Gateway National Golf Links

When I played Gateway in early June, I could not find anything that was wrong with the course. Playing it in July, the course is not as good as it was in June.

First thing you will notice is numerous spots of brown grass in the fairway. The 18th fairway was the worse. It doesn't really affect play but it is unsightly. The 4th tee (yellow) is really beat up.

The greens are really good. On the fast side, with me observing the maintenance staff rolling the greens. Only a small section (back left) of the 16th green had a bad section.

Pace of play was really slow on the front side. Numerous holes with 2 groups on a tee. No ranger on the course.

All employees were extremely friendly. The beverage cart lady had a great personality.

Only one thing to say about Gateway National. Superb!

It was a pleasure to play. There is nothing to complain

about. Many in our group said this was the best shape they have ever seen Gateway in.

The starter was pleasant, the beverage cart was out during a weekday, the Budweiser snack shop was open at Hole 10.

By far, the best course conditions in the St. Louis metro area in 2025.

Got on with a GREAT rate - I hadn't played in years. Course played very long for me and next time I'll play combos or another box forward. Greens were the fastest I have played in the area and hard to read but in good shape. I will play here again at the right rate. I put this on course on par with Spencer T, or Far Oaks but just short of Annbriar.

This course is a hidden gem in South Illinois. The greens and fairways are pristine, with a great layout! It’s definitely a must, if you are in the St. Louis area(12-15minutes from downtown STL).

Let's start with the good things about Gateway National. The course is in excellent condition and the greens are on the quick side. They have even improved some of their tees that were in rough shape. The pace play was outstanding. The staff in the restaurant was excellent too.

Now, the things that need improvement.

The weekday senior rate is $57, which is one of the most expensive in the area. With this higher rate, I expect more from the course.

We played early in the morning and dew was on the greens. We could easily see the mowing patterns on the greens. Only half of the 1st green was mowed. All other greens were only mowed in the 1/2 to 2/3 range.

I've never seen this before.

They should mow in a circle first around the fringe first. Then completely mow the entire green. Not sure if this is a cost cutting move hoping the customer doesn't notice or someone is new to mowing greens.

This course would easily get a 5 star rating for the course conditions but it is reduced to a 4 star because for the price you pay, you expect the course to properly mow the greens.

I loved this course, great conditions, great layout, if you come to St. Louis, this is a course that you can’t pass up…it felt like the professional tour 👍🇺🇸

Gateway National is really a nice course and conditions are generally good. Only bent grass tees & fairways in the area. However, it is plagued by slow play. We waited over 5 minutes on every shot. On the par 5, 13th hole, there were 4 groups on the hole. There was no marshall on the course which is desperately needed.

They had a extremely unfair pin placement on hole 13. In the upper left, a foot from the tier in the upper left. If you continue to do this - you get slow play.

The senior rate of $53 is higher than most in the area. Especially, considering the greens were recently aerated. They use the smaller plugs and the greens putted better than you would have expected.

Conditioning issues are on the par 3 tees. Really beat up and hole 17 is the worst.

Love this course. Always a great time, always challenging. Greens were rolling fast, fairways and tee boxes were in great shape. Everyone was friendly per usual. Will be back asap.

We played 18 holes after it had rained heavily a few days prior. We would have rescheduled but we took the day off of work to play. Definitely not a course I would want to play again when it’s cart path only and had that much water. Instead of divots, it was BEAVER TAILS! Staff was friendly during any interaction. The golf cart was covered in baby spiders, we probably killed at least 30, it seemed like the more we killed the more they came back with a vengeance. Carts could use some updating but the greens were unpredictable and the fairways were kept well.

Was told i had to try this course and man im glad i did. Amazing conditions and the bentgrass fairways were incredible to play on. Will definitely be back!