Illinois Top Courses

[CEValkyrie]

Taking another step in the quest to play every course in Illinois.

Town   Distance   Course   Holes Day 1 Sun., March 29th           Depart--Gridley, IL          Urbana, IL   79 miles   Lohmann    9 Mattoon, IL   57 miles   Lakeland    9 Charleston, IL   12 miles   EIU   9 Terre Haute, IN   55 miles   Deming   18 Olney, IL   83 miles   Kiwanis Rotary   18 Effingham, IL   45 miles   Effingham   18 Total Day 1   331 miles      81 holes Day 2 Mon., March 30th           St. Elmo, IL   21 miles   Eagle Point   18 Vandalia, IL   17 miles   Vandalia   9 Carlyle, IL   16 miles   City   9 Carlyle, IL   6 miles   Coles Creek   9 Centralia, IL   12 miles   Foundations   9/18 Arrive—Gridley, IL   211 miles       Total Day 2   283 miles      72 holes           Total   614 miles      153 holes

With the weather that came in last night we made a major detour. I was hoping to avoid snow on the ground. The STL area was on the edge of the front and I was hoping to get lucky. We left at 6AM from Gridley. The roads were brutal and were not plowed. We saw a few dozen cars in the ditch. After driving 45 most of the way we finally arrived at Alton and stepped foot on the course at 10AM. Due to the snow on the ground (1/2 inch), rough terrain, and lost disc we lost valueable time. We played Roxana, IL then headed to Vandalia. From Vandalia we hit St. Elmo. We were able to scout out the next course right before sunset. Just chilling here at the Super 8 in Carlyle.  (54 Holes today)

Monday plans.
Carlyle, IL City 9
Carlyle, IL Coles Creek 9
Centralia, IL Foundation 9 &18
?

[CEValkyrie]

We are back. Long day today.

Monday
Carlyle, IL City 9
Carlyle, IL Coles Creek 9
Centralia, IL Foundation 9 &18
Olney, IL  Kiwanis Rotary   18
Mattoon, IL  Lakeland    9
72 Holes

Sunday
Alton, IL Rock Spring Park 18
Roxana, IL City 9
Vandalia, IL Vandalia 9
St. Elmo, IL Eagle Point/ Lake Nellie 18
54 Holes

2 Day Total-> 126 Holes
Miles-> Just over 600 miles driven.
We saw 2 golfers at Vandalia. We had the other courses to ourselves.

[CEValkyrie]

Updated list.

Note: I have not been back to Milan, IL to play Camden 2 again. It's definitely going into the top 10 but I need another chance to play it during warm weather.

I have played all 18 hole courses in Illinois except Dallas City, Quincy, and Rock Island.


Top 10

1.   Foundations Park DG Complex,  Centralia, IL
Wow! This can play as tough/long as any course in IL. Long/Short tees & Long/Short baskets. This is true golf.  Possible improvements include cement tees and a bridge or 2 across the creek. I heard several of these have been taken care of since I last played there. Gateway Dave, If you read this how about donating 18 more Gateway Titans to keep 2 sets of pins in at all times ? There is a easier 9-holer in the same park.

2.   McNaughton Park, Pekin, IL
AKA "McNasty"
As tough as any course in IL (Long Tees). Short Concrete tees, Long Dirt Tees.  Has withstood the test of time. The back 9 is as tough as it gets. Possible improvements include cement long tees. You could argue this is still #1 in Illinois.

3.   Highland Park, Joliet, IL
Got my first look at this course this weekend. Rough around the edges but I decided to stick it at #3. Since it's new there is still lots of work to do but i'm impressed! We did not play all the Blue tees but a round of all Blues would rival the difficulty of any course in Illinois. This course has potential to move up the list with cement tees and new baskets. Wide variety. The course has been cleaned up a lot!

4.   Wildcat Springs, Hamilton, IL
Awesome place to play. 2 new added holes this year. Awesome terrain and good mix.  Possible improvements include another set of tees or alternate pin placements.

5.   Lincoln Park, Springfield, IL
Added pin placements since I last played and difficulty level has stepped up several notches. Long/Short cement tees. One of the best maintained courses in IL. This course is going to get tougher when the other course is finished. 3 of the old holes are being used on the other course and replaced with 3 really sweet holes.

