Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[Argonne69]

I played Tamarack GC for the first time today. It's not a bad prairie style course, but it could use a few changes. It reminds me a bit of Carillon, except that the housing is a little further away, and isn't quite as tacky. There's plenty of water on the course to keep you on guard, but it generally doesn't come into play unless you've got a two way miss going. The 12th and 16th holes need to go, each taking driver out of your hand unless you're a very long hitter. Bah. I thought the five par 3's where challenging.

 

Conditioning was a bit shaggy. You can tell they're not trying to groom it excessively. It was rather soft due to the recent rains, but there were only a handful of ares of standing water. The greens were another story. Ugh. They were recently aerated, and were as slow as one could imagine a green to be. Maybe a 5 on the stimp? Almost unplayable. I have to say that the greens at Jackson Park and Fresh Meadow rolled better. Pace of play was 4:30, which I guess is acceptable given the winds.

 

I had a rather odd day scoring. It was one where you looked at the scorecard and wondered how you shot so low. It was a struggle against mother nature. The driver was simply not working, finding only 5 fairways. I hit 10 greens, which was a surprise. I guess having five par 3's helped there. My five scrambles for par and birdies on 3 and 4 really helped save the day.

 

Overall a decent day. 'Can't say I'd go back, but I thought it was worth a visit. It would be nice to play it when the greens are in halfway decent shape. Two of the three guys I played with played so poorly it was almost comical. Their constant joking made it entertaining though.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Booked at Fox Run in EGV tomorrow morning. I've played there a couple of times. Very decent, after the work they've done there. It seems a steal at $35 including a cart. Am I going to get there tomorrow and find they have no greens?

[ldchristopher]

I played Tamarack GC for the first time today. It's not a bad prairie style course, but it could use a few changes. It reminds me a bit of Carillon, except that the housing is a little further away, and isn't quite as tacky. There's plenty of water on the course to keep you on guard, but it generally doesn't come into play unless you've got a two way miss going. The 12th and 16th holes need to go, each taking driver out of your hand unless you're a very long hitter. Bah. I thought the five par 3's where challenging.

 

Conditioning was a bit shaggy. You can tell they're not trying to groom it excessively. It was rather soft due to the recent rains, but there were only a handful of ares of standing water. The greens were another story. Ugh. They were recently aerated, and were as slow as one could imagine a green to be. Maybe a 5 on the stimp? Almost unplayable. I have to say that the greens at Jackson Park and Fresh Meadow rolled better. Pace of play was 4:30, which I guess is acceptable given the winds.

 

I had a rather odd day scoring. It was one where you looked at the scorecard and wondered how you shot so low. It was a struggle against mother nature. The driver was simply not working, finding only 5 fairways. I hit 10 greens, which was a surprise. I guess having five par 3's helped there. My five scrambles for par and birdies on 3 and 4 really helped save the day.

 

Overall a decent day. 'Can't say I'd go back, but I thought it was worth a visit. It would be nice to play it when the greens are in halfway decent shape. Two of the three guys I played with played so poorly it was almost comical. Their constant joking made it entertaining though.

Tamarack was always on my list of courses to play that I just never got around to actually playing. If the greens are shaggier than JP and the conditioning is second-rate, I'll pass on the trip to Naper(thrill)(hell)ville. I wonder if it would be better were it not recently aerated. A 6900 yard par 70 is appealing.

[B-Man]

GDN early yesterday. It was in surprisingly good condition with firm greens and fairways with a few compacted bunkers. Wind was tough out there and with an outing straight after us, Mickey Mouse came out and cut the pin positions. Oh boy. They were ricockulous. Struck the ball the best I have all year and putted as good too. Crazy in that hit 11 greens and got up and down on all 7 I missed. Was pretty much pin high on all par 5s but couldn't get it inside 15 feet. No birdies, had 3 three-putts for the day and a 75 but I won all the money. Some consolation.

[Argonne69]

Tamarack was always on my list of courses to play that I just never got around to actually playing. If the greens are shaggier than JP and the conditioning is second-rate, I'll pass on the trip to Naper(thrill)(hell)ville. I wonder if it would be better were it not recently aerated. A 6900 yard par 70 is appealing.

