Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[Shriner]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> Played Poplar Creek on Sat. I'm not sure if there's a more over priced course in Chicago. With range balls, it was $77.00 with no break for walking. The Highlands is under that cost and is a far superior course. The course was in good to very good conditions and the greens were in good shape. Finished in under 4 hours and for a Saturday morning tee time, that's pretty good.

>

> It would behoove them to invest in some customer service training. The starter was just downright rude and yelled at us before we even teed off. Don't know what we did wrong. Having a post round beverage, the server yelled at us when we asked if we could order drinks. She complained about being the only person working and she'd get to us when she could.

>

> We usually play this course once a year and that might be once too often.

 

Totally agree on the service/attitudes. I have had a few bad experiences with rangers there. The one that stands out is being warned for slow play and told to speed it up when we were WAITING for 5-10 minutes on every single shot. That being said, the course is totally worth the $35ish they charge during the week considering the conditions are almost always very good. I would not want to pay the weekend morning rates there. Once you get to $77, there are so many other options as you said.

[ldchristopher]

> @Shriner said:

> I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

 

The course is a long, prairie-style layout but it’s basically void of personality. It’s got plenty of teeth, lots of long 4’s (it opens with a 440 par 4), and the 11th hole is stupid long. Around 670. Par is a good score on that one. The par threes are decent. Two are over water and the green on 17 can be tricky, though the pin is usually on the front. Except for 11, the bulk of the length is on the front. 10, 15, 16, and 18 are all birdie opportunities. Conditioning tee to green is okay but the greens have been bumpy and slow this year. Maybe that’s been rectified but with the rain I doubt they’ll have much pace to them.

[VNutz]

> @DeeBee30 said:

> Found myself with a sudden open afternoon yesterday and wanted to get in a round near home, so I somewhat reluctantly made the 10-minute drive to Carriage Greens. It seems that’s one of the few courses near me that almost always has open slots for singles (there’s a reason for that), and it’s always an inexpensive round (again, for a reason). That course, while in better condition than the last couple decades, continues to be run in a way that frustrates the heck out of me.

>

> I went off as a single at 1:10 and started playing the waiting game behind a twosome on the second tee. To their credit, they let me play through after they teed off on 3, then I ran into another twosome on 4. They were behind yet another twosome, who were behind a slowish foursome. With a few more foursomes ahead, there was no real chance to play through and nowhere to go on the front. I ended up having the twosome that let me through join me and we played as 3 until 14, where a slow, ball -hawking single caught and joined us. All of this contributed to a round of 4:10, which isn’t completely awful, but it felt soooo much longer given the amount of waiting before every shot. I really wish they’d manage the course better and group all the onesey/twosey golfers together so smaller groups don’t keep butting against foursomes. And it would be nice if the “players assistance” guys would assist the field by kicking slow groups in the butt a little.

>

> Overall, the course was in OK shape for a $36 Friday round. Better drainage added in the last few years keeps the lower, flatter holes playable. Unfortunately, the course draws its share of hacks who don’t pay attention to fairway divots and ball marks on greens, so it stays a little beat up. My expectations there are always low, and they always seem to be met.

 

My experience going there is they never say no to singles because they can simply force them into the course and it's easy money. Been told many times in the past that the course was wide open, only to show up and find several groups on the first tee and the front 9 packed. They'll do anything for money.

[Shriner]

> @ldchristopher said:

>

> > @Shriner said:

> > I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

>

> The course is long but basically void of personality. It’s got plenty of teeth, lots of long 4’s (it opens with a 440 par 4), and the 11th hole is stupid long. Around 670. Par is a good score on that one. The par threes are decent. Two are over water and the green on 17 can be tricky, though the pin is usually on the front. Except for 11, the bulk of the length is on the front. 10, 15, 16, and 18 are all birdie opportunities. Conditioning tee to green is okay but the greens have been bumpy and slow this year. Maybe that’s been rectified but with the rain I doubt they’ll have much pace to them.

 

Thanks, that helps. Hole 11 sounds fun, that may the longest Par 5 I have ever played.

[VNutz]

> @Shriner said:

> > @ldchristopher said:

> >

> > > @Shriner said:

> > > I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

> >

> > The course is long but basically void of personality. It’s got plenty of teeth, lots of long 4’s (it opens with a 440 par 4), and the 11th hole is stupid long. Around 670. Par is a good score on that one. The par threes are decent. Two are over water and the green on 17 can be tricky, though the pin is usually on the front. Except for 11, the bulk of the length is on the front. 10, 15, 16, and 18 are all birdie opportunities. Conditioning tee to green is okay but the greens have been bumpy and slow this year. Maybe that’s been rectified but with the rain I doubt they’ll have much pace to them.

