St. Louis, MO

[provx]

recommend

looking for some course recommendations for the st louis area. we are planning ahead a summer trip there and looking for a nice course to play on. also would like to hear some golf stores that would be worth visiting if possible. heck even throw out the courses to avoid please. thanks!

[stevepoz]

My favorites on the public side are Gateway and Annbriar, both on the Illinois side. Missouri Bluffs is good on the Missouri side.

There are some really good privates as well.

[stage1350]

Absolutely must play Annbriar.

Should play Gateway National, The Missouri Bluffs, and Pevely Farms

Best bargain is Spencer T. Olin in Alton, IL.

Avoid Paradise Valley like the plague.

Those are all public courses. There's a wealth of good private courses if you have the "in."

[provx]

mostly looking to stick on the missouri side if possible. i will check these out, thanks!

[Bama_Rich]

[quote name='provx' timestamp='1295140125' post='2899342']
mostly looking to stick on the missouri side if possible. i will check these out, thanks!
[/quote]

If you're staying on the Missouri side then Pevely Farms is a must play. Pevely Farms is a Arthur Hills design. Aberdeen Golf Club is a very nice links course that plays like tru links golf. Tapawingo is a 27 hole facility with 18 of the holes playing links style and 9 holes that traverse thru the woods with quite a bit of elevation changes. Tapawingo is a Gary Player design.

Pevely Farms Golf Club and Aberdeen Golf Club are next to each other and would make for an excellent 36 hole combo.

If you head a little further west into St. Charles county, Missouri Bluffs Golf Club is an excellent course.

That's the cream of the crop on the Missouri side. The best public golf is on the Illinois side of the river. With Annbriar, Gateway National, Stonewolf, Far Oaks being the best on that side.

Hope that helps.

[boon44]

Midwest Golf Lab would be a fun place for you to spook if you want to look at some Miura's and other higher end equipment. Give them a google. John over there is a great guy. They are right off a main highway (270). Other than that all STL has is Golf Galaxy really.

[provx]

thanks!

[stevepoz]

[quote name='boon44' timestamp='1295455823' post='2908141']
Midwest Golf Lab would be a fun place for you to spook if you want to look at some Miura's and other higher end equipment. Give them a google. John over there is a great guy. They are right off a main highway (270). Other than that all STL has is Golf Galaxy really.
[/quote]

Second about Midwest Golf Lab. John Kelly is a great clubfitter with some very nice high end gear.

[exgolfpro]

[quote name='provx' timestamp='1295124129' post='2898898']
looking for some course recommendations for the st louis area. we are planning ahead a summer trip there and looking for a nice course to play on. also would like to hear some golf stores that would be worth visiting if possible. heck even throw out the courses to avoid please. thanks!
[/quote]

Although not it St Louis, if you are up for a little drive, you might enjoy Crown Pointe GC in Farmington (about an hour south of St. Louis). It is my home course and a very solid layout. Usually has plenty of weekday deals like all the golf you can play plus meals for about $45. Not sure if they will do that this year though. Although it is not one of the top courses, I would put it up there with Pevely Farms and Spencer T Olin.

[ameyers41]

Like many have stated, Annbriar is fantastic. I also like Pevely and Tapawingo, depending on what side of the city you are on.

[stage1350]

[quote name='stevepoz' timestamp='1295757303' post='2916688']
[quote name='boon44' timestamp='1295455823' post='2908141']
Midwest Golf Lab would be a fun place for you to spook if you want to look at some Miura's and other higher end equipment. Give them a google. John over there is a great guy. They are right off a main highway (270). Other than that all STL has is Golf Galaxy really.
[/quote]

Second about Midwest Golf Lab. John Kelly is a great clubfitter with some very nice high end gear.
[/quote]

Agreed. John is a stud. Great clubfitter as well as excellent knowledge of vintage gear and fine cigars.

[mo9lff]

[quote name='stage1350' timestamp='1296854021' post='2951798']
[quote name='stevepoz' timestamp='1295757303' post='2916688']
[quote name='boon44' timestamp='1295455823' post='2908141']
Midwest Golf Lab would be a fun place for you to spook if you want to look at some Miura's and other higher end equipment. Give them a google. John over there is a great guy. They are right off a main highway (270). Other than that all STL has is Golf Galaxy really.
[/quote]

Second about Midwest Golf Lab. John Kelly is a great clubfitter with some very nice high end gear.
[/quote]

Agreed. John is a stud. Great clubfitter as well as excellent knowledge of vintage gear and fine cigars.
[/quote]

[mo9lff]

