Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[mci711]

17 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

Ravisloe doesn't offer much variety from tee to green.   A lot of 400 yard, straight par 4s.  The greens are really what make it, and like Arg said,  it's not DRs best work.    It's by far the weakest course in that little corridor of Calumet, Idlewild, Flossmore and Olympia. 

 

Calumet doesn't belong on this list. Ravisloe is better layout, they are both distant from this list though. 

 

Ravisloe, is just ok. I'd imagine back in the private days, in pristine condition, that old clubhouse etc it was a fun day. I never really thought the drive from Naperville was all that worth it though.  Ross fanboys are the reason it has any hype. 

[MountainKing]

43 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

Calumet doesn't belong on this list. Ravisloe is better layout, they are both distant from this list though. 

 

Ravisloe, is just ok. I'd imagine back in the private days, in pristine condition, that old clubhouse etc it was a fun day. I never really thought the drive from Naperville was all that worth it though.  Ross fanboys are the reason it has any hype. 

 

No way Ravisloe is a better layout.  Calumet has a much better variety through its course.  9 of the par 4s are straight and 400 yards. Other than 5 and 18, none of the holes really bend one way or another. Aftere a while you feel like you're playing the same hole over and over.   Calumet offers up some variety with yardage and doglegs. I don't need or expect to use every club in my bag,  but I could play Ravisloe with 5 clubs and be fine. 

[B-Man]

First time out at Pine Meadow yesterday morning. I like it. In good condition too.

[TBone0576]

1 hour ago, B-Man said:

First time out at Pine Meadow yesterday morning. I like it. In good condition too.

Used to play out there every weekend years ago.   Glad to hear it is in nice shape, definitely need to get out there next year sometime.  Always fun and fair if conditions are good. 

[TheBear95]

2 hours ago, TBone0576 said:

Used to play out there every weekend years ago.   Glad to hear it is in nice shape, definitely need to get out there next year sometime.  Always fun and fair if conditions are good. 

 

I recommend getting on their email list. They have been doing a nice job communicating when they are punching the greens lately. That's important, because when they punch at Pine Meadow, they use the quarter size punches and the greens are basically unplayable after. And, they tend to punch pretty often, compared to other courses around here.

 

FYI, they are not punching this fall.

[RGlaze978]

Anyone here played or have a connection to Ruth Lake Country Club in Hinsdale? I am in the middle of trying to figure out which local club I am going to join this spring and my wife is very interested in this club. Unfortunately, I have zero connections there unlike Butterfield, Edgewood, and Highlands in the area. 

 

If anyone has played Ruth Lake, I'd appreciate a comparison to some of the local clubs as well. Seems very similar to Edgewood. 

Edited October 18, 2022 by RGlaze978

[MountainKing]

4 hours ago, RGlaze978 said:

Anyone here played or have a connection to Ruth Lake Country Club in Hinsdale? I am in the middle of trying to figure out which local club I am going to join this spring and my wife is very interested in this club. Unfortunately, I have zero connections there unlike Butterfield, Edgewood, and Highlands in the area. 

 

If anyone has played Ruth Lake, I'd appreciate a comparison to some of the local clubs as well. Seems very similar to Edgewood. 

I don't have any connections,  but have played it.  If your options include Butterfield, it's a waste of time to even talk about Ruth.

[RGlaze978]

2 hours ago, MountainKing said:

I don't have any connections,  but have played it.  If your options include Butterfield, it's a waste of time to even talk about Ruth.

 

Butterfield playing privilege's are draconian while you're waiting to convert from in-waiting to full-member. 

[bjorn240]

On 10/12/2022 at 9:34 AM, ldchristopher said:

It might take you longer to play nine at Marovitz than 18 at North Hills. But enjoy. 

 

Update.  I played Marovitz on Saturday.  Had so much fun I went back on Sunday.  Being able to play 9 holes on the lake 10 minutes from my house is pretty amazing actually.  It may not be "fancy" golf, but I thought it was great.

[ldchristopher]

19 hours ago, RGlaze978 said:

 

Butterfield playing privilege's are draconian while you're waiting to convert from in-waiting to full-member. 

And that’s just the way they like it. 

[cpeck12]

21 hours ago, RGlaze978 said:

 

Butterfield playing privilege's are draconian while you're waiting to convert from in-waiting to full-member. 

 

Yeah but if it's BCC vs Ruth Lake, then it's worth the wait... Glen Oak CC is the same way right now. Basically have to be friends or get to know members to golf while you wait to be full golf.

