Blackthorn Golf Club

My last two rounds at this place my tee time has been delayed, the starters play clear favoritism and don't respect the visitors tee time reservation. On hole 3 my cart went into a "locked" setting and shut the cart down on a hole the cart never left the path. It eventually "unlocked" after more than 5 min of not moving at all. We were playing on a Sunday, warm, humid weather. First water cooler was empty but we were told they were changing them out while we were in the middle of that hole. Second water cooler 5 holes later, empty. We make the turn and alert the clubhouse of there being no water on the course and grabbed drinks at the turn because there is no drink cart on the course. Water cooler at 13, empty. We call the clubhouse from that hole and alert them once again asking for water as it was hot and humid and my wife is 5 months pregnant. Get to water closet at 17 and it doesn't even have a cooler in it. Unreal that a course that charges $73 on the weekend doesn't have a drink cart on course and not ANY water available on course. UNREAL!

Lastly we get to 18, drive out to the fairway and the cart just shuts down in "lock" mode. There were signs that said wet area keep out in certain small areas but NOTHING about carts on path ONLY and we were not in any of those areas. We had to pack our things in the middle of the fairway and walk in, leaving the cart as it wouldn't even move an inch.

I used to love this place, you can see my previous posts. But after the last couple trips out there, the lack of respect as a visitor and just the overall amenities of a course of that caliber I will not recommend this course with this management to anyone anymore. Their website says "we pride ourselves on the high quality of magnificent golf, superb amenities and outstanding service that we offer our valued customers". I assure you there is a complete lack of "superb amenities" or even basic ones and visitors will not feel like valued customers.

Course tee to green in really great shape, but greens underwhelming. Very slow considering professional event 10 days away. They were true, and most Poa gone, but still slow

Next to Warren GC at Notre Dame, you won't find a better place for a round of golf in the South Bend area. Absolutely a fun course to play. One that will reward you and at the same time kick you in the blarney stones.

Greens are typically in great shape and consistently fast. Not crazy fast, but still way better than most. I usually play from the red Overhead Door tees and find it very challenging. Favorite holes for me are the bookend 9 and 18. Although there are many others that are worthy of your affection too.

Nice practice and warm-up facilities. Practice green a true reflection of what you'll face on the course.

Play it! You won't regret it!

No, this isn't the first time I've played this course. Yes, I do thoroughly enjoy this course on a bad day. BUT, this course, for late in the season early November, is in immaculate shape. The course has always been in really nice shape and I know it's under new management but it's far and away in better shape than 99.9% of the courses in northern Indiana/southern Michigan/Chicago.

Greens have been punched, probably 6-7 weeks prior. Greens rolled well. And the rest of the course was excellent. Bunkers appear to have been worked on and are in great shape. Don't necessarily like the change on #11 but it will look better. My wife and I feel its well worth the just under 2 hr drive from the city to go play.If there is decent weather the next couple weeks you should definitely hit it up because it's holding its own right now.

This course is an excellent design and very challenging and has a lot of holes where you have to think before you hit. The Par threes have a lot of variety. The par fives are reachable. Fairways are wide but You need to be on the correct side for the best approach. It reminds me of Augusta with it's large undulating greens. Must be best public course in the area. Great value.

Greens are faster than most in south bend, fairways are clean and well kept, some greens are tricky. solid course!

Played many times and always in great shape. Lots of variety at each hole. Not allot of water hazards but still challenging. One of my favorites.