Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[ldchristopher]

Forgot to add but if you want a course that’s more like Michigan, Thunderhawk had those vibes. Greens will be a touch or two slower and you might walk off thinking you could pay less for a similar course but I enjoy it. A few dumb holes but otherwise a decent layout. 

[TBone0576]

My buddy that plays out of Stonehenge is moving out of state end of year so me and another guy went down yesterday to play his place and wish him best of luck.  Nice day to play.   $65 with a cart is a tad high for that place but whatever....   I took last weekend off so was feeling a little uncomfortable over the ball and just a bit "off".   Not a good place to be with your game on the front nine there.   I really don't like the target golf on a few of the holes on that nine.  Conditions were good, greens running pretty true.   My yardages were off just enough to find 6 greenside bunkers during the round.   Ended up with 4 double bogies due to lost balls and a couple of topped hybrids off the tee on some unforgiving holes.   4 lipped out putts cemented the deal.  Somehow I ended up shooting 80 from the tips ( 43-37 ) but that is the second time playing out there and just haven't had much luck.  Now that my friend is leaving, I am pretty sure I won't be going out of my way to play there again, but do think there are some interesting holes out there.  4 hours is a great pace on a Sunday for a 9:15 tee time. 

[Shriner]

Played Oak Grove and Red Tail yesterday.

 

We do Oak Grove every year as part of our 36 hole day...I honestly am not sure what some of you are referring to as far as conditions!  Fairways were great, greens were wonderful.  You could definitely nitpick some of the bunkers that were washed out and the 11th tee box is a disaster, but otherwise very nice conditions.  $57 on a Sunday morning.  The tree on hole 10 is really blocking the tee shot at this point.  Luckily I play a draw otherwise you could not hit that tee shot in the fairway.  There is basically one easy hole (#17) and everything else just beats you up on this course.   Holes 2 and 13 and flat out brutal yet I still leave with a smile every time I play here.

 

First time at RedTail...loved the course.  Very fair layout and conditions were very good.  I did not like the blind approach to an island green on hole 10 but I guess I should not have layed up so far back.  Pace was slow but with the awesome weather, it was a very enjoyable day.

[RGlaze978]

Looking for a couple of suggestions in the area - I tend to play the same tracks a lot. 

 

I play Cantigny (All combos), Mistwood, Oak Brook GC, Cog (#2 and #4), Preserve, and Willow Crest pretty frequently. Kind of burned out on them. Played Elgin Highlands, Thunderhawk, Glen Club, 7 Bridges, Ravisloe and a few others (EVCC, Highlands Club, Royal Melbourne) this summer, but looking for something new. 

 

I've got Whisper Creek, Bowes Creek, Stonewall Orchard and Coyote Run on the hit list. Anything else I should consider? Prairie Landing? I am willing to drive.

Edited September 19, 2022 by RGlaze978

[jimwgt26]

13 hours ago, reperna said:

Hey everyone. Michigander here. Visiting a buddy in aurora in a couple weeks and we’re looking to play somewhere fun. Deer run has zero tee times available for some reason. I’ve played coghill 4, and wouldn’t mind another crack at it. My buddy mentioned Stonewall orchard. Is that a pretty comparable course? Thanks for the info!

Cantigny and Prairie Landing are both close to Aurora and excellent.  I also really like Stonewall, but that will be a drive.  

[mci711]

20 minutes ago, RGlaze978 said:

Looking for a couple of suggestions in the area - I tend to play the same tracks a lot. 

 

I play Cantigny (All combos), Mistwood, Oak Brook GC, Cog (#2 and #4), Preserve, and Willow Crest pretty frequently. Kind of burned out on them. Played Elgin Highlands, Thunderhawk, Glen Club, 7 Bridges, Ravisloe and a few others (EVCC, Highlands Club, Royal Melbourne) this summer, but looking for something new. 