>

> Thanks, that helps. Hole 11 sounds fun, that may the longest Par 5 I have ever played.

 

The couple times I was there the wind was up and plays a major role. Not sure if that's normally the case there but it can make the course play far more difficult than expected as I believe that long par 5 was dead into the wind. Conditioning was never a high point when I was there, but it wasn't awful.

[geochitown]

> @sma said:

> Played the front 9 at Pine Meadow on Saturday (the rain wasn't letting up so we quit on 10). The course was great, greens were in excellent condition. I hadn't played there in over 15 years and sadly, the carts haven't been updated either. Nothing more frustrating to pay >$90 to play and getting a cart that doesn't have a rain cover on the back and is just generally squeaky and old. My other twosome was given a cart that didn't even have a windshield.

 

So were the greens pretty much healed up from the big core aeration that they did?

I would have thought that the greens wouldn't have healed yet, so wanted to ask.

 

What time did you start? and yes, the carts there are terribly basic (they do offer a walking rate which is nice).

I think Pine Meadow has always been expensive, and there is no banquet facility there, so it's only golf.

 

We played at White Deer Run starting at about 1245 pm, and the rain came in hard by the time we were on the 6th hole (we took shelter and resumed play later). They have nice carts at White Deer Run (GPS and bag canopy on the back).

So many bunkers at WHite Deer Run, most were playable (7.5" of rain in the last 2 weeks), but some were washed out.

They really need to do a bunker renovation like Prairie Landing and Harborside, I bet it would be $2 million or so with the massive amount of bunkers that they have there.

[VNutz]

Anybody play Orchard Valley lately? Have a freebie there, just wondering if/when aeration happened so as to avoid.

[geochitown]

> @mci711 said:

> > @MountainKing said:

> > > @mci711 said:

> > > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > > @"St Jimmy" said:

> > > > > I played Cog Hill (course 3) on Wednesday for the Fresh Thyme Mission 22/Warrior's Heart charity event.

> > > > > First time on the property. The whole event was really awesome, but I must admit that I was disappointed in the course itself. I'm sure Dubs would've been better.

> > > > > Regardless, it was a spectacular day and had a great time!

> > > > > Well worth the price and drive for such a good cause.

> > > >

> > > > Cog is an interesting place. i don't think I've ever been on grounds with multiple courses that has one course that is vastly superior to the other three courses. For the most part the entire facility is over priced but seems to get by on it being Cog Hill. I'll be curious to see if the name holds up as they get farther and farther from the last time they had a tour event there.

> > > >

> > >

> > > I think course 4 is accurately priced when you consider how much it cost seven bridges, cantigny, mistwood, glen club, etc. It is one of the top courses in the area and has history. $150 for cog is a **** of a lot better than $125 at Seven Bridges or 100+ at bolingbrook (just 2 examples) on a weekend morning.

> >

> > I was more referring to the other 3.

>

> Yea the other 3, for me, aren't even worth playing. 2 used to be better but it has gotten pretty awful now.

 

I've only played #2 once, and the conditioning was an issue then.

The #2 course was built to give the non-private golfer a taste of Medinah (or so I've heard).

[geochitown]

> @DeeBee30 said:

> A little bit of a soggy round at Orchard Valley late yesterday morning, with tee shots backing up from their pitch marks, balls picking up mud and wet/sloppy lies on multiple approach shots. The teeing grounds were a little worn and it looked like a war zone inside of 15 feet of almost every flagstick. I'm not a course superintendent, but it seems that the tee markers and hole locations should have been moved after the weekend play. Both seemed to have suffered a ton of abuse, and it baffles me that they wouldn't move them on Monday. Maybe they do that on another day during the week? The greens, while dry and rolling fairly well, were pretty beat up with ball marks that either weren't repaired or were repaired poorly...a continuing issue on too many of the public tracks I play. In addition to fixing multiple fresh pitch marks while waiting to putt, I had to re-fix numerous ones in my putting line because they weren't repaired properly enough to be flat.

>

> Regardless, it was a fun day. As a single, I got added to a threesome on the first tee, and they were cool guys who play somewhere every Monday. We hit it off pretty well, had a couple of beers after the round and exchanged numbers so I can join them on some of the upcoming Monday outings. So it looks like I may have 3 new golfing buddies, which is one of the advantages of playing as a single if you're open to meeting new people!

 

This was posted last Monday.