 

I have to believe that I simply caught it at the wrong time. I'm sure the greens are halfway decent during the peak of the season. They didn't have the green (tips) teebox markers out yesterday. It's not uncommon for courses to remove them for day to day play.

[Gdane]

After getting bumped out of our tee time at Weaver Ridge my group was able to snag a last minute tee time at Metamora Fields Saturday afternoon. We practically had the place to ourselves and considered ourselves lucky to be playing based on the weather report all week. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone going to the Peoria area.

 

Also, I think I'd make that drive again just to eat at The Blue Duck Barbeque Tavern. Amazing food.

[VNutz]

As DP4 posted previously, we played Bowes Creek on Friday. Weather conditions were tough, 40s to 50s, heavy winds and raining at times. My Bandon gear got a full workout. Course was firm and fast despite the rain, was pretty much a grind all day long. Neither of us had a good day, but it was still a treat to be out there. If you haven't played Bowes I highly recommend it. Just a fun design with a great arrangement of unique holes, few to none feel repetitive at all. Every tee shot has some sort of danger to play around, and approaches can be a challenge as well. All in all a great day even with awful weather.

[Argonne69]

After getting bumped out of our tee time at Weaver Ridge my group was able to snag a last minute tee time at Metamora Fields Saturday afternoon. We practically had the place to ourselves and considered ourselves lucky to be playing based on the weather report all week. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone going to the Peoria area.

 

Also, I think I'd make that drive again just to eat at The Blue Duck Barbeque Tavern. Amazing food.

 

Agreed. Metamora and Blue Duck are tops.

[AUTIGER07]

Played Arboretum for the first time yesterday. Course was in good shape and the greens were actually pretty solid but it's definitely a strange layout. I can't remember a course that took driver / 3w out of your hands as much as this one did. I'd play it again as $50 for an above average shape course wasn't too bad.

 

I hit 5 4-irons off the tee (#2/4/6/8/11) and only 5 drivers during the round. Highlights were going 4i / 4i into #2 and, with the wind behind us, drove #12 and #13 (actually went over the green past the cartpath and bogied due to the trees).

[zer0]

Played Arboretum for the first time yesterday. Course was in good shape and the greens were actually pretty solid but it's definitely a strange layout. I can't remember a course that took driver / 3w out of your hands as much as this one did. I'd play it again as $50 for an above average shape course wasn't too bad.

 

I hit 5 4-irons off the tee (#2/4/6/8/11) and only 5 drivers during the round. Highlights were going 4i / 4i into #2 and, with the wind behind us, drove #12 and #13 (actually went over the green past the cartpath and bogied due to the trees).

 

narrow course with water hazards on just about every hole + 5hour rounds pretty typical and no range. Wouldn't play that course for $20.

[Holy Moses]

Bowes Creek was windy and had tough pins. Didn't find any of Dave's balls, but my goodness are the bunkers there deep. Worst scoring round of the year. But had a fun time!

[geochitown]

Bowes Creek was windy and had tough pins. Didn't find any of Dave's balls, but my goodness are the bunkers there deep. Worst scoring round of the year. But had a fun time!

 

Bowes Creek deep bunker flashback: looking up and only seeing the face of the 7th right greenside bunker...

while I was happy to not have gone in the water hazard immediately to its right, the bunker was not much better

[fore_life]

Redtail was pretty sweet, thanks for the suggestions fellas. Greens a little slower than expected, but still an appropriate speed. Windy as hell, had a rough opening hole but rallied including a near ace on 12 or 13, whatever the first par 3 is on the back 9, finished with a few more birdies for a 38-34. Will definitely play here again.

 

I have to say, you guys are incredibly lucky with the variety of golf you guys have at your disposal, lots of really good choices available.

[Argonne69]

Redtail was pretty sweet, thanks for the suggestions fellas. Greens a little slower than expected, but still an appropriate speed. Windy as hell, had a rough opening hole but rallied including a near ace on 12 or 13, whatever the first par 3 is on the back 9, finished with a few more birdies for a 38-34. Will definitely play here again.

