Gateway National Golf Links

It would have been a lot better, but a slow group held us up. No one ever pushed them to move faster or let us pass. They had 1 1/2 holes between them and the next group. It makes it hard to drive down to play a course during the week if they are not going to keep pace.

Even in January, this is a really well maintained course. I would recommend it any time if the year. Pace of play was a little slow, but that would have to be my only complaint.

Gateway National is one of the best tracks in the St. Louis area. Getting a chance to play golf in the middle of December is very rare in Missouri. Since the course has bent grass fairways, it is much greener than the dormant zoysia grass you see on most courses.

I thought the greens were in great shape for December and rolled really smooth The price of $45 was in line with what you would expect from a top tier course in December.

In the winter months, you do start on hole 10, so when you finish your 9th hole, you finish at the clubhouse. In the warmer months, they have food/beverage shack at the 10th hole - which is closed in the off-season months. They are aerating the fairways and we played the par 5, 13th hole as a par 3,

There were some nice touches they offered for a December round. They had the beverage cart out and they offered a limited menu in the clubhouse.

The course was in great shape considering that it’s December. A wonderful example of links play in the STL area.

Fairways in good shape, greens in good shape, and they just poked holes. Glad this course is here.

Gateway is without a doubt, one of the top courses in the area. Even at this late date in the fall, the course was in very good condition, especially considering how many rounds they probably had this summer. It is quite a challenging layout but enjoyable to play and well worth the price you pay.

You could tell the greens had been recently punched but they had healed back up, were in good shape and putts rolled true. The bentgrass fairways always have lots of divots but I think that is because so many good golfers want to play there. They were plush and almost carpet-like in some of the bounces we saw. The fairways are pretty wide but there are many areas with very thick rough and tall grass that will gobble up errant shots.

One of the downsides to a popular place is that the course is always crowded. On a weekend with good weather, we were expecting a slow round and we did take just under five hours to play. It was slow but not painfully so as the groups ahead and behind us were skilled. There are some water hazards but the water is really low in a bunch of them. A couple lakes had dozens and dozens of balls that were visible.

A great place to play, and if you are visiting the area, is a course I always recommend. Out of towners love the fact that you can see the Gateway Arch from numerous holes, too.

Course was in great condition. It is a super challenging course with difficult hazards on a number of holes. Will definitely play again. Nice driving range.

I loved it. Got paired up with 2 percent guys. We played fast and had a great time

Gateway National is one of the top upscale courses in the St. Louis metro area. Only public course in the area with bent grass fairways & tees.

GOOD...

Fairways are always in good shape.

The sand in the bunkers was excellent.

The greens are in good shape.

A brand new snack barn at the 10th tee. Looks nice. Painted red and sponsered by Budweiser.

Had water and on the course and we saw the beverage cart numerous times during our round.

They have expanded their menu selections in the clubhouse. They have brought back the Gateway Chicken. One of my favorites.

The Friday morning senior rate was $55. Great value for the quality of course you are getting. When I got my tee time online, it said it was going to be $59.99, so a nice surprise when the final price was $55.

GENERAL COMMENTS...

When I last played here in April, the greens were spectacular. Now the greens are still very good but are a little rougher from the numerous repaired ball marks and they are slower.

The rough around the tee boxes on hole 6 were turning brown and stressed, More of a visual eye sore than anything. Around the green, some of the rough was stressing too.

Pace of play was outstanding until the 6th hole. We did see a ranger on the back nine trying to improve the situation. Good to see this because pace of play has been a problem at this course.

There has been rumors that with the course being purchased by the race track and probably NASCAR coming next year, the race track may want to expand. The individuals at the golf course my friend talked to said the course is staying. Great news!

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT...

Several of the tees need some attention. The 4th tee is mounded and in rough shape and several tees had crabgrass on them. Holes 9, 14 & 17.

Hole 13 has several small trees in front of the tee, blocking the view of the hole.

Overall, an outstanding course and a great senior rate on a Friday.

Pace of play was excellent for a public course on a Saturday. Greens a bit beat up with ball marks, but that isn’t on the course. They even had a sign in the bathroom to fix your ball marks. Unfortunately players need to own that. Otherwise great

5 stars. Awesome course in excellent condition. Pretty forgiving for those of us that spray it around off the tee a little. :)