Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[MountainKing]

The only time I'll ever say I'd rather play Fresh Meadows is when somebody mentions Tanna.

[smilin assassin]

10 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

Get Hemlock in Ludington while you’re up there. Love that course. 

 

Great course as well. 

[Chopper2Hopper]

11 hours ago, zer0 said:

Heading to South Bend this weekend for a weekend of golf.    Haven't touched a club since August.  Was going to play Sunday, but decided to focus my attention on getting new shoes and the best sounding golf cart speaker on the market (according to reviews I read).    Looking forward to hanging out with some good friends.

Friday:  36 at SBCC

Saturday:  The Warren

Sunday:  SBCC

 

Throw in some sim golf in my buddy's former dining room with Stanley Cup playoffs on the big screen and it's gonna be a great weekend.

Have you played Blackthorn in South Bend?  Really enjoyed that course earlier this year.  We all preferred it to Warren which is also a very good course.

[DavePelz4]

16 hours ago, B-Man said:

A live stream of the event would be good. Maybe by drone? LMK how much for the pay-per-view.

 

Brilliant thought B. I'll bring the DJI and put it in follow me mode.  That way you'll be able to see me go for the 5th green in 7.

[zer0]

13 hours ago, Chopper2Hopper said:

Have you played Blackthorn in South Bend?  Really enjoyed that course earlier this year.  We all preferred it to Warren which is also a very good course.

Never played Blackthorn, but heard about it for years.  My buddy is a member at South Bend CC so every time I visit we just play that course.  Only reason we added Warren to the itinerary this year is because one of our buddies is an observant Jew so he can't ride in a car Friday night to Saturday night because of the Sabbath.   But he can ride a bike like the wind and Warren is the only good course within biking distance.

 

This weekend will present a great theological question to my very Jewish friend.  Is he allowed to use a golf simulator on the Sabbath?  Cause my other buddy turned his dining room into a golf sim after his wife passed away a few years ago.

[Chicago Lefty]

Played St Andrew’s Jemsek yesterday. Was in reasonable shape. Greens were bumpy…as is tradition. Range was nice. 

[MountainKing]

22 hours ago, Chopper2Hopper said:

Have you played Blackthorn in South Bend?  Really enjoyed that course earlier this year.  We all preferred it to Warren which is also a very good course.

 

I don't think I've met anybody who thought that, and that's hardly a knock against Blackthorn cause it's a great course. 

[MountainKing]

A buddy of mine was out at Bolingbrook yesterday and said the big changes for the upcoming LIV event is a new tee box on 17 that's more over by the 16 green.  It'll play about 470 for them, so basically a 3w  and a wedge instead of an iron and a wedge.  His interesting observation is he said the tee shot from the new box is far easier allowing you to hit over the water to the fat part of the fairway.

 

He also was told they expect green fees to be around $200 leading up and probably remain after.  He said nobody of importance told him that so take it for what it's worth.

[mikes919]

Played Mount Prospect this morning, great conditions. Those greens are really tough! Finished in 3:37, incredible pace for nice weather on a Friday.

[propman]

9 hours ago, MountainKing said:

A buddy of mine was out at Bolingbrook yesterday and said the big changes for the upcoming LIV event is a new tee box on 17 that's more over by the 16 green.  It'll play about 470 for them, so basically a 3w  and a wedge instead of an iron and a wedge.  His interesting observation is he said the tee shot from the new box is far easier allowing you to hit over the water to the fat part of the fairway.

 

He also was told they expect green fees to be around $200 leading up and probably remain after.  He said nobody of importance told him that so take it for what it's worth.

$200, hope it's a pipe dream !

[MountainKing]

1 hour ago, propman said:

$200, hope it's a pipe dream !

Yeah I laughed at that one.  As it stands that course has never been worth what they charge.

[TheBear95]

35 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

Yeah I laughed at that one.  As it stands that course has never been worth what they charge.