6.   Rock Springs Park, Alton, IL
Terrain is absolutely awesome with every hole having some type of hill or slope. This course is very challenging with a variety of holes. I want to play this course when it's dry. Possible improvments. Cement tee pads. They installed cement tee pads late this summer. Can't wait to get back!  I thought the course design was very solid.

7.   Northwoods Park,Morton, IL
Another great place to play golf. Long/Short Tees. 17 & 18 are the best 2 finishing holes in Illinois. Great mix of holes. Possible improvement would be the addition of cement on the long tees.

8.   Woodland Park, Collinsville, IL
Wide variety and fun place to play. Long/Short cement tees. Water on many holes. Possible improvment would be course directional arrows. Very hard to navigate if you have never played there.

9.   Sinnissippi Park, Sterling, IL
Great course. Front 9 is awesome! Multiple pin positions. Back is long but flat. If the land near the river were allowed to be used (Where the alternate holes for tournies are placed)  this course could move up the list quickly.

10. Community Park, Channahon, IL
Frank continues to improve this course every year. Long tees all have cement now. Shorts have had cement for a while. Most of the baskets have been upgraded. The BEST kept course in IL. The landscaping Frank has done is awesome! Each year this course gets a little more difficult. It was not even on the radar of my top 10 2-3 years ago.

___________________________
Honerable Mention (Any 18+ hole course i've played in IL not in the top 10)
Antioch
Aurora
Bartlett
Bloomington
Calumet City-River Oaks Golf Course (No Longer Exists)
Canton
Chicago-Edgebrook Golf Course
Crystal Lake
East Peoria-ICC
Effingham
Eureka
Freeport
Galesburg
Geneseo
Hoffman Estates
Joliet-West Park
Joliet-Lockport
Joliet-New Lenox
Kirkland
Lombard
Macomb
Milan 1 & 2 *Waiting for completion of Camden 2 before placing in top 10.*
Mokena
Moline
Normal
Olney
Olympia Fields
Oswego
Peoria-Bradley Park
Rock Falls
Rockford-East/West & Temporary
Rockton
Round Lake
St. Elmo
Shorewood
Springfield-New
Springfield-Douglas
Streamwood
Summit
Washington
Waukegan

18+ hole courses in IL I have yet to play.
Dallas City
Quincy
Rock Island 

9 hole courses in IL I have yet to play.
Beardstown   Beardstown DGC
Bourbonnais   Riverfront    
Carbondale   SIU-Campus Lake   
Carbondale   SIU-Rec Center   
Charleston   EIU DGC   
Fulton   Milcreek Park   
Hopedale   Hopedale DGC   
Morrison   Kelly Park   
Mount Carroll   Point Rock Park   
Neoga   Neoga Old City Park DGC
Oakwood/Danville   Kickappo State Park
Saint Charles   Q Center   
Savanna   Old Mill Park   
Spring Valley   Echo Bluff   
Urbana   Lohmann Park   

[can't putt]

Took a similar trip this past Thursday and Friday:

Thursday:
Lincoln Park, Springfield
Rock Spring Park, Alton
Sioux Passage Park, Florrisant MO

Friday:
Foundation Park, Centralia Pro
Foundation Park, Centralia Rec
Effingham Park, Effingham
P.J. Irvin Park, Bloomington

Total 117 holes.

You may have played more holes, Brett, but I'm damned sure I made more throws! 

[airspuds]

i wish i could play that many courses in a week

[CEValkyrie]

Kurt,

  What did you think about Alton, Rock Springs?  Were the tee pads dried out? We played with a thin layer of snow which was frustrating but I still really loved the course.

[can't putt]

Alton, Rock Springs is awesome!  We couldn't play hole 3 because the road next to the pin was under repair (oops!  fudged my hole count!), but regardless, that course is a workout.  The tees were fine, and the design really maximizes the available elevation.  Great fun.  I agree that it's one of the best in the state.

[CEValkyrie]

My Dad & I had planned on going south today for Beardstown, Manito, & Springfield. The weather sucked so we went North. That is the great thing about central IL. If you are willing to travel 2 hours you can usually find somewhere dry to play. We ended up hitting Ottawa, East Moline, & Camden 1,2. 310 Miles later and we are exhausted.

