Swing into Action: A Guide to the Top St. Louis Golf Courses
As a St. Louis golf course aficionado, I can’t wait to share with you the top golfing destinations in the Gateway City. From picturesque public courses to exclusive private clubs, St. Louis offers a variety of golf experiences that cater to players of all skill levels. So grab your clubs, and let’s dive into the best St. Louis golf courses that’ll make your next golf outing a hole-in-one! ⛳
Forest Park Golf Course: A Picturesque Urban Oasis
Forest Park Golf Course, situated within the stunning 1,300-acre Forest Park, is a golfer’s paradise and a picturesque urban oasis in the heart of St. Louis. The course’s rich history dates back to 1912, and since then, it has become a beloved destination for both local golfers and visitors alike.
Layout and Amenities
The course features 27 holes, divided into three 9-hole courses – the Dogwood, the Redbud, and the Hawthorn – that can be played in any combination, offering golfers the chance to experience different layouts and challenges during each visit. Forest Park Golf Course is well-suited for golfers of all skill levels, with multiple tee boxes on each hole to accommodate different playing abilities.
The course is known for its tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens, which require precision and skill to navigate successfully. The park’s serene lakes and ponds add to the course’s beauty while presenting additional challenges in the form of water hazards.
A full-service pro shop is available on-site, providing golfers with a wide range of equipment, apparel, and accessories. Professional instructors offer private lessons and group clinics for those looking to improve their game. After your round, relax and enjoy a meal at the Clubhouse Grill, where you’ll find a delicious menu, refreshing drinks, and stunning views of the course.
Events and Tournaments
Forest Park Golf Course is also a popular venue for golf tournaments and charity events, thanks to its central location and impeccable course conditions. The experienced staff can help you plan and organize a successful event tailored to your needs, from arranging tee times and scorecards to providing catering services.
A Green Commitment
Forest Park Golf Course is committed to environmental sustainability, with numerous eco-friendly practices in place to reduce water and energy consumption, minimize pesticide use, and protect the park’s natural habitats. This commitment to sustainability ensures that golfers can enjoy a picturesque and environmentally responsible golf experience.
Gateway National Golf Links: A Championship Experience
Located just minutes from downtown St. Louis, Gateway National Golf Links is a premier golf destination that offers a championship experience for golfers of all levels. This links-style course, designed by renowned architect Keith Foster, combines challenging play with spectacular views of the city skyline and the iconic Gateway Arch, creating an unforgettable golfing experience.
Course Design and Features
Gateway National Golf Links stretches over 7,178 yards, offering a par-71 layout that is both challenging and rewarding. The course boasts wide fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and large, undulating greens, making it an enjoyable yet demanding test of golfing skills. The links-style design, inspired by the classic courses of Scotland and Ireland, features tall fescue grasses and natural hazards, giving golfers a taste of authentic links golf.
The course’s signature hole, the par-3 15th, showcases the stunning views of the Gateway Arch, creating a visually impressive backdrop as you play. With multiple tee boxes on each hole, golfers of all skill levels can enjoy a challenging and enjoyable round tailored to their abilities.
Facilities and Amenities
Gateway National Golf Links offers a range of top-notch facilities to cater to golfers’ needs. The fully-stocked pro shop carries the latest golf equipment, apparel, and accessories from leading brands. Professional instructors are available for private lessons, clinics, and custom club fittings to help you elevate your game.
The course’s practice facilities include a spacious driving range, chipping and putting greens, and practice bunkers, allowing golfers to hone their skills before or after their round. The Links at Gateway Grill, located in the clubhouse, offers a mouthwatering menu, refreshing beverages, and a relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day on the links.
Events and Outings
Gateway National Golf Links is an ideal venue for hosting golf tournaments, corporate outings, and charity events. The experienced staff is dedicated to ensuring your event runs smoothly, providing comprehensive planning and coordination services, from organizing tee times to arranging post-event banquets and awards ceremonies.
The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club: Immerse Yourself in Nature
Tucked away amidst the rolling hills and dense woodlands of St. Charles County, The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club is a spectacular golfing destination where nature and sport unite in harmony. Designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Fazio, this 18-hole, par-71 masterpiece offers a challenging and picturesque golf experience that will delight and captivate players of all abilities.
Course Layout and Features
The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club spans over 7,047 yards, weaving through the natural landscape and incorporating dramatic elevation changes, wooded ravines, and native grasses. The course layout emphasizes strategic shot-making and course management, rewarding golfers who take the time to think through their shots and navigate the unique challenges each hole presents.
The immaculately maintained greens are known for their subtle breaks and undulations, putting a premium on accurate approach shots and skillful putting. The course’s signature hole, the par-4 11th, features a steep downhill tee shot and a well-guarded green, offering both a thrilling challenge and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Amenities and Facilities
The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club provides a range of high-quality amenities and facilities to enhance your golfing experience. The pro shop, stocked with top-of-the-line golf equipment and apparel, ensures that golfers have access to everything they need for a successful round. The club’s professional instructors are available for private lessons, group clinics, and golf schools, helping players of all skill levels refine their techniques and improve their game.