To inform all that know me and my work, I must inform you I am no longer with Midwest GolfLab. I am working on a new location and setup, one where I can fit outdoors. If anyone needs to reach me please email me at [email="MO9LFF@charter.net"]MO9LFF@charter.net[/email].
John
[quote name='mo9lff' timestamp='1297213529' post='2961584']
[quote name='stage1350' timestamp='1296854021' post='2951798']
[quote name='stevepoz' timestamp='1295757303' post='2916688']
[quote name='boon44' timestamp='1295455823' post='2908141']
Midwest Golf Lab would be a fun place for you to spook if you want to look at some Miura's and other higher end equipment. Give them a google. John over there is a great guy. They are right off a main highway (270). Other than that all STL has is Golf Galaxy really.
[/quote]

Second about Midwest Golf Lab. John Kelly is a great clubfitter with some very nice high end gear.
[/quote]

Agreed. John is a stud. Great clubfitter as well as excellent knowledge of vintage gear and fine cigars.
[/quote]
[/quote]

[nitram]

Annbriar is without a doubt the best of the bunch.

I'll also offer Lockhaven for your consideration. It is a private club but I never had any trouble getting on.

[stevepoz]

[quote name='mo9lff' timestamp='1297213723' post='2961597']
To inform all that know me and my work, I must inform you I am no longer with Midwest GolfLab. I am working on a new location and setup, one where I can fit outdoors. If anyone needs to reach me please email me at [email="MO9LFF@charter.net"]MO9LFF@charter.net[/email].
John

[/quote]

John:

Please let us know when the new location opens up.

[PhilTickelson]

Others have already said Missouri Bluffs, but check golfnow before you play there, I got on last weekend for $30, which is a pretty good price for that course.

[mo9lff]

For anyone interested, I will be starting up again April 1st at ProAm Golf South [url="http://www.proamgolfsouth.com/"][color="#353535"]www.proamgolfsouth.com[/color][/url] doing my clubfitting and repairs. Good news, I will have an outdoor Trackman! What a treat. U can reach me for now at [email="MO9LFF@charter.net"][color="#353535"]MO9LFF@charter.net[/color][/email]
John Kelly

[stevepoz]

[quote name='mo9lff' timestamp='1299424058' post='3030114']
For anyone interested, I will be starting up again April 1st at ProAm Golf South [url="http://www.proamgolfsouth.com/"][color="#353535"]www.proamgolfsouth.com[/color][/url] doing my clubfitting and repairs. Good news, I will have an outdoor Trackman! What a treat. U can reach me for now at [email="MO9LFF@charter.net"][color="#353535"]MO9LFF@charter.net[/color][/email]
John Kelly
[/quote]

John:

Good luck at the new location. I hadn't realized that range had changed management. From the website, it looks like it is much nicer inside.

[mo9lff]

Steve, thanks, hope to see you down there.
John
[quote name='stevepoz' timestamp='1299559033' post='3035714']
[quote name='mo9lff' timestamp='1299424058' post='3030114']
For anyone interested, I will be starting up again April 1st at ProAm Golf South [url="http://www.proamgolfsouth.com/"][color="#353535"]www.proamgolfsouth.com[/color][/url] doing my clubfitting and repairs. Good news, I will have an outdoor Trackman! What a treat. U can reach me for now at [email="MO9LFF@charter.net"][color="#353535"]MO9LFF@charter.net[/color][/email]
John Kelly
[/quote]

John:

Good luck at the new location. I hadn't realized that range had changed management. From the website, it looks like it is much nicer inside.
[/quote]

[Sabaka]

[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1295495352' post='2909598']
provx, i don't know if price is an issue or not, but the illinois courses are only 30 min away from stl and are a much better value... anyway, price not being an issue....

1. Annbriar
2. Gateway National
3. Missouri Bluffs
4. Far Oaks(back 9 is excellent)
5. Tapawingo
6. Stonewolf
7. Spencer T. Olin
8. Pevely Farms

Annbriar is the best of the lot. Gateway is linksy and fun to play. Bluffs is nice but alot of the holes are similar. Far Oaks has weak front, great back. Tapawingo has upscale feel, 27 holes. Stonewolf- play the tips so you can hit your driver lol. Olin is easy off the tee with tough greens. Pevely has a great 18th hole.
[/quote]

This is a really good list (in order) of the courses to play. I have no quibble with the ranking, it's pretty good. I would probably switch Far Oaks and Tapawingo, only because Tapawingo has 27 holes which can be mixed up for a more varied look but that's it.

