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Posted
I am a fairly novice golfer looking for course recommendations in the Chicagoland area (preferably Northern ‘burbs). Really looking for a no frills course where I can go work on my game (which needs a lot of work!). Any and all comments would be appreciated.

Posted
i'd recommend willow hill in Northbrook. Short, Prairie style golf course (e.g. no Trees) which should be good for a developing golfer. Also a very nice grass driving range.

What's in the bag:

Driver: Adams 9064LS (project RIP Shaft) 9.5 degree
3 Wood: Titleist 909R 14.5 degree
Hybrid 3-iron: 19 degree Tour Professional (bent to 18 degrees)Hybrid 4-iron: 21 degree Tour ProfessionalIrons: Tour X-20 5-PW Project X 6.0 shaftsGap Wedge: Mizuno MP10 52.08 Sand Wedge: Mizuno MP10 58.10 Lob Wedge: Nike 62.06


Posted
i'd recommend willow hill in Northbrook. Short, Prairie style golf course (e.g. no Trees) which should be good for a developing golfer. Also a very nice grass driving range.

Thanks for the recommendation, doublesuited. Based on your note, I played this course this weekend and really enjoyed it!


Posted

I mentioned this in a different thread, but definitely check out Twin Lakes . It is right off of 53 and Northwest Highway. The course is short but it gives you an opportunity to experience thick rough, soft sand and water, which is nice. Most of the shorter courses geared for beginners lack the look and feel of a bigger course.

$14 to walk 9 on the weekend, $12 on weekdays.

If you plan to play this course sometime, let me know. Maybe I can join you.

Here is that first tee shot I was talking about.

Blog Internetz | Twitter | Rolling Knolls
----
Super LoCo 457cc 10*
Tight Lies 16* & 13*
Recovery 21* Pure Distance 4-PW Diadic 52* and raw 588 60* Anser 4 blade U-Tri Tour


  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
Side note, there are (at least) two courses in the Chicago area called "Twin Lakes". I know this because I live right off #7 of one, and it's not the course described above. It's a nice little muni par 3, though, with enough challenge to be good practice for your 3-iron on down ( longest holes are 200, 185 and 179 ). It's the SW 'burbs, so probably of no interest to the OP, but just so no one else gets confused.

"Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course - the distance between your ears." - Bobby Jones

In my Ping Hoofer Extreme...
Triumph TC-100 1 iron
TaylorMade R7 Quad 10.5* and 15* BurnerTriumph 3-PW, TaylorMade 2Pinnacle GoldsA no-name blade handed down to me from my father, and to him...


Posted

definitely agree. i played there at least twice a week. my only complaint is they have a bunch of willow tree which often hang into the fairway and redirect shots.

What's in the bag:

Driver: Adams 9064LS (project RIP Shaft) 9.5 degree
3 Wood: Titleist 909R 14.5 degree
Hybrid 3-iron: 19 degree Tour Professional (bent to 18 degrees)Hybrid 4-iron: 21 degree Tour ProfessionalIrons: Tour X-20 5-PW Project X 6.0 shaftsGap Wedge: Mizuno MP10 52.08 Sand Wedge: Mizuno MP10 58.10 Lob Wedge: Nike 62.06


Posted
definitely agree. i played there at least twice a week. my only complaint is they have a bunch of willow tree which often hang into the fairway and redirect shots.

A righthander has to play a fade around the willow tree on the first hole. I saw a couple stiffs hit that tree. Brutal way to start.

Posted
  onez0183 said:
A righthander has to play a fade around the willow tree on the first hole. I saw a couple stiffs hit that tree. Brutal way to start.

that's one of the things i like about the course is that it forces you to shape shots. one several holes if you are in the wrong side of the fairway, you won't have any type of angle to the green.

On the first hole, i usually take a 5-iron or hybrid off the tee, depending on the wind, leaving me an 8-iron to the green.

