Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[Symphonize]

> @jimwgt26 said:

> +1 on The Bull.

>

> Thanks for the IN recommendations. My plan is to leave around noon, however, I’m realizing it will probably be closer to 2 or 3.

 

If you get out by two, you will be down at Purdue Courses by 4:30-5ish (actually 5:30-6 because of time change) but at this time of year it you can play past 9 pm. Easily enough time to get in 9 holes, maybe even a few more depending how fast you play. I recommend the Kampen (the north course) even though the south course was just renovated a few years ago. Kampen is a pinks style course and is not easy task, but conditioning is always spectacular with some fun holes. Purdue courses are about 15 minutes off of 65, there is also Coyotee Crossing in West Lafayette about 5 minutes of 65 Which is another good option (if time is a concern)

[mci711]

> @jimwgt26 said:

> +1 on The Bull.

>

> Thanks for the IN recommendations. My plan is to leave around noon, however, I’m realizing it will probably be closer to 2 or 3.

 

You lose an hour as well, depending on how far you get into Indy. Something to remember.

[Argonne69]

I actually preferred the south course at Purdue. The north course is a prairie/wetland course. It's fairly flat, but there are some undulations. Reminds me a bit of Prairie Landing. It plays tougher due to the water hazards. The south course looks completely different. It's a parkland course on rolling terrain with less water.

 

[MountainKing]

> @Argonne69 said:

> I actually preferred the south course at Purdue. The north course is a prairie/wetland course. It's fairly flat, but there are some undulations. Reminds me a bit of Prairie Landing. It plays tougher due to the water hazards. The south course looks completely different. It's a parkland course on rolling terrain with less water.

>

 

Agreed, my biggest dislike of North is how many holes the fairways slope into a hazard. Perfect drive, hits in the fairway and it kicks right into water or fescue...

[ldchristopher]

Spring Valley and Thunderhawk on Saturday. Hopefully the weather holds. Then the Ridges (Cinder and White Tail) on Tuesday.

[DeeBee30]

Fun day at River Forest CC this afternoon with some buddies. Unfortunately, we ended up riding with forecaddies since we had someone in the group who would have struggled walking in today’s heat.

 

It’s a well-conditioned old school course. New sand in the bunkers, which played very nice. Some of the holes are a little tighter off the tee than I’d like, but there are a number of fun holes that let you make some choices on how you want to play them. Greens were running pretty quick, and being above the hole on several greens made it nearly impossible to stop the ball close (do the new rule changes allow you to lay the flagstick behind the hole?). Also, it’s not often that I’ve seen par 5s as the #1 and #2 handicap holes. The 8th was long at 571, but not overly hard for a three-shot hole. And the 13th didn’t seem to put up much of a fight either. I guess when you only have 3 par-4s over 400 yds, you look to the par 5s. I think a couple of the par 3s at 206 & 210 would typically play harder relative to par.

 

Anyhoo...round #20 is in the books, which puts me way ahead of last year’s pace at this time of the year.

 

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Here is the red striped K-sig found at Sand Valley yesterday. Actually has a perpendicular stripe across the main stripe, not parallel as I stated before. If any of you were the previous owner of this ball, rest assured that it has found a happy, caring home.

[DavePelz4]

> @PuttCurseRepeat said:

>

> Here is the red striped K-sig found at Sand Valley yesterday. Actually has a perpendicular stripe across the main stripe, not parallel as I stated before. If any of you were the previous owner of this ball, rest assured that it has found a happy, caring home.

 

That is priceless...but sadly not mine. My marking is very different albeit red and right now the 4 piece is still in the bag. Treat that ball well PCR and it'll return the favor!

[Argonne69]

Anybody notice that the thread is not getting bumped to the top of the Midwest section when a new post is added? The thread title is being rendered in bold font. but it's not being moved to the top based on the 'Most Recent' date/time. 'Strange.

[B-Man]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Anybody notice that the thread is not getting bumped to the top of the Midwest section when a new post is added? The thread title is being rendered in bold font. but it's not being moved to the top based on the 'Most Recent' date/time. 'Strange.

 

I've noticed this the past few days.

[mci711]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Anybody notice that the thread is not getting bumped to the top of the Midwest section when a new post is added? The thread title is being rendered in bold font. but it's not being moved to the top based on the 'Most Recent' date/time. 'Strange.