I will also echo the love for Annbriar. It is really the star of the lot, always in immaculate shape, outstanding fairways, a great layout, and the staff/service is wonderful. And, I don't know why, but when you play there it seems to bring out the best in your game. I usually play well and come away feeling very satisfied with the experience. The place just has good Karma.

[shotmaker86]

Perhaps a bit off topic, but if you haven't checked out the new "Tees Golf Grill" in Chesterfield, it's definitely worth a look. Especially convenient on days like today. Full bar/ restaraunt with 10 aboutgolf simulators. $40 per hour Fri-Sun and $25 M-Th for the sims. Supposedly the same sims used by TGC. Checked it out tonite, and found it to be a pretty cool place. Maybe a bit overpriced as far as food and bevs are concerned IMO, but the golf was worth it. Especially if you have a few buddies splitting the cost. You can bring your own clubs, or rent a set for $5. It's where the old Int'l Golf Discount was in the valley if that helps. They have 42 different courses according to the girl that set us up. I played Pebble Beach. Never having actually played there, I cant speak to how true it actually played, but if u hit a bump and run, or a flop shot etc, it played as such. Wasn't as busy as I expected for a Friday night, but our server said that during the days on weekends or around lunch hour that it gets busy enough to require a tee time. Overall, I was pretty impressed. Definitely right up any WRX'ers alley. Seems like a great guys night out sort of place. The server also said they were planning tournaments and maybe some sort of league which would prob be a blast. Anyways, I'm planning on playing Dardenne or Crystal Springs Quarry on Monday. Never played either. Anyone think one is better than the other?

[MarkCPA]

Bump!

Heading up to STL in two weeks to let the kids do their usual back to school romp at Six Flags. Since it's pretty close, I'm going to try to get out at Pevely Farms this time. I always have to drive by it when I'm up there and it looks terrific from the street. What are the conditions like up there right now? There are no Arthur Hills designs around here, so I'm really looking forward to playing this course.

[boon44]

[quote name='MarkCPA' timestamp='1311347294' post='3414121']
Bump!

Heading up to STL in two weeks to let the kids do their usual back to school romp at Six Flags. Since it's pretty close, I'm going to try to get out at Pevely Farms this time. I always have to drive by it when I'm up there and it looks terrific from the street. What are the conditions like up there right now? There are no Arthur Hills designs around here, so I'm really looking forward to playing this course.
[/quote]

It's in pretty good shape but the hell-like heat we're having is starting to take a toll on the greens. I'd also recommend Crescent Farms Golf Course which is literally right down the road from Pevely.

[MarkCPA]

Bent grass greens at Pevely?

Thanks for the tip on Crescent Farms.

[adamjstl]

I'm changing my list based on what I've seen this year....

1. Annbriar
2. Missouri Bluffs
3. Tapawingo
4. Pevely Farms
5. Gateway National, Stonewolf, Far Oaks
8. Spencer T. Olin

Honestly, after Annbriar and Bluffs, the rest off the bunch are personal preference....

I played Annbriar and Olin last week, and Annbriar is in really good shape, and Olin has shaggy fairways and slow greens (in F-ing July)....

Pevely and Tapawingo have a nice, upscale feel....

Far Oaks and Stonewolf are about a mile apart but totally different courses....

Gateway used to be awesome but the conditioning is suspect (that's the nice way to say it)...

[TNTlefty]

Played pevely Sunday and was very disappointed in the condition of the putting surfaces.
I'm new to STL and am trying to get around the " top ranked courses", but i hope to find much better than pevely.
I liked tapawingo quite a bit (only played 18 of 27 holes) and played the front at far oaks (nothing too exciting and poor quality GPS).

[MarkCPA]

OK, that just saved me a disappointing afternoon. Thanks, TNTlefty.

Tapawingo isn't too far from where I will be next week, so I'll look into that.

[adamjstl]

[quote name='MarkCPA' timestamp='1311857587' post='3430859']
OK, that just saved me a disappointing afternoon. Thanks, TNTlefty.

Tapawingo isn't too far from where I will be next week, so I'll look into that.
[/quote]


just played tapawingo monday.... very nice condition and well worth playing.

[boon44]

I'd play Tapawingo over Pevely. If you like BBQ look up either Bogarts or Pappys Smokehouse. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Lefty_3Jack]

If you want a course in good condition during the weather we're having now you might as well go to Aberdeen. I played Crescent on Sunday and the greens are toast. The 9th and 18th greens are shut down and they have flags set up in the fairway like they do for winter golf up north....

Most all courses here are either Zoysia or Bermuda fairways, with fescue, bent, bluegrass, or bermuda rough (depending on where you play), and all are bentgrass greens. With all of that said the cool season grasses have no chance around here right now.