Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[geochitown]

All reports from the weekend point to wet, sloppy conditions.

Two data points to add: Bowes Creek was absolutely soaked, and so was Broken Arrow.

[DavePelz4]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Harborside is still charging $100 on the weekends. Ugh.

>

> Looks like we're going to get a kick in the head weatherwise this weekend. A front moves in Friday, and the temps will drop from a high of 70 to a high of 49 on Saturday.

>

 

Big fan of that temp change! It might, might mean the move from shorts to pants but the people playing under 50 degrees are usually diehards and you can get into a nice rhythm.

[mci711]

I am supposed to play Friday at Norwood Hills Country Club down in St Louis, but the weather looks pretty bad. I hope I am able to get out, it was announced today that the Champions Tour will be playing there next year.

[MountainKing]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Harborside is still charging $100 on the weekends. Ugh.

>

> Looks like we're going to get a kick in the head weatherwise this weekend. A front moves in Friday, and the temps will drop from a high of 70 to a high of 49 on Saturday.

>

 

Suppose to go play 36 out at Purdue on Friday, hoping whatever is coming through Friday is slow moving so we can at least get 18 in. Looking at the long term forecast I might be hanging it up minus the odd 70 degree day here and there that we'll see. I'm a wuss and not big into being outside when it's much below 65 this time of year. Spring I can usually push that to 55.

[Shriner]

There are almost zero alternatives if you live in the Oak Brook area. Every other direction offers a glut of courses, Oak Brook is just one of the oddities for the suburbs. You can make it to no less than **seven **solid 18 hole courses within 5-10 minutes of Schaumburg. A bunch of courses around Buffalo Grove. Same can be said for Naperville. Oak Brook? Start driving :)

[Argonne69]

> @Shriner said:

> There are almost zero alternatives if you live in the Oak Brook area. Every other direction offers a glut of courses, Oak Brook is just one of the oddities for the suburbs. You can make it to no less than **seven **solid 18 hole courses within 5-10 minutes of Schaumburg. A bunch of courses around Buffalo Grove. Same can be said for Naperville. Oak Brook? Start driving :)

 

Well, there's Willow Crest. and the oh so forgettable Fresh Meadow.

[cpeck12]

Village Links in Glen Ellyn is half price on Mondays and Tuesdays (both courses) through the end of the year. If you have the VIP or resident card, you play the 9-hole course for free on Tuesdays. I played there last Friday morning (solo) and got through 18 holes in a hair under 2 hours. Was definitely wet, but not as bad as I was expecting from the rain we had during the previous week. They were scheduled to aerate the 9 hole course yesterday and the 18 hole course is scheduled to be aerated next Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Played Seven Bridges in Woodridge yesterday... they aerated the greens but there was nothing on the website about it. Wish I would have known, but luckily I had two free rounds there so we didn't pay to play. Greens were extremely soft as well. Course was wet, but not soaked. Was cart path only 99% of the course.

[geochitown]

All reports from the weekend point to wet, sloppy conditions.

Two data points to add: Bowes Creek was absolutely soaked, and so was Broken Arrow.> @Shriner said:

> There are almost zero alternatives if you live in the Oak Brook area. Every other direction offers a glut of courses, Oak Brook is just one of the oddities for the suburbs. You can make it to no less than **seven **solid 18 hole courses within 5-10 minutes of Schaumburg. A bunch of courses around Buffalo Grove. Same can be said for Naperville. Oak Brook? Start driving :)

 

Is the Preserve that far from Oakbrook to not count?

[Shriner]

> @geochitown said:

> All reports from the weekend point to wet, sloppy conditions.

> Two data points to add: Bowes Creek was absolutely soaked, and so was Broken Arrow.> @Shriner said:

> > There are almost zero alternatives if you live in the Oak Brook area. Every other direction offers a glut of courses, Oak Brook is just one of the oddities for the suburbs. You can make it to no less than **seven **solid 18 hole courses within 5-10 minutes of Schaumburg. A bunch of courses around Buffalo Grove. Same can be said for Naperville. Oak Brook? Start driving :)

>

> Is the Preserve that far from Oakbrook to not count?

 

It's not too bad of a drive, depending on where you live and the traffic, 15-25 minutes.

[geochitown]

preserve has fall rates and they aerated weeks back

[St Jimmy]

I realized Sunday afternoon while walking down a saturated fairway that I didn't play a dry/fast/firm course all year.