 

I have to say, you guys are incredibly lucky with the variety of golf you guys have at your disposal, lots of really good choices available.

 

Glad you enjoyed it.

 

Variety? Mountains? Nope. Desert? Nope. Links? Nope.

 

It's like the line from the Blues Brothers, "We got both types of music here. Country and Western!" In our case it's Parkland and Prairie. I'll gladly trade you a few of our courses for We Ko Pa and Southern Dunes. Or maybe Troon North. Perhaps Longbow. No, wait. Wickenburg Ranch. :golfer:

[fore_life]

I'll keep southern dunes, you can take the rest!!!

[ldchristopher]

Redtail was pretty sweet, thanks for the suggestions fellas. Greens a little slower than expected, but still an appropriate speed. Windy as hell, had a rough opening hole but rallied including a near ace on 12 or 13, whatever the first par 3 is on the back 9, finished with a few more birdies for a 38-34. Will definitely play here again.

 

I have to say, you guys are incredibly lucky with the variety of golf you guys have at your disposal, lots of really good choices available.

 

Glad you enjoyed it.

 

Variety? Mountains? Nope. Desert? Nope. Links? Nope.

 

It's like the line from the Blues Brothers, "We got both types of music here. Country and Western!" In our case it's Parkland and Prairie. I'll gladly trade you a few of our courses for We Ko Pa and Southern Dunes. Or maybe Troon North. Perhaps Longbow. No, wait. Wickenburg Ranch. :golfer:

About 98% of the courses in the Chicago area are ultra flat (Big Run, Cog 2, and a few more have some elevation changes, but that's it) but that forces the architects to get creative in their layouts. You chose a good course because Redtail doesn't have much target golf, but that's a common fall-back for some course designers.

[deadsolid...shank]

I'll keep southern dunes, you can take the rest!!!

 

Fore, are you going to make it to Denver this year?

[DavePelz4]

Bowes Creek was windy and had tough pins. Didn't find any of Dave's balls, but my goodness are the bunkers there deep. Worst scoring round of the year. But had a fun time!

 

You needed scuba gear to find a few of those.

[dhaab]

Bowes Creek was windy and had tough pins. Didn't find any of Dave's balls, but my goodness are the bunkers there deep. Worst scoring round of the year. But had a fun time!

 

Bowes Creek is one of my favorites in Chicago-land and I try to play it at least 5 or 6 times per year. If you think the bunkers are deep there, try playing Ravisloe in Homewood. I played there on Monday and the course is in pristine condition from the tees to the greens. I ended up shooting a nice 75 with 5 up & downs in the round, which is quite rare for me.

[dhaab]

Redtail was pretty sweet, thanks for the suggestions fellas. Greens a little slower than expected, but still an appropriate speed. Windy as hell, had a rough opening hole but rallied including a near ace on 12 or 13, whatever the first par 3 is on the back 9, finished with a few more birdies for a 38-34. Will definitely play here again.

 

I have to say, you guys are incredibly lucky with the variety of golf you guys have at your disposal, lots of really good choices available.

 

Glad you enjoyed it.

 

Variety? Mountains? Nope. Desert? Nope. Links? Nope.

 

It's like the line from the Blues Brothers, "We got both types of music here. Country and Western!" In our case it's Parkland and Prairie. I'll gladly trade you a few of our courses for We Ko Pa and Southern Dunes. Or maybe Troon North. Perhaps Longbow. No, wait. Wickenburg Ranch. :golfer:

About 98% of the courses in the Chicago area are ultra flat (Big Run, Cog 2, and a few more have some elevation changes, but that's it) but that forces the architects to get creative in their layouts..

 

Bowes Creek, Highlands of Elgin, Stonewall Orchard, Bartlett Hills and Foxford Hills are a few more that have nice elevation changes.

[Scratch2Plus]

Schaumburg gc Thursday and Foxford Hills Sunday morning and if Im feeling up for it maybe replay FH...

[Buddha]

Complete random question. Anyone, particularly in proximity to NW burbs (think Woodfield Mall), have a launch monitor (Mevo, GC2, etc)? Was thinking about trying to find someone on here that might have something they use, and willing to meet up at a range, or even their place (assuming they have the hitting space). Only other real option I can think of/find is a range in the far NW that has Trackman, that is like $50/hr, $30/half (Golf Acadamy at Terra Cotta).