 

I've got Whisper Creek, Bowes Creek, Stonewall Orchard and Coyote Run on the hit list. Anything else I should consider? Prairie Landing? I am willing to drive.

 

Blackstone

[zer0]

On 9/14/2022 at 11:48 AM, AUTIGER07 said:

We lived in Buffalo Grove for ~5 years and I played Arboretum 1x during the 1st year and never went back. Hated the course and had a bad experience with the staff (similar to yours but not as bad). 

 

The only good thing about Arboretum Club is that it is ~1 mile from Bonta and Real Urban BBQ.

 

 

had the same experience at Arboretum.  One time and then never again.

 

Good rx on Bonta.  LOVE that place.

 

You lose some cred with the Real Urban BBQ rex though.  That place is absolute garbage and shouldn't be allowed to call itself a BBQ place.  Just a horrible chain restaurant.

 

That said, I think the nearest good BBQ to there is Big Ed's in Waukegan.  Not a lot of BBQ options in the northern suburbs.

[zer0]

On 9/17/2022 at 10:43 PM, jimwgt26 said:

Hole in The Wall in Northbrook. You’re welcome. 
 

 

yep, I'll second this.

[cpeck12]

59 minutes ago, RGlaze978 said:

Looking for a couple of suggestions in the area - I tend to play the same tracks a lot. 

 

I play Cantigny (All combos), Mistwood, Oak Brook GC, Cog (#2 and #4), Preserve, and Willow Crest pretty frequently. Kind of burned out on them. Played Elgin Highlands, Thunderhawk, Glen Club, 7 Bridges, Ravisloe and a few others (EVCC, Highlands Club, Royal Melbourne) this summer, but looking for something new. 

 

I've got Whisper Creek, Bowes Creek, Stonewall Orchard and Coyote Run on the hit list. Anything else I should consider? Prairie Landing? I am willing to drive.

 

Definitely add Prairie Landing to the list. Great track.

[AUTIGER07]

39 minutes ago, zer0 said:

 

 

had the same experience at Arboretum.  One time and then never again.

 

Good rx on Bonta.  LOVE that place.

 

You lose some cred with the Real Urban BBQ rex though.  That place is absolute garbage and shouldn't be allowed to call itself a BBQ place.  Just a horrible chain restaurant.

 

That said, I think the nearest good BBQ to there is Big Ed's in Waukegan.  Not a lot of BBQ options in the northern suburbs.

 

On RUB to be fair I haven't eaten there in 6 years. I used to go to the one in Highland Park but I see where that closed a while back. If it's gone downhill that's a shame as their brisket and turkey used to be really solid.

 

Agree on Ed's. Good place.

[Quem24]

4 hours ago, Shriner said:

Played Oak Grove and Red Tail yesterday.

 

We do Oak Grove every year as part of our 36 hole day...I honestly am not sure what some of you are referring to as far as conditions!  Fairways were great, greens were wonderful.  You could definitely nitpick some of the bunkers that were washed out and the 11th tee box is a disaster, but otherwise very nice conditions.  $57 on a Sunday morning.  The tree on hole 10 is really blocking the tee shot at this point.  Luckily I play a draw otherwise you could not hit that tee shot in the fairway.  There is basically one easy hole (#17) and everything else just beats you up on this course.   Holes 2 and 13 and flat out brutal yet I still leave with a smile every time I play here.

 

First time at RedTail...loved the course.  Very fair layout and conditions were very good.  I did not like the blind approach to an island green on hole 10 but I guess I should not have layed up so far back.  Pace was slow but with the awesome weather, it was a very enjoyable day.

 

And you get to see someone with a bottle of Jagermeister (not a shot, a bottle) sitting at the bar at 9:30AM.  There actually was a bartender this year or I would have surmised he just went back there and helped himself!

[MountainKing]

18 hours ago, mci711 said:

Yup "you never play big run" works just fine. 

