Chicago - Best Starting/Finishing Holes

[Argonne69]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1447364964' post='12590980']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1447361097' post='12590648']
I know the course is a bit of a goat track, and likely the least played here, but #18 at Joe Louis is a heck of a tough finishing hole.
[/quote]
Played there one time. The best part was the free watermelon and fruit at the picnic table by the practice green. Worst part was being stuck behind a five some and then a seven some and neither group didn't want the four of us playing through. Boy that was a scary round. Especially after we told them we were playing through...
[/quote]

I quit golf for 15 years after a 6 hour round in 103 degree heat at Joe Louis. I generally play there now only when the weather is garbage to avoid the crowds.

[MountainKing]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1447364782' post='12590966']
[quote name='MountainKing' timestamp='1447362991' post='12590812']
Thinking more about Dunne, 17 and 18 are a great 1-2 punch finish. You need 7 solid shots for a par par finish.
[/quote]
Another tough 17-18 is The Sanctuary! Boy those two holes can ruin 16 good ones real fast!

18 at Stonewall is a good one, hasn't thought of that. Just wish the green played larger like most par five greens.

Someone else mentioned 18 at Balmoral Woods. Boy that is a good one as well. Very often over looked golf course. I really like that course, Jewish I played it more or was ever near it! Maybe I need to start betting ponies!
[/quote]


Funny you mention those two, I was out there a few weeks back and had an incredible round going. Double bogey on 17 and a bogey on 18 turned it into a really good round but a big let down given where I was standing on 17 tee.

[apprenti23]

[quote name='MountainKing' timestamp='1447365623' post='12591036']
[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1447364782' post='12590966']
[quote name='MountainKing' timestamp='1447362991' post='12590812']
Thinking more about Dunne, 17 and 18 are a great 1-2 punch finish. You need 7 solid shots for a par par finish.
[/quote]
Another tough 17-18 is The Sanctuary! Boy those two holes can ruin 16 good ones real fast!

18 at Stonewall is a good one, hasn't thought of that. Just wish the green played larger like most par five greens.

Someone else mentioned 18 at Balmoral Woods. Boy that is a good one as well. Very often over looked golf course. I really like that course, Jewish I played it more or was ever near it! Maybe I need to start betting ponies!
[/quote]


Funny you mention those two, I was out there a few weeks back and had an incredible round going. Double bogey on 17 and a bogey on 18 turned it into a really good round but a big let down given where I was standing on 17 tee.
[/quote]
Yep- I've played there a lot over the years- finished bogey bogey for 66 and doubled 18 for 66 out there in he past. I did shoot 65 out there, but it was from the blues. Low for me out there from black is 66. Very difficult finishers regardless of wind. Get yourself a cross breeze and good luck hitting that tee ball on 18. At least this time of year there is no Fescue rough so you could have sprayed it all around that place.

[jimwgt26]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1447364782' post='12590966'][quote name='MountainKing' timestamp='1447362991' post='12590812']
Thinking more about Dunne, 17 and 18 are a great 1-2 punch finish. You need 7 solid shots for a par par finish.
[/quote]
Another tough 17-18 is The Sanctuary! Boy those two holes can ruin 16 good ones real fast!

18 at Stonewall is a good one, hasn't thought of that. Just wish the green played larger like most par five greens.![/quote]

I'm sorry, but Stonewall 18 is the worst finishing hole in the Chicago area. I'm a big fan of Stonewall, but 18 sucks. The 2nd shot is blind and there's all sorts of uneven lies in the landing area. The green is too small, protected by a huge mound front right and slopes towards the water on the left. They should've used the money on the short game practice area to redesign 18.

[Argonne69]

Lol. The worst finishing hole? I'd vote for Willow Crest. A short par 3 to finish a round?

 

 

 

Why do I have a feeling that Willow Crest flipped the nines at one point? #10 wouldn't be a bad starting hole, and the long par 4 9th with water on the left would make a decent finishing hole.

[MountainKing]

Lol. The worst finishing hole? I'd vote for Willow Crest. A short par 3 to finish a round?

 

 

 

Why do I have a feeling that Willow Crest flipped the nines at one point? #10 wouldn't be a bad starting hole, and the long par 4 9th with water on the left would make a decent finishing hole.

 

 

Agreed - it's a great little par 3 but not as an 18th hole. The 9th hole reminds me a lot of a lite version of the 18th at Dubs and would a great way to finish.

[B-Man]

My 'solid' 4 iron yesterday at Willowcrest's 18th didn't make the water. Best score was a 5 from 4 single handicappers.

[geochitown]

opening holes...if course doesn't have a range, please have a straightforward opening hole...

Shepherd's Crook - nice short/medium straight away par 4 (no range)

Prairie Landing/Blackstone - Not sure how I feel about these openers - driver is out of one's hands (I don't mind), but the approach is tricky with hazard or fescue around green...