[mci711]

> @geochitown said:

> > @mci711 said:

> > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > @mci711 said:

> > > > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > > > @"St Jimmy" said:

> > > > > > I played Cog Hill (course 3) on Wednesday for the Fresh Thyme Mission 22/Warrior's Heart charity event.

> > > > > > First time on the property. The whole event was really awesome, but I must admit that I was disappointed in the course itself. I'm sure Dubs would've been better.

> > > > > > Regardless, it was a spectacular day and had a great time!

> > > > > > Well worth the price and drive for such a good cause.

> > > > >

> > > > > Cog is an interesting place. i don't think I've ever been on grounds with multiple courses that has one course that is vastly superior to the other three courses. For the most part the entire facility is over priced but seems to get by on it being Cog Hill. I'll be curious to see if the name holds up as they get farther and farther from the last time they had a tour event there.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > I think course 4 is accurately priced when you consider how much it cost seven bridges, cantigny, mistwood, glen club, etc. It is one of the top courses in the area and has history. $150 for cog is a **** of a lot better than $125 at Seven Bridges or 100+ at bolingbrook (just 2 examples) on a weekend morning.

> > >

> > > I was more referring to the other 3.

> >

> > Yea the other 3, for me, aren't even worth playing. 2 used to be better but it has gotten pretty awful now.

>

> I've only played #2 once, and the conditioning was an issue then.

> The #2 course was built to give the non-private golfer a taste of Medinah (or so I've heard).

 

Interesting. I've played both....I don't see it ?. 2's layout is actually pretty fun. If it was in the condition of 4 it would be a very solid course.

[VNutz]

> @geochitown said:

> > @DeeBee30 said:

> > A little bit of a soggy round at Orchard Valley late yesterday morning, with tee shots backing up from their pitch marks, balls picking up mud and wet/sloppy lies on multiple approach shots. The teeing grounds were a little worn and it looked like a war zone inside of 15 feet of almost every flagstick. I'm not a course superintendent, but it seems that the tee markers and hole locations should have been moved after the weekend play. Both seemed to have suffered a ton of abuse, and it baffles me that they wouldn't move them on Monday. Maybe they do that on another day during the week? The greens, while dry and rolling fairly well, were pretty beat up with ball marks that either weren't repaired or were repaired poorly...a continuing issue on too many of the public tracks I play. In addition to fixing multiple fresh pitch marks while waiting to putt, I had to re-fix numerous ones in my putting line because they weren't repaired properly enough to be flat.

> >

> > Regardless, it was a fun day. As a single, I got added to a threesome on the first tee, and they were cool guys who play somewhere every Monday. We hit it off pretty well, had a couple of beers after the round and exchanged numbers so I can join them on some of the upcoming Monday outings. So it looks like I may have 3 new golfing buddies, which is one of the advantages of playing as a single if you're open to meeting new people!

>

> This was posted last Monday.

 

Thank you.

[geochitown]

> @mci711 said:

> > @geochitown said:

> > > @mci711 said:

> > > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > > @mci711 said:

> > > > > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > > > > @"St Jimmy" said:

> > > > > > > I played Cog Hill (course 3) on Wednesday for the Fresh Thyme Mission 22/Warrior's Heart charity event.

> > > > > > > First time on the property. The whole event was really awesome, but I must admit that I was disappointed in the course itself. I'm sure Dubs would've been better.

> > > > > > > Regardless, it was a spectacular day and had a great time!

> > > > > > > Well worth the price and drive for such a good cause.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Cog is an interesting place. i don't think I've ever been on grounds with multiple courses that has one course that is vastly superior to the other three courses. For the most part the entire facility is over priced but seems to get by on it being Cog Hill. I'll be curious to see if the name holds up as they get farther and farther from the last time they had a tour event there.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > I think course 4 is accurately priced when you consider how much it cost seven bridges, cantigny, mistwood, glen club, etc. It is one of the top courses in the area and has history. $150 for cog is a **** of a lot better than $125 at Seven Bridges or 100+ at bolingbrook (just 2 examples) on a weekend morning.

> > > >

> > > > I was more referring to the other 3.

> > >

> > > Yea the other 3, for me, aren't even worth playing. 2 used to be better but it has gotten pretty awful now.

> >

> > I've only played #2 once, and the conditioning was an issue then.

> > The #2 course was built to give the non-private golfer a taste of Medinah (or so I've heard).

>

> Interesting. I've played both....I don't see it ?. 2's layout is actually pretty fun. If it was in the condition of 4 it would be a very solid course.

 

I take that back about #2, went back and checked. Sounds like #4 was built because Jemsek wanted to top Medinah #3.

