Weekend Golfing in St. Louis Area

glacialmoraine · July 25, 2011

What are the best courses for weekend play?

Hi all,

I am relatively new back to golf after a 10+ year hiatus. Thing is, I only get so much vacation from work, so probably need to concentrate my rounds of golf on the weekends. I've been lucky to have some weekdays off lately, but that is drawing to a close.

You hear horror stories about 5 hour rounds on weekends, where can I go to avoid that? What are some hidden gems that have low weekend traffic or a low percentage of slow players. I have a high handicap but play quickly and have yet to be passed.

Prices usually are much higher on weekends, which courses are the relative bargains? I only have so much money I can spend on golf, so have to keep the expensive rounds to a minimum. I am happy to play municipal courses and 9 hole courses. My car gets good mileage so driving to surrounding areas for a cheap weekend round of golf is no problem at all.

I know I am probably asking for the impossible, cheap well paced weekend golf, but figured a thread about the hidden gems in the st. Louis area could be a good one.

gm

dikaia22 · July 25, 2011

Relatively Inexpensive is a very relative term please elaborate a little on what a good price for a round is for you.

From my experiences around here you are very hard pressed to find a course that meets all three of the major criteria (Cheap, good course, Quick Round) Good Course + Quick round = not cheap , Cheap + good course = waiting on every shot, and so on and so forth.

The biggest hidden gem in the area to me would be Annbriar in Waterloo, IL.

Figure on $80 or so for a weekend primetime 18 hole round. The course is set up so pace flows very nicely so you rarely have back ups and usually if you wait until the afternoon they have some type of twilight special going.

glacialmoraine · July 25, 2011

I was hoping for prices in the $20-$40 range. I know this won't be a prime time course, but know it is a doable number. $80 is out of my range except for an occasional treat.

My local municipal course (Berry Hill) charges $22 for 18 on the weekend, Normandie charges $32.50 for 18. Something in either range is good for me. My game isn't to the point yet where I need a primetime course.

thanks for your quick reply!

gm

EDIT: The Annbriar twilight special is just $28, so that is definitely do-able, thanks for the tip!