 

$200 is chump change for the privilege to tee it up at the future home of Talor Gooch's record setting 57.

[MountainKing]

Back at Willowcrest this morning.  All the bunkers have been completed and looking great.  They're now tearing up and working on the area in front of 6 green.  Really great to see what they've done to bring it back.  I was only in on of the new bunkers, sand is settling in nicely and while they are still very soft, they're improving.  They should be perfect in another month or two.  Geens were still great, but unfortunately showing early signs of people not repairing their ball marks.  If the course goes to hell by mid summer it'll be nothing but the golfers fault for not doing their part.  Pace was solid at 3:30.

 

Interesting situation on hole 7.  Group in front of us got in their carts, took off and were up by the green so my buddy went and launched his drive.  Mid air we see this cart driving back towards us for some reason with the ball tracking right at them.  Lot of yelling and waving and then a huge boom with the ball landing right on the carts roof.  The guys were cool about it, as they should be since they went from out of range to right in range, but I did ask them why they're driving back 60 yards, "oh we like to find both our balls first before we play".  I will never get it,  They were clearly new to go the game, but this probably explains why I see so many carts coming back toward the tee the last few years.

 

Finally hitting irons completely solid again after a lot of early struggles.  Now I just need to get my alignment right so I can start hitting greens.  My driving was stellar as usual, but my short game just totally left me.  A lot of bogies, and a nice birdie on 18 for a 75.

[ldchristopher]

2 hours ago, MountainKing said:

Interesting situation on hole 7.  Group in front of us got in their carts, took off and were up by the green so my buddy went and launched his drive.  Mid air we see this cart driving back towards us for some reason with the ball tracking right at them.  Lot of yelling and waving and then a huge boom with the ball landing right on the carts roof.  The guys were cool about it, as they should be since they went from out of range to right in range, but I did ask them why they're driving back 60 yards, "oh we like to find both our balls first before we play".  I will never get it,  They were clearly new to go the game, but this probably explains why I see so many carts coming back toward the tee the last few years.

 

That’s their reason but I’ll bet if you ask 10 random groups why they drive to each other’s ball or just in general why they don’t have any concept of ready golf, you’ll likely get 10 different answers. All of them colossally stupid. 

[MountainKing]

2 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

That’s their reason but I’ll bet if you ask 10 random groups why they drive to each other’s ball or just in general why they don’t have any concept of ready golf, you’ll likely get 10 different answers. All of them colossally stupid. 

 

Not sure it'll sink in but I told them it's impractical, and as they witnessed potentially dangerous.  Once you're out of range,  you should not be returning back to range for any reason.

[ldchristopher]

12 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

Not sure it'll sink in but I told them it's impractical, and as they witnessed potentially dangerous.  Once you're out of range,  you should not be returning back to range for any reason.

We’ve covered this before but 90% of the dumb things I see on a golf course are fixed by people walking instead of riding. No more going to each other’s ball. No more going backwards. No more zooming around the course playing in whatever order a person wants. No more lessons on the course. Can’t fix all the bad golf, but if they can’t ride the terrible golfers just won’t play. Too bad, so sad. 

[MountainKing]

55 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

We’ve covered this before but 90% of the dumb things I see on a golf course are fixed by people walking instead of riding. No more going to each other’s ball. No more going backwards. No more zooming around the course playing in whatever order a person wants. No more lessons on the course. Can’t fix all the bad golf, but if they can’t ride the terrible golfers just won’t play. Too bad, so sad. 

 

I'm working really hard on my health this year.   Two of the guys in our regular rotation started walking this year.   My goal is to be a walker by the end of the season.    I just weigh too much right now and it's too much on my already destroyed knees and back to be on my feet for 4 hours.

