Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[Well Played]

Thanks for all the north side input!

 

And sounds like we need a comprehensive and transparent GolfWRX Chicagoland rating system... I have some ideas, and will start putting together some categories and a ranking methodology. Hypothetically speaking, am wondering if a template were provide would people be willing to provide input, say over the upcoming winter season when in theory most of us have at least a few extra hours to spare?

[Waterboy]

You guys are forgetting Willow Glen (across from the naval base). It's tier 2 or 3 (decent par 71 layout, great value, but spongy greens and issues with pace) but the guy in the pro shop is a real gem. He's an old navy man who still talks like a sailor regardless of who his audience is. I don't think I can post some of the comments he's made to us on here but they're fantastic in an "I'm old, have a military pension, and can say whatever I want" kind of way.

 

There is a guy that is a sweetheart. And by that I mean he's a punk with a few letters changed but you get to keep the first and last letter.

 

Showed up one morning, apparently before they were open but the shop door was unlocked and he was pulling. There are no hours posted, carts are pulled out so we walk in to the shop. This guy came screaming as if he was under attack, mfing me and a friend because we walked in to the unlocked shop looking to pay.

 

We just got back in our car and left.

 

I just chalked it up to drinking too much of the water that is leaching from that military landfill th course is on.

 

Won't go back. I've found much better in the area.

[Waterboy]

seems like a good time for a North shore Muni ranking!

 

Tier 1: Lake Bluff

 

Tier 2: Sportsman, Deerfield, Glenview, Glencoe, Wilmette

 

Tier 3: Winnetka, Deerpath, Highland Park, Sunset Valley (pre-redo)

 

 

Did I miss any?

 

I think Tier 1 separates itself from tier 2 by having more interesting layouts as well as better greens. Tier 2 courses are still very nice for what they are. I would avoid all Tier 3 courses unless desperate.

 

 

EDIT: somehow forgot the course a mile from my office, Glencoe. Also moved Wilmette down to tier 2, don't think its as good as Lake Bluff and definitely not for the prices they charge.

 

I love having lake bluff close. In the summer I play multiple times a week. Easy walk, great rates and a pool to cannonball into after. That whole complex is like a country club. Pool, tennis, paddle, golf.

[jimwgt26]

Zero, I play the North Shore courses a lot, so I feel comfortable chiming into this discussion. I basically agree with your rankings. I always enjoyed Sunset, so I'd probably put it in my tier 2. I hate Winnetka, so that would be tier 100. Glenview Park and Willow Hill should be on there, tier 2 or 3. Of those listed I play Glencoe the most, then Wilmette and Lake Bluff. I only play these courses weekday afternoons for $30 or less. I would never pay $50 or more to play them on a weekend. I'd rather go to Stonewall, Shepherds, Pine Meadow. I like White Deer, however, it's not really walkable, so it's no on my radar. I hate Thunderhawk(I know I'm the only one).

[Scratch2Plus]

Shewami CC in Watseka(?) IL tomorrow...Scramble, should be fun.

[zer0]

Zero, I play the North Shore courses a lot, so I feel comfortable chiming into this discussion. I basically agree with your rankings. I always enjoyed Sunset, so I'd probably put it in my tier 2. I hate Winnetka, so that would be tier 100. Glenview Park and Willow Hill should be on there, tier 2 or 3. Of those listed I play Glencoe the most, then Wilmette and Lake Bluff. I only play these courses weekday afternoons for $30 or less. I would never pay $50 or more to play them on a weekend. I'd rather go to Stonewall, Shepherds, Pine Meadow. I like White Deer, however, it's not really walkable, so it's no on my radar. I hate Thunderhawk(I know I'm the only one).

 

I agree that Winnetka is terrible and probably the most overpriced of all the north shore munis. I don't share your love for Sunset, always thought it was the dumpiest of all the area courses. It will be interesting to see how it looks after the remodel. Highland Park CC is the least playable of all the courses, trees trees and more trees.

 

Didn't add Willow Hill cause its only 9, but pound for pound its definitely up there although the green speeds leave a little to be desired.

[zer0]

You guys are forgetting Willow Glen (across from the naval base). It's tier 2 or 3 (decent par 71 layout, great value, but spongy greens and issues with pace) but the guy in the pro shop is a real gem. He's an old navy man who still talks like a sailor regardless of who his audience is. I don't think I can post some of the comments he's made to us on here but they're fantastic in an "I'm old, have a military pension, and can say whatever I want" kind of way.

