Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[Holy Moses]

First time playing any of the courses at Cog Hill last Wednesday. Dubs was closed, so I played #2. Fantastic weather and while the course started out with some easy, short par 4s, there are definitely some tough holes on the Ravines. The greens were quite hard and fast. Very friendly staff. I'd like to try my hand at Dubs next year just to say I played it. The greens are very tough, correct? 

[Argonne69]

10 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

First time playing any of the courses at Cog Hill last Wednesday. Dubs was closed, so I played #2. Fantastic weather and while the course started out with some easy, short par 4s, there are definitely some tough holes on the Ravines. The greens were quite hard and fast. Very friendly staff. I'd like to try my hand at Dubs next year just to say I played it. The greens are very tough, correct? 

 

I think the greens on Dubs are tough, but not extremely tough. I've played dozens of courses with tougher, more undulating greens. Most have four sections with a ridge between them. Hit the section/segment with the flag and it's a good birdie chance. Miss the flag's section and you have to deal with the ridge.

 

[B-Man]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I think the greens on Dubs are tough, but not extremely tough. I've played dozens of courses with tougher, more undulating greens. Most have four sections with a ridge between them. Hit the section/segment with the flag and it's a good birdie chance. Miss the flag's section and you have to deal with the ridge.

 

 

Obviously, the degree of toughness on the greens at Dubsdread is purely based on what tee markers you hit off. With the various sections on the greens, hitting the correct spot is easier with a wedge vs a 6-iron. With that said, the green complexes are extreme when playing from the tips for anyone outside the upper echelon.

[ldchristopher]

1 hour ago, B-Man said:

 

Obviously, the degree of toughness on the greens at Dubsdread is purely based on what tee markers you hit off. With the various sections on the greens, hitting the correct spot is easier with a wedge vs a 6-iron. With that said, the green complexes are extreme when playing from the tips for anyone outside the upper echelon.

I like B-Man casually hinting you probably shouldn’t play from the tips unless you’re a long hitter and plus handicap. Such a polite guy. 

[MountainKing]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I think the greens on Dubs are tough, but not extremely tough. I've played dozens of courses with tougher, more undulating greens. Most have four sections with a ridge between them. Hit the section/segment with the flag and it's a good birdie chance. Miss the flag's section and you have to deal with the ridge.

 

 

I would agree with this, unless they're playing fast (which they rarely are these days).  The thing with Dubs tho - is where playing to the center of the green is fairly safe on most courses, it's not always a safe play there.  In many cases you need to do your best to fire at the pin to get it on the same shelf.

[DavePelz4]

Wow...just passed 15 years on this crazy site. Are you all chipping in to get me a gift?  Wine is always the right size.

[TheBear95]

2 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Wow...just passed 15 years on this crazy site. Are you all chipping in to get me a gift?  Wine is always the right size.

 

Perfect time for your crystal anniversary. I'll chip in a few cents for this.

 

https://www.tannafarms.com/product/2024-weekday-10-play-pass/

[B-Man]

The Glen was fun yesterday. Lots of roll out on the fairways and little to no wind. I'll take that.

 

[VNutz]

14 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

 

Perfect time for your crystal anniversary. I'll chip in a few cents for this.

 

https://www.tannafarms.com/product/2024-weekday-10-play-pass/

I'm not sure what's better, the deal or the graphics on the certificate.

[DavePelz4]

15 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

 

Perfect time for your crystal anniversary. I'll chip in a few cents for this.

 

https://www.tannafarms.com/product/2024-weekday-10-play-pass/

 

Don't tease me with that Bear. Dream come true.

[stasek]

Most likely last round of the year in Chicagoland.  Got a text from a friend in the morning - "how about a quick 9"?   After a lot of arm twisting, I obliged - 9:30am at Ruffled Feathers.  Course is walking only and in relatively good shape (bunkers don't count).  After 9 it was a decision time - quit, do the 10, 11, 17, 18 loop or just keep walking - of course we chose the last option.   3 hours/13K steps/6 miles later, we were done.  Couldn't remember how to hold a golf club on the front 9 (43), but woke up on the back 9 and shot 34 - what a stupid game.  Highlight was a 4i on 17 to about 5' and a subsequent birdie.  

Heading to Orlando on Dec 3rd for a full week of golf.   What started out as a winter getaway for few golfers from a "rival" club turned into an 88 person tournament .   We'll be playing the following courses:  Hawk's Landing, Grand Cypress, Orange County - Panther Lake, Orange County - Crooked Cat, Shingle Creek, and Disney's Lake Buena Vista.   

