Lets talk St Louis

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I am heading there next month to play Norwood and St. Louis  CC. Are there any other must plays in the area. cheers Tiger

[Jim Nugent]

It's been decades, but Westwood CC used to be my second favorite course there. 

[Bill_McBride]

Gary Player would recommend Bellerive, classic RTJ and site of his only U.S. Open victory in 1965.

Forest Park is more fun than you would think, with lovely background of the museums and other buildings left from a World's Fair.  The golf course has been renovated and I think changed since I played a round there in the early 1980's.

Have a good trip.

[PCCraig]

Tiger-

SLCC is a very good golf course that you will enjoy a ton. That is probably #1 in the STL area (and I say that not ever living in the area and not seeing every course/club).

The other two that I have played and say are worth a visit if access is no problem are Bellerive and Old Warson. Bellerive is a hundred times better after the recent renovation from R. Jones and offers some pretty solid Championship-style golf. Old Warson held a Ryder Cup in the 70's and has a handfull of great holes on the back, and a good amount of so-so holes.

Forest Park is a fun way to spend a few hours playing a warm up 9 or 18, but I'm not sure if its worth it if the course looks crowded and playing slow.

[Brian Noser]

All these post sbout St. Louis recently make me think I live in a golfing mecca....

If you are playing Norwood you should Try Glen Echo on the same day they are neighbors. It is one of the underrated Private courses in the area a think also the oldest. There is a My home course write up on here about it I think.

The others have been mentioned. Not really much here, you hit the cream of the crop if you go to SLCC...

[Kye Goalby]

Tiger,

 STLCC is  supposed to reopen in May (closed for re-grassing last fall). I was under the impression there is no guest play the first month.  Hopefully you have special access if you are going to be there in May.

[Jeff_Stettner]

Tiger,
I expect a phone call when you are here.

Jeff

[SL_Solow]

Second the mention of Glen Echo.  Very old, mostly lay of the land with some good push up greens which rely on surface drainage with the expected slopes resulting.  Worth a look.

[Deucie Bies]

Glen Echo is a very enjoyable course to play.  Pretty short, but there are a few tough par 4s.

[Steve Pozaric]

Gary Player would recommend Bellerive, classic RTJ and site of his only U.S. Open victory in 1965.


Have a good trip.

He would also recommend Tapawingo:
"Out of the 100 or so courses I've had a hand in, only four pieces of ground have really stood out, and this is one of them... You could not ask for better material..... God designed the first 6 holes. Player Design helped out with the rest."

-Gary Player per Tapawingo website.

I wouldn't, though, in comparison to the other courses mentioned.   

Seriously though, it is hard to beat a SLCC, Norwood, Bellerive, Old Warson combo. 

I had heard the same thing about St. Louis as Kye.  Hope that works out.

[Buck Wolter]

Don't pass up a round on the East Course at Norwood -- a former member of GCA and a National Member there thought it might be better than it's big brother.

[Gerry B]

big fan of SLCC - some of my friends who are members there recommended Old Warson

[PCCraig]

Glen Echo is a very enjoyable course to play.  Pretty short, but there are a few tough par 4s.

Glen Echo is considered the oldest course west of the Mississippi and the only golf course in the world to host the Olympics.

[Jim Franklin]

I hear St Albans is nice too. I am headed to Dalhousie next month after a short stay in St Louis as well.

[Tom Roewer]

st. albans is worth the ride  beautiful property with 2 courses  1 meanders along  creek/bottomland and one is more up/down and side hill.  there is a USGA team event there this summer
or take a drive across the bridge to Waterloo, IL to Ann Briar   very good!

[Tom Walsh]

Not exactly St. Louis, but close is Boone Valley, private, held a senior tour event for a couple of years. Located in a beautiful area with wineries nearby. I second glen echo, and both Norwood courses. Obviously SLCC if it's open and you have access. Forest Park is in a cool location, but plays way short in my estimation. Across the river publics--Annbriar and Gateway are worth a look for sure. Hope the weather cooperates, it's been a wet spring thus far.

[Joe McCormac]

Haven't seen Fox Run mentioned on any STL strings.  IMO it's the 3rd best course in the STL metro area behind only SLCC and Boone Valley (Augusta, MO).  The course is extremely challenging.  The 3rd-6th is one of my favorite stretches in golf. 

The 6th hole, a long par 5, is one of the best in the area.  Somewhat uniquely, the creek crosses the fairway at about the 400 yd mark, producing a good deal of strategy if one finds the rough off the tee.

Golf only, great club, quite challenging.  If you find yourself in STL, go out of your way to play Fox Run.

[Jim Franklin]

After playing Tavern Creek, I would not recommend to anyone. The Lewis & Clark course looked much better. Dalhousie was fantastic. I hear Fox Run is good as my friend is looking to join somewhere and that is top of his list.

[Joe McCormac]

He will not be disappointed.

Lewis & Clark is much better...walkable for one thing.  When the USGA has their 3-man team event at Saint Albans this fall, I'll be interested to hear the comments.  The entire property has received some pub since GD said Tavren Creeck was #1 in Missouri = joke. 

[Jim Franklin]

He will not be disappointed.

Lewis & Clark is much better...walkable for one thing.  When the USGA has their 3-man team event at Saint Albans this fall, I'll be interested to hear the comments.  The entire property has received some pub since GD said Tavren Creeck was #1 in Missouri = joke. 

In GD's most recent issue, Tavern Creek is #6. Still way too high IMHO. I look forward to seeing the L&C next time though.

[PCCraig]

Gary Player would recommend Bellerive, classic RTJ and site of his only U.S. Open victory in 1965.

Oh no it's not.  He told me himself that he won the US Open at Medinah #3.  He said so a few times before I just let him keep believing it....

If true that's scary.