Eagle Knoll Golf Club
My Review
Although Eagle Knoll Golf Club in Hartsburg, Missouri was obviously on my list of Missouri golf courses, it was not on my radar. But, after playing the courses in Columbia last week, at least two of the pros recommended playing Eagle Knoll. Their advertising campaign should be “4 out of 5 pros in the region recommend Eagle Knoll.” Or, “Eagle Knolls. The Pros’ Course.” Eagle Knolls is probably the nicest course in rural Missouri I have played so far. And, that has got to be a problem for them. The universe of golfers in between Columbia and Jefferson City just cannot be very large. Oh well . . . I am not here to discuss the marketing viability of a course. Eagle Knoll Golf Club, which was designed by Gary Kern, is comparable to a resort at the Lake of the Ozarks – but without the lake. The greens are large with medium-low complexity, but they still have some major breaks to them, depending on pin placement. The quickness is because of their Stimpmeter rating. They should measure out in between 10 and 11. They are quick, which lead to several 3 putts. This is one of the better values I have found. So, get with your buddies and schedule a few days to play courses in mid-Missouri. And, include Eagle Knolls on your schedule. You can thank me later.
Norwoods Golf Club
My Review
The course was built in the mid 90’s by a couple of brothers, who are omnipresent, on the farmland owned by their father. His middle name was Norwood, hence Norwoods Golf Club. The course is an excellent course (and value) on the outskirts of Hannibal, Missouri. There is a distinct difference between the front and back nine with the latter having much more character. The front nine is fairly wide open and the back has much more diversity with a few VERY narrow holes, flanked by dense mature trees. It was a picturesque course, particularly since I played during late October when the trees were beautiful. The tees, fairways and greens were very nice. Somewhere just south of Hannibal is the line that makes zoysia less desirable (to the north) so Norwoods’ fairways and tees were blue grass, which is lush, green and beautiful. If you live in the NE or within a hundred miles of Hannibal (St. Louis qualifies) it would be a nice day trip for your foursome. Or, bring your wife and you can play golf while she shops in Hannibal. Or, she can play golf while you shop if that’s the way it works in your family. Believe me, I am not judging.
Hannibal Country Club
My Review
The tees and greens at Hannibal Country Club are in beautiful condition and they are working on improving the rest of the course. They planted strips of Zoysia in all fairways in 2013 and they are not yet filled in. When they do fill in the course will be significantly better. The roughs also need a little turf management but the lack of rain really had an impact on this old school country club located in beautiful Hannibal, Missouri. There are mature trees lining most of the fairways and, because they are spaced about 16′ apart, they are not as punitive as they could be. One kind of odd aspect of the course is that there is a road cutting across the approach shot on the 4th hole, about 40 yards from the green. I can assure you that 30% of the approach shots into this par 4 will hit the road. But, its part of the course, like a lake. At least this hazard has a chance of bouncing to the green . . .
American Legion Golf Course
My Review
The American Legion Golf Course is in the heart of Hannibal, Missouri and provides an inexpensive golfing option in this great city. Much of the work on the course is done by volunteers and they do an admirable job. The course is hilly and has a few hazards such as sand, a couple of lakes and many trees around the course. The greens are in excellent condition, but the rest of the course needs a little TLC.
Tanglewood Golf Course
My Review
I have seen Tanglewood Golf Course from Highway 54 many times and always wondered about it. Tanglewood Golf Course in Fulton, Missouri is a golfer’s golf course. It is beautifully manicured with no flashiness; just straight up, high quality golf. All grasses (tees, fairways, roughs and greens) are almost perfect. The greens are large, non-symmetrical, reasonably quick and have a medium level of complexity. There is also trouble lurking at every turn, including: fairway bunkers, bunkers protecting the greens, large lakes and very tall and thick stretches of natural grasses lining most fairways. As long as you do not spray your ball too erratically, lost balls should be kept to a minimum. Since I visit Jeff City frequently, I will try to play Tanglewood whenever possible. It really is a nice, quality course. Go play it when the opportunity presents itself and thank me later.
Fulton Country Club
My Review
Fulton Country Club is a nice rural club in historic Fulton, Missouri home of Westminster College where Sir Winston Churchill made his famous “Iron Curtain” speech at the college gymnasium in 1946. The greens, tees and fairways are all in good condition. The greens, while in beautiful condition and fairly quick, are typical of rural country clubs . . . fairly small and sloped from the back to front. These greens, however, are a bit more complex than most rural courses. All in all, Fulton Country Club is a great little course. If you know someone to get you on the course, pack up the family and make a day trip to Fulton. While you are playing golf, they can go to one of the many parades or street festivals in downtown Fulton then you can all take a tour of the historic areas of the city and college.
Incline Village Golf Club
My Review
Incline Village Golf Club a nice course located a few miles NW of I70 and Highway 61 in Foristell, Missouri. The course is actually fairly difficult. However, if you are hitting your drives straight you can score well. I lost several balls because I was having issues off of the tee. Once you are in position, after your drive, the shots into the greens are fairly unobstructed, with a couple of notable exceptions, such as Hole 11, a beautiful, short par 3 with an island green. The course is by no means perfect, but it is definitely a fun course to play. Luckily, because it is the only course in town. If my city only had one course, I would be pleased as punch if it were comparable to Incline Village. The green fees too are very reasonable.
Fayette Golf Course
My Review
The URL and phone number pretty much says it all. Fayette Golf Course in Fayette, Missouri calls itself a “pasture golf course.” And, that is exactly what it is. It is a large field with virtually no separation between holes. There are no roughs; or maybe there are no fairways. Who knows? The grass (weeds) is even and consistent over the entire field. The only break is the occasional tree, tee box (a raised mound) or small, flat round sand green and tattered flags on each green (sand). Please do not misinterpret this review as sarcastic or highly negative. It is what it is. It really does serve a very useful and low cost opportunity for this very rural community to play golf. And what a wonderful community it is! The town square is a beautiful reminder of small town Missouri. The centerpiece the town square is the beautifully maintained county courthouse, from another era, which is surrounded on the square by numerous local retailers and businesses.
Crown Pointe Golf Club
My Review
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner! Crown Pointe Golf Club, in Farmington, Missouri is a great course all the way around. The greens, although a bit slow for my taste, were smooth as carpet and seemed to grab the ball and put it right next to the pin. The green complex was not too complicated but had some undulation and a few multi-levels. The breaks were not crazy. The Zoysia fairways had very few imperfections and the rough was not too penal. Overall, Crown Pointe, designed by Missouri-renowned golf course architect, Gary Kern, is a very fair and fun course, a great value and very well manicured. The only negatives were that a few of the tee boxes were threadbare and many broken tees were strewn around. But, that’s pretty nitpicky. I will definitely schedule some trips down to Farmington to play this wonderful course.
Three Pines Golf Course
My Review
Three Pines Golf Course is one of my favorite public rural courses. It has a lot of personality and a fun vibe, from the 9th hole par 3 with a true island green, to the fake fisherman and his dog on a floating dock on one of the large lakes to the wide range of green size and shape. The fairway, tee, rough and green grasses were fairly good, but not great . . . but they keep it manicured well so that every lie is reasonable. There are mature trees and other plants scattered strategically throughout the course that are not punitive. The clubhouse was going through a renovation when I was there so it will be a major improvement. There are no traps or cart paths but that did not detract from the enjoyment of playing this course. Three Pines Golf Course is located in Ewing, Missouri.