[DavePelz4]

Expectations going into Saturday's round at Tanna were extremely low, and yet somehow Tanna was even worse than expected. It's probably the only course in the Chicago area that's playing fast due to no watering on the course. There were brown patches in fairways. And the greens, WTH is going on there?  Some of the greens have been hit with some type of fungus and on holes like 2, there is less than 1/3rd of the green available for pin positions.  Guessing they were rolling at either 3 or 4 on a stimp meter, just pathetic. On several holes being on the fringe a wedge was the choice instead of putting as it was nearly impossible to get the ball to the hole.  Bunkers were reminiscent of Dunne, just hardpan dirt.

 

Two groups in front of us were also pathetically slow and it was nearly a 5 hour dredge with 3 of those hours spent on the back, eh.

 

So I feel the need to say something nice...but other than the parking lot and ice cold beer, there really wasn't anything good to say about TF.

 

This week brings a round in Indiana, one in Michigan and then our comp plays Saturday at Arrowhead.  Always one of my fave rounds of the year.

Edited May 20, 2024 by DavePelz4

[Gdane]

On 5/15/2024 at 9:08 PM, Chopper2Hopper said:

Have you played Blackthorn in South Bend?  Really enjoyed that course earlier this year.  We all preferred it to Warren which is also a very good course.

 

I paired these two courses on a quick 1 night trip last summer.  Blackthorn is such a hidden gem.  My brother and I also preferred it to Warren.

[Shriner]

I love Blackthorn and would favor it over Warren, but Warren is a great course as well.  I just love the layout at Blackthorn.  This makes we want to take the drive and go play it lol.

[TheMagicStinger]

Heading up from Central IL to play next month. 

 

What courses are recommended?

 

Im torn between Ravisloe and Mistwood. Any other recommendations?
 

Originally, I was going to head over to Deere Run but I’d rather head into the city after my round instead of being on the IL IA border. 

[VNutz]

35 minutes ago, TheMagicStinger said:

Heading up from Central IL to play next month. 

 

What courses are recommended?

 

Im torn between Ravisloe and Mistwood. Any other recommendations?
 

Originally, I was going to head over to Deere Run but I’d rather head into the city after my round instead of being on the IL IA border. 

Where will you be staying? Mistwood and Ravisloe are as far about distance wise as they are in terms of designs. Ravisloe is an old school Donald Ross track. A little bit short and tight, raised greens, old big trees. I enjoy it but some don't get the appeal. Mistwood is newer and more of a "forced" links style, if that can be considered a genre.

[mci711]

44 minutes ago, TheMagicStinger said:

Heading up from Central IL to play next month. 

 

What courses are recommended?

 

Im torn between Ravisloe and Mistwood. Any other recommendations?
 

Originally, I was going to head over to Deere Run but I’d rather head into the city after my round instead of being on the IL IA border. 

 

Harborside if you want to be near the city. This hole is basically butts up to Lake Shore Drive... (this is a joke, from their outrageous marketing) But either way two decent courses, a city view, just not this view. Ravisloe isn't what it used to be in my opinion. 

 

If I were coming to chicago and was choosing between Mistwood, Ravisloe and every thing in between I'd probably choose Cantigny or Cog Hill 4. Mistwood over Ravisloe. Mistwood will get some hate, but it is a good facility. Any time someone brings it up I am obligated to mention I got a hole in one on 14 (no big deal). 

 

[TheMagicStinger]

12 minutes ago, VNutz said:

Where will you be staying? Mistwood and Ravisloe are as far about distance wise as they are in terms of designs. Ravisloe is an old school Donald Ross track. A little bit short and tight, raised greens, old big trees. I enjoy it but some don't get the appeal. Mistwood is newer and more of a "forced" links style, if that can be considered a genre.

We will probably stay in the city regardless, driving an hour after the round to check in is not a big deal. 
 

I play a short and tight tree lined course at home pretty often and enjoy the challenges and risk reward style. 