What a sloppy wet summer.

[mci711]

> @"St Jimmy" said:

> I realized Sunday afternoon while walking down a saturated fairway that I didn't play a dry/fast/firm course all year.

> What a sloppy wet summer.

 

1 week in July I got roll out ? and 1 week in August - in Scotland..... But you are right, it seemed every couple days we got just enough rain to keep things soft. I really missed firm conditions, I hit the ball a mile in the air and need a little help when it lands, not a backward bounce.

 

2018, 17, 15,14 and 13 are all in the top 25 for yearly rain totals for the Chicago area, since 1871 - Almost 150 years worth of data. It rains here more than ever now.

[DavePelz4]

> @geochitown said:

> preserve has fall rates and they aerated weeks back

 

Just looked at their website yesterday to possibly book for Saturday and they are at $79.00/round. Isn't that what they charged during the summer? On a comparative note, the Highlands is $59 and IMHO a better conditioned track.

[geochitown]

they just dropped the rate $10 for fall. it was 89 before, I think (It's 59 if you walk).

I think the Preserve is likely in better condition than the highlands (dry compared to the rest of chicagoland courses) and they don't over-water.

 

Frustrating, but maybe it's a form of dynamic pricing?

 

[Argonne69]

There's an opening for two players at The Preserve at 7:40 am on Saturday. Anybody interested in joining me?

 

[geochitown]

you are definitely the intrepid golfer, Arg!

 

[DavePelz4]

> @geochitown said:

> they just dropped the rate $10 for fall. it was 89 before, I think (It's 59 if you walk).

> I think the Preserve is likely in better condition than the highlands (dry compared to the rest of chicagoland courses) and they don't over-water.

>

> Frustrating, but maybe it's a form of dynamic pricing?

>

 

We're at HoE tomorrow for the rare mid week round so I'll throw something up on the conditions. post round. BTYW, don't see The Preserve as a $90 course.

[mci711]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> > @geochitown said:

> > they just dropped the rate $10 for fall. it was 89 before, I think (It's 59 if you walk).

> > I think the Preserve is likely in better condition than the highlands (dry compared to the rest of chicagoland courses) and they don't over-water.

> >

> > Frustrating, but maybe it's a form of dynamic pricing?

> >

>

> We're at HoE tomorrow for the rare mid week round so I'll throw something up on the conditions. post round. BTYW, don't see The Preserve as a $90 course.

 

Really? For what it is and where it is I think they can actually charge more. A lot of Chicago golf courses are overpriced - short season and a ton of golfers will do that. So I think $90 for what to me is a top 5 Public course in the area seems more than fair. Other top courses that aren't way out Cantigny - $120, Dubs $150, Mistwood - $120, Glen Club $135, Harboside $100. The best deals are obviously HoE, Blackstone, Shepherd's and I know I am forgetting some, but those are way out if you leave anywhere near the city.

 

What price do you think it should be?

[DavePelz4]

We're blessed with great courses in our area and there are probably 10-12 "top 5" courses. I live in the burbs so my thoughts are based on that. We drive all over so time to/from a course isn't much of an issue while I can definitely see how that could impact a city resident's thoughts. To me, The Preserve is a $65 course. I also think Dubs is overpriced as is the Glen Club and Mistwood. But, understanding economics, if there is demand and the tee sheet is full, courses are going to charge as much as possible and I'm a fan of capitalism.

 

Have shared my conversations with Jim McWethy who owns Mistwood and the Golf Dome. He said Mistwood pricing will increase annually until they see a drop in rounds. I don't think his approach is wrong in the least but as a golf consumer with all the choices we have, I'll take 2 rounds at HoE over 1 round at Mistwood/The Glen Club/Dubs, etc.

