Woodland/Prairie at Tapawingo National Golf Club

Even the Hot Deal price was too much for the conditions of this course. The greens were spotty and bumpy, and the fairways and rough were overgrown and in need of TLC. Obviously not enough help on the greens keeping staff. We play a lot of courses in the area that charge a lot less for a better experience. We are not in a hurry to return anytime soon.

I arrived at 7:45 am shortly before tee off. The staff is great, filled me in on conditions, got the bag to the cart and to my suppose there was someone with a cart to take me back to the clubhouse once I parked. Finished under 3.5 hrs. Greens are fairly fast and the rough and fairways in good condition. Sant traps were the only inconsistent thing I count. Some hard packed from ? Others perfect. Great well stocked pro shop!

Course was wet from two days of rain. Charged full price when greens were aerated, they never told you at booking this was the case. Tee boxes were okay, for early in season. Pace was slow. Had foursome twosome foursome then twosome. Doesn’t make sense to me.

It’s still somewhat early in the season, but the course seems to be a bit behind in getting into shape compared to some others in the area. A lot of rain 2 days prior, but the course was sopping wet still. Casual water in most areas of the fairways, mud all over the place and club had to be wiped dry after even just setting the club on the ground. I felt bad the course was getting hacked up by fat shots by all the groups resulting in pulling up turf trouts the length of a loaf of bread and 2-3 inches deep. Greens were just plugged, so the ball rolls incredibly inconsistent and “plankos” it’s way to the hole. Of course, they didn’t tell anyone so everyone paid full price for what was playing as a regular ol municipal course after a rain delay given the greens and mud conditions. It was a $20 course on this particular day.

Course layout calls for creativity, shot shaping, and good mix of long and short holes. More trees on front 9 (woodlands) and more open on back (prairie). Distance can be a big challenge from gold or black tees. Blues are the whites here, but golds played to my sweet spot. Also, wind will either make a hole bet getable or very regrettable. If the wind is forecasted at 15 that day, don’t be surprised to see it will be 25, unabated, out on the course.

I had big hopes with all the hype it gets in the area. You can see the potential for sure, and the surroundings and houses are beautiful. I’m confident when I come back in the later spring or summer months it will be in a much nicer condition to play in. If I were you, I’d wait another month before giving this place a go for nearly 100 bucks. Maybe by May or June we will get the true Tapawingo feel and challenge of the highest slope rating in STL!

We tee’d off at 9:15 on a Saturday morning and didn’t finish until 2:30.... painfully slow. The group in front of us was looking in the wood for balls on almost every hole. Also, as far as I know, we paid normal weekend rates and had newly aerated greens on many holes, which were almost impossible to get a true roll on any putt less than 10 feet. I don’t spring golf with aeration, but 1) I want to know in advance it was done, and 2) I’d expect to pay less since I’m losing 1-2 shots per hole without putting on good greens.

The Meramec 9 was flat with water in play on 7 holes. Water off the tee is hidden on holes 4 & 7. The greens on this 9 had recently been aerified, which would have been nice to know. The Woodlands was a much better 9, imo. The holes were more interesting, and had more elevation changes. The greens on this 9 were not aerified, but had bad poa annua infestation on a number of greens. Course was soaking wet due to recent rain, which led to cart path only and a grinding pace of play. I'd play it again, if I could be guaranteed Woodlands/Prairie 9s, but I don't think golfnow lets you know which 9s you'll play.

We teed off at 4 PM and could have snuck in a couple more holes. Great experience and will be back! Only 2 blind shots but for a first timer that will happen.

For a round in December we got a great value and had a wonderful round!

It was cold and Wet. This is not a course for Cart Path only golf.

Played Meramac and Woodlands. Course in great shape overall. Greens were fast and in good condition. Paid $45 on a Friday which is a good value.