#2 was builit in 1929.

[DavePelz4]

> @VNutz said:

> > @Shriner said:

> > > @ldchristopher said:

> > >

> > > > @Shriner said:

> > > > I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

> > >

> > > The course is long but basically void of personality. It’s got plenty of teeth, lots of long 4’s (it opens with a 440 par 4), and the 11th hole is stupid long. Around 670. Par is a good score on that one. The par threes are decent. Two are over water and the green on 17 can be tricky, though the pin is usually on the front. Except for 11, the bulk of the length is on the front. 10, 15, 16, and 18 are all birdie opportunities. Conditioning tee to green is okay but the greens have been bumpy and slow this year. Maybe that’s been rectified but with the rain I doubt they’ll have much pace to them.

> >

> > Thanks, that helps. Hole 11 sounds fun, that may the longest Par 5 I have ever played.

>

> The couple times I was there the wind was up and plays a major role. Not sure if that's normally the case there but it can make the course play far more difficult than expected as I believe that long par 5 was dead into the wind. Conditioning was never a high point when I was there, but it wasn't awful.

 

Have played GCI at least 25 times and the wind is always directly into you on 11. Can't remember a single round where it played down wind. Then again, I don't remember what I had for dinner last night so it could be me.

[Argonne69]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> > @VNutz said:

> > > @Shriner said:

> > > > @ldchristopher said:

> > > >

> > > > > @Shriner said:

> > > > > I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

> > > >

> > > > The course is long but basically void of personality. It’s got plenty of teeth, lots of long 4’s (it opens with a 440 par 4), and the 11th hole is stupid long. Around 670. Par is a good score on that one. The par threes are decent. Two are over water and the green on 17 can be tricky, though the pin is usually on the front. Except for 11, the bulk of the length is on the front. 10, 15, 16, and 18 are all birdie opportunities. Conditioning tee to green is okay but the greens have been bumpy and slow this year. Maybe that’s been rectified but with the rain I doubt they’ll have much pace to them.

> > >

> > > Thanks, that helps. Hole 11 sounds fun, that may the longest Par 5 I have ever played.

> >

> > The couple times I was there the wind was up and plays a major role. Not sure if that's normally the case there but it can make the course play far more difficult than expected as I believe that long par 5 was dead into the wind. Conditioning was never a high point when I was there, but it wasn't awful.

>

> Have played GCI at least 25 times and the wind is always directly into you on 11. Can't remember a single round where it played down wind. Then again, I don't remember what I had for dinner last night so it could be me.

 

Lol. If you look at a satellite image of the course, you can see a wind machine hidden in the trees behind the 11th green.

 

Given that the hole runs east/west, and we don't get many days with strong easterly winds, I'd say you're probably right.

 

[MountainKing]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @Quem24 said:

> > > @DeeBee30 said:

> > > Found myself with a sudden open afternoon yesterday and wanted to get in a round near home, so I somewhat reluctantly made the 10-minute drive to Carriage Greens

> >

> > This is about as cringeworthy of a start to a post as you will find on this forum.

>

> Lol. "reluctantly made the 30 minute drive to Fresh Meadow" would have been worse.

>

The only way that sentence would make any sense is if it's "I was forced to make the 30 minute drive to Fresh Meadow".

 

[MountainKing]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @Quem24 said:

> > > @DeeBee30 said:

> > > Found myself with a sudden open afternoon yesterday and wanted to get in a round near home, so I somewhat reluctantly made the 10-minute drive to Carriage Greens

> >

> > This is about as cringeworthy of a start to a post as you will find on this forum.

>

> Lol. "reluctantly made the 30 minute drive to Fresh Meadow" would have been worse.

>

The only way that sentence would make any sense is if it's "I was forced to make the 30 minute drive to Fresh Meadow".

 

[ldchristopher]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @DavePelz4 said:

> > > @VNutz said:

> > > > @Shriner said:

> > > > > @ldchristopher said:

> > > > >

> > > > > > @Shriner said:

> > > > > > I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

> > > > >

> > > > > The course is long but basically void of personality. It’s got plenty of teeth, lots of long 4’s (it opens with a 440 par 4), and the 11th hole is stupid long. Around 670. Par is a good score on that one. The par threes are decent. Two are over water and the green on 17 can be tricky, though the pin is usually on the front. Except for 11, the bulk of the length is on the front. 10, 15, 16, and 18 are all birdie opportunities. Conditioning tee to green is okay but the greens have been bumpy and slow this year. Maybe that’s been rectified but with the rain I doubt they’ll have much pace to them.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks, that helps. Hole 11 sounds fun, that may the longest Par 5 I have ever played.

