Swope Memorial Kansas City.

[Irishman1979]

From checking this course out online it looks amazing. Its not overly long but man there are some beautiful golf holes to enjoy.

Anyone here every play this track and if so what did you think of it?

[ascottwaddell]

I played it all the time in my 20s. It's fun but certainly not amazing. Pace of play can be horrible. Lots of short Par 4s. Conditioning is just okay. Certainly worth playing though.

[Irishman1979]

I see it’s a Tillinghast course. Looks like the greens are the best part ? I take it the grass is Zoysia?

[ascottwaddell]

It is. It is a cool place. Common man's country club feel. There are a few awesome holes and several very forgettable ones. Zoysia fairways, bent greens, fescue/kentucky bluegrass rough. Again, worth playing but not worth traveling to IMO.

[Irishman1979]

From what I am seeing if you put the ball in the fairway you probably will be hitting wedges and short irons into greens all day long?

[dlygrisse]

Fun and old school design. Some shortish holes and a few that play pretty long. Quality municipal course with lots of hills, it plays pretty tight. One par 5 has OB in the middle of the course so it’s risky to cut the corner. Several really short par 5’s that are very tricky, a couple of pretty long par 3’s as well.

[dlygrisse]

If you play it check out a Hillcrest CC which is just down the road. Donald Ross design, not as well conditioned as it used to be but still a quality layout.

[ascottwaddell]

Definitely. There are a couple drivable par 4s. You could probably score really well without hitting a single driver all day.

 

[Irishman1979]

Is that a possible option considering I’m not a member? I was in Wichita last week and contacted a Private course since it hosts a Monday qualifier for the Wichita Open and I wanted to see if it fit my eye. The pro when I called out there said not a problem come on out and I’ll charge you a guest fee. Maybe Hillcrest would do the same?

[dlygrisse]

It’s semi private now. Should not be a problem getting on.

[sabram]

Swope Memorial is one of my favorite "old school" munis in the U.S. Here's a link to my photoshttps://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157683845894732  The photo below is also a link

 

 

Edited June 18, 2021 by sabram

[Irishman1979]

Wow that is stunning. I love old school golf courses and that has it written all over it! Really excited to play there :)

Even though its not a long course , Tillinghast made up for lack of yardage with the slopes of the fairways as it has lots of elevation changes and hills on many holes. A hole that may be 520 yards plays more like 580 or 590.

[tomc262]

Swope is solid, the last couple of years it has been in great condition.  KCMO also owns Shoal Creek which is a great track...can be very long in the wind.  Hillcrest, when in good shape, is lots of fun although I am not sure how much of Mr. Ross' original greens and layout remain.  On a side note, Hillcrest is lots of fun to play with Persimmon and blades!!!