Black at D. Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course

Nice course for the money! Greens in nice shape, staff friendly, tee boxes could use a little work? For a municipal course really not bad!

I've frequently played this course over the past year and have been thoroughly disappointed every time. The only bright spot is that the course is usually in good condition.

The Bad:

The starters usually have a problem with you, even when you're checking in to go out to the first tee, and the few rangers I've run into over the past few years always have a crabby attitude. A great example of this is the last time I played.

I booked a twilight tee time and was able to get a cart for the first nine holes, but they mentioned that I would have to play the back nine and bring the cart back by the end, since carts had a time cutoff. Fine, as I would walk the front nine once I returned the cart. When I returned the cart, I asked the starter I saw if I could play the front nine and walk (knowing I'd probably only get 4-5 holes in before it got too dark), and he said go for it. Sweet. As I approach hole 4, I notice a bunch of cars parked on the fairway as they set up fireworks for SHU next door. Instead of teeing off, I decided to end it there and start walking back, only to be met by a ranger near hole five screaming at me in the quote "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO BE OUT HERE." I explained that I was told I could play the front nine by the starter, and that I was already done after seeing people on the front 9 setting up fireworks, so I was walking back to my car. He met me with "YOU'RE LYING, NOBODY TOLD YOU YOU COULD PLAY. GET OUT OF HERE!" Even though I was told by the starter it was fine. Maybe they should have all employees on the same page before letting people out there. I have never been met with so much animosity on the course from a ranger when I'm very respectful of the course. That altercation is just one story of my bad experiences with the rangers.

I'd like to add one quick one: how strict are they on getting those carts in on time. My buddy and I were on the fairway at 18 (Red Course) and were about to hit our approach shots onto the green when a ranger came out and told us to pick up our balls and return the cart as the time had run out for carts to be out. I think it was a 6 pm cutoff at the time, and when I checked my watch, it was 5:56 pm. For those who have been to Fairchild (Red Course), the 18th green is within a few steps of the cart barn, so we thought we'd finish before returning the cart, only to be disappointed. Outrageous that he came to police us on the 18th fairway, about our cart being in on time, when there were plenty of groups behind us with carts that had a longer distance to travel to get them in on time.

The cart fee is one of the most outrageous, at $23 for 18 holes (Whitney is $13$ for 18). When booking on GolfNow, they don't allow you to book individual slots, only 2-4 people, which is asinine. If you want to book as a single, you must call and then lose out on hot deals/GP member deals you'd only get for booking two or more people.

The Good:

The course is challenging with many elevation changes, but flatter greens make it easier to putt.

The course is well kept in the spring/summer; however, they don't do a great job of getting leaves off of greens or fairways in the fall.

They have decent food at the clubhouse on the turn, but make sure to call ahead as they get busy during peak times.

The pace of play is fine, but there is not much policing on the rangers' part. They care more about their precious carts being on time.

Overall, if I could rate this course out of 10, I'd give it a 4.2

First time playing The Wheel Black course. Good layout, ok pace and great layout. Will definitely play gain.

The course (Black) is a good layout, which is really a shame because tees/greens/fairway/rough are all in terrible shape. Management seems to have checked out, superintendent and grounds crew don’t seem to care. Honestly no aspect of this course seemed well cared for. Tee times were scheduled in five minute intervals, making for a 5+ hour round. They require you to leave a drivers license when you take a cart out, which would have been fine with me if the teenagers working the cart return didn’t lose mine. Waiting to see how management will make that right, but until then, this is one of those “if I could give it no stars” reviews…

Conditions were not that good. Seems like the corse needs more attention. Weather was excellent which made the course overbooked and the pace of play reflected this.

I have played here many times but the course seems to be hurting.

Reasonable prices and friendly staff and good interesting layout make up for very average course conditions

Greens a bit bumpy and rough a bit wild but bunkers and cart paths are fine.

Solid B B+ course plays a little short, great for beginners or people that don’t play often

Many holes are unreachable in regulation due to hazards or high rough where normal landing areas should be. If you can drive it 280, you'll be fine. if not you might struggle to hit 3 wood second shots to try a reachthegreens. Hilly course and tough walk. Green were tougher than they looked making for a challenging round. Would recommend a cart as the walk is tougher than most.

Hadn't been to the Wheel in years and at the last minute had a "golf Jones."

Carts with GPS didn't work and the beeping was obnoxious when in the "wrong" area.

Course greens were bumpy and diseased. Only played 9 because I was so.... disappointed in the whole experience. NEVER going back!!

The layout has always been very good. Conditions varied but they are redoing every bunker and putting real $ into the course

Nice round got paired with a some college interns recently into area. Front nine tee boxes were tough, back nine much better but it's the Wheel !!!

Good condition, greens and fairways in good shape for June. Some T box need help now. But that’s The Wheel

Good course(s) Black is better than the Red but both need some improvement. Some fun holes scattered throughout the course. I think the greens would benefit from better trimming.

Winder views! Fairways and greens in good shape. Tee boxes are not.