> > >

> > > The couple times I was there the wind was up and plays a major role. Not sure if that's normally the case there but it can make the course play far more difficult than expected as I believe that long par 5 was dead into the wind. Conditioning was never a high point when I was there, but it wasn't awful.

> >

> > Have played GCI at least 25 times and the wind is always directly into you on 11. Can't remember a single round where it played down wind. Then again, I don't remember what I had for dinner last night so it could be me.

>

> Lol. If you look at a satellite image of the course, you can see a wind machine hidden in the trees behind the 11th green.

>

> Given that the hole runs east/west, and we don't get many days with strong easterly winds, I'd say you're probably right.

>

I played with a really old guy at Glencoe once who dropped this joke: “Do you know the wind blows from west to east in Illinois? Because Indiana s*cks and Iowa b!0ws.” Senior citizen humor is the best kind of humor.

 

[@_the_crook]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> Played Poplar Creek on Sat. I'm not sure if there's a more over priced course in Chicago. With range balls, it was $77.00 with no break for walking. The Highlands is under that cost and is a far superior course. The course was in good to very good conditions and the greens were in good shape. Finished in under 4 hours and for a Saturday morning tee time, that's pretty good.

>

> It would behoove them to invest in some customer service training. The starter was just downright rude and yelled at us before we even teed off. Don't know what we did wrong. Having a post round beverage, the server yelled at us when we asked if we could order drinks. She complained about being the only person working and she'd get to us when she could.

>

> We usually play this course once a year and that might be once too often.

 

Two staffers gave you grief on the same day, WhaDaEff is that all about ?

we just returned from Hilton Head. we experienced friendly and welcoming treatment from people at every venue.

lessened any bad play thoughts right out of my mind.

 

[Symphonize]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> > @Symphonize said:

> > Anyone know if there are any decent courses out near Peru, IL or on the way from there to Moline/quad cities? Gunna be out there for work next week and might try to squeeze in 9 after work. Unfortunately wouldn’t be able to play until 4:30 at the earliest, so might only leave time for 9, and not enough time to get out to a TPC Deere Run to make it worth it. What else is out there, preferably closer to Peru

>

> I grew up in Peru and there are a couple of courses to consider. Seneca's in LaSalle off route 80 is a great course and Spring Creek in Spring Valley is also fun.

>

> If you're a fan of fried chicken, go to Rip's in Ladd...about the best chicken in IL.

 

 

Unfortunately golf didn’t end up working out, and I was looking forward to Rips, it looked real good online, but they are closed Monday and Tuesday.

[Argonne69]

Booked my rounds for this weekend. Bear Slide in Cicero, IN for Saturday morning, and Coyote Crossing in West Lafayette on the way home Sunday morning.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

> @Shriner said:

> I will be playing Golf Club of IL for first time Sunday...any thoughts on the course and conditions?

 

I played it once several years ago and while I don't remember much about the course, I remember a good laugh during the round. On the first tee, I was stung by a bee. That wasn't the funny part, just a memorable one. The tee stanchions used to be made of carved wood, with an image of the hole and next to it, the name of the hole. The long par 5 was named "Grant's March". One of the guys in our group read it then deadpaned, "Looks more like Mrs. Grant's trench." If you could have seen the image carved into the stanchion, well...

[DavePelz4]

> @Symphonize said:

> > @DavePelz4 said:

> > > @Symphonize said:

> > > Anyone know if there are any decent courses out near Peru, IL or on the way from there to Moline/quad cities? Gunna be out there for work next week and might try to squeeze in 9 after work. Unfortunately wouldn’t be able to play until 4:30 at the earliest, so might only leave time for 9, and not enough time to get out to a TPC Deere Run to make it worth it. What else is out there, preferably closer to Peru

> >

> > I grew up in Peru and there are a couple of courses to consider. Seneca's in LaSalle off route 80 is a great course and Spring Creek in Spring Valley is also fun.

> >

> > If you're a fan of fried chicken, go to Rip's in Ladd...about the best chicken in IL.

>

>

> Unfortunately golf didn’t end up working out, and I was looking forward to Rips, it looked real good online, but they are closed Monday and Tuesday.

 

Rip's is worth the drive. Just be prepared to stand in line a bit...

[tmw1582]

> @MountainKing said:

> > @tmw1582 said:

> > Last weekend we had a guys trip to Gull View Lake. The courses were pretty forgettable and the accommodations were as well. There is also nowhere to get a decent meal on site. I can't believe a golf "resort" would not have a bigger clubhouse with a better bar/restaurant. Seems like a missed opportunity to me to make some money after dark. We ended up Ubering into Kalamazoo. One course that did stand out was Stoatin Brae. I really enjoyed that course. Fun, wide open links layout with some great views.