[CEValkyrie]

Courses I have yet to play in IL.  I'm not really sure where I want to put Camden 2 in the mix of my top 10.  I'm going to wait and see how it looks after it's completed.

Red denotes 18 hole courses.
Beardstown, IL Beardstown DGC
Dallas City, IL Dallas City Upshot DGC
Charleston, IL Eastern Illinois University DGC
Morrison, IL Kelly Park
Urbana, IL Lohmann Park
Rock Island, IL Longview Park
Manito, IL Memorial Park DGC
Fulton, IL Millcreek Park
Quincy, IL Moorman Park
Savanna, IL Old Mill Park
Mount Carroll, IL Point Rock Park
Carbondale, IL SIU - Campus Lake
Carbondale, IL SIU-  Rec Centet

[CEValkyrie]

Updated list.

Note: I have not been back to Milan, IL to play Camden 2 again. It's definitely going into the top 10 but I need another chance to play it during warm weather and while it's green.

I have played all 18 hole courses in Illinois except Dallas City, Quincy, and Rock Island.


Top 10

1.   Foundations Park DG Complex,  Centralia, IL
Wow! This can play as tough/long as any course in IL. Long/Short tees & Long/Short baskets. This is true golf.  Possible improvements include cement tees and a bridge or 2 across the creek. I heard several bridges have been constructed since I last played there. Gateway Dave, If you read this how about donating 18 more Gateway Titans to keep 2 sets of pins in at all times ? There is a easier 9-holer in the same park and heard it's being expanded to 18 holes.

2.   McNaughton Park, Pekin, IL  AKA "McNasty"
As tough as any course in IL (Long Tees). Short Concrete tees, Long Dirt Tees.  Has withstood the test of time. The back 9 is as tough as it gets. Possible improvements include cement long tees. You could argue this is still #1 in Illinois.

3.   Highland Park, Joliet, IL
Rough around the edges but I decided to stick it at #3. Since it's fairly new there is still lots of work to do but i'm impressed! The long tees rival the difficulty of any course in Illinois. This course has potential to move up the list with cement tees and new baskets. Wide variety. The course has been cleaned up a lot in the past year.

4.   Wildcat Springs, Hamilton, IL
Awesome place to play. 2 new added holes this year. Awesome terrain and good mix.  Possible improvements include another set of tees or alternate pin placements.

5.   Lincoln Park, Springfield, IL
Added pin placements since I last played and difficulty level has stepped up several notches. Long/Short cement tees. One of the best maintained courses in IL. This course is going to get tougher when the other course is finished. 3 of the old holes are being used on the other course and replaced with 3 really sweet holes.

6.   Rock Springs Park, Alton, IL
Terrain is absolutely awesome with every hole having some type of hill or slope. This course is very challenging with a variety of holes. They installed cement tee pads late this summer. Can't wait to get back!  I thought the course design was very solid with a good variety.

7.   Northwoods Park,Morton, IL
Another great place to play golf. Long/Short Tees. 17 & 18 are the best 2 finishing holes in Illinois. Great mix of holes. Possible improvement would be the addition of cement on the long tees. Possible elevated green somewhere in the orchard?

8.   Woodland Park, Collinsville, IL
Wide variety and fun place to play. Long/Short cement tees. Water on many holes. Possible improvment would be course directional arrows. Very hard to navigate if you have never played there.

9.   Sinnissippi Park, Sterling, IL
Great course. Front 9 is awesome! Multiple pin positions. Back is long but flat. If the land near the river was allowed to be used (Where the alternate holes for tournies are placed)  this course could move up the list quickly.

10. Community Park, Channahon, IL
Frank continues to improve this course every year. Long tees all have cement now. Shorts have had cement for a while. Most of the baskets have been upgraded. The BEST kept course in IL. The landscaping Frank has done is awesome! Each year this course gets a little more difficult. It was not even on the radar of my top 10 2-3 years ago.

