Nine so far this year:
Barton Hills- 7 Surprisingly good track with some old school Ross and fairly severe elevations. The fact that a stick like Saltzman and a hack like me can both rave about it speaks volumes. Between this, the U of M course and Zingerman's a man could be pretty happy camping out in A squared for quite a while. The greens had some difficulty over the winter but that hardly detracted from the pleasant surprise.
Olympia Fields South- 5 1/2 Finally got to see O'Fields "weaker" sister as part of the Chicago Golf Historical Society event (which included a great presentation on the club's very interesting history). A fairly stern test in and of itself and probably my new favorite Bendelow, which however isn't saying much. A great club with 2 really good courses is something you don't see every day. The presence of the creek on 11 holes would be enough to lead me to strong drink even sooner than usual if I were a member though.
Kingsley Club- 8 If you haven't been there yet, what the hell are you waiting for? New cottage is open, new look on #4, most underrated living GCA on the planet and the best turf this side of the Atlantic...
Streamsong Red- 6 A bit too many blind and penal holes for my taste, particularly for a resort course. Sticks will like it better. Not sure of the lineage but it seems like Bill may have been a bit too generous in negotiating the routing with Tom here. As said elsewhere the place is very pricey and corporate in feel, but it's easily the best golf I've played in Florida, though I haven't seen Indianwood or Seminole. There are a couple of great short 4's as you'd expect from this duo.
Streamsong Blue- 7 Unsurprisingly I preferred the Doak course given that he designs so the stern test is at the green and hacks like me with a half way decent short game can bunt it around and have fun. Classic anecdote- I was playing as a single and another local single caught up to me as I was waiting on the group in front. He wasn't happy as he hit it pretty well and wasn't scoring. His quote was "whoever designed these greens is an a**hole".
I was cartballing it in 95 degree heat and 100% humidity so I wasn't as bothered about the routing for walking as JC was. My caddie was shocked at my ability to chip with a 4-wood. As a result I surmised that the majority of the guests haven't played much F&F golf...
Lost Dunes- 6 1/2 Would be a 7 if they ever maintained it as it was designed to play. Always seems a bit too green and soft for a sandy site. A great job with a difficult property, but there's no getting around the highway and the disjointed walk with several shuttles included. Love that 4th green though...
Dunes Club- 7 Great track, great club, ideal clubhouse. Those 2 trees on 8 have gotta go though. Get on that Judge...
Beverly CC- 6 Just once I'd like to play here when it hasn't poured the day before. The best club in Chicago by a fairly wide margin if not the best course (that would be Shoreacres). If they weren't intent on being a Championship track, lost a couple hundred more trees and hacked the rough down a bit it'd be even better and more fun. Some really good greens that have stood the test of time.
Spring Valley CC- 5 If this place were private, had the intended bunkering and was in tip top condition people here would be soiling their jockeys to get on. Best golf value I've ever seen for $18 all day walking rate, period. Next year we need to organize a 54 hole outing on the summer solstice. Yes youngsters, Langford is indeed the man...