 

 

[Shriner]

REALLY tough call...whether a course is overpriced is very individualistic. I live in Roselle and I do not mind driving for golf. Thus, I really have no reason to play the local $100+ courses such as Seven Bridges or Cantigny when I can go drive to Bowes and play it for $40ish or out to Blackstone for $50ish (list goes on and on). I think Preserve is worth $90, but I only play it once or twice a year because of all the lovely options we have. There are ALOT of people who are not willing to drive for golf and that leaves them with Oak Meadows as one of the few really nice courses in that area. For what it is worth, Fox Run in Elk Grove is roughly $65-70 on the weekend, I don't think I need to ask if you would pay $25 more to go play Oak Meadows :)

[geochitown]

I always enjoy playing at HoE

[Shriner]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> We're blessed with great courses in our area and there are probably 10-12 "top 5" courses. I live in the burbs so my thoughts are based on that. We drive all over so time to/from a course isn't much of an issue while I can definitely see how that could impact a city resident's thoughts. To me, The Preserve is a $65 course. I also think Dubs is overpriced as is the Glen Club and Mistwood. But, understanding economics, if there is demand and the tee sheet is full, courses are going to charge as much as possible and I'm a fan of capitalism.

>

> Have shared my conversations with Jim McWethy who owns Mistwood and the Golf Dome. He said Mistwood pricing will increase annually until they see a drop in rounds. I don't think his approach is wrong in the least but as a golf consumer with all the choices we have, I'll take 2 rounds at HoE over 1 round at Mistwood/The Glen Club/Dubs, etc.

>

>

 

I could not agree more and this coming from someone who is a huge fan of Mistwood. In these times with golf courses crying out for business, I am happy to see Mistwood and Cantigny continue to pack the course with virtually no discounts. Like alot of us on here, we realize there are better deals for "very" similar courses.

[Symphonize]

> @MountainKing said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Harborside is still charging $100 on the weekends. Ugh.

> >

> > Looks like we're going to get a kick in the head weatherwise this weekend. A front moves in Friday, and the temps will drop from a high of 70 to a high of 49 on Saturday.

> >

>

> Suppose to go play 36 out at Purdue on Friday, hoping whatever is coming through Friday is slow moving so we can at least get 18 in. Looking at the long term forecast I might be hanging it up minus the odd 70 degree day here and there that we'll see. I'm a wuss and not big into being outside when it's much below 65 this time of year. Spring I can usually push that to 55.

 

Hopefully the weather holds up for you Friday. I’ll be at Purdue Friday through a Sunday for homecoming, but unfortunately no golf for me. Have you played the courses before? You’ll enjoy them.

 

 

Played Stonewall Orchard yesterday, Course was wet in a decent amount of areas, still in playable conditions (except the first hole was a mess see the picture below). Greens are a little beat up but still rolling pretty smooth. Was getting off the tee great, 10 fairways, but my iron game was mediocre and chipping abysmal. Also, they are taking out a giant tree on #4 that will allow you to go for the green in one on the par 4 if you can really crush it. See the second picture below, it’s from the green looking back at the fairway, with the tee box’s semi visible from behind the tree. Also, looks like they are getting new seats for the carts next year, the big thick black ones that are very cushiony.

 

 

 

 

[Shriner]

Wow, wonder what happened on hole #1? That looks odd for a course that is always in impeccable condition.

 

If you really wanted to go for it on hole 4, that tree was not in the way. You would have to be borderline insane to hit driver at that green though, nowhere to miss...

[@_the_crook]

thanks for mentioning the Glen Club, DP4. I have a gratis round available there before end of season. need to get the lead out.

[geochitown]

> @"@_the_crook" said:

> thanks for mentioning the Glen Club, DP4. I have a gratis round available there before end of season. need to get the lead out.

 

> @"@_the_crook" said:

> thanks for mentioning the Glen Club, DP4. I have a gratis round available there before end of season. need to get the lead out.

 

as you'll see,, the glen club punched their greens on the 2nd.

[@_the_crook]

> @geochitown said:

> > @"@_the_crook" said:

> > thanks for mentioning the Glen Club, DP4. I have a gratis round available there before end of season. need to get the lead out.

>

> > @"@_the_crook" said:

> > thanks for mentioning the Glen Club, DP4. I have a gratis round available there before end of season. need to get the lead out.

>

> as you'll see,, the glen club punched their greens on the 2nd.

 

thanks for that information. based on weather, this weekend would be a waste. next saturday or sunday appear to be drier and a touch warmer.

 

[geochitown]

> @Symphonize said:

> > @MountainKing said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Harborside is still charging $100 on the weekends. Ugh.

> > >

> > > Looks like we're going to get a kick in the head weatherwise this weekend. A front moves in Friday, and the temps will drop from a high of 70 to a high of 49 on Saturday.