 

Don't agree with that, take conditions and normal 6 hour round out of the equation, it's one of the best layouts in IL. I wish it would get bought and given a bit of a redesign/make over, there's some awesome and tough holes on that course. 

[MountainKing]

4 hours ago, TBone0576 said:

My buddy that plays out of Stonehenge is moving out of state end of year so me and another guy went down yesterday to play his place and wish him best of luck.  Nice day to play.   $65 with a cart is a tad high for that place but whatever....   I took last weekend off so was feeling a little uncomfortable over the ball and just a bit "off".   Not a good place to be with your game on the front nine there.   I really don't like the target golf on a few of the holes on that nine.  Conditions were good, greens running pretty true.   My yardages were off just enough to find 6 greenside bunkers during the round.   Ended up with 4 double bogies due to lost balls and a couple of topped hybrids off the tee on some unforgiving holes.   4 lipped out putts cemented the deal.  Somehow I ended up shooting 80 from the tips ( 43-37 ) but that is the second time playing out there and just haven't had much luck.  Now that my friend is leaving, I am pretty sure I won't be going out of my way to play there again, but do think there are some interesting holes out there.  4 hours is a great pace on a Sunday for a 9:15 tee time. 

 

It's for sure not a great value if you're a guest, although $65 on a Sunday won't get you on much of anything decent in the Chicago region.  Stonehenge won't win any awards, but it's still a fun course, good condition and pace of play is always great there.  Even tho I'm 45-50 minutes away I keep my membership, as a member you can play all day since it's a daily fee.  Can normally get 36 in there in about 6-7 hours for $50. 

[MountainKing]

3 hours ago, zer0 said:

 

 

had the same experience at Arboretum.  One time and then never again.

 

Good rx on Bonta.  LOVE that place.

 

You lose some cred with the Real Urban BBQ rex though.  That place is absolute garbage and shouldn't be allowed to call itself a BBQ place.  Just a horrible chain restaurant.

 

That said, I think the nearest good BBQ to there is Big Ed's in Waukegan.  Not a lot of BBQ options in the northern suburbs.

 

Real Urban in Oak Brook was great until they were taken over by Famous Daves...hasn't been the same.  For BBQ up north BBQ Productions in Lake Zurich is pretty solid. 

[geochitown]

4 hours ago, RGlaze978 said:

Looking for a couple of suggestions in the area - I tend to play the same tracks a lot. 

 

I play Cantigny (All combos), Mistwood, Oak Brook GC, Cog (#2 and #4), Preserve, and Willow Crest pretty frequently. Kind of burned out on them. Played Elgin Highlands, Thunderhawk, Glen Club, 7 Bridges, Ravisloe and a few others (EVCC, Highlands Club, Royal Melbourne) this summer, but looking for something new. 

 

I've got Whisper Creek, Bowes Creek, Stonewall Orchard and Coyote Run on the hit list. Anything else I should consider? Prairie Landing? I am willing to drive.

have you played Shepherds Crook (Zion), White Deer Run (Vernon Hills), Steeplechase (Mundelein), Foxford Hills (Cary)

 

Bowes and Stonewall are solid.  I’d pass on Whisper Creek personally.

 

Blackstone is good.

 

try a round at Sunset Valley in Highland Park.  Small footprint but excellent walkable layout and great green complexes and fairway bunkering.  A real home run or a renovation by Jacobson for Highland Park park district.

edit to add two:

 

Mt Prospect

 

Schaumburg GC 

Edited September 19, 2022 by geochitown

[VNutz]

37 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

 

Real Urban in Oak Brook was great until they were taken over by Famous Daves...hasn't been the same.  For BBQ up north BBQ Productions in Lake Zurich is pretty solid. 

Is it open again? They shut down during covid and I assumed wouldn't return.

[stasek]

2 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

Don't agree with that, take conditions and normal 6 hour round out of the equation, it's one of the best layouts in IL. I wish it would get bought and given a bit of a redesign/make over, there's some awesome and tough holes on that course. 

