Far Oaks Golf Club

The course is in very good condition. I would highly recommend playing this course, if the pace of play improved. There was one group that seemed to hold up the rest of the players behind them. They did not let any groups play thru. In fact on the back nine my playing partner and I both skipped 2 holes to get in front of the slow group. I did inform the pro shop that there was one group of 4 golfers that was slowing everyone behind them.

The greens were a little chewed up, a couple of putts ran off line . Fixing divots is apparently too difficult for some golfers !! Teed off at 3:45 (twosome) with little fear of running out of daylight. . We finished 18 around 7:40, not a whole lot of light left . Fairways were in good shape, ran fast , leaving shorter approach shots. Bunkers not maintained , seems to be a trend . Overall not bad for $35 a piece , but regular rates a little high .

This course is now tied for the 2nd most expensive weekend morning rate in the St. Louis Metro area. When I played this course on July 4th, the price was $69. On August 13, the price was $84. An increase of 22%. The bad news, the course conditions have slipped dramatically.

You have so many better upscale course options in the St. Louis metro area – at a better price. Spencer T. Olin ($58), Annbriar ($70) – the best course in the St. Lous metro area and Gateway National at the same price. Gateway National just went through extensive flooding and is in much, much better shape than Far Oaks.

I’m about to give you a rundown of the course conditions – which is not pretty. However, the course wants to charge you $84 for this.

Slow play. We had two groups on each tee for most of the round. We didn’t tee off until 15 minutes after our scheduled tee time. This should have given the course a clue there was a problem. I saw numerous course rangers but the ranger we met on hole 11 could care less about the problem. The group in front of us called the course about the issue – nothing was done about it.

Most of the tees are a brownish color and have large clumps of crabgrass all over them. The ones that stand out as the worst tees were holes 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 12.

Almost every green had some stress around the fringes and the rough nearby. Holes 2, 3, 6, 11, 13 & 17 the worst.

The greens on 8, 11 & 17 were really stressed and starting to turn brown. The front left of hole 13 had a section that was nothing but dirt and sand.

The fairways were not the best either. Holes 3, 5 and 10 really had some bad sections.

Some greens looked like they had been recently aerated. Hole 10 with some very small aeration holes. Hole 17 you could easily see the recovered aeration holes on this green in August.

The fairway bunker on the left side of hole 3. Littered with weeds in the bunker. Totally unacceptable.

The bridge getting to hole 6 green, covered with overgrown weeds.

No yardage markers on the par 3, 6th hole.

Hole 12 – brush and weeds starting to block the view of the hole from the tee.

Hole 6 & 14 – the ditch in front of the greens have high brush and weeds blocking the view of the green.

About the only positive things to say about Far Oaks is they have great new carts and the individuals behind the counter and the snack bar were very pleasant.

Far Oaks was my #2 favorite course in the St. louis metro area. How things have really slipped for this course. You should avoid this course. So many better options than Far Oaks which I outlined in the beginning of my review.

The course seemed to be a little extra challenging with the heat and the tee boxes moved back. I didn't play he best but the course was in great shape! Even after the downpour rain we had come through a day prior, we were still off the paths with the carts. The greens were rolling at a good pace. All around, even though I played like crap, it was a good time on the course.

Teed off on time at 950 am and caught up to the group ahead of us on #3, not a great start. Ended up playing through them and finishing the front 9 with the group ahead of us. The back 9 is where everything came to a standstill. Sat around on EVERY tee box for at least 7-10 minutes and then another 5 minutes on every shot after that. No Marshall to be seen at any point during the round. I wouldn’t play here unless you enjoy paying $85 a round for an average course and waiting around in your cart.

Some repairs ongoing on course, otherwise in nice shape. Greens rolled nicely. Pace of play came to a screeching halt on the back 9. No course Marshall to be seen after #4.

Excellent pace of play, in general course was in good condition.

Even better this time around. Greens were excellent. Bunkers were great. Love the course layout. Every hole has a unique feel so you don’t get bored with the same thing.

I always love playing here. A few challenging holes, but for the most part very playable for anyone. Everything was in great shape.

Overall, I thought the course looked great, it was in great condition and they are still making improvements. I thought the fairways and greens were outstanding. Just a few tee boxes were a bit beat up. The greens had a nice pace to them. The price of $69 was in-line with courses of this quality. A different look now, the starter is just left of the clubhouse now, near where the carts are parked.
The course had plenty of water on the course and the beverage cart was out. It seemed they were growing the high fescue more, just off the rough areas on the course. There is plenty of room off the tee, but if you really hit a stray shot – you will probably not find your ball. The holes that I noticed this on were 7, 10, 13, 14 & 15.

Improvements are on-going at Far Oaks. They are still fixing the drainage issues on hole 17. Looks like they are doing something to the back bunker on hole 16 – just not sure what. Maybe eventually eliminating it. The right side of hole 1 is looking much better too. Working on the bunkers on hole 2.

However, improvements still need to be made. No yardage marker on hole 6. The plaque on the 7th tee still mentions yardages over bunkers. There are no longer any fairway bunkers on the hole anymore. I know they were cutting down some trees on the course but there is still a dead one next to the 15th tee. There is a lot of erosion/dirt areas near the cart paths when you’re coming off the fairways. Maybe alternate the exit points throughout the week will help. Noticed this on holes 11 & 12. Our ball/club washer on the cart was missing its plug, therefore, unable to use. I also noticed some residue (sand) on the greens that appeared it was coming from the mowers. It was really noticeable on hole 1. Not sure where this is coming from because aeration season is over.

Lastly, I would like to see a few more smiles at Far Oaks. All the people I dealt with: check-in, starter, snack bar, beverage cart, kitchen help – never smiled. A smile and just being more friendly, goes a long way!

Overall, you will not be disappointed in playing at Far Oaks. One of my favorites that is in great shape!