 

This happened before, it lasted a couple of days or so and was fixed. So hopefully it doesn't last. There are a ton of bugs off and on with the update.

 

[PuttCurseRepeat]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Anybody notice that the thread is not getting bumped to the top of the Midwest section when a new post is added? The thread title is being rendered in bold font. but it's not being moved to the top based on the 'Most Recent' date/time. 'Strange.

 

I noticed that too.

 

The K-sig performed great in Wisconsin this week. Longest drives of my life (though mostly attributed to the conditions at Mammoth Dunes) and on the rare occasion I hit crisp mid or long irons, it held the firm rolling greens of Mammoth Dunes and Lawsonia very well. Same to be said about chipping.

 

Mammoth is an incredible golf course. It may not be a darling of the golf course architecture cognoscenti but for me, and I imagine a great deal of recreational golfers, MD is one of, if not the funnest golf courses ever conceived. It's an audacious design which from pictures I thought may come off as contrived but instead it naturally travels over, around and through the rambunctious landscape. A golf course of traditional scale would have left too much on the table, given the land available. It makes its sister course, Sand Valley, seem almost restrictive by comparison. What fun DMK must have had designing Mammoth Dunes.

[Argonne69]

The goal of MD was to have casual players walk off with a big a-- grin on their faces. Mission accomplished. There are plenty of courses out there that will beat your brains in, but few that are just plain fun.

 

[ldchristopher]

I got in a twilight round at Chevy Chase today. The last time I played there was a 5 hour disaster. However, I got around today in 3-and-a-half hours. The course was soaked but there wasn't a ton of standing water. The greens were pretty slow so I was able to basically throw wedges right at the pin. I would never pay full freight there but for $26 it was a solid value. I shot a 75. Now it's time to prep for Bear's favorite course in the area: the incomparable Spring Valley.

[@_the_crook]

Stumbled into a course tent sale after today's round. two nice jackets staring me in the face.

Anyone local looking for a FJ HydroLite Rain Jacket , size Large ? Royal/Black or Charcoal/Black. half price.

Bought a baseball style hat for some stupid reason when I've been trying to switch over to short brimmed bucket for better protection.

What a beautiful day it has been. played as a threesome in three and a half. Group of riders behind us tried to get their

game done in three twenty-five.

Loved when one of their approach shots to eleven flared and they brought both carts into number twelve fairway to locate the ball, and wait for one player to hit - delaying our tee shots.

Driver cooperated most of the time and putting was really good and a lot of fun. Greens were in super shape.

number Seventeen, well a complete disaster. I'm erasing it from memory. it kidnapped two balls and my dignity.

Best to all.

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

A very pleasant morning out at Tanna Farms. It seemed like the first round in ages where rain wasn't a possibility. My first visit to the course. I got a chance to tee it up with @DeeBee30, and the company was certainly better than the layout. I can see why the course isn't highly regarded in these parts. The quirky layout takes driver out of your hands too frequently, or requires a precision tee shot. Definitely more target golf than fire and forget. The large number of par 3s didn't bother me as much as the fact that they were all fairly boring. I don't recall too many layouts that start with a par 3 either. The conditions were OK, but no where near ideal. There were a number of very wet spots in the low areas. The bunkers were wet with standing water in most of them, and the greens were excruciatingly slow. The two of us left way too many putts short, often by 3 feet or more. Even chip shots were difficult to get close.

 

Decent round off the tee, other than a few wayward shots. Wedge play once again was subpar. It's frustrating to miss several greens when you're hitting a wedge. Scrambling was decent, but the greens made it difficult to get the ball close. I made one nice 25 ft birdie putt, but that was basically blind squirrel golf.

 

Overall it was a fun round with a fellow WRXer, but I won't be in a hurry to return to the course.

[Symphonize]

Got out to Thunderhawk yesterday for an outing, luckily the outing was an afternoon one because it was pouring in the morning, but dry all afternoon. A little mushy at parts on the course but nothing too bad considering the early morning rain. Beautiful course but damn was it playing long with no rollout. Our threesome finished the scramble +1. Winner shot a 61.