If the owners have it their way, the course will be redesigned into a massive sea of vinyl siding and cookie cutter homes.  For a preview of what’s most likely to come, drive by Gleneagles… 

😀

[Springsteennut]

7 hours ago, Shriner said:

Played Oak Grove and Red Tail yesterday.

 

We do Oak Grove every year as part of our 36 hole day...I honestly am not sure what some of you are referring to as far as conditions!  Fairways were great, greens were wonderful.  You could definitely nitpick some of the bunkers that were washed out and the 11th tee box is a disaster, but otherwise very nice conditions.  $57 on a Sunday morning.  The tree on hole 10 is really blocking the tee shot at this point.  Luckily I play a draw otherwise you could not hit that tee shot in the fairway.  There is basically one easy hole (#17) and everything else just beats you up on this course.   Holes 2 and 13 and flat out brutal yet I still leave with a smile every time I play here.

 

First time at RedTail...loved the course.  Very fair layout and conditions were very good.  I did not like the blind approach to an island green on hole 10 but I guess I should not have layed up so far back.  Pace was slow but with the awesome weather, it was a very enjoyable day.

Redtail is underrated and one of my favorites. I play there on Tuesdays and have always liked it. That 10th hole has gotten me a few times especially when they start us on the back nine. I’ve kind of learned if I don’t drive to the top of the hill or I’m not feeling my iron swing yet I just layup to the edge of the fairway and just take a 4 or 5. I use a similar strategy on 16 also.

[m052310]

Played Deerfield again today. I freaking sucked, but the pace was wonderful. Started around 7:30 and pretty much never saw the group ahead of or behind us. It was really nice. 

[taylorx300]

BBQ productions is awesome. 3 locations Lake Zurich, Third Lake and Kenosha. The 7 meat chefs platter is the way to go - meat coma.

[MountainKing]

7 hours ago, VNutz said:

Is it open again? They shut down during covid and I assumed wouldn't return.

 

They did open again.   They shut down prior to Covid.  It was all really bizarre. 

[zer0]

19 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

It's for sure not a great value if you're a guest, although $65 on a Sunday won't get you on much of anything decent in the Chicago region.  Stonehenge won't win any awards, but it's still a fun course, good condition and pace of play is always great there.  Even tho I'm 45-50 minutes away I keep my membership, as a member you can play all day since it's a daily fee.  Can normally get 36 in there in about 6-7 hours for $50. 

If you don't mind me asking how much is a membership?

 

I took a look at Ravinia Green cause it was dirt cheap, but the course is too narrow to be enjoyed as your main course IMO.   But the cost was only $12k to join and then about $1000 per month for golf.  No assessments and the cart fee is like $25 per round.     I was thinking of joining with a buddy and they said they would cut the initiation down to $10k if we both joined.

 

Too bad the course plays like a fancy White Pines.  

[cwb12]

On 9/15/2022 at 2:32 PM, geochitown said:

makrays greens were lightning at the beginning of august

 

mt prospect hopefully is starting to heal up from the typical summer onslaught of rounds from the locals (unfilled divots in fairways and unrepaired hallmarks on greens 

 

makray gets lighter play

 

 

 

 

 

 

Booked Makray for 2 weeks from now. Looking forward to it!

[MountainKing]

14 hours ago, zer0 said:

If you don't mind me asking how much is a membership?

 

I took a look at Ravinia Green cause it was dirt cheap, but the course is too narrow to be enjoyed as your main course IMO.   But the cost was only $12k to join and then about $1000 per month for golf.  No assessments and the cart fee is like $25 per round.     I was thinking of joining with a buddy and they said they would cut the initiation down to $10k if we both joined.

 

Too bad the course plays like a fancy White Pines.  

$325 this year,  you just pay for your round/cart. 

[zer0]

10 hours ago, MountainKing said:

$325 this year,  you just pay for your round/cart. 

