Best Midwest Golf Courses
Let’s kick off our must play journey to the Midwest in Silvis, Illinois, with the site of the John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run! Located smack in the middle of the region, Deere Run encapsulates the quintessential elements of Midwest golf with subtle topography, running rivers, native prairie grasses, pristine course conditions and even a quaint red barn. While challenging enough for the pros, Deere Run offers plenty of fun for average Joes, and it’s sure to delight all golfers with stunning views of the rippling Rock River and a pleasant waft of coconut sun tan oil from boaters sun bathing near the 16th green.
Heading down the Mississippi River, golfers encounter Burlington, Iowa, and the magnificent grounds of Spirit Hollow Golf Club. Home to meandering creeks, elevation changes and over 15,000 trees, the 400-acre expanse at Spirit Hollow features a superbly conditioned 18-hole track that can stretch out to play nearly 7,600 yards from the tips. And with a rating of 74.8, par seekers best be ready for a serious test!
Sticking with the theme of river-based courses, Missouri Bluffs Golf Club is a fantastic Tom Fazio designed track located on the banks of the Missouri River. Golfers taking a crack at this St. Louis area gem are greeted by the timeless beauty of one hundred-year-old trees and significant elevation changes that are best exemplified by the 120-foot tee to green descent on the Bluffs’ signature hole, ‘Tree Tops’. The Bluffs’ also gives players (especially those wayward drivers) a chance to meet fox, wild turkeys, hawks and other distinguished residents.
The Tribute at Ostego Golf Club takes elevation changes one level higher with a Northern Michigan gem that offers vistas of the Sturgeon River Valley that seemingly last forever. Spread out over 1,000 acres, the grounds at Ostego feature wispy prairie grass and natural forestry to create the perfect landscape for a golfer’s playground. Toss in hidden tee boxes surrounded by towering trees, and The Tribute provides the perfect amphitheater to keep that crack of the driver echoing for hours on end.
Dr. Michael Hurdzan adds to our Midwest list with an 18-hole offering in South Bend, Indiana, named Blackthorn Golf Club. Spread out over 226 acres, Dr. Hurdzan’s acclaimed design features scenic wetlands, 78 perfectly placed bunkers, and tiered, bent grass greens that demand players to hit their approach shots to the correct quadrants or pay the putting price. On Saturdays in the Fall, one is sure to encounter a few Notre Dame fans teeing it up at Blackthorn before the big tilt, so plan your polo colors accordingly.
Last, but certainly not least, The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, is a definite must play the next time one finds himself in The Badger State. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, The Bull has built quite the reputation as one of the most difficult courses in the Midwest, and its 147 slope from the back tees puts the proof in the pudding. The unique, par 72 layout weaves in and out of natural forestry to man-made holes seamlessly, and Nicklaus’ vision to have “each hole contain its own identity” is achieved perfectly.
Wherever you play in the coming months- keep it tuned to TeeOff.com for thousands of great courses and deals you can’t find anywhere else.
Heading down the Mississippi River, golfers encounter Burlington, Iowa, and the magnificent grounds of Spirit Hollow Golf Club. Home to meandering creeks, elevation changes and over 15,000 trees, the 400-acre expanse at Spirit Hollow features a superbly conditioned 18-hole track that can stretch out to play nearly 7,600 yards from the tips. And with a rating of 74.8, par seekers best be ready for a serious test!
Sticking with the theme of river-based courses, Missouri Bluffs Golf Club is a fantastic Tom Fazio designed track located on the banks of the Missouri River. Golfers taking a crack at this St. Louis area gem are greeted by the timeless beauty of one hundred-year-old trees and significant elevation changes that are best exemplified by the 120-foot tee to green descent on the Bluffs’ signature hole, ‘Tree Tops’. The Bluffs’ also gives players (especially those wayward drivers) a chance to meet fox, wild turkeys, hawks and other distinguished residents.
The Tribute at Ostego Golf Club takes elevation changes one level higher with a Northern Michigan gem that offers vistas of the Sturgeon River Valley that seemingly last forever. Spread out over 1,000 acres, the grounds at Ostego feature wispy prairie grass and natural forestry to create the perfect landscape for a golfer’s playground. Toss in hidden tee boxes surrounded by towering trees, and The Tribute provides the perfect amphitheater to keep that crack of the driver echoing for hours on end.
Dr. Michael Hurdzan adds to our Midwest list with an 18-hole offering in South Bend, Indiana, named Blackthorn Golf Club. Spread out over 226 acres, Dr. Hurdzan’s acclaimed design features scenic wetlands, 78 perfectly placed bunkers, and tiered, bent grass greens that demand players to hit their approach shots to the correct quadrants or pay the putting price. On Saturdays in the Fall, one is sure to encounter a few Notre Dame fans teeing it up at Blackthorn before the big tilt, so plan your polo colors accordingly.
Last, but certainly not least, The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, is a definite must play the next time one finds himself in The Badger State. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, The Bull has built quite the reputation as one of the most difficult courses in the Midwest, and its 147 slope from the back tees puts the proof in the pudding. The unique, par 72 layout weaves in and out of natural forestry to man-made holes seamlessly, and Nicklaus’ vision to have “each hole contain its own identity” is achieved perfectly.
Wherever you play in the coming months- keep it tuned to TeeOff.com for thousands of great courses and deals you can’t find anywhere else.