> > >

> >

> > Suppose to go play 36 out at Purdue on Friday, hoping whatever is coming through Friday is slow moving so we can at least get 18 in. Looking at the long term forecast I might be hanging it up minus the odd 70 degree day here and there that we'll see. I'm a wuss and not big into being outside when it's much below 65 this time of year. Spring I can usually push that to 55.

>

> Hopefully the weather holds up for you Friday. I’ll be at Purdue Friday through a Sunday for homecoming, but unfortunately no golf for me. Have you played the courses before? You’ll enjoy them.

>

>

> Played Stonewall Orchard yesterday, Course was wet in a decent amount of areas, still in playable conditions (except the first hole was a mess see the picture below). Greens are a little beat up but still rolling pretty smooth. Was getting off the tee great, 10 fairways, but my iron game was mediocre and chipping abysmal. Also, they are taking out a giant tree on #4 that will allow you to go for the green in one on the par 4 if you can really crush it. See the second picture below, it’s from the green looking back at the fairway, with the tee box’s semi visible from behind the tree. Also, looks like they are getting new seats for the carts next year, the big thick black ones that are very cushiony.

>

>

>

>

>

>

 

Removing that tree on 4 should help grass grow in that area and open up the approach, at least to the wind

 

Haven’t beeN to stonewall in a couple of years

Always enjoyed it

[VNutz]

Got out to Orchard Valley for a rare weekday round, and even more uncommon round with the wife. We realized it was the first time in 8 years we'd gotten out together, that's what kids will do to you. Greens were aerated the week before and it was still in play, big tines and plenty bumpy and slow, plinko like. Maybe it was my mistake but I kind of thought that an 11:00 Wednesday tee time would move pretty quickly, nope. Either the starter screwed up or somebody showed late and wrecked things for the day. We got there 30 minutes ahead of our time and saw a group leaving the tee, with nobody behind them and nobody else around in general as we were the only 2 on the putting green, at check in the starter said we were right on schedule. In the next 10 minutes the floodgates opened and about 20 people showed up around the green, with 1 group apparently behind schedule a bit, and a twosome/foursome group that were together showed up as well as a half dozen seniors with tee times 45 minutes away pushing to get out ahead of time. In those 10 minutes we went from on schedule to 15 minutes behind, and with slow golf in front. It was actually interesting to see it unfold and just how easily a few things going wrong could wreck pace of play. We literally waited on every shot on every hole, which wasn't so bad as it was a beautiful day, but after a while it got annoying. Additionally, one of the groups ahead must have made a long stop at the turn, as somehow we went from the normal slow pace to even slower as there were 4 groups backed up on the 10th tee. Eventually on the back 9 the two/four group combined into a 6some, a 6 some that was still keeping pace with the slow group ahead of them, so after the 13th hole we skipped over to 16 as there were 2 open holes and we finished much more quickly.

[MountainKing]

> @Symphonize said:

> > @MountainKing said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Harborside is still charging $100 on the weekends. Ugh.

> > >

> > > Looks like we're going to get a kick in the head weatherwise this weekend. A front moves in Friday, and the temps will drop from a high of 70 to a high of 49 on Saturday.

> > >

> >

> > Suppose to go play 36 out at Purdue on Friday, hoping whatever is coming through Friday is slow moving so we can at least get 18 in. Looking at the long term forecast I might be hanging it up minus the odd 70 degree day here and there that we'll see. I'm a wuss and not big into being outside when it's much below 65 this time of year. Spring I can usually push that to 55.

>

> Hopefully the weather holds up for you Friday. I’ll be at Purdue Friday through a Sunday for homecoming, but unfortunately no golf for me. Have you played the courses before? You’ll enjoy them.

>

>

> Played Stonewall Orchard yesterday, Course was wet in a decent amount of areas, still in playable conditions (except the first hole was a mess see the picture below). Greens are a little beat up but still rolling pretty smooth. Was getting off the tee great, 10 fairways, but my iron game was mediocre and chipping abysmal. Also, they are taking out a giant tree on #4 that will allow you to go for the green in one on the par 4 if you can really crush it. See the second picture below, it’s from the green looking back at the fairway, with the tee box’s semi visible from behind the tree. Also, looks like they are getting new seats for the carts next year, the big thick black ones that are very cushiony.

>

>

>

 

 

Yeah we try to get out there yearly, but I think we missed going last year. The Dye course always gets me, one day I'll figure that 18 out, but until then I'll always prefer the Ackerman 18.