[ldchristopher]

Broken Arrow today  with Bear. We played South to North since we had the course to ourselves. Low 30’s temps and a harsh Northwest wind coming off all the retention ponds on the course led to an empty parking lot except for the two of us. The tee boxes and greens had been recently punched with big tines and the greens were bad. Shaggy and bumpy. The rule of the day was just take the two putt par since birdies were pretty much impossible to come by. This was too bad since I hit the ball well, with 9 fairways and 13 greens. Oh well. Shot a 73. With must-see games tomorrow, snow on Sunday and surgery rapidly approaching, this was it for 2023. 83 rounds in the books. 

[Chanceman]

Seriously, is Downer's Grove 9 holer worth playing? We arrive in Chicago late, so have a day to relax before heading off on our golf trip. I thought maybe DG would be a good one to loosen up. If not what would suit? Staying in Franklin Park.

[Argonne69]

9 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Seriously, is Downer's Grove 9 holer worth playing? We arrive in Chicago late, so have a day to relax before heading off on our golf trip. I thought maybe DG would be a good one to loosen up. If not what would suit? Staying in Franklin Park.

 

The Preserve would be my choice. Six miles from FP.

 

 

[DavePelz4]

Apparently Dunne was allowing 6somes this morning.

 

 

[VNutz]

On 11/25/2023 at 9:49 PM, Chanceman said:

Seriously, is Downer's Grove 9 holer worth playing? We arrive in Chicago late, so have a day to relax before heading off on our golf trip. I thought maybe DG would be a good one to loosen up. If not what would suit? Staying in Franklin Park.

A little reading on DG: https://thefriedegg.com/downers-grove-golf-club/

 

Personally though I wouldn't go out of my way for it. As mentioned, The Preserve is a fine choice. Otherwise Village Links of Glen Ellyn is a great facility with a nice 18 hole course and a sneaky good 9 holer. Don't find many 9 hole courses anymore, let along those with legit par 5s.

[VNutz]

20 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Apparently Dunne was allowing 6somes this morning.

 

 

DP4 mad they won't let him play through.

[DavePelz4]

1 hour ago, VNutz said:

DP4 mad they won't let him play through.

 

Exactly and they're not very good about repairing marks on greens, either.

[MountainKing]

On 11/25/2023 at 9:49 PM, Chanceman said:

Seriously, is Downer's Grove 9 holer worth playing? We arrive in Chicago late, so have a day to relax before heading off on our golf trip. I thought maybe DG would be a good one to loosen up. If not what would suit? Staying in Franklin Park.

 

No it's not worth driving out of your way to play.  It's a historical piece of land, but beyond the land, there really isn't too much of the "original" course left. More remnants.   They are trying to embrace the historical side a bit more now than they were when Fried Egg was there,  They claim 5 holes were left, a massive stretch IMO.  The only holes that really haven't been touched and probably could have been part of the original course is 2, 7 and 8's green.  Hole 4 and 9 have had tee boxes moved, trees removed and fairways re-shaped, the 8th tee box is new as well.  The other holes not mentioned have also been re-designed/changed over my life.  Conditions there can be hit or miss, and if you're out there at the wrong time it'll take 3 hours to get around the 9. 

 

If you're staying in Franklin Park I would spend the day at the Preserve, conditions there can also be spotty but it generally moves well and it's a pretty special layout.

[Chanceman]

On 11/28/2023 at 1:49 AM, VNutz said:

A little reading on DG: https://thefriedegg.com/downers-grove-golf-club/

 

Personally though I wouldn't go out of my way for it. As mentioned, The Preserve is a fine choice. Otherwise Village Links of Glen Ellyn is a great facility with a nice 18 hole course and a sneaky good 9 holer. Don't find many 9 hole courses anymore, let along those with legit par 5s.

VL seems further away than most. Not keen on that . 

 

11 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

No it's not worth driving out of your way to play.  It's a historical piece of land, but beyond the land, there really isn't too much of the "original" course left. More remnants.   They are trying to embrace the historical side a bit more now than they were when Fried Egg was there,  They claim 5 holes were left, a massive stretch IMO.  The only holes that really haven't been touched and probably could have been part of the original course is 2, 7 and 8's green.  Hole 4 and 9 have had tee boxes moved, trees removed and fairways re-shaped, the 8th tee box is new as well.  The other holes not mentioned have also been re-designed/changed over my life.  Conditions there can be hit or miss, and if you're out there at the wrong time it'll take 3 hours to get around the 9. 