Makray has got a great closer (even though course has its quirks) in the par 5 18th with a heavily bunkered, large, sloped green to contend with, and it's nicely framed by the clubhouse behind.

The opener can be a bear, long, uphill par 4, elevated green with deep bunker front right...

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1447430371' post='12594310']
opening holes...if course doesn't have a range, please have a straightforward opening hole...

Shepherd's Crook - nice short/medium straight away par 4 (no range)

Prairie Landing/Blackstone - Not sure how I feel about these openers - driver is out of one's hands (I don't mind), but the approach is tricky with hazard or fescue around green...

Makray has got a great closer (even though course has its quirks) in the par 5 18th with a heavily bunkered, large, sloped green to contend with, and it's nicely framed by the clubhouse behind.

The opener can be a bear, long, uphill par 4, elevated green with deep bunker front right...
[/quote]

Wait a sec...this is GolfWRX. Both the first at Blackstone and Prairie Landing are drivable par 4's. PL is only around 270 and I can't imagine Blackstone is much longer. Surely because you are on this site where the average 7 iron is 210, into the wind, such short holes are eagle opportunities, no?

[Jigga]

First time that I played Lost Marsh, it was the last time.

Stonewall Orchard has a terrible 18th hole; par 5 with a blind approach to a tiny green. The rest of the course is great.

Cog's Dubs has a great 1st hole.

[B-Man]

Best 1st Hole I'll go with Settlers Hill. Downhill, watching your tee shot float all the way and landing with butterfly feet on the green finally nestling 3 feet away...

[MountainKing]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1447440633' post='12595026']
[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1447430371' post='12594310']
opening holes...if course doesn't have a range, please have a straightforward opening hole...

Shepherd's Crook - nice short/medium straight away par 4 (no range)

Prairie Landing/Blackstone - Not sure how I feel about these openers - driver is out of one's hands (I don't mind), but the approach is tricky with hazard or fescue around green...

Makray has got a great closer (even though course has its quirks) in the par 5 18th with a heavily bunkered, large, sloped green to contend with, and it's nicely framed by the clubhouse behind.

The opener can be a bear, long, uphill par 4, elevated green with deep bunker front right...
[/quote]

Wait a sec...this is GolfWRX. Both the first at Blackstone and Prairie Landing are drivable par 4's. PL is only around 270 and I can't imagine Blackstone is much longer. Surely because you are on this site where the average 7 iron is 210, into the wind, such short holes are eagle opportunities, no?
[/quote]


Driver? I take dead aim with my 58* wedge on the first at PL.

[Argonne69]

Also don't like opening holes that have OB or hazards along one or both sides, as it hampers pace of play right from the start. Oak Brook is a good example, with players slicing their tee shots on to York Rd. Klein Creek is another one, with OB left.

[zer0]

I think I have a different criteria for an opening hole than most. I feel an opening hole should be a nice easy straight par 4 or 5. Chance to ease your way into the round. For those of us with lots of injuries, we need some warmup time and an easy first hole is a big help in that department.

Some easy starting holes I like...

-White Deer Run
-Shepherd's Crook
-Deerfield
-HOE
-George Dunne

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the opening holes I hate...

-Waters Edge
-Glencoe



-

[Argonne69]

It's been a number of years, but IIRC, isn't the 18th at Orchard Valley a tough finishing hole, with water running the entire right side?

[Argonne69]

[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1447447994' post='12595534']
I think I have a different criteria for an opening hole than most. I feel an opening hole should be a nice easy straight par 4 or 5. Chance to ease your way into the round. For those of us with lots of injuries, we need some warmup time and an easy first hole is a big help in that department.

Some easy starting holes I like...

-White Deer Run
-Shepherd's Crook
-Deerfield
-HOE
-George Dunne

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the opening holes I hate...

-Waters Edge
-Glencoe

[/quote]

For years I found the 1st at Dunne to be a tough opening hole, as a pushed/pulled tee shot will reach the trees on either side. It wasn't until I started hitting a 3 wood, and taking the trees out of play, did I start scoring well on it.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of Glencoe's 1st. Long, uphill, into the wind on the majority of days. Add the driving range on the right, and plenty of trees on the left, and you wind up with a very tough hole. The cherry on top is that for some reason the green seems to run 2.0 faster than every other green on the course. If you're going to 3 jack a hole, it's going to be this one.

[geochitown]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1447448031' post='12595538']
It's been a number of years, but IIRC, isn't the 18th at Orchard Valley a tough finishing hole, with water running the entire right side?
[/quote]

yes, see my post earlier in this thread

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1447440633' post='12595026']
[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1447430371' post='12594310']
opening holes...if course doesn't have a range, please have a straightforward opening hole...

Shepherd's Crook - nice short/medium straight away par 4 (no range)

Prairie Landing/Blackstone - Not sure how I feel about these openers - driver is out of one's hands (I don't mind), but the approach is tricky with hazard or fescue around green...

