decent shape, although the bunkers could use a good grooming and some sand. The greens rolled nice, but like pretty much everywhere else, they were slow. Pace of play was top notch at 3:45.

 

Excellent day ball striking with 11 fairways and 13 greens. However, being a first visit I didn't really attack the flag, so I didn't really have many legit birdie putts. The few I did have I left short on the slow greens, other than one that was above the hole. Still, a solid day in near perfect August weather.

 

Decided to stay closer to home tomorrow, so I'm heading to Lost Marsh. I hope we get the same weather tomorrow.

[geochitown]

Good for you, arg

 

My buddy likes to play midlane

 

I'll have to try it out now that it's in my new 'hood

 

Have you played Bonnie brook yet?

 

 

[Argonne69]

Good for you, arg

 

My buddy likes to play midlane

 

I'll have to try it out now that it's in my new 'hood

 

Have you played Bonnie brook yet?

 

Yes, I played Bonnie Brook two years ago I believe. A decent course, but I'd say Midlane is better, even with the aluminum clad housing bordering the course. The home detracted from the layout, but they didn't really pinch the course.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

played big run this week...fun track, interesting holes, challenging golf.

 

Greens were the slowest greens I've ever played....furry , shaggy, carpet, ...u name it...needs to be improved.

 

Same when I played there, but somehow I found a way to roll off the front side of a few. If they were normal speed they might be borderline unplayable with all the slope.

If you haven't putted off the front of #11, then you haven't really played Big Run.

[ldchristopher]

I played a twilight round at Chevy Chase today. Not making that mistake again. It took 5 and a half hours and we had to wait behind another group on every tee. The greens were in horrible shape and I don't think the cups had been moved in about two weeks. Every year a Chevy Chase rep at the February golf show hands out $10 off coupons and every year a friend of mine and I wonder aloud why we don't play there more given how close it is to the city. Well, now I know why: it's a dump that takes forever to play. I shouldn't complain too much though since I paid $21 on a weekend.

[golfer912]

Just played Brown Deer yesterday. Course was in excellent shape. Smooth quick greens. Tough tree lined course. Try going earlier. I played twilight and got eaten alive by bugs. Other than that fantastic track.

 

 

Milwaukee: Either Brown Deer or Washington County.

 

Those are two on the short list, my buddy is calling today to see who has what an we'll go with that.

[2zlinks]

Erin Hills on Tuesday followed by Blue Mound on Wednesday. Not too shabby.

[games]

Erin Hills on Tuesday followed by Blue Mound on Wednesday. Not too shabby.

 

So jealous. Native here, and never got to play Blue Mound. Again, site of a Western Open ( 1940s I believe).

 

Enjoy!

[Argonne69]

A pleasant morning at Lost Marsh. Well, except for the molasses-like 4:45 pace. The course was in decent shape. The greens were a bit beat up in a handful of spots, but certainly playable.

 

With light winds, I was expecting low scores. However, I hacked it up on the first three holes. Pull left into the hazard on #1. Bogey. Over the green on #2. Bogey. Big draw into the marsh on #3. Double bogey. Ugh. Not the start I was hopping for. However, I birdied 4, 5 and 7 to make the turn in 2 over. The good play continued on the back with one birdie and one bogie, so overall a great round.

 

I'm packing the clubs and flying to Nebraska on Saturday for a cross-state trip that will end in Denver. I'll be hitting 7 or 8 courses along the way, including a detour north to The Prairie Club. I'm going to call Sand Hills and/or Dismal River, both private courses, to see if I can get on, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

 

[geochitown]

I've read here that sand hills does allow visitors with a letter sent to the club well ahead of time

 

I imagine wild horse is on your list, arg?

[Argonne69]

I've read here that sand hills does allow visitors with a letter sent to the club well ahead of time

 

I imagine wild horse is on your list, arg?

 

A little late for a letter I'm afraid. I'll give them a call this week and hope.

 

Yes, Wild Horse next Sunday morning, along with Awarii Dunes, Bayside, and Riverdale Dunes in Colorado.

 

I couldn't get on to Quarry Oaks in Omaha, as they have an all day outing on Saturday when I arrive. I'll likely play Tiburon.