 

the initiation fee is only $325.00?      That's even lower than what it cost me to join Lawsonia which is public.

 

How much are the greens fees and cart fees?

[ME27]

For everyone recommending Stonewall you must not have played it recently. I have never seen it in worse shape. A real shame but I would avoid at least for the rest of this season. Greens are furry with ball marks everywhere and deadspots in the middle of greens. Areas around the greens were really poor condition as well. Tee boxes were not in good condition either. 

[Shriner]

1 hour ago, ME27 said:

For everyone recommending Stonewall you must not have played it recently. I have never seen it in worse shape. A real shame but I would avoid at least for the rest of this season. Greens are furry with ball marks everywhere and deadspots in the middle of greens. Areas around the greens were really poor condition as well. Tee boxes were not in good condition either. 

 

Yeah, I posted back on June 3rd about it.  It is one of my favorite courses in IL but I have to call it like I see it.  I hope they figure it out next year because when in excellent shape, it is one of the best values around.  I think I paid $55 in June.  Right now, it is just overpriced for the conditions.  After playing it yearly for awhile, I have no clue what went so drastically wrong this year.

[DavePelz4]

On 9/19/2022 at 9:07 AM, Shriner said:

Played Oak Grove and Red Tail yesterday.

 

We do Oak Grove every year as part of our 36 hole day...I honestly am not sure what some of you are referring to as far as conditions!  Fairways were great, greens were wonderful.  You could definitely nitpick some of the bunkers that were washed out and the 11th tee box is a disaster, but otherwise very nice conditions.  $57 on a Sunday morning.  The tree on hole 10 is really blocking the tee shot at this point.  Luckily I play a draw otherwise you could not hit that tee shot in the fairway.  There is basically one easy hole (#17) and everything else just beats you up on this course.   Holes 2 and 13 and flat out brutal yet I still leave with a smile every time I play here.

 

First time at RedTail...loved the course.  Very fair layout and conditions were very good.  I did not like the blind approach to an island green on hole 10 but I guess I should not have layed up so far back.  Pace was slow but with the awesome weather, it was a very enjoyable day.

 

You probably played in the day of, or day after they did some work on the course. Congrats.

 

17 is a very deceptive par 3 for as short as it is.  That green is tilted (not sloped) from left to right to an extreme. If you're an extreme high spin player, or if the course is playing soft, you might be able to play it straight on. Generally my approach is to try and land the ball left of the green, hoping one hop in the rough will take the pace off the ball. Did that the last time we played it and ended up off the green on the right. 

[ldchristopher]

10 minutes ago, Shriner said:

 

Yeah, I posted back on June 3rd about it.  It is one of my favorite courses in IL but I have to call it like I see it.  I hope they figure it out next year because when in excellent shape, it is one of the best values around.  I think I paid $55 in June.  Right now, it is just overpriced for the conditions.  After playing it yearly for awhile, I have no clue what went so drastically wrong this year.

They literally never punch the greens anymore. They were past due for aerification years ago. People complain about punching greens but it's a necessary evil. This was bound to happen given Stonewall's approach to maintenance. 

[Shriner]

1 hour ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

You probably played in the day of, or day after they did some work on the course. Congrats.

 

17 is a very deceptive par 3 for as short as it is.  That green is tilted (not sloped) from left to right to an extreme. If you're an extreme high spin player, or if the course is playing soft, you might be able to play it straight on. Generally my approach is to try and land the ball left of the green, hoping one hop in the rough will take the pace off the ball. Did that the last time we played it and ended up off the green on the right. 

 

Certainly not doubting you, but we play it every year and conditions are always good.  Never had an issue but expectations could certainly play a role.  I think I first played it 20 years ago and have been in love with the course ever since.  

 

You are correct about 17 and that is saying something that with all you said, it is still the easiest hole on the course.  Lucky I naturally hit the ball high and a draw which works well on that hole.  I par'd 15 for the first time in my life and not sure when next time will be lol.