What's in the bag:

Driver: Adams 9064LS (project RIP Shaft) 9.5 degree
3 Wood: Titleist 909R 14.5 degree
Hybrid 3-iron: 19 degree Tour Professional (bent to 18 degrees)Hybrid 4-iron: 21 degree Tour ProfessionalIrons: Tour X-20 5-PW Project X 6.0 shaftsGap Wedge: Mizuno MP10 52.08 Sand Wedge: Mizuno MP10 58.10 Lob Wedge: Nike 62.06


Posted

I played my first big 18 hole round at White Pines last Saturday, West Course. It was beutiful, challenging without being frustrating.

www.whitepinesgolf.com

The only other two courses I've played are small 9 holes, Zigfield on 75th in Downers Grove and Green Meadows right down the street from my house. Hoping to go to Oak Meadows this weekend, $32 after 2PM special this saturday and sunday.

www.dupagegolf.com

I know it's not Northern burbs, but figured I'd put it out in this thread.


  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
My Dad played 18 there a few weeks ago and from what I recall, he said it was immaculately kept and gorgeous, but not the toughest track he has played. Said there were a few really cool holes and that it was well laid out. He also said the clubhouse was an old, big building that was beautiful and that their burgers are fantastic!

Blog Internetz | Twitter | Rolling Knolls
----
Super LoCo 457cc 10*
Tight Lies 16* & 13*
Recovery 21* Pure Distance 4-PW Diadic 52* and raw 588 60* Anser 4 blade U-Tri Tour


Posted
Pack lotsa fluids.

Blog Internetz | Twitter | Rolling Knolls
----
Super LoCo 457cc 10*
Tight Lies 16* & 13*
Recovery 21* Pure Distance 4-PW Diadic 52* and raw 588 60* Anser 4 blade U-Tri Tour


Posted
It really is a nice course, unfortunately I don't think I'll play there any time soon. I liked the fact it had narrow fairways and tough greens .... but ... Very crowded, and my experience with the two ladies they paired us up with, spoiled it for me. They were great people, but very slow, and chatty (they were on a 1st date, so it was a bit understandable, just not on the course while I'm trying to shoot please). The one lady could really drive it though!

I'd recommend it if you can tee off at a quieter time. Took us 5 hours to finish the round...

Posted
I hate playing on the weekends. Too damn busy.

Blog Internetz | Twitter | Rolling Knolls
----
Super LoCo 457cc 10*
Tight Lies 16* & 13*
Recovery 21* Pure Distance 4-PW Diadic 52* and raw 588 60* Anser 4 blade U-Tri Tour


Posted
Disclaimer - I haven't lived in the area for 20 years, and my father moved away 5 years ago, so haven't played any of these courses since he moved. My knowledge may be out of date...

Have you tried the Peter Jans course in Evanston? (growing up, we called it Canal Shores CC) http://www.peterjansgolf.org/ Not the most traditional course around, but they have done some nice renovations in the last 10 years, and seem to be putting money into the right things. Some of the fun is knowing that it used to have greens that looked like my front lawn, and the flag poles were 1x1's with plastic sheeting stapled to the top. They have actually turned it into a golf course. The length is right to start on, and there are some actual challenges, so that helps.

The other recommendation for a beginning golfer is Willow Hill golf course - a nine hold par 35. http://www.willowhillgolf.com/ Built on a former landfill, and 100 feet above the rest of the area - nice views, and some serious wind when it gets moving.

The last place to look into is the Forest Preserve courses of Cook County - they tend to be a bit easier, and cheaper. http://www.forestpreservegolf.com/

In My Bag:

Driver: 9.5° 905T
Hybrids: 18° and 20° Baffler Pro
Irons: R7 TP 4-PW: Dynamic Gold S300 shaftsWedges: 52°, 56° and 60° Vokey wedges (252.08, 256.14 and 260.08): Dynamic Gold S300 shafts Putter: 36" Dual Force Rossie 2 Bronze Ball: Pro V1x


Note: This thread is 6542 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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