 

They had a par 3 competition, $20 to enter and you split it with anyone else who entered and won. They had the beverage cart girl (previous D1 golfer) hit a shot to 45 feet so you just had to be within 45 feet to win. Only a 154 yard par 3 so not hard at all. Other two guys went for it and made it within 45 feet but I decided not to put the money forth. And, obviously, I hit the best of the group and hit it to 5 feet. Maybe next time I will.

[Holy Moses]

Been scoring in the low 70s for some time, but I had never broke 70 before. Today was the day that I finally did at Klein Creek. My putter had been hot for some time and it came through for me to get me over (or under?) the hump. Through 15, I was -2, and then I birdied the par 5 16th to get to -3. I was just off the green on 17, chipped up, then hit an old ball mark that I didn't see in front of the hole on my par-saving 4 footer. I needed to birdie 18 to break 70. I slightly pushed my 3 wood off the tee and it hit the edge of the fairway and shot right. I thought it went into the pond, but it was just a dry bed before the pond that allowed me to wack the ball out to 20 feet on the green. I sank the putt for birdie to shoot 69. I was playing with my dad and I didn't even know he was videotaping my last shot. Pretty cool experience.

[MountainKing]

Afternoon round at Prairie Bluff. One of my favorites to play. Decent round, a couple doubles on the day inflated the score a bit. It was hot out there, but for the first time since my first round we didn't get rained on!

 

I should add, the course was in fantastic shape. I honestly think it's one of the best deals in the state for what you get for the dollar, and it's possibly one of the most underrated courses in the state. It's a great piece of land, a lot of interesting holes that are challenging yet still give you the chance to score with good shots. I think this course easily holds it's own against some of the top ranked courses in the state.

[DeeBee30]

> @Argonne69 said:

> A very pleasant morning out at Tanna Farms. It seemed like the first round in ages where rain wasn't a possibility. My first visit to the course. I got a chance to tee it up with @DeeBee30, and the company was certainly better than the layout. I can see why the course isn't highly regarded in these parts. The quirky layout takes driver out of your hands too frequently, or requires a precision tee shot. Definitely more target golf than fire and forget. The large number of par 3s didn't bother me as much as the fact that they were all fairly boring. I don't recall too many layouts that start with a par 3 either. The conditions were OK, but no where near ideal. There were a number of very wet spots in the low areas. The bunkers were wet with standing water in most of them, and the greens were excruciatingly slow. The two of us left way too many putts short, often by 3 feet or more. Even chip shots were difficult to get close.

>

> Decent round off the tee, other than a few wayward shots. Wedge play once again was subpar. It's frustrating to miss several greens when you're hitting a wedge. Scrambling was decent, but the greens made it difficult to get the ball close. I made one nice 25 ft birdie putt, but that was basically blind squirrel golf.

>

> Overall it was a fun round with a fellow WRXer, but I won't be in a hurry to return to the course.

 

I fully concur with @Argonne69’s assessment of Tanna. While it was a fun day with a good golfing companion - and it was nice to check off local course #103 - it’s just a so-so course that only had a couple of memorable holes along a track that meanders through a subdivision. I never really knew why it caught so much flak, but now I see. I’d hate to see what Mill Creek was like since it’s been described as even more quirky than Tanna Farms before it was put in moth balls. One other interesting note about TF is that they had sprinklers running IN some of the wetlands. Never seen that before.

 

Edit: forgot to mention that I followed YouTuber Golf Sidekick’s advice to plant a feather for a birdie and proceeded to knock an approach stiff to 5 feet on #12 and made my only birdie of the day...I’m a believer!

[MountainKing]

> @DeeBee30 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > A very pleasant morning out at Tanna Farms. It seemed like the first round in ages where rain wasn't a possibility. My first visit to the course. I got a chance to tee it up with @DeeBee30, and the company was certainly better than the layout. I can see why the course isn't highly regarded in these parts. The quirky layout takes driver out of your hands too frequently, or requires a precision tee shot. Definitely more target golf than fire and forget. The large number of par 3s didn't bother me as much as the fact that they were all fairly boring. I don't recall too many layouts that start with a par 3 either. The conditions were OK, but no where near ideal. There were a number of very wet spots in the low areas. The bunkers were wet with standing water in most of them, and the greens were excruciatingly slow. The two of us left way too many putts short, often by 3 feet or more. Even chip shots were difficult to get close.