ON THE BUBBLE
Lake Eureka, Eureka, IL   
Richmond Hill Park, Geneseo, IL
Sipolt Memorial DGC, Macomb, IL
The Oaks, Mokena, IL
Prospect Park, Moline, IL
Bradley Park, Peoria, IL
Anna Page Park West, Rockford, IL

___________________________
Honerable Mention (Any 18+ hole course i've played in IL not in the top 10)
Antioch
Aurora
Bartlett
Bloomington
Calumet City-River Oaks Golf Course (No Longer Exists)
Canton
Chicago-Edgebrook Golf Course
Crystal Lake
East Peoria-ICC
Effingham
Eureka
Freeport
Galesburg
Geneseo
Hoffman Estates
Joliet-West Park
Joliet-Lockport
Joliet-New Lenox
Kirkland
Lombard
Macomb
Milan 1 & 2 *Waiting for completion of Camden 2 before placing in top 10.*
Mokena
Moline
Normal
Olney
Olympia Fields
Oswego
Peoria-Bradley Park
Rock Falls
Rockford-East/West & Temporary
Rockton
Round Lake
St. Elmo
Shorewood
Springfield-New
Springfield-Douglas
Streamwood
Summit
Washington
Waukegan

18+ hole courses in IL I have yet to play.
Dallas City
Quincy
Rock Island 

9 hole courses in IL I have yet to play.
Beardstown   Beardstown DGC
Bourbonnais   Riverfront    
Carbondale   SIU-Campus Lake   
Carbondale   SIU-Rec Center   
Charleston   EIU DGC
Frankfort                 Camp Manitoqua-Private   
Fulton                   Milcreek Park   
Hopedale   Hopedale DGC   
Morrison                   Kelly Park   
Mount Carroll   Point Rock Park   
Neoga                   Neoga Old City Park DGC
Oakwood/Danville   Kickappo State Park-Object
Saint Charles   Q Center   -Private
Savanna                   Old Mill Park   
Spring Valley   Echo Bluff   
Urbana                   Lohmann Park   

[pdga#7648]

hey Brett? Thanks for the respect for McNaughton, but I have a question for you?

You think #17 & #18 at Morton are better finishing holes than #17 & #18 at McNaughton? Why is that? More trouble with the woods on 17?

I play both about the same amount each year, but seem to have a harder time finishing at McNasty than Morton. I have only taken a 3 on hole #18 at Pekin, 3 times. But have gotten 18 at Morton at least 10 times. I know they should both be considered 4's, but  I have always played them as par 3's.  And I know you said the best finishing, not the hardest. But what makes Mortons better than McNaughtons to you?  Thanks, and Have a Happy New Year.

[dana]

I'm only speculating here but maybe he likes Morton 18 better than McN  18 because of  the tee shot for 18 at Morton?  Its got elevation.  You have to hit a line.  Its easier to throw far here.  You have a wide landing zone, but if you have a poor throw you have no chance for the birdie.  18 at Morton is a much more attainable birdie 3 than McNaughton.

18 at Mcnaughton is great, but you need to RIP it twice to get the 3.

I like 17 long at Morton better than 17 long at McNaugton as well.  I think 17 at McN may be a little under appreciated though.  Many people do not like it because you can't really get a clean, monster drive off the tee.  It is more of a shorter drive to a spot to where you can get a clean, powerful 2nd shot.  That isn't necessarily the most fun type of hole, but I think its a good one.  Maybe just a little misunderstood (if a hole can be that?). 

Now what about 17 short at both courses?  Both par 4s?  Or just McNaughton.  Easier par 3s?
Man a 2 on 17 short on both of them courses feeeeeels good!

[CEValkyrie]

hey Brett? Thanks for the respect for McNaughton, but I have a question for you?

You think #17 & #18 at Morton are better finishing holes than #17 & #18 at McNaughton? Why is that? More trouble with the woods on 17?

I play both about the same amount each year, but seem to have a harder time finishing at McNasty than Morton. I have only taken a 3 on hole #18 at Pekin, 3 times. But have gotten 18 at Morton at least 10 times. I know they should both be considered 4's, but  I have always played them as par 3's.  And I know you said the best finishing, not the hardest. But what makes Mortons better than McNaughtons to you?  Thanks, and Have a Happy New Year.

Doug,

   Very good question. When comparing my opinion comes from the long tees at both courses. I rarely play the short tees at either course.

#17 long at Morton is a great hole. You have several options and that schule is nasty on both sides. It takes a quality tee shot to get thru the gap. You can play it short and safe on the 1st shot, get aggressive, or somewhere between. All have their risks and rewards. That green is absolutely nasty and making a decision to putt can lead to big numbers if you miss. I love the fact that this hole brings tough mental challenge on both ends of the hole. I rarely see this in disc golf.