[2zlinks]

Erin Hills on Tuesday followed by Blue Mound on Wednesday. Not too shabby.

 

So jealous. Native here, and never got to play Blue Mound. Again, site of a Western Open ( 1940s I believe).

 

Enjoy!

 

Thanks. I'm actually looking more forward to playing Blue Mound.

[DavePelz4]

Can't believe I'm posting this but we played Highland Woods yesterday and...the course was in great shape. Seriously. I haven't been drinking...well...not that much. The greens were in the best condition that I can remember and for the first 9 holes, pace was amazing. The second 9 was slow but not intolerable. The one thing they need to fix is the consistency of sand in the bunkers.

 

Not a fan of BCG but maybe they're starting to figure things out.

[zer0]

Tried playing this weekend under simulated golf trip conditions and it did not go well. PLayed Friday in a scramble and then got up early to play at Shepherd's Crook on Saturday. Course was in ok shape, but honestly it was the slowest I've ever seen SC's greens. They weren't slow, but they sure weren't fast either. Didn't stop me from missing, no joke, 4 putts inside 2 feet. Ended up with an 88. Then yesterday got up really early on 5 hours sleep to play at 8:48 at Lake Bluff. Course was in great shape, range on teh other hand needed to be mowed. Don't like hitting range balls from the rough. Not that it mattered much, the shanks started showing up when I pulled out the 5iron on the range, shanked 5 in a row. Got on the course and started shanking wedges, even shanked a punch shot at one point. Ended up with a 98. Decided to quit golf for the 3rd time this summer.

 

Not looking forward to my golf trip later this month. I'm guessing this could be the end of my golf trips forever unfortunately. My back simply can't handle it.

[MountainKing]

So Saturday we ended up at The Broadlands in North Prairie, WI. I never heard of the course until then and I would say it's probably a hidden gem, I really enjoyed the round there, course was in pretty good shape. It had a lot of fun holes with some good elevation changes. Some of the holes reminded me of Highlands of Elgin. I would make the trip up there again no questions asked. My golf was so so, had a few doubles in the mix and had some struggles with my irons and wedges (normally the strong part of my game). I managed a nice 78 thanks to my short game once again saving me, but I need to figure the rest out because my short game generally is not enough to save a round.

 

Sunday we played in an outing at Twin Lakes Country Club in Twin Lakes, WI. This was a typical early 1900's built course that's fairly short and it had some of the smallest greens I've ever seen. I once again was not able to hit a wedge shot to save my lift, in fact I missed every green where I had any form of a wedge in my hand. Frustratingly enough I was able to hit two of the par 5 greens with a hybrid from 230 out so go figure. I enjoyed the round, the greens were decent and the cart girls were smoking hot but I doubt I would go out of my way to play this one again.

 

This weekend I'm off to Michigan to play Harbor Shores. Maybe next week I'll actually play in the Chicago area again.

[Gdane]

Despite Zer0 being a raincloud over my excitement to finally scratch it off my list, I made it down to Harborside for the first time this weekend to play the Port Course. I'm not sure why shade was thrown, because we were thoroughly impressed with the facility and the golf course. I couldn't get off the tee to save my life and didn't score well at all but still had a great time. Especially liked the finishing holes as there was plenty of risk/reward opportunity to tighten the match.

 

I'm slowly making my way through the Golfweek 2016 top you can play in Illinois:

• 1. Cog Hill (No.4-Dubsdread), Lemont (m)
  
• 2. Highlands of Elgin, Elgin (m)
  
• 3. ThunderHawk, Beach Park (m)
  
• 4. TPC at Deere Run, Silvis (m)
  
• 5. Eagle Ridge (The General), Galena (m)
  
• 6. Cantigny, Wheaton (m)
  
• 7. Weaver Ridge, Peoria (m)
  
• 8. Stonewall Orchard GC, Grayslake (m)
  
• 9. Ravisloe CC, Homewood ©
  
• 10. Bowes Creek, Elgin (m)
  
• 11. Harborside International (Starboard), Chicago (m)
  
• 12. Pine Meadow, Mundelein (m)
  
• 13. The Glen Club, Glenview (m)
  
• 14. Mistwood GC, Romeoville (m)*
  
• 15. Harborside International (Port), Chicago (m)
  

I have tentative plans for Cantigny in a couple of weeks, and have been trying to fit in a day trip to Weaver Ridge all summer but haven't been able to make it work yet.