> >

> > Decent round off the tee, other than a few wayward shots. Wedge play once again was subpar. It's frustrating to miss several greens when you're hitting a wedge. Scrambling was decent, but the greens made it difficult to get the ball close. I made one nice 25 ft birdie putt, but that was basically blind squirrel golf.

> >

> > Overall it was a fun round with a fellow WRXer, but I won't be in a hurry to return to the course.

>

> I fully concur with @Argonne69’s assessment of Tanna. While it was a fun day with a good golfing companion - and it was nice to check off local course #103 - it’s just a so-so course that only had a couple of memorable holes along a track that meanders through a subdivision. I never really knew why it caught so much flak, but now I see. I’d hate to see what Mill Creek was like since it’s been described as even more quirky than Tanna Farms before it was put in moth balls. One other interesting note about TF is that they had sprinklers running IN some of the wetlands. Never seen that before.

>

> Edit: forgot to mention that I followed YouTuber Golf Sidekick’s advice to plant a feather for a birdie and proceeded to knock an approach stiff to 5 feet on #12 and made my only birdie of the day...I’m a believer!

 

I've noticed that about the sprinklers as well, the few times I've been out there they're always on. Anyway, I do like that downhill par 4 on the back that bends around the wetlands, 18 is okay and 1 would be fun if it were any hole on the back 9 and not the 1st hole of the day. We have a guy in my normal 4some that loves that course and it used to be his pick every time it was his week to pick the course. The other three of us finally told him he can't pick that course anymore.

[Argonne69]

Nice early morning round at Wilmette. The course is in very nice shape. The greens are quite hard, though. I had a tough time holding them. Big bounces. Is it too early to start complaining about the humidity? Did we ever have a spring?

 

Mediocre round. My left knee is giving me fits. I had one good drive of 280 on the opening hole, the best I've ever hit on it, and then it was army golf the remainder of the day. Five fairways and only nine greens. Decent scrambling, but it wasn't going to salvage this round.

[jcook10]

First time getting out to Sunset Valley yesterday. Teed off at 5:45am and had a wonderful 3:45 walk. I have to say the course was never boring for a track that is mostly back and forth old school holes. The greens were fairly firm and shots would bite and release no matter the crispness of the strike. No real gripes from our group however the first group out was fairly upset (overheard some profanities regarding management) that the starter wasn’t there to send them off. For the price Sunset is now definitely in the new rotation of early morning weekend spots.

[DeeBee30]

Had a comftably-paced 3:55 walk around Arrowhead’s South/West loop with my regulars early this am. The group in front of us had their slow guy with them today but we didn’t see them after the third hole. Man, it was a sweltering one today, but I refuse to complain given the wet Spring we had.

 

Decent driving day but I’m still trying to get comfortable with these new 919 Tours...gonna have to learn to trust the new draw shape. The greens at Arrowhead are running pretty quick these days, especially for a public track. Had several putts run 10-12 feet past on downhill and side hill putts - stark difference to the fairways disguised as greens over at Tanna Farms yesterday.

 

Starting in July, the more difficult East 9 will be in the Sunday morning rotation...I’d better figure out these irons soon.

[ldchristopher]

Yesterday we played the original SV, Spring Valley. It was in fairly good shape considering the amount of rain we’ve gotten. There was one spot where flooding had completely destroyed the turf but I didn’t see the usual weeds in fairways. The greens were excellent. They’re always a roller coaster to putt on but they were very smooth and were running at a decent pace. They were probably about an 8.5 so it was nothing extreme but downhill putts on plenty of holes were still rolling 5 feet past. My ball striking was a little off but my putter bailed me out early (1, 2, and 4) and late (18). 76.

Thunderhawk was soaked. Water was coming up with every step in the fairway but the rough was completely dry. That means that either a course built in 1926 that hasn’t been touched once in the years since (SV) drains better a modern Robert Trent Jones Jr. course or the dummies at Thunderhawk were still running the sprinklers despite record rainfall. Either way that’s a bad look for a course that I still love. My ball striking was much better but no roll meant the course was playing extra long. I shot a 37 on the front but started to tire on the back. Bear and I both birdied 17 but gave it right back on 18. 76.

