Since the mid-1990s, golf has witnessed the widespread development of far-flung golf resorts constructed according to a “build it and they will come” philosophy. The idea is that dedicated golfers will travel to the ends of the earth to play great layouts. Today’s golfing public sometimes forgets, however, that the best courses are often withinContinue reading “Dubsdread: Cog Hill #4 is Perennial Top Public Course in Illinois”
Tag Archives: Illinois Golf
Bunker Hill Farms: Your Own Course for the Day (or Week)
What’s your golf fantasy? Ask most golfers this question, and the list will probably be predictable: A membership at Augusta National? A round with Tiger? Your very own private golf course? I can’t help you with the first two, but I do have advice about attaining the third, at least for a day or twoContinue reading “Bunker Hill Farms: Your Own Course for the Day (or Week)”
Sub70 Golf: Boutique golf clubs without the boutique price tags
In 1835, Carlos Lattin built the first log cabin in the town that came to be known as Sycamore, Illinois. Today, on that same site, is the fitting center of Sub70 Golf, one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer boutique golf club companies since 2018. The recipe for this success is a combination of the highest qualityContinue reading “Sub70 Golf: Boutique golf clubs without the boutique price tags”
The Forge at Palmer Hills: The family that putts together has fun together
The Quad Cities of Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, offer bountiful golf. Nearby Silvis, Illinois, even hosts a PGA Tour Event, The John Deere Classic, at the spectacular TPC at Deere Run. But the area’s courses don’t just cater to the core golf demographic. There are also plenty of opportunitiesContinue reading “The Forge at Palmer Hills: The family that putts together has fun together“
The future is bright for Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion, IL
Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion has seen its share of ups and downs over the past 25 years. The Steve Smyers design has seen multiple changes in ownership since its founding, including a group that included Smyers himself. The most recent owners are Rodney Cabaness and Shad Zimbro, local businessmen who have been at theContinue reading “The future is bright for Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion, IL”
Fyre Lake Golf Course is a magical place
PGA Certified Director of Golf Mark Krizic took over ownership of Fyre Lake Golf Course in July, 2020. Nearly two years later, his initial assessment of the Nicklaus-designed course has only grown more certain. “When I first came here, I said, ‘This is a top-10 Illinois course,’” remembers Krizic. “Look around at this property. There’sContinue reading “Fyre Lake Golf Course is a magical place”
Glynns Creek Golf Course: A municipal gem in the Iowan countryside
The mighty Mississippi meanders serenely between Illinois and Iowa, separating the two Illinoisan cities of Rock Island and Moline from the two Iowan cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. Together, they constitute the Quad Cities, an area rich in history, food, entertainment, and golf. Riverboat gambling is the biggest tourist draw, but well over a half-dozenContinue reading “Glynns Creek Golf Course: A municipal gem in the Iowan countryside”
Cleveland Launcher XL Driver: If you like “long and straight”
Cleveland Golf is historically known for its wedges and putters. Recent Cleveland driver offerings have also been extremely strong, however. In 2021, Cleveland’s Launcher Driver line literally expanded Cleveland’s august reputation with the Launcher XL. The Cleveland Launcher XL ($399) lives up to its moniker. The driver head is 6.7% deeper front to back, whichContinue reading “Cleveland Launcher XL Driver: If you like “long and straight””
The General rules over The North and The South at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa
The General at Eagle Ridge Resort is the centerpiece of the Eagle Ridge Resort. The 6,820-yard Roger Packard and Andy North design is the newest of the four golf courses at the sprawling four-season resort just outside the historic town of Galena, and it’s the track that guests plan their golf vacations around. The resort’sContinue reading “The General rules over The North and The South at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa”
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa: The original Illinois golf resort
In the early to mid-1800s, Galena, Ill., was the most prosperous and important city in “the West” – much more so than a quiet lakeshore trading post 170 miles to the east named Chicago. Galena was a bustling riverboat and lead mining city, with 14,000 inhabitants, famous for its related, often scandalous, industries: alcohol (RedContinue reading “Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa: The original Illinois golf resort”
Midwestern Golf 