[zer0]

Glad you enjoyed it and congrats on you and your group managing to stay out of the bunkers all day long. I'm assuming that's the case since you guys came away so impressed with the course.

[Argonne69]

Weaver Ridge, TPC, and Eagle Ridge make for a nice 3 day weekend (circle) trip. I've heard that Weaver Ridge has gone a bit downhill in the past few years, but it's probably still worth a visit.

 

I definitely prefer Starboard at Harborside. The Port course seems to have more trouble off the tee for relatively well struck tee shots. The biggest beef with Harborside is the poor condition of the bunkers, which is a major issue when you're paying $105 a round. I've seen $30 munis with better conditioned bunkers. I've been told they have approval to redo the bunkers, but they are still waiting for the money to arrive. Also, drainage is not a strong point. The course is definitely not a links course. Any amount of rain and you'll get zero roll out. 'Not a showstopper, but not ideal.

[Chicago Lefty]

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let me through the gates.

[DavePelz4]

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let Lefty through the gates.

[VNutz]

Is that... CL??

 

[VNutz]

Welp, high school golf season is upon us, so I get free rounds at Oak Brook the next 2 days as I help out the team my brother coaches. Let the 6 hour rounds in 90* heat begin, followed tomorrow with a softball doubleheader. Ugh

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let me through the gates.

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let Lefty through the gates.

 

Let me know if there's a problem, guys. I know a place around back where you can sneak in and probably get in a hole or two before being escorted off the property.

[Chicago Lefty]

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let Lefty through the gates.

 

Took me 15 months just to get your name off the restricted list.

[DavePelz4]

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let Lefty through the gates.

 

Took me 15 months just to get your name off the restricted list.

 

It took 15 months for you to figure out how to spell my name.

[cane700]

Despite Zer0 being a raincloud over my excitement to finally scratch it off my list, I made it down to Harborside for the first time this weekend to play the Port Course. I'm not sure why shade was thrown, because we were thoroughly impressed with the facility and the golf course. I couldn't get off the tee to save my life and didn't score well at all but still had a great time. Especially liked the finishing holes as there was plenty of risk/reward opportunity to tighten the match.

 

I'm slowly making my way through the Golfweek 2016 top you can play in Illinois:

• 1. Cog Hill (No.4-Dubsdread), Lemont (m)
  
• 2. Highlands of Elgin, Elgin (m)
  
• 3. ThunderHawk, Beach Park (m)
  
• 4. TPC at Deere Run, Silvis (m)
  
• 5. Eagle Ridge (The General), Galena (m)
  
• 6. Cantigny, Wheaton (m)
  
• 7. Weaver Ridge, Peoria (m)
  
• 8. Stonewall Orchard GC, Grayslake (m)
  
• 9. Ravisloe CC, Homewood ©
  
• 10. Bowes Creek, Elgin (m)
  
• 11. Harborside International (Starboard), Chicago (m)
  
• 12. Pine Meadow, Mundelein (m)
  
• 13. The Glen Club, Glenview (m)
  
• 14. Mistwood GC, Romeoville (m)*
  
• 15. Harborside International (Port), Chicago (m)
  

I have tentative plans for Cantigny in a couple of weeks, and have been trying to fit in a day trip to Weaver Ridge all summer but haven't been able to make it work yet.

 

I played the Port course on Sunday and it was great. Awesome views and great conditions. There was plenty of sand in the bunkers too.

 

Cantigney is great too. Enjoy!

[DavePelz4]

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let me through the gates.

Playing Chicago Golf Club tomorrow...only 15 months in the making. Still not convinced they're going to let Lefty through the gates.

 

Let me know if there's a problem, guys. I know a place around back where you can sneak in and probably get in a hole or two before being escorted off the property.

 

Didn't realize you knew Lefty that well.