Northwoods GC
A fall day view of a hole at Northwoods Golf Course
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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
621 Reviews (621)
5 Stars
134
4 Stars
259
3 Stars
134
2 Stars
58
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.1
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.0
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.5
83.5%
Recommend this course
494 out of 621 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
15 Reviews (15)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.4
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.1
73.3%
Recommend this course
11 out of 15 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.2
StaffFriendliness
3.9
77.1%
Recommend this course
27 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This P.B. Dye design delivers a well-regarded layout with memorable features like a stone retaining wall and a creative blind approach shot. Affordable rates and friendly staff make it a solid value for golfers in the Columbia area.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6800 yards
Slope 122
Rating 71.9

Northwoods Golf Club is one of the Columbia area's premier public courses. P.B. Dye, son of renowned course architect Pete Dye, designed the layout, incorporating some of his father's signature features. The golf course is player friendly enough to appeal to any skill level but there are some challenges in store as well. Mature trees line most of the fairways and there are a few strategically placed bunkers that come into play. You won't come across much water on this golf course and it's not terribly long either. It's gentle enough for beginners to approach with confidence. The golf course's signature hole is the par-4 14th, which features the famous Dye railroad ties bordering a lake that hugs the bunkered green. Northwoods G.C. also offers a practice facility with a lighted driving range and putting green.

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Northwoods Golf Club - The Spur Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1990
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye P. B. Dye (1990)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2015 #10)
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Reviews

3.9
621 Reviews (621)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 12
Watching the Game 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 29
Water Hazards 24
Undulating Greens 18
This course/club is great for:
Locals 33
Beginners 16
Advanced Golfers 14
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 37
Worth the Drive 9
In the 'Burbs 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Don't bother calling to find out course conditions.

Prior to booking I called to find out course conditions as well as their price per round to compare to GN's. Which was $37 compared to a none hot deal price of $24. (Why would you want to pay $13 more). I was told the course was is good condition which is turns out was a lie. There are a several holes where the greens are in dire straits, in need of serious help. I played this course last year and it was in ok condition. The problem I have is the staff are not honest and don't mention other details such as club dog fights- 5+ groups of 5 that have these matches during the week and weekend. The tee times that are within an hour or so after these matches start should not be available on GN. It makes for a horrible experience having to wait for these groups. Also the staff should mention this whenever a customer calls to gather info about the course. One should not have to ask specific questions to get a truthful answer. It will be awhile before I return to this course, that's if I do return. GL.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Response from on 05/09/2017:
Hello Josh, thank you for taking the time to write a review about our course, we appreciate your feedback. We are sorry to hear about the subpar pace of play, we will pass your feedback onto the appropriate department. Thank you for your business and we hope to see you again soon.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Response from on 04/17/2017:
Hello Steven, thank you for taking the time to review our course. We are glad you enjoyed our pace of play and found our staff friendy. Thank you for your business and we hope to see you again soon.
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Northwoods

We were disappointed. The tee boxes were run down. Fairways ok not great. Greens were aerated earlier in the week. They were bumpy, of course. This course has great potential to be great again. Pace was fast for here ..under 4 hours. We did run into a 5some which shouldn't be allowed on Saturday.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 05/19/2017:
Hey Talbert, thank you for taking the time to review your experience with us. We are sorry to hear that the course conditions were not as enjoyable as they should have been. We will pass along the issues mentioned to the appropriate team in order to make improvements where needed moving forward. We are happy to hear that the pace of play was great and we will be keeping a better lookout for the rogue five-somes which slow down play. Thank you for stopping by Northwoods Golf Club and have a great day!
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good condition for February.

The course is in decent shape for February. The pace of play was slowed down because of a large group in front of us, but hey eventually let us play through. I would recommend this course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

An unknown Gem

This course was well kept and challenging. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. We will be returning!!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Improving but lots of work to do

Greens and bunkers are vastly improved over past year but course still needs a ton of work. Pace of play is a crapshoot as they allow fivesomes, singles, etc....and all rangers do is make sure you've paid. With a growing season and continued investment this can be a great course again.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great day for Golfing

Course has improved a great deal over the past year. Greens has most improvement to show for "The Spur". Can't beat the price as well.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course, but lacks etiquette

Don't let the title deter you. I love this place. The thing that I HATE about it, though- 5somes on Saturday mornings!?!? Not 1or 2, but a very common occurrence. I bought my round use GolfNow which included a coupon code for $10! I was happy, but then I get there and the starter puts me out with another single. We have a 20+ hcp 3some in front of us. That's OK, but in front of them- a 20+ hcp 5some!! Then a 4some and then another 5some!! What the heck is going on!?! That was my mindset! I'm a pace of play golfer. Sub-6 hcp and looking to pull up and swing. When it's 49 degrees with the wind blowing and it takes more than 5.5hrs to finish 18- it's not fun anymore. It's an easy fix, Spur! The ranger even agreed with me. It's a basic etiquette of golf. No matter if they're members playing dog fights or not. NO 5somes!! Enforce a bit more of a dress code, and enforce pace of play standards. Put the POP on the scorecards as well as local rules and regs. I enjoy the layout. When it's open and playing a fluid pace- you can't beat the value with the place! Solid layout. Great staff. Above average greens! Let's tighten it up, Northwoods!! This could be a big time place for Columbia if you guys tighten things up a bit!! Some paths need work as well, but that's not a make/break thing. Thanks y'all!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Late openings. Getting old!

Staff was very late to get the course open. I had a 7:08 tee time and they didn't even show up to open the pro shop until after 7:30. Then they had to get the carts out so all this delayed the round 30/40 minutes and added a lot of stress before the round even began. Honestly it really made the first couple holes very unenjoyable. Not professional at all. Not the first time this has happened at Northwoods either. Poor course mgt.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course has a very good layout.

Some of the greens were rough and needs attention.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slow!!!

One of the best layouts in the midlands that has shown some recent improvements in playing conditions. Still need to do work on areas outside of play (rocks and dirt in rough, bad cart paths). Really needs to address pace of play issues. Allowed 5somes and would not at the least use ranger to address pace or enforce letting others play through. Our 3some played the whole round behind a 5some of duffers and when I asked the Ranger at the turn about the situation he said they are supposed to let y'all through but made no effort in addressing it with the group. Went back to his nap in the cart on the first tee. Otherwise, the rest of the staff is awesome.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Good Course

The day I played, the greens had some diseased areas.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Had fun

I really enjoyed the layout of the course. The greens were in great shape.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Used cart

Awesome layout

My favorite layout in Columbia. I love that no two holes are alike. Plus the shorter layout gives you a lot of opportunities to make birdies. The course was in great shape. Plus they nailed it with the renovations.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Good Comeback

This course is headed in the right direction under new ownership. Played it for the first time in awhile and myself and playing partner were impressed with how far the course has come. Greens and fairways were both in good condition. Would definitely go back and play again. A good comeback. Keep it up guys.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Greens in good shape

Course in good shape, greens in very good shape.

Recommendation to course: Make yardage markers in the fairway more visible. The pace of play can really slow down when people are spending a long time trying to figure out how far away from the green they are.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great course for the price

The course was surprisingly well kept for the price. The course has a few fun and challenging holes, and the greens ran well considering the heat of summer. Will definitely play again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

great course

played today 06-21-16, in town for son's graduation from basic training. found this course by chance, felt welcomed by staff and were very friendly. liked the course very much, challenging for me. those bunkers really come into play if you're not careful. other golfers playing course were very friendly. i will definitely will play again and recommend it as well.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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