 

[Holy Moses]

> @MountainKing said:

> > @DeeBee30 said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > A very pleasant morning out at Tanna Farms. It seemed like the first round in ages where rain wasn't a possibility. My first visit to the course. I got a chance to tee it up with @DeeBee30, and the company was certainly better than the layout. I can see why the course isn't highly regarded in these parts. The quirky layout takes driver out of your hands too frequently, or requires a precision tee shot. Definitely more target golf than fire and forget. The large number of par 3s didn't bother me as much as the fact that they were all fairly boring. I don't recall too many layouts that start with a par 3 either. The conditions were OK, but no where near ideal. There were a number of very wet spots in the low areas. The bunkers were wet with standing water in most of them, and the greens were excruciatingly slow. The two of us left way too many putts short, often by 3 feet or more. Even chip shots were difficult to get close.

> > >

> > > Decent round off the tee, other than a few wayward shots. Wedge play once again was subpar. It's frustrating to miss several greens when you're hitting a wedge. Scrambling was decent, but the greens made it difficult to get the ball close. I made one nice 25 ft birdie putt, but that was basically blind squirrel golf.

> > >

> > > Overall it was a fun round with a fellow WRXer, but I won't be in a hurry to return to the course.

> >

> > I fully concur with @Argonne69’s assessment of Tanna. While it was a fun day with a good golfing companion - and it was nice to check off local course #103 - it’s just a so-so course that only had a couple of memorable holes along a track that meanders through a subdivision. I never really knew why it caught so much flak, but now I see. I’d hate to see what Mill Creek was like since it’s been described as even more quirky than Tanna Farms before it was put in moth balls. One other interesting note about TF is that they had sprinklers running IN some of the wetlands. Never seen that before.

> >

> > Edit: forgot to mention that I followed YouTuber Golf Sidekick’s advice to plant a feather for a birdie and proceeded to knock an approach stiff to 5 feet on #12 and made my only birdie of the day...I’m a believer!

>

> I've noticed that about the sprinklers as well, the few times I've been out there they're always on.

 

Aren't they protected areas that they have to keep wet and growing? Every time I've played the sprinklers have been on.

 

[mci711]

Scratching a course I've never played off the list tomorrow. Booked Stonewall Orchard. It is a hike to get up there, but I've always wanted to play it. Going to try and play either The Preserve or Mt Prospect this week as well. Excited to see what Stonewall has to offer though.

[dhartmann34]

> @"@_the_crook" said:

> Stumbled into a course tent sale after today's round. two nice jackets staring me in the face.

> Anyone local looking for a FJ HydroLite Rain Jacket , size Large ? Royal/Black or Charcoal/Black. half price.

> Bought a baseball style hat for some stupid reason when I've been trying to switch over to short brimmed bucket for better protection.

> What a beautiful day it has been. played as a threesome in three and a half. Group of riders behind us tried to get their

> game done in three twenty-five.

> Loved when one of their approach shots to eleven flared and they brought both carts into number twelve fairway to locate the ball, and wait for one player to hit - delaying our tee shots.

> Driver cooperated most of the time and putting was really good and a lot of fun. Greens were in super shape.

> number Seventeen, well a complete disaster. I'm erasing it from memory. it kidnapped two balls and my dignity.

> Best to all.

>

>

>

 

Where was that sale?! I was looking at those today at PGASS.

[Mapz]

Any Chicago courses allow you to bring a well-behaved dog?

 

Just wrapped up an epic weekend of golf at Mammoth Dunes and Lawsonia Links, both were fantastic imo.

 

At one point on MD, I sort of muttered to myself aloud, “man it would be so cool to bring my dog along for this” and my caddie told me a well-behaved leashed dog is allowed on both Sand Valley and MD, got that confirmed at the pro shop. Was chatting with the guy in pro shop at Lawsonia the next morning and he mentioned they allow it too... they even have some dog bags on hand!

 

Anyone know of any courses around Chicago that might allow it? I wouldn’t bring her for a weekend round but I can get out during the week on occasion and would love to bring my standard poodle rather than have her sit at home by the door for 4-5 hours waiting for me!

[DeeBee30]

Can anyone shed some light on the short par 3 course(s) at Randall Oaks? I don’t see any scheduling or pricing info on their website. Wondering if they’re included in green fees or separate for use as a pre-round warmup.