 

If you're staying in Franklin Park I would spend the day at the Preserve, conditions there can also be spotty but it generally moves well and it's a pretty special layout.

TP seems a good option. But any thoughts on Indian Boundary which is very close to our digs? Looks to be a nice course in a very green area!

[Argonne69]

10 hours ago, Chanceman said:

VL seems further away than most. Not keen on that . 

 

TP seems a good option. But any thoughts on Indian Boundary which is very close to our digs? Looks to be a nice course in a very green area!

 

Indian Boundary is a goat track. Definite pass. 

 

[MountainKing]

I agree on Indian Boundry with Arg - if you're looking at a cheaper round in that area I would look at White Pines.  It's not gonna blow you away but it won't break the bank either.

[Argonne69]

3 hours ago, MountainKing said:

I agree on Indian Boundry with Arg - if you're looking at a cheaper round in that area I would look at White Pines.  It's not gonna blow you away but it won't break the bank either.

 

Or Maple Meadows. 

[MountainKing]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Or Maple Meadows. 

 

Not sure when you last played there, but it's sadly approaching dog track status with conditions.  Couple rounds on it this year and the greens were shaggier than most fairways I've seen.   I'm looking forward to the renovation and hope they maintain it a little better after it's done.

[@_the_crook]

On 11/25/2023 at 9:49 PM, Chanceman said:

Seriously, is Downer's Grove 9 holer worth playing? We arrive in Chicago late, so have a day to relax before heading off on our golf trip. I thought maybe DG would be a good one to loosen up. If not what would suit? Staying in Franklin Park.

you could try OakBrook GC. not too far and it's a decent course for players of all abilities.

 

[DavePelz4]

Since moving south, it seems the weekday old guy rounds at Blackstone have been replace by rounds at Dunne.  One of my college buds works in the pro shop post-retirement, so it's always a good deal, free balls, etc.

 

Really a beautiful day out, minimal wind, and the course is in OK conditions, except for the usual disasters of bunkers.  Greens are in really good shape and rolling surprisingly fast.  Some wet spots to be expected after the snow earlier in the week. After the last round there north of 5+ hours, yesterday was a delight at 3:45. With a Noon tee time there was a bit of concerns about finishing in the light but we did that, fine. 

 

Not sure if there will be more rounds in December, so if this was the close to the year, OK.  

 

[bsoudi]

On 11/25/2023 at 9:49 PM, Chanceman said:

Seriously, is Downer's Grove 9 holer worth playing? We arrive in Chicago late, so have a day to relax before heading off on our golf trip. I thought maybe DG would be a good one to loosen up. If not what would suit? Staying in Franklin Park.

Im prolly late on this. 
 

I find it fun, actually hilly for a Chicago course. 
 

lots of suggestions for the Preserve, but it closed for the year about Nov 1. 
 

all DuPage courses are now closed — Preserve, Maple Meadows, etc

Edited December 8, 2023 by bsoudi

[MountainKing]

3 hours ago, bsoudi said:

Im prolly late on this. 
 

I find it fun, actually hilly for a Chicago course. 
 

lots of suggestions for the Preserve, but it closed for the year about Nov 1. 
 

all DuPage courses are now closed — Preserve, Maple Meadows, etc

 

I'm assuming based on his mention of this being part of a golf trip they're flying in for, it's booked in the future for when things warm up.  I don't think many would consider Chicago for a golf trip in December.

[Chicago Lefty]

On 11/20/2023 at 2:43 PM, DavePelz4 said:

Wow...just passed 15 years on this crazy site. Are you all chipping in to get me a gift?  Wine is always the right size.

I have a bottle for you

[Chanceman]

On 12/9/2023 at 8:44 AM, MountainKing said:

 

I'm assuming based on his mention of this being part of a golf trip they're flying in for, it's booked in the future for when things warm up.  I don't think many would consider Chicago for a golf trip in December.

Yes, golf trip next September. We fly in to Chicago 29/30 August then head out 31 August. So Friday August 30 is a day we can play somewhere like DG. 

The rest of our trip is like I have said elsewhere: 

The Warren Course at Notre Dame

Pilgrims Run

Arcadia Bluffs/South

Forest Dunes/ The Loops

Belvedere.

Greywalls

Sand Valley/Mammoth

One of Wild Rock, Washington County or Mascoutin (yet to decide, depends on some things)

Erin Hills

Lawsonia Links

Eagle Springs 9

Thunderhawk

Cog Hill (Dubs)

A few days off eg to see the Packers HOF and the Harley Davidson museum.

I think its a pretty good trip.