[TheMagicStinger]

9 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

Harborside if you want to be near the city. This hole is basically butts up to Lake Shore Drive... (this is a joke, from their outrageous marketing) But either way two decent courses, a city view, just not this view. Ravisloe isn't what it used to be in my opinion. 

 

If I were coming to chicago and was choosing between Mistwood, Ravisloe and every thing in between I'd probably choose Cantigny or Cog Hill 4. Mistwood over Ravisloe. Mistwood will get some hate, but it is a good facility. Any time someone brings it up I am obligated to mention I got a hole in one on 14 (no big deal). 

 

Cantigny and Cog Hill 4 are also on my shortlist. Is #4 as overrated as everyone says? Green fee cost does not necessarily matter.

[zer0]

22 hours ago, Shriner said:

I love Blackthorn and would favor it over Warren, but Warren is a great course as well.  I just love the layout at Blackthorn.  This makes we want to take the drive and go play it lol.

 

 

Loved teh Warren.   Will definitely have to give Blackthorn a shot at some point.      Also got in 3 rounds at SBCC.  If you ever get the chance to play it, it's a great course.

[mci711]

29 minutes ago, TheMagicStinger said:

Cantigny and Cog Hill 4 are also on my shortlist. Is #4 as overrated as everyone says? Green fee cost does not necessarily matter.

 

People say it is overrated because Phil didn't like it 20 years ago. If he keeps his mouth shut, no one says that. I don't know what there is to dislike about it honestly. Green complexes are awesome, there is good variety of holes, decent views for Lemont Ill... The only complaint I could see is someone who doesn't know how to get out of bunkers got stuck in a greenside trap and shot 130. 

[VNutz]

54 minutes ago, TheMagicStinger said:

Cantigny and Cog Hill 4 are also on my shortlist. Is #4 as overrated as everyone says? Green fee cost does not necessarily matter.

Both are great. I think Cantigny looks better than it plays, but that's just me. I think Dubs (Cog 4) is a great course that drew the unfortunate ire of pros in an effort to get a tournament moved to Luke Donald's course. If you didn't know it was once a tour course you might not think it, but it is a very good course that requires some strategy and has some good green complexes.

 

If you like courses with tons of big old trees, Dubs, Cantigny and Ravisloe are your thing. If you want something based on proximity, go Harborside, but I'm not a huge fan.

 

[chisag]

... Recommending golf courses is so difficult simply because of personal preference bias. There are so many factors other than just course design, although that is at the top of the list. Marshals keeping pace, friendliness of staff, conditions and fun factor can negate a good design.  Quite a few here love Big Run and I would not play there for free for a myriad of reasons but the main one being I don't care for tricked up and goofy courses for the sake of being tricked up and goofy, which I think puts me in the minority here. If I am in that neck of the woods I would rather play Carillon. 🤪

... I am a big fan of Cog #4 and played it once every year. I like Cantigny but don't love it. I always really enjoyed Mistwood. Ravisloe is OK in my book for an old school course but wasn't worth the drive for my tastes.  If I wanted to play a links style course I would chose Prairie Bluff over Harborside every time. But I would chose Prairie Bluff over many courses, and I did when I lived there. I just don't think there is a weak hole on the course and some very different holes so that "a lot of holes seem similar" doesn't apply. #14 is so different from the rest with that huge Oak guarding the fairway and can be played so many different ways. But again, I probably played 60% of my rounds at PB when I lived in Naperville so like I said in my first sentence, personal preference is a big factor in recommendations. 

[MountainKing]

8 hours ago, TheMagicStinger said:

We will probably stay in the city regardless, driving an hour after the round to check in is not a big deal. 
 

I play a short and tight tree lined course at home pretty often and enjoy the challenges and risk reward style. 

 

I would plan on that drive being 90 minutes to two hours depending on the day/ time and location of the city.   I'm in Oak Brook and it's generally an hour to get to the loop area during rush hour.

 

For courses,  Cog #4.  They'll be opening soon after a bunker renovation.  It's always a treat. imo.