Edited October 19, 2022 by cpeck12

[MountainKing]

19 hours ago, cpeck12 said:

 

Yeah but if it's BCC vs Ruth Lake, then it's worth the wait... Glen Oak CC is the same way right now. Basically have to be friends or get to know members to golf while you wait to be full golf.

 

That's kind of what I was trying to say, but I'm a terrible wordssmith.   Butterfield is another level, it's a course that you'd be hard pressed to get sick of playing over and over, especially sine they have 27 holes.  Given the course and the grounds, it's a course that could hold a PGA event tomorrow, hell it probably could host a major if it wanted.   Regardless of the hoops, if you have the money to do it and the opportunity to, it'd be foolish not to.  

 

 

Anyway, I was out at Eagle Ride this week just getting away and reconnecting a bit with my lady without the everyday noise.  I was hoping to get a round in but of course the weather decided to do it's thing.  Despite the general being a top course in the state, never really viewed as a place I must go play.  After seeing a glimpse of some of it, the south and the north courses as well, I think I'm gonna change my perspective on that.   

[RGlaze978]

30 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

 

That's kind of what I was trying to say, but I'm a terrible wordssmith.   Butterfield is another level, it's a course that you'd be hard pressed to get sick of playing over and over, especially sine they have 27 holes.  Given the course and the grounds, it's a course that could hold a PGA event tomorrow, hell it probably could host a major if it wanted.   Regardless of the hoops, if you have the money to do it and the opportunity to, it'd be foolish not to.  

 

 

Anyway, I was out at Eagle Ride this week just getting away and reconnecting a bit with my lady without the everyday noise.  I was hoping to get a round in but of course the weather decided to do it's thing.  Despite the general being a top course in the state, never really viewed as a place I must go play.  After seeing a glimpse of some of it, the south and the north courses as well, I think I'm gonna change my perspective on that.   

The kicker on BCC is that 1) Playing privileges while waiting is limited to 1 foursome after Labor Day per year, 2) There is no way to tell where you are on the waiting list, and 3) There are rumors that the waiting list changes dynamically, take that however you will. 

 

[DavePelz4]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

 

That's kind of what I was trying to say, but I'm a terrible wordssmith.   Butterfield is another level, it's a course that you'd be hard pressed to get sick of playing over and over, especially sine they have 27 holes.  Given the course and the grounds, it's a course that could hold a PGA event tomorrow, hell it probably could host a major if it wanted.   Regardless of the hoops, if you have the money to do it and the opportunity to, it'd be foolish not to.  

 

 

Anyway, I was out at Eagle Ride this week just getting away and reconnecting a bit with my lady without the everyday noise.  I was hoping to get a round in but of course the weather decided to do it's thing.  Despite the general being a top course in the state, never really viewed as a place I must go play.  After seeing a glimpse of some of it, the south and the north courses as well, I think I'm gonna change my perspective on that.   

 

Big fan of Eagle Ridge and think the South Course is the toughest on the property.  It can just be unforgiving.  Overall, for a golf weekend, you couldn't find many better in IL than ER.

Edited October 20, 2022 by DavePelz4

[chisag]

23 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

Big fan of Eagle Ridge and think the South Course is the toughest on the property.  It can just be unforgiving.  Overall, for a golf weekend, you couldn't find many better in IL than ER.

 

... Always worth the drive for me. Hard to find those kinds of elevation changes anywhere near Chicago. Really like the South Course and love the General. North Course is more of a wide open resort course and is OK but when staying there we rarely played it. 

[MountainKing]

1 hour ago, RGlaze978 said:

The kicker on BCC is that 1) Playing privileges while waiting is limited to 1 foursome after Labor Day per year, 2) There is no way to tell where you are on the waiting list, and 3) There are rumors that the waiting list changes dynamically, take that however you will. 

 

 

If it's not what you want then go for Ruth Lake, but if you have an in at Butterfield it'd be odd not taking it, and just dealign with it until your in.  Many look for an in there for years and never find it. I know members at a majority of the clubs in the area, but don't know any at Butterfield.   I've been luckily enough to play it multiple times through differente tournaments and charity events over the years.  I'm not sure how other courses are with waiting lists, but I can't see them being total free for alls while you're on it, or what'd be the point?

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

When we lived in Illinois, Eagle Ridge was one of our favorite escapes.  Especially in the fall, beautiful scenary, lots of deer running around, just a great place.

