Missouri Golf Courses - Recent Reviews
DeSoto
Location: DeSoto, MO
Address: 1000 Lakeshore Dr, De Soto, MO 63020
Phone: (636) 337-5143
Type: Public
Rating (1 to 5):
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Comments:
Cottonwood Golf Club in De Soto, MO is a course in transition, starting with its name . . . and the greens. The course is now called DeSoto Country Club. They are basically starting from scratch but they have a fairly good layout from which to start. They are growing the greens from seed, versus sod, so it’ll be a few years before they are back to the course’s glory days. Right now, the greens have minimal grass so putting is a challenge. The lead picture is indicative of the condition of most of the greens. The rest of the course also needs a lot of TLC. The good news is that the course is charging an appropriate rate to play and, therefore, the green fees are some of the lowest in the state. If you are in the area and want to play a round we would definitely give it a shot; just have low expectations.
See this course on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/mogolftour.
The Legends
Location: St. Louis, MO
Address: 625 The Legends Pkwy, Eureka, MO 63025
Phone: (636) 938-6295
Type: Private
Rating (1 to 5):
For more information on this course: click here
Comments:
I spent a lot of time contemplating the overall rating for The Legends Country Club in Eureka/St. Louis. The course layout is absolutely at least a 4 out of 5 but the current condition puts it at closer to a 3.5, particularly since there is some major construction on a small portion of the course. Regardless, this is a GREAT course. Maybe one of the best playing courses in St. Louis. The tips are over 7k yards but offers tees for every playing level. No matter which tees you play this course throws a lot at you. LCC has some of the largest (and most plentiful) bunkers in the region and they are extremely difficult to avoid. On some holes I got the impression that there was more sand than grass (not true of course, but I spent more time in the sand than Omar Sharif). The sand, though, is in good condition. The course also has a lot of large bodies of water, creeks, ditches, OB and some extraordinarily large tiered greens. There is actually a variety of green sizes and undulation, but the odds are good that you will likely 3-putt at least a couple of greens unless your approach game is on target. Also, many of the holes on the 18-hole course are flanked by thick, mature trees, making shot placement critical.
There are 27 holes of golf at LCC. The primary 18-hole course is called the RTJ course, named after its designer, Robert Trent Jones, which has an old-school country club feel. The 9-hole course, The Ridge, was designed by the local legend Gary Kerns. It is much more open and scenic, especially when you get to its namesake hole which sits atop of a large hill overlooking Eureka.
We do not typically rate the green fee value of private courses, but this course/club is one of the best values (initiation fee and monthly dues) in the area. If you put this course east of 270, the initiation fee would be, at minimum, 10 times higher.
Oak Valley
Location: Pevely, MO
Address: 1230 Abbey Ln, Pevely, MO 63070
Phone: (636) 475-4474
Type: Public
Rating (1 to 5):
For more information on this course: click here
Comments:
Union Hills Golf Course in Pevely, MO was purchased from the Teamsters in 2016 and the new owners, Tauqeer Haider and Younus Shah, appear to be committed to dramatically improving the course and resort grounds. Their first step in rebranding was changing the name to Oak Valley Golf Course and Resort. The mature course is definitely in transition but the new blood is already showing signs of a revitalized golfing experience. The medium-size greens do not have a lot of complexity but have been nursed back to health. Even the new carts are on the higher end with very comfortable seats. Most fairways, some very narrow, are flanked by trees with sand and water hazards strategically placed throughout the course . . . putting a premium on well-placed drives. It looks like all bunkers are in the process of converting to white sand, if the new traps on the 18th hole are any indication. For those hearty souls who prefer walking, you should probably get your steps in on the treadmill because this would be a very difficult walk; the first tee is about .5 miles from the clubhouse, the 10th tee is a comparable distance and the course is very hilly. Although we only rated OVGC a 3 (out of 5 golf balls), we fully anticipate this course to improve to at least a 3.5 rating in the next year or two. Also, Oak Valley Golf Course and Resort completely renovated the club house, putting in a state-of-the-art wedding/meeting facility, with a beautiful view overlooking the Mississippi River.