 

 

Never even heard of it somehow. But, I wouldn't consider it a north shore course since its in North Chicago. I would put Lake Bluff as the cut off to the north, Deerfield as the cut off to the west.

[Argonne69]

'Sounds like we need to start with agreeing on the boundaries for the various areas around Chicago. :taunt: Yeah, Lake Bluff is probably a good cutoff.

 

"The North Shore consists of many affluent suburbs north of Chicago, Illinois, bordering the shores of Lake Michigan. These communities fall within suburban Cook County and Lake County. The North Shore's membership is often a topic of debate, and is sometimes expanded to include other affluent Chicago suburbs which do not border Lake Michigan. However, Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff are generally considered to be the core members of the North Shore, as all are affluent communities that border the lake just north of Chicago. Other suburbs such as Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highwood, Skokie, and Northfield are often considered to be a part of the North Shore, but do not border Lake Michigan." - Wikipedia

[zer0]

'Sounds like we need to start with agreeing on the boundaries for the various areas around Chicago. :taunt: Yeah, Lake Bluff is probably a good cutoff.

 

"The North Shore consists of many affluent suburbs north of Chicago, Illinois, bordering the shores of Lake Michigan. These communities fall within suburban Cook County and Lake County. The North Shore's membership is often a topic of debate, and is sometimes expanded to include other affluent Chicago suburbs which do not border Lake Michigan. However, Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff are generally considered to be the core members of the North Shore, as all are affluent communities that border the lake just north of Chicago. Other suburbs such as Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highwood, Skokie, and Northfield are often considered to be a part of the North Shore, but do not border Lake Michigan." - Wikipedia

 

 

ha, sounds like I pretty much nailed it with Lake Bluff to the north and Deerfield to the west.

[geochitown]

would have to include vernon hills for White Deer Run and mundelein for Pine Meadow

[geochitown]

Best Public Track Closest to North Side of City...?

 

Need some help for this long Holiday weekend for some gamers who will be staying in River North. I frequent the west/sw burbs so have that covered, but would like to give a couple options that are drivable to the north also.

 

Thanks!

 

 

How did we get to North Shore courses?

 

The original request was for best, closest courses to River North

 

seems like a good time for a North shore Muni ranking!

 

Tier 1: Lake Bluff

 

Tier 2: Sportsman, Deerfield, Glenview, Glencoe, Wilmette

 

Tier 3: Winnetka, Deerpath, Highland Park, Sunset Valley (pre-redo)

 

 

Did I miss any?

 

I think Tier 1 separates itself from tier 2 by having more interesting layouts as well as better greens. Tier 2 courses are still very nice for what they are. I would avoid all Tier 3 courses unless desperate.

 

 

EDIT: somehow forgot the course a mile from my office, Glencoe. Also moved Wilmette down to tier 2, don't think its as good as Lake Bluff and definitely not for the prices they charge.

 

OK, I see it was here where the turn was made to North Shore muni rankings...

[Argonne69]

Actually, Harborside is closer to River North than Glencoe GC.

[zer0]

Actually, Harborside is closer to River North than Glencoe GC.

 

but has much worse traffic coming back into the city if you finish your round during evening rush. From Glencoe you can hop on Sheridan road and have a nice ride into the city. From Harborside you're stuck on the Dan Ryan shitshow.

[geochitown]

fyi, we got 1.5" in libertyville area (des plaines river precip gauge at 120) on monday.

[Argonne69]

Actually, Harborside is closer to River North than Glencoe GC.

 

but has much worse traffic coming back into the city if you finish your round during evening rush. From Glencoe you can hop on Sheridan road and have a nice ride into the city. From Harborside you're stuck on the Dan Ryan shitshow.

 

Well, there's always the scenic Stony Island and LSD. :happy:

[zer0]

fyi, we got 1.5" in libertyville area (des plaines river precip gauge at 120) on monday.

 

yet you don't hear us crying about it unlike those wusses down in Houston! :tongue:

[Waterboy]

fyi, we got 1.5" in libertyville area (des plaines river precip gauge at 120) on monday.

 

I think some areas got more then that. 2 inches + and even reports of 4 - 5 inches, which we can't locate. Some streets/basements crawls flooded, again.

 

Its been a weird summer.