 

I also was able to play the General before officially opened as I worked in the golf biz back then.  Fun course, not as difficult as South, but nonetheless fun and scenic.

[MountainKing]

43 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

Big fan of Eagle Ridge and think the South Course is the toughest on the property.  It can just be unforgiving.  Overall, for a golf weekend, you couldn't find many better in IL than ER.

 

Oddly it looks like it goes South/North/General from toughest to easiest based on slope/rating.  One of the managers there did say they re-did the General a while back to turn it back into a more playable course for everybody.  I guess there was a redesign at some point that made it a brutally difficult course.  While the grounds themselves were a bit dated, I was impressed with the staff, and in talking to property owners in the territory at the bar they all speak very highly of owning there and wish they had bought sooner.  

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

2 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Always worth the drive for me. Hard to find those kinds of elevation changes anywhere near Chicago. Really like the South Course and love the General. North Course is more of a wide open resort course and is OK but when staying there we rarely played it. 

 

2 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

Oddly it looks like it goes South/North/General from toughest to easiest based on slope/rating.  One of the managers there did say they re-did the General a while back to turn it back into a more playable course for everybody.  I guess there was a redesign at some point that made it a brutally difficult course.  While the grounds themselves were a bit dated, I was impressed with the staff, and in talking to property owners in the territory at the bar they all speak very highly of owning there and wish they had bought sooner.  

Sorry about double quotes, whacky web site....

 

I didn't know they softened the General, but doesn't surprise me, it was pretty challenging in original layout from what I remember.  Only played it couple of times, but that was 20+ years ago.

 

We had a fantastic Greg Norman layout here in DFW, that had to get softened, basically a redesign, as it was too hard for most players, but it was fantastic while it was there.

[chisag]

18 minutes ago, Is Golf Fun or Work said:

I didn't know they softened the General, but doesn't surprise me, it was pretty challenging in original layout from what I remember.  Only played it couple of times, but that was 20+ years ago.

 

 

... Yea, I hate hearing that because the General was difficult but fair. And of course they have the North course for those needing something less challenging. 

[ldchristopher]

12 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

That's kind of what I was trying to say, but I'm a terrible wordssmith.   Butterfield is another level, it's a course that you'd be hard pressed to get sick of playing over and over, especially sine they have 27 holes.  Given the course and the grounds, it's a course that could hold a PGA event tomorrow, hell it probably could host a major if it wanted.   Regardless of the hoops, if you have the money to do it and the opportunity to, it'd be foolish not to.  

 

Funny you mention Butterfield having the teeth to host an event. About 12 years ago, Butterfield did a massive redesign to improved drainage. They then unveiled a proposed 7780 yard layout that they would use for the BMW Championship. They put in a bid but, obviously, weren’t selected. Granted that was over a decade ago but since Butterfield has never hosted a tour event, it seemed like at the time membership was more open to the idea. 
Bear and I played there once about 8 years ago as a guest of my aunt. It absolutely kicked our teeth in. 

[Symphonize]

Was out in Galena today too, but unfortunately not for golf, but for work. I don’t work out there that often, but one of these days I’ll have to make it a two day trip and turn the extra day into some rounds of golf. Plus beats driving 2+ hours 2x in one day for a nearly 16 hour day. 
 

Always drive by Woodbine Bend and it looks like a nice little quaint, rolling hills golf course. 

Edited October 21, 2022 by Symphonize

[DavePelz4]

20 hours ago, Is Golf Fun or Work said:

When we lived in Illinois, Eagle Ridge was one of our favorite escapes.  Especially in the fall, beautiful scenary, lots of deer running around, just a great place.

 

I also was able to play the General before officially opened as I worked in the golf biz back then.  Fun course, not as difficult as South, but nonetheless fun and scenic.

 

Probably 10-15 years ago after a UW football game, I ran into Andy North in a bar.  Said hi, told him I enjoyed his broadcasting, and mentioned that we played the General usually 1-2 times a year and I was a fan.  That led into a 20 minute discussion of the course, and he asked what I liked about it and didn't like it.  He was so gracious to listen to a crappy golfer go through his course and he was beyond attentive.  He laughed when I shared the story of hitting a wedge on the 8th hole and ended up having it go 225 yards, backwards.  Yeah, did that and it actually wasn't a bad shot, just the second worst break in 50+ years of playing involving a sprinkler head.

 

Andy is a great guy and obviously a 2x US Open champ.