Makray has got a great closer (even though course has its quirks) in the par 5 18th with a heavily bunkered, large, sloped green to contend with, and it's nicely framed by the clubhouse behind.

The opener can be a bear, long, uphill par 4, elevated green with deep bunker front right...
[/quote]

Wait a sec...this is GolfWRX. Both the first at Blackstone and Prairie Landing are drivable par 4's. PL is only around 270 and I can't imagine Blackstone is much longer. Surely because you are on this site where the average 7 iron is 210, into the wind, such short holes are eagle opportunities, no?
[/quote]

of course...
I was talking about some of the guys I golf with...

[apprenti23]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1447447915' post='12595524']
Also don't like opening holes that have OB or hazards along one or both sides, as it hampers pace of play right from the start. Oak Brook is a good example, with players slicing their tee shots on to York Rd. Klein Creek is another one, with OB left.
[/quote]

Hypocrite!!! Lost marsh! Hahahaha

[Argonne69]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1447454355' post='12595926']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1447447915' post='12595524']
Also don't like opening holes that have OB or hazards along one or both sides, as it hampers pace of play right from the start. Oak Brook is a good example, with players slicing their tee shots on to York Rd. Klein Creek is another one, with OB left.
[/quote]

Hypocrite!!! Lost marsh! Hahahaha
[/quote]

Lol. The hazard at LM only comes into play if you over club. Unlike KC, it's short enough to play less than driver.

[Drew_G]

[quote name='B-Man' timestamp='1447445132' post='12595314']
Best 1st Hole I'll go with Settlers Hill. Downhill, watching your tee shot float all the way and landing with butterfly feet on the green finally nestling 3 feet away...
[/quote]Good call here! The hole is VERY downhill and even from the back tees you get that "I could drive the green" feeling. Fun way to start a round.

[Argonne69]

Best 1st Hole I'll go with Settlers Hill. Downhill, watching your tee shot float all the way and landing with butterfly feet on the green finally nestling 3 feet away...

Good call here! The hole is VERY downhill and even from the back tees you get that "I could drive the green" feeling. Fun way to start a round.

 

Unless you top the ball, and barely get it past the red tees.

 

[bossman641]

Love 18 at aldeen. I rarely have had the courage to pull the trigger on going for it in 2 and the green is very tough. I like 18 at prairie but don't like 1.

[demand]

Same course (public) have 2
Glen Club
1. Par 5 large landing area, reachable in 2, elevated green.
18. Par 5 scenic not really reachable water green side.

Prairie Landing
1. Risk/reward driveable first hole big lay up area, usually plays down wind 18. difficult long par 5 finishing hole plays into the wind. Water cuts in tight to the green.

I love the 19th hole idea at cog hill #2 ravines and how it's next to 18 of dubs.

Love/hate relationship with 18 at Dunne. All tee shot.

[adamjstl]

From my experience, Butler National has the best finishing hole. A long, S-shape par 4 where a great drive is heavily rewarded and a bad drive gives the player multiple options on how to make a tough par. It is a perfect conclusion to such a tough golf course.

[UCBananaboy]

18 at Dubs is probably the toughest finishing hole I've ever played and one of the hardest individual holes (from the tips). It's a great hole to end a round with some bets on the line.

Finishing hole on Lakeside at Cantigny can sneak up on people too and you can make a big number quick if you lose concentration.

[jimwgt26]

I think both 9 and 18 at Big Run are really hard. Not necessarily great holes, but both are long tight and hilly.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1448906993' post='12663342']
I think both 9 and 18 at Big Run are really hard. Not necessarily great holes, but both are long tight and hilly.
[/quote]

18 tight? Hilly, yes. But I would say 18 has a fairly generous fairway.

[jimwgt26]

18 is really tight up the hill. The tree on the left hang I've 1/3 of the fairway.

[Qball24]

#1-Oak Grove

#18-Bowes Creek

[Hybrid]

What's the definition of best? Hardest? Most challenging risk/reward? Easiest (for starting a round)?

 

I'll start by nominating everybody's least favorite course, Lost Marsh, for best starting hole. The 1st is a short par 4 playing from an elevated tee with great views of the surrounding area. It temps you to hit a wood or driver, but the smart play is to simply poke a long iron out into the fairway, and play for par. Bite off too much, or pull/block a longer club, and you're in the pond. 'Not a good way to start the round with the tough front nine.

 

 

 

My nomination for best closing hole is #18 at Dubsdread. With severe fairway bunkering left and right, along with the mounds, you do not want to be playing your approach to the water protected green from anywhere but the fairway. The fairly narrow green, and water left, encourages one to play left into the greenside bunker. The bunker can be terrifying with the pond as the backdrop. The hole is pretty much a carbon copy of #18 at TPC Deere Run.

 

 

Lost Marsh #1 is a fine choice. However, this is the very first time I’ve seen the industrial wasteland surroundings described as a ‘great view’. Kinda like saying Harborside has great views. ;)