West at White Pines Golf Course

The restaurant was one of the things that i truly liked about WHITE PINES. Without it, I dont make the course a priority to go to.

So I have read many of the reviews here and agree with some and not with others. I do agree that the place is not terrible but it has been much better in the past.

I’ve been coming to play here for about six years and I usually get in about eight rounds per year at White Pines. Both east and west course. The courses are challenging and set up pretty well. I would agree that this place truly needs to do some serious tree maintenance. There are dead trees all over the place there are always small branches along the fairways. I get putting tall trees on the out skirts of the place, but certain parts are so enclosed with trees it can make a beginner just quit the game. At lease trim them in such a way that you might have a shot. I think I have seen less trees in a forest preserve. The fairways are usually in pretty good shape, but I do also agree with the comments that their greens definitely needs some work.

This past year, Covid pandemic aside, the golf club was incorporated in to the park district. Through this merger, players have lost plenty of amenities that we all used to look forward to. The pro shop when you walk in has about two dozen shirts 10 pairs of shoes and a few balls for sale. Not what You would expect for a golf club of that size. They used to have a pretty decent restaurant, but that is now fully closed and not even open to get a drink at. As far as drinks are concerned if you would like to have a beer after your round, you only have the option to sit in the middle of the patio area. It doesn’t sound too bad but you have to walk about 100 yards to the halfway house to grab your beverages. With portapottys setup all over the center landscaping, it does not make you feel very welcome.

Speaking of halfway house, what’s the point of having a halfway house if it’s not even open by the time you hit the turn. Granted we tee off at 7 o’clock in the morning but by 1030 you would expect it to be open to a purchase a Gatorade or something.

For the price, I guess it’s OK, but there are many many courses around that are offering the same price and you have a much better playing experience for the day.

I guess being a permanent teetime member there for years, and seeing what this has morphed into, is very disappointing. If they want a model of what a park district club could look like, simply drive 2 miles down the road to the preserve at Oak Meadows. There you will find an amazing course, and even though they’re in a transition right now with their new clubhouse, you can bet that place will be top notch.

The trouble started right from the beginning. Went to the cart barn to get a cart, stood there for 10 mins and no one was there. Walked to the starter and said I need a cart and he replied, “I don’t know what to tell you, they must be out so you’re going to have to wait.” I could see a ton of carts in the barn so I know they weren’t out. So we ended up grabbing some guy’s dirty cart that he brought in just so we didn’t miss our time. The younger staff all had basketball shorts and tee shirts on and the starters just a plain, personal polo, not staff shirts. Course conditions were terrible. Most tee boxes were completely dead, fairways and rough a mix of weeds and grass and dirt around the greens. (See pictures). I won’t be back!

Challenging West Course and well maintained greens. Staff was very friendly and the food was great., will be back to play this course again.

8/17/2020

Played the course yesterday and wish I would have gone down the road to Maple Meadows. First of all, the club house washrooms weren't open and they referred me to two porta potties. The one had no urinal or tp and was full. To top it off, the only place to wash your hands was a foot pump sink. The greens were quite marked up and the GPS didn't function all the time. The GPS always gave a reading at the T-box but didn't change the yardage when you got on some of the fairways. Cart pick-up and drop off location have always been a pain here and is worse now that you can't take them to your car. I won't be playing White Pines again.

pace of play was a bit ridiculous. Front 9 in under 2 hours with a threesome. Made the turn and the group in front of us was horrible. 45 minutes to play 10 and 11, and start 12. Round ended up being over 5 hours. Ranger was out on the course reading the paper or something. Had nothing to say about a slow group that was holding up 3 other groups. Pretty frustrating.

Very slow, the ranger was on the course but did nothing to speed up play. It took 1 hour to play holes 10 and 11. Cart GPS kept locking up so it was useless. Yardage didn't match scorecard.

Really enjoyed it, greens were in great condition. Pace of play was very slow. Other than that I really enjoy it.

Nice layout, excellent condition, just under 4 hour round, and a very good price.

Nice course with a good layout and in pretty good shape. It was certainly disappointing to get there an hour before our tee time and find out the range is closed for the season. It seems strange to close it in the peak of the golf season in particular, but everything else was a good experience.