> >

> > Played in a work outing at Crystal Tree yesterday and I'm playing there again tomorrow afternoon. The course is in pretty great shape even though they aerated a couple weeks ago.

>

> I stopped making the trip up there last year and our group ended their 30 year run there this year. The price continues to go up while the accommodations go down. Unfortunately they seem to still have no issues packing the place during the year so there's probably no real motivation to fix anything. We generally got in 5 rounds in the 3 days we were there and with the current pricing we've been able to figure out how to make similar trips within a reasonable drive of Chicago to play better courses for less money. South was always my favorite up there, Stoatin was still new when we played it, they upcharged our rate to play it and the course was shaggy and in awful condition. They honestly should have been embarrassed up charging a long time group for the condition it was in, but again since they pack the place they really don't care. I'm sure our group not going up there this year didn't impact them at all.

 

There was nothing memorable about the 4 courses we played aside from Stoatin, which again I really enjoyed.

I'm new to the group playing but I know at least a couple of the guys feel the same way I do. Do you mind telling me what other Midwest resorts you've hit up that allow for as many rounds and similar pricing?

[MountainKing]

> @tmw1582 said:

> > @MountainKing said:

> > > @tmw1582 said:

> > > Last weekend we had a guys trip to Gull View Lake. The courses were pretty forgettable and the accommodations were as well. There is also nowhere to get a decent meal on site. I can't believe a golf "resort" would not have a bigger clubhouse with a better bar/restaurant. Seems like a missed opportunity to me to make some money after dark. We ended up Ubering into Kalamazoo. One course that did stand out was Stoatin Brae. I really enjoyed that course. Fun, wide open links layout with some great views.

> > >

> > > Played in a work outing at Crystal Tree yesterday and I'm playing there again tomorrow afternoon. The course is in pretty great shape even though they aerated a couple weeks ago.

> >

> > I stopped making the trip up there last year and our group ended their 30 year run there this year. The price continues to go up while the accommodations go down. Unfortunately they seem to still have no issues packing the place during the year so there's probably no real motivation to fix anything. We generally got in 5 rounds in the 3 days we were there and with the current pricing we've been able to figure out how to make similar trips within a reasonable drive of Chicago to play better courses for less money. South was always my favorite up there, Stoatin was still new when we played it, they upcharged our rate to play it and the course was shaggy and in awful condition. They honestly should have been embarrassed up charging a long time group for the condition it was in, but again since they pack the place they really don't care. I'm sure our group not going up there this year didn't impact them at all.

>

> There was nothing memorable about the 4 courses we played aside from Stoatin, which again I really enjoyed.

> I'm new to the group playing but I know at least a couple of the guys feel the same way I do. Do you mind telling me what other Midwest resorts you've hit up that allow for as many rounds and similar pricing?

 

That last sentence is the problem. If you're looking for a resort with unlimited golf at the rates they charge, you won't find it. Gull Lake is all about convenience, and it's hard to find something just like it in the midwest. The more expensive it gets, the less interested we are in the convenience, it was a great place to go when our trips were under $300. If you're willing to get creative and "motel 6" it, you have a ton of options. The big thing is dropping the "unlimited" from the mindset, at the end of the day there's only so much golf you can play between daylight and your body.

 

Golf outside of the Chicagoland tends to run a lot cheaper than what you get in our area. Pick an area, pick a cheap hotel (you only use it for sleep anyway) and then find enough courses to fill your day/s. The key is to play the morning rounds at the cheaper courses and hit twilight up for the pricier courses.

 

This year we did a trip to Indy

Purgatory - $60

Prairie View - $49 (twilight)

The Trophy Club - $39

Kampen Course - $49 (twilight)

 

We price lined our room for $55 per room which came out to about $35 per person after taxes and what not. So for around $235ish we had a one night stay with 4 rounds of golf, we actually didn't end up playing Kampen but this was the initial itinerary. We could have done 1 more night with 2 more rounds and end up around the $400 mark which is pretty close to what you end up paying at Gull Lake for courses that aren't that great. As a group, we've decided even if it's another $150-200, if we're playing better courses it's worth it. You also have much better food options ect. It all depends how much extra leg work you want to do.

[TheBear95]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Booked my rounds for this weekend. Bear Slide in Cicero, IN for Saturday morning, and Coyote Crossing in West Lafayette on the way home Sunday morning.