[zer0]

would have to include vernon hills for White Deer Run and mundelein for Pine Meadow

 

nope, too far west. Both outside the borders of Deerfield-Lake Bluff-Lake Michigan-Evanston

[CMCSGolf]

I lived in Evanston for 3 years and I always thought Sportsman's the best of the group. If it were my rankings, I would just flip Sportsman's and Lake Bluff. However, Lake Bluff is the only one of those courses I haven't played more than once, so I'm not super confident in my rankings.

[geochitown]

fyi, we got 1.5" in libertyville area (des plaines river precip gauge at 120) on monday.

 

I think some areas got more then that. 2 inches + and even reports of 4 - 5 inches, which we can't locate. Some streets/basements crawls flooded, again.

 

Its been a weird summer.

 

yeah, a buddy played steeplechase yesterday and said that there was 2 feet of standing water in a greenside bunker on 3, and there were reports of flooding in Libertyville, so I think that you are right.

[geochitown]

would have to include vernon hills for White Deer Run and mundelein for Pine Meadow

 

nope, too far west. Both outside the borders of Deerfield-Lake Bluff-Lake Michigan-Evanston

 

That western border is a bit nebulous for me.

 

need a clearer western border from evanston to lake bluff, not just one place, IMO

 

What is the west end of Deerfield, Milwaukee Ave?

Riverwoods Ave?

[zer0]

would have to include vernon hills for White Deer Run and mundelein for Pine Meadow

 

nope, too far west. Both outside the borders of Deerfield-Lake Bluff-Lake Michigan-Evanston

 

That western border is a bit nebulous for me.

 

need a clearer western border from evanston to lake bluff, not just one place, IMO

 

What is the west end of Deerfield, Milwaukee Ave?

Riverwoods Ave?

 

I would say 294 is the border to the west with Deerfield golf course being allowed in because the town is entirely east of 294.

[geochitown]

That sounds reasonable, I was going to say 94/294 should be the western boundary.

I don't play much golf in the North Shore, even though I live about a mile from 94 at Rt 120.

[Waterboy]

I was going to say route 41 or 43 and the immediate vicinity

[Argonne69]

I'm heading to Lafayette, IN tomorrow for 4 days, and 6 rounds. 'Might play a 7th on the way back home if my back allows it.

[chisag]

... Played my standby Prairie Bluff today with 3 guys in their 70's and they were decent players, maybe 12's or so. But they wanted to play the tips at 7007 and I have not p;aded back there in years. They like to rotate tee boxes so the course is always different and they play white, blue and every now and then the Golds. Good 10 mph winds gusting to 15 but straight from the west. I was surprised how playable PB is from 7007 yards with the exception #7 and #16. #7 was a beast dead into the wind and as you guys know all uphill. Hit a good drive and a decent 5 wood coming up about 10 yards short of the green. But all in all I enjoyed playing about every club in my bag. Last time out shot 68 from the Blues but carded a 75 today from the Golds and played it about about an average round and got up and down a few times but there will be no sub par rounds from those tees.

[ldchristopher]

I'm playing Prairie View and Aldeen on Friday. I just played PV a couple of weeks ago but I really enjoyed it since it was the first time I'd seen it with leaves on the trees. I don't think that far west got as thumped by the rain as the north and northwest Chicago burbs either.

[chisag]

I'm playing Prairie View and Aldeen on Friday. I just played PV a couple of weeks ago but I really enjoyed it since it was the first time I'd seen it with leaves on the trees. I don't think that far west got as thumped by the rain as the north and northwest Chicago burbs either.

 

... In fact we could use some rain. Ht or miss here. I live in Bolingbrook and went to Naperbrook for a quick round Tuesday and the lightening siren went off as I was walking out of the clubhouse. Started to rain about 10 minutes later and got a pretty good soaking so I got a raincheck and left an hour later. Got home, which is only about 5 miles away and it hadn't rained at all. Our organic vegetable garden could use some rain. I know that sounds crazy with Texas and the northern suburbs getting killed.

[DavePelz4]

I'm playing Prairie View and Aldeen on Friday. I just played PV a couple of weeks ago but I really enjoyed it since it was the first time I'd seen it with leaves on the trees. I don't think that far west got as thumped by the rain as the north and northwest Chicago burbs either.

 

Great day of golf!

[B-Man]

GDN tomorrow morning. Only the 6th game there this year Pelzy. By choice.