[MountainKing]

11 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

Funny you mention Butterfield having the teeth to host an event. About 12 years ago, Butterfield did a massive redesign to improved drainage. They then unveiled a proposed 7780 yard layout that they would use for the BMW Championship. They put in a bid but, obviously, weren’t selected. Granted that was over a decade ago but since Butterfield has never hosted a tour event, it seemed like at the time membership was more open to the idea. 
Bear and I played there once about 8 years ago as a guest of my aunt. It absolutely kicked our teeth in. 

 

Even at 7100 - it's tough enough to where they could host something on blue/white and still have a winning score no lower than -10.  If they utlized holes from all 3 9's they could easily put together something that could hold a US Open.  Not sure if they've decided to let having an event sail, but I'd love to see it.  Despite it never having an event, I really believe it's on of the best examples of private golf that Chicago has to offer. 

[Springsteennut]

I played Bowes Creek with some friends. Things were a little backed up by a half hour because of a frost delay. Once we got started things moved okay. Course was in nice condition and the weather warmed up pretty quick. Glad I wore shorts. Not many more days like this left.

 

[ldchristopher]

I hadn’t swung a club in two weeks so I figured I’d be loose with the driver. Hello, Ives Grove. Perfect course for wayward but playable tee shots. We played White to Blue and the greens had been punched on the first nine but not the second. Big difference but for $25 it was fine. The greens on Blue were running quick. Very un-Ives. One birdie on 7 White. Only 10 greens but my wedges were good. 75. 

[MountainKing]

Went out to Prarie Bluff today to play in the hurricane.  Course was in fine shape, greens rolling nice, bunkers had sand and were taken care of and pace of play was slow for Prarie but still got us through in 4 hours (I don't think I've had a round at or over 4 hours here in a couple years).  No complaints at all,  it continues to be one of the best deals in golf in this area.

 

Really struggled with the wind today, especially into it.  It seemed like it should have been a 2 club wind, yet when I played 2 clubs I'd find myself flying the green, when I didn't play 2 clubs I'd be short.  Just couldn't really get any good run going  The highlight was hitting hole 12 in two with a great drive and 4 iron then nailed the putt for an eagle.  Beyond that, 38 putts, and lot of bad chip shots out there for a solid 82.  You never know when the last round will be this time of year, when I play poorly I keep saying that's it, but then somebody seems to pull me back in.

 

 

[ldchristopher]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

Went out to Prarie Bluff today to play in the hurricane.  Course was in fine shape, greens rolling nice, bunkers had sand and were taken care of and pace of play was slow for Prarie but still got us through in 4 hours (I don't think I've had a round at or over 4 hours here in a couple years).  No complaints at all,  it continues to be one of the best deals in golf in this area.

 

Really struggled with the wind today, especially into it.  It seemed like it should have been a 2 club wind, yet when I played 2 clubs I'd find myself flying the green, when I didn't play 2 clubs I'd be short.  Just couldn't really get any good run going  The highlight was hitting hole 12 in two with a great drive and 4 iron then nailed the putt for an eagle.  Beyond that, 38 putts, and lot of bad chip shots out there for a solid 82.  You never know when the last round will be this time of year, when I play poorly I keep saying that's it, but then somebody seems to pull me back in.

 

 

PB always feels windier than it is. I’ve had rounds there where I pull up the Weather Channel app expecting to see 30-35 mph winds. Nope. 15-20.
Supposed to be warm again tomorrow but courses are looking pretty full. 

[@_the_crook]

nice breezy morning, two club wind at most times.

 

so instead of letting my long game get challenged even more - I took some advise gleaned from reading @chisag's posts on another thread about working on the short game.

moved up a tee box and was able to get close enough to work on scoring shots.

greens were nice and dry - running fast. wind took care of all that.

 

driver shots caught wind at times but recoveries were ok. iron and hybrids worked well. liked my wedge play when I made sure to accelerate thru. .

the bunkers were fluffy today. usually more compacted.

fall golf is mighty pretty, considering.

 

leaves... they had most moved off the fairways into the rough, but I hit there now and then, so - in the gully area between 12 and 13 about halfway down,  could be, might be, a ProV1 with an orange mark.

I took a drop . leaves.....

 

[m052310]

Played Chevy Chase today. I continue to like the course. Greens were a little beat up in some spots, but OK for the time of year. I fought a hellacious slice all day, so putting was the least of my worries. Despite what the scorecard suggests, I'm calling golfing in shorts this late in the year a win.