 

Have you played Bear Slide before?

[chisag]

... For those on the southwest side, Naperbrook is in the best shape I have seen it for quite sometime. I played there Monday because it usually drains well after heavy rains, then played again today. $19 Brooks Card walking rate is nice but if the fairway is long and shaggy and the greens chewed up and slow, not such a bargain unless you live nearby. But today the greens were rolling what I would call "almost fast" which is extremely rare for Naperbrook.

[Argonne69]

> @TheBear95 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Booked my rounds for this weekend. Bear Slide in Cicero, IN for Saturday morning, and Coyote Crossing in West Lafayette on the way home Sunday morning.

>

> Have you played Bear Slide before?

 

No, it'll be my first visit.

 

[ldchristopher]

> @MountainKing said:

> > @tmw1582 said:

> > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > @tmw1582 said:

> > > > Last weekend we had a guys trip to Gull View Lake. The courses were pretty forgettable and the accommodations were as well. There is also nowhere to get a decent meal on site. I can't believe a golf "resort" would not have a bigger clubhouse with a better bar/restaurant. Seems like a missed opportunity to me to make some money after dark. We ended up Ubering into Kalamazoo. One course that did stand out was Stoatin Brae. I really enjoyed that course. Fun, wide open links layout with some great views.

> > > >

> > > > Played in a work outing at Crystal Tree yesterday and I'm playing there again tomorrow afternoon. The course is in pretty great shape even though they aerated a couple weeks ago.

> > >

> > > I stopped making the trip up there last year and our group ended their 30 year run there this year. The price continues to go up while the accommodations go down. Unfortunately they seem to still have no issues packing the place during the year so there's probably no real motivation to fix anything. We generally got in 5 rounds in the 3 days we were there and with the current pricing we've been able to figure out how to make similar trips within a reasonable drive of Chicago to play better courses for less money. South was always my favorite up there, Stoatin was still new when we played it, they upcharged our rate to play it and the course was shaggy and in awful condition. They honestly should have been embarrassed up charging a long time group for the condition it was in, but again since they pack the place they really don't care. I'm sure our group not going up there this year didn't impact them at all.

> >

> > There was nothing memorable about the 4 courses we played aside from Stoatin, which again I really enjoyed.

> > I'm new to the group playing but I know at least a couple of the guys feel the same way I do. Do you mind telling me what other Midwest resorts you've hit up that allow for as many rounds and similar pricing?

>

> That last sentence is the problem. If you're looking for a resort with unlimited golf at the rates they charge, you won't find it. Gull Lake is all about convenience, and it's hard to find something just like it in the midwest. The more expensive it gets, the less interested we are in the convenience, it was a great place to go when our trips were under $300. If you're willing to get creative and "motel 6" it, you have a ton of options. The big thing is dropping the "unlimited" from the mindset, at the end of the day there's only so much golf you can play between daylight and your body.

>

> Golf outside of the Chicagoland tends to run a lot cheaper than what you get in our area. Pick an area, pick a cheap hotel (you only use it for sleep anyway) and then find enough courses to fill your day/s. The key is to play the morning rounds at the cheaper courses and hit twilight up for the pricier courses.

>

> This year we did a trip to Indy

> Purgatory - $60

> Prairie View - $49 (twilight)

> The Trophy Club - $39

> Kampen Course - $49 (twilight)

>

> We price lined our room for $55 per room which came out to about $35 per person after taxes and what not. So for around $235ish we had a one night stay with 4 rounds of golf, we actually didn't end up playing Kampen but this was the initial itinerary. We could have done 1 more night with 2 more rounds and end up around the $400 mark which is pretty close to what you end up paying at Gull Lake for courses that aren't that great. As a group, we've decided even if it's another $150-200, if we're playing better courses it's worth it. You also have much better food options ect. It all depends how much extra leg work you want to do.

 

This. ^ I can’t stress this enough. If resort golf is your thing, more power to you. I get it; for some extra cash the facility will take care of everything. No excess driving, no worries about possible traffic between rounds, no concerns about dining options. Just a flat rate. However, we’ve found that if we book something like, for example, the Wyndham at $60-70 per night, we can go up to Grand Rapids and play Thornapple Pointe ($45ish on a weekday), Pilgrim’s Run ($60), Hemlock ($30-45 depending on whether you want to walk or ride) and Hawkshead ($55). That’s four courses that are all, in my opinion, significantly better than anything at Gull Lake for under $200.

[TheBear95]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @TheBear95 said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Booked my rounds for this weekend. Bear Slide in Cicero, IN for Saturday morning, and Coyote Crossing in West Lafayette on the way home Sunday morning.