 

I would love to get 'real' data in regards to carry, and try to figure out my wedge distances. Anyways, just a thought I had, and figured I ask you Chicago bunch.

[Argonne69]

I'm heading to Ann Arbor tomorrow for 5 rounds, and will be attending the Volvik Championship on Friday. I'll be adding five new courses to my list, Eagle Crest, Washtenaw, Moose Ridge, University of Michigan, and Radrick Farms. The weather forecast looks pretty spotty across the upper Midwest, so I expect to get wet at some point.

[geochitown]

great! looking forward to hearing your impressions of the courses.

I've read about the UofM course, and in the other thread, I saw that Moose Ridge is Ray Hearn (Mistwood, Flossmoor renovation)

[fore_life]

Fore, are you going to make it to Denver this year?

 

 

 

I hope! Might shoot up there for a weekend this summer, will let you know if I do!

[Waterboy]

I'm heading to Ann Arbor tomorrow for 5 rounds, and will be attending the Volvik Championship on Friday. I'll be adding five new courses to my list, Eagle Crest, Washtenaw, Moose Ridge, University of Michigan, and Radrick Farms. The weather forecast looks pretty spotty across the upper Midwest, so I expect to get wet at some point.

 

Nice line up. Would like to do Radrick this summer. I could try to sell it as visiting family, but in reality I just want to play golf with my uncle.

[stg099]

Complete random question. Anyone, particularly in proximity to NW burbs (think Woodfield Mall), have a launch monitor (Mevo, GC2, etc)? Was thinking about trying to find someone on here that might have something they use, and willing to meet up at a range, or even their place (assuming they have the hitting space). Only other real option I can think of/find is a range in the far NW that has Trackman, that is like $50/hr, $30/half (Golf Acadamy at Terra Cotta).

 

I would love to get 'real' data in regards to carry, and try to figure out my wedge distances. Anyways, just a thought I had, and figured I ask you Chicago bunch.

 

The PGA superstore near Woodfield mall has a decent launch monitor setup and is pretty reasonable from what I understand. You can hit in a bay for half hour increments and get a decenta mount of ball date (no club or path data that I'm aware of). I know it's not as ideal as on a range, but it's decent and reasonable.

[stg099]

Complete random question. Anyone, particularly in proximity to NW burbs (think Woodfield Mall), have a launch monitor (Mevo, GC2, etc)? Was thinking about trying to find someone on here that might have something they use, and willing to meet up at a range, or even their place (assuming they have the hitting space). Only other real option I can think of/find is a range in the far NW that has Trackman, that is like $50/hr, $30/half (Golf Acadamy at Terra Cotta).

 

I would love to get 'real' data in regards to carry, and try to figure out my wedge distances. Anyways, just a thought I had, and figured I ask you Chicago bunch.

 

The PGA superstore near Woodfield mall has a decent launch monitor setup and is pretty reasonable from what I understand. You can hit in a bay for half hour increments and get a decenta mount of ball date (no club or path data that I'm aware of). I know it's not as ideal as on a range, but it's decent and reasonable.

 

Edit: if you're looking for "real" data, as in radar based actual ball flight data, then the trackman is your only option that I'm aware of. I believe the GC2 is photo based and calculates ballflight (maybe the GC quad is different, but not sure).

[Buddha]

I'm aware of PGA store, though I have ever used the practice bays, only the demo club area. Was somewhat hoping to just find someone with something, especially possibly a mevo to test. Not worried about radar vs photo.

 

Also a way to socialize and find more golfer friends hah

[preiter20]

I'm heading to Ann Arbor tomorrow for 5 rounds, and will be attending the Volvik Championship on Friday. I'll be adding five new courses to my list, Eagle Crest, Washtenaw, Moose Ridge, University of Michigan, and Radrick Farms. The weather forecast looks pretty spotty across the upper Midwest, so I expect to get wet at some point.

 

Enjoy your trip and golf. Make sure to say hello to InGee for me. Any presents for her this year?