I had the opportunity to play Lost Dunes yesterday and it was an amazing experience. Let me first say that Lost Dunes has a unique “golf atmosphere” and I can see why it is one of the best golf clubs in the U.S. Bill Korbel met me when I arrived and gave me a tour of the facility. The clubhouse rivals that of Forest Dunes and I can only imagine the “war stories” that are told on the patio after a long day of golf. I was also able to see the “Ditka Cabin” and if you are looking to entertain friends or clients then Lost Dunes is the place for you. The social aspect and atmosphere really separate Lost Dunes from the other clubs that I have played The locker room was outstanding and I feel the facilities are second to none.
Now for the golf course itself. I feel that Tom Doak knocked this one out of the park as this course was very entertaining to play. The scenery is indescribable and I feel the layout was amazing. I am a sucker for elevated tee shots so I was in heaven all day long! Although the greens were tough, I feel the course was very fair and it was not “tricked up” in my opinion.
I had the honor of having Dave as my caddie. I shot a 98 (44 on the front and a 54 on the back) and he kept me laughing the entire round.
Here were some of the highlights of my round. The front night was great but the back nine really impressed me.
Hole # 2 – After smashing a drive off of an elevated tee I left myself a 7 iron approach shot. The pin was front right so Dave suggested I aim for the front left of the green. My ball funneled right into the pin and I was left with a 6 foot birdie putt. Unfortunate I got “Doaked” and missed my putt but it was a solid start to my round.
Hole # 6 – A very long par 4 but another awesome elevated tee shot. I had a solid drive followed up with a hybrid into the green. I had my first double dipper putt of the round and ended up 4 putting. My caddie Dave mentioned “Now you have experienced a Lost Dunes putt!”
Hole # 12 – A 75 ft vertical drop off the tee box. One of the best holes on the course and I was able to clear the traps on the right. It left me with an 8 iron approach shot with a front left pin. I was able to stick one within 4 feet and it was my one and only birdie of the round.
Hole # 14 – Probably the most scenic hole on the course. Another elevated tee (Yes I am in love with these
) with a great view of the lake and bridge. This is a great risk/reward hole and the pin happened to be tucked back right. After sending my first two tee shots into the lake I finally wised up and decided to play it conservative. I was battling a fierce wind but my approach shot funneled right toward the pin. I was lucky with the pin placements the day I played because most of the pin placements funneled toward the pin. There is nothing better than watching your ball rolling wildly towards the pin.
Hole #15 – A tough par 5 which is another great risk/reward hole. You have to decide how much yardage you want to shave. I smashed a drive into the wind and barely cleared the lake. The large sand dune in the background was breathtaking. After a hybrid layup shot I left myself a 8 iron approach shot at a pin that was on the upper tier. I somehow made it on the upper tier and had a 5 foot birdie putt and then it happened folks…..I left my putt 2 feet short
Doak gave me the YIPS.
The only knock that I had on Lost Dunes was course conditioning. I felt this course was meant to play fast and firm and the fairways were extremely soft. My drives often plugged and the greens were very slow. Maybe by design but I would of like the greens to play a bit faster. I also noticed that most of the greens had a lot of “brownish” spots almost looked burnt up which to me was shocking. I also noticed on hole # 9 there were 3 or 4 ruts which shocked me as well. I was expecting a Forest Dunes conditioned course and frankly I was disappointed for the shape the course was in. Some of the local 4 star public courses that I play are in far better shape than Lost Dunes. Additionally I-94 really bugged me as I could hear loud traffic the majority of the round.
Lost Dunes is a classy club and I really enjoyed my time there. I can clearly see why it is one of the best clubs in the U.S. and the golf atmosphere is second to none. Staff and members should be extremely proud of their facility and thanks for making it a memorable day for me.
Bob G.