> >

> > Have you played Bear Slide before?

>

> No, it'll be my first visit.

>

Interested in your take. I thought the course was a little bipolar. The front is quite open and long. However, you make the turn and all of sudden it gets narrow and you need to be pretty precise off the tee. Dont get me wrong, it has some lovely holes, but it reminded me somewhat of ThunderHawk in that regard.

[MountainKing]

> @ldchristopher said:

> > @MountainKing said:

> > > @tmw1582 said:

> > > > @MountainKing said:

> > > > > @tmw1582 said:

> > > > > Last weekend we had a guys trip to Gull View Lake. The courses were pretty forgettable and the accommodations were as well. There is also nowhere to get a decent meal on site. I can't believe a golf "resort" would not have a bigger clubhouse with a better bar/restaurant. Seems like a missed opportunity to me to make some money after dark. We ended up Ubering into Kalamazoo. One course that did stand out was Stoatin Brae. I really enjoyed that course. Fun, wide open links layout with some great views.

> > > > >

> > > > > Played in a work outing at Crystal Tree yesterday and I'm playing there again tomorrow afternoon. The course is in pretty great shape even though they aerated a couple weeks ago.

> > > >

> > > > I stopped making the trip up there last year and our group ended their 30 year run there this year. The price continues to go up while the accommodations go down. Unfortunately they seem to still have no issues packing the place during the year so there's probably no real motivation to fix anything. We generally got in 5 rounds in the 3 days we were there and with the current pricing we've been able to figure out how to make similar trips within a reasonable drive of Chicago to play better courses for less money. South was always my favorite up there, Stoatin was still new when we played it, they upcharged our rate to play it and the course was shaggy and in awful condition. They honestly should have been embarrassed up charging a long time group for the condition it was in, but again since they pack the place they really don't care. I'm sure our group not going up there this year didn't impact them at all.

> > >

> > > There was nothing memorable about the 4 courses we played aside from Stoatin, which again I really enjoyed.

> > > I'm new to the group playing but I know at least a couple of the guys feel the same way I do. Do you mind telling me what other Midwest resorts you've hit up that allow for as many rounds and similar pricing?

> >

> > That last sentence is the problem. If you're looking for a resort with unlimited golf at the rates they charge, you won't find it. Gull Lake is all about convenience, and it's hard to find something just like it in the midwest. The more expensive it gets, the less interested we are in the convenience, it was a great place to go when our trips were under $300. If you're willing to get creative and "motel 6" it, you have a ton of options. The big thing is dropping the "unlimited" from the mindset, at the end of the day there's only so much golf you can play between daylight and your body.

> >

> > Golf outside of the Chicagoland tends to run a lot cheaper than what you get in our area. Pick an area, pick a cheap hotel (you only use it for sleep anyway) and then find enough courses to fill your day/s. The key is to play the morning rounds at the cheaper courses and hit twilight up for the pricier courses.

> >

> > This year we did a trip to Indy

> > Purgatory - $60

> > Prairie View - $49 (twilight)

> > The Trophy Club - $39

> > Kampen Course - $49 (twilight)

> >

> > We price lined our room for $55 per room which came out to about $35 per person after taxes and what not. So for around $235ish we had a one night stay with 4 rounds of golf, we actually didn't end up playing Kampen but this was the initial itinerary. We could have done 1 more night with 2 more rounds and end up around the $400 mark which is pretty close to what you end up paying at Gull Lake for courses that aren't that great. As a group, we've decided even if it's another $150-200, if we're playing better courses it's worth it. You also have much better food options ect. It all depends how much extra leg work you want to do.

>

> This. ^ I can’t stress this enough. If resort golf is your thing, more power to you. I get it; for some extra cash the facility will take care of everything. No excess driving, no worries about possible traffic between rounds, no concerns about dining options. Just a flat rate. However, we’ve found that if we book something like, for example, the Wyndham at $60-70 per night, we can go up to Grand Rapids and play Thornapple Pointe ($45ish on a weekday), Pilgrim’s Run ($60), Hemlock ($30-45 depending on whether you want to walk or ride) and Hawkshead ($55). That’s four courses that are all, in my opinion, significantly better than anything at Gull Lake for under $200.

 

The driving isn't that bad if you pick the hotel wisely. At Gull Lake you still have to drive to get to 4 of the courses, I know they're not far, but you're still loading the car up and having to go. The more I think about it, it's actually not that much more work. You still have to call Gull Lake, book the room, book your tee times at all the courses ect. Now that GL costs what it costs, we just can't justify continually going up there.