Before or after your round, take advantage of the club’s extensive practice facilities, which include a driving range, chipping and putting greens, and practice bunkers. The Clubhouse, with its rustic, lodge-style architecture, houses The Grille at Missouri Bluffs, a restaurant and bar that serves up delicious meals and refreshing drinks in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Events and Tournaments
The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club is an ideal venue for hosting golf tournaments, corporate outings, and special events. The experienced events team can help you plan and execute your event to perfection, from organizing tee times and arranging on-course contests to coordinating post-event receptions and banquets.
Old Hickory Golf Club: A Private Club with Public Access
Nestled in the charming town of St. Peters, Old Hickory Golf Club offers a unique and exceptional golf experience that combines the exclusivity of a private club with the accessibility of a public course. Designed by renowned golf course architect P.B. Dye, Old Hickory Golf Club boasts a challenging and beautifully maintained 18-hole layout, complemented by exceptional amenities and personalized service that will make your golf outing truly memorable.
Course Layout and Features
Old Hickory Golf Club spans over 6,800 yards, presenting a par-71 layout that challenges golfers of all skill levels. The course is characterized by meticulously manicured bentgrass greens, tree-lined fairways, and strategically placed water hazards that demand accurate shot-making and intelligent course management.
Each hole presents its own unique challenges and features, from the risk-reward opportunities of the par-5 8th hole to the dramatic downhill tee shot on the par-3 12th hole. The course’s multiple tee boxes cater to golfers of varying abilities, ensuring an enjoyable and challenging round for everyone.
Amenities and Facilities
Old Hickory Golf Club offers an array of first-class amenities and facilities that cater to the needs of every golfer. The fully-stocked pro shop carries the latest golf equipment, apparel, and accessories from leading brands, while the club’s professional instructors are available to provide private lessons, clinics, and club fittings to help you elevate your game.
The practice facilities at Old Hickory Golf Club are top-notch, featuring a driving range, chipping and putting greens, and a practice bunker that allow golfers to hone their skills before or after their round. The Old Hickory Clubhouse features a restaurant and bar, The 19th Hole, which offers a delicious menu, refreshing beverages, and a comfortable atmosphere to unwind after a day on the course.
Events and Outings
Old Hickory Golf Club is an excellent venue for hosting golf tournaments, corporate outings, and special events. The club’s experienced staff is dedicated to ensuring your event runs smoothly, providing comprehensive planning and coordination services, from organizing tee times and on-course contests to arranging post-event banquets and awards ceremonies.
5. Annbriar Golf Course: A Hidden Gem
Located just a short drive from St. Louis in the scenic town of Waterloo, Illinois, Annbriar Golf Course is a true hidden gem that provides golfers with a challenging, beautiful, and unforgettable experience. Designed by esteemed golf course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan, this 18-hole, par-72 layout has garnered rave reviews since its opening in 1993 and continues to delight golfers with its exceptional playability and picturesque setting.
Course Layout and Features
Annbriar Golf Course stretches over 6,841 yards, offering a diverse and engaging layout that demands strategic thinking, accurate shot-making, and precise course management. The course meanders through rolling hills, lush woodlands, and beautiful wetlands, providing a serene and natural backdrop for your round of golf.
Each hole presents its own unique challenge, with a variety of hazards, including water, bunkers, and native grasses, that test golfers’ skills and decision-making abilities. The course’s signature hole, the par-5 11th, features a dramatic, dogleg-left fairway and a well-guarded green, requiring golfers to navigate both distance and precision to secure a rewarding score.
Amenities and Facilities
Annbriar Golf Course boasts a range of top-notch amenities and facilities that cater to the needs of every golfer. The well-stocked pro shop offers the latest golf equipment, apparel, and accessories, while the club’s professional staff is available to provide expert advice, private lessons, and club fittings to help you elevate your game.
The course’s practice facilities include a driving range, putting green, and chipping area, allowing golfers to fine-tune their skills before or after their round. The Smokehouse Restaurant, located in the charming, rustic clubhouse, serves up mouthwatering meals and refreshing drinks in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day on the course.
Events and Tournaments
Annbriar Golf Course is an ideal venue for hosting golf tournaments, corporate outings, and charity events. The experienced staff is dedicated to ensuring your event runs smoothly, providing comprehensive planning and coordination services, from organizing tee times and on-course contests to arranging post-event receptions and banquets.
St. Louis Golf Courses Await Your Next Adventure!
With so many exceptional golf courses in St. Louis, it’s no wonder golf enthusiasts keep coming back for more. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the sport, the Gateway City offers a golf experience for everyone. So go ahead, book your tee time, and swing into action at one of these fantastic St. Louis golf courses!
What’s your favorite St. Louis golf course? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts and discuss the best places to tee off in our great city.