#17 long at Pekin is an ok hole. I really dislike the positioning of the long tee. It handcuffs the throw and you really have limited options. When it comes down to it, it really doens't matter where your first shot lands as long as it's not blocked by the tree. It comes down to the 2nd shot. I do like the green and it can penalize bad putts as well. I'd  rather see the long tee pushed back and longer than where it is. It's just not a fun tee shot to me.

#18 at Morton is probably one of the best holes in the state. The view from the tee pad is awesome. There is plenty of room thru the gap but it doesn't feel so large when you are trying to pump one down the fairway. The pucker factor is big. Although the fairway is plenty large the road to the right and the woods to the left comes into play on errant shots.A few years ago I was finishing 18 during a tournament. I was sitting at -8 on the tee. I threw OB and took a 5. After landing cleanly in the fairway there is nothing better than staring at the big pines behind the basket trying to get your 3. I think this is what separates Morton 18 form Pekin 18. The range seems ideal. There is a good scoring spread since 3 is legit and 4's, 5's, & bigger numbers come into play with the OB, Schul,e and green.

#18 at Pekin is a very fun hole. I love getting on top of the hill trying to rip a bomb. The tee shot is crucial to scoring well on this hole. There are many ways to attack the tee shot and avoiding the middle tree is the key. The rough near #17 tee can be disasterous and the OB road to the left comes into play. Plain and simple. If you do not crush a tee shot on this hole you are not getting a 3. It's just too long. During tournaments i've always taken the safe approach that i'm going to play a smart safe tee shot and take a 4. The back 9 is way to hard to give up another shot on this hole. I haven't seen too many 3's on that hole over the years. I personally have only 3'd it once and have taken mostly 4's. I've always thought about the option of moving the basket down the hill by the water or moving it back near or into the woods making it a par 5.

I do like both holes at Pekin. I just prefer the challenges and rewards of Morton 17 & 18. You can score a 6 on those 2 holes one round and follow up with 7 to 10+strokes the next.

[pdga#7648]

okay thanks. Always fun to understand others input on these 4 holes.
It's a great feeling having McNasty 5 mins away and Morton maybe 15 minutes. Great to know these holes are thought of so highly from a Pro who has seen almost all Illinois courses.

I hardly play the longs at either course unless in a tourny. The shorts can be hard enough at Pekin. 

[pdga#7648]

I'm only speculating here but maybe he likes Morton 18 better than McN  18 because of  the tee shot for 18 at Morton?  Its got elevation.  You have to hit a line.  Its easier to throw far here.  You have a wide landing zone, but if you have a poor throw you have no chance for the birdie.  18 at Morton is a much more attainable birdie 3 than McNaughton.

18 at Mcnaughton is great, but you need to RIP it twice to get the 3.

I like 17 long at Morton better than 17 long at McNaugton as well.  I think 17 at McN may be a little under appreciated though.  Many people do not like it because you can't really get a clean, monster drive off the tee.  It is more of a shorter drive to a spot to where you can get a clean, powerful 2nd shot.  That isn't necessarily the most fun type of hole, but I think its a good one.  Maybe just a little misunderstood (if a hole can be that?). 

Now what about 17 short at both courses?  Both par 4s?  Or just McNaughton.  Easier par 3s?
Man a 2 on 17 short on both of them courses feeeeeels good!

Dana, thanks to you as well. Like I told Brett. Any input is always great to hear.

[CEValkyrie]

My quest to play the rest of IL courses plotted out. I have a trip planned for next spring to knock out some of these. I need about 5 days to finish off the courses I have not played. If it were not for Carbondale I feel I could knock out the rest in 4 days.

[CEValkyrie]

I am slowly going thru and reviewing the top 18 hole courses in Illinois. Here is a link to the courses i've reviewed up to this point.
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/profile.php?id=1910

[CEValkyrie]

I am slowly going thru and reviewing the top 18 hole courses in Illinois. Here is a link to the courses i've reviewed up to this point.
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/profile.php?id=1910

I have all the courses in my top 10 reviewed except Channahon. I hope to get that done in the next few days.

[CEValkyrie]

Thank you snow day today. Channahon completed.

[CEValkyrie]

Posted this on disc golf course review yesterday.
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10922