Emerald Greens

Let me state this first — I’m not a golfer. I attended a work charity golf outing and made a pitiful attempt at playing 18 holes (never again!). With that in mind, you may continue reading my review.
Upon entering the property, I wondered if I had the right place. The barbed wire and security guard made me think I was pulling into a correctional facility. Is this normal for a golf course?!? I guess there’s one way to keep the riff-​raff out…
The clubhouse is old and musty begging for an upgrade or ten, and the food served at the event wasn’t anything better than what you could get at a high school basketball game concession stand. Maybe the menu beyond what was offered at the event was better??? Wouldn’t bet on it, but I suppose I can give them the benefit of a doubt.
The greens, though once again, I am not a golfer, seemed nice and well kept. Those in my party that were actual golfers did seem to enjoy the course and its upkeep.
2 stars for the clubhouse, but I’ll give them 3 for the outdoors.

After two years removed from my last golf outing, I met a buddy here literally by accident. I was using a last minute booking site to book my tee time, and had been looking at another course recommended by my neighbor, and happened to click on the Emerald Green page just to check it out. I thought I had switched back to the other course when I booked my tee time, but I was wrong. I was tempted to call customer service and beg for a do over, but the location was actually perfect for my buddy so I reluctantly made the drive from St. Charles.
To be quite honest, this was a fantastic course. Driving in, I was intimidated by the security gates, not because of safety, but because security gates to me usually indicate up-​scale courses, with up-​scale personalities. This was not the case at all! As I parked my car, my buddy pulled up with a cart, claiming one of the course attendants had brought it to him as he parked, which was a fantastic way to get started. As I headed in to pay and collect a score card, the gentleman greeted us with a smile, and proceeded to take the time to introduce us to the course. What impressed me most about this was how he politely informed the group behind us that he would help them in just a minute, and then took the time to go over each hole with us, giving tips on blind corners, low spots, and even wind direction and how it was impacting the play of the hole. Customer service to the «T»!
After paying our course fees, we headed to the bar, picked up a six pack of Bud Light, and was given a cooler full of ice and of course the beer. Again, a little detail that most courses I play do not provide.
The course itself was great. Every hole appeared to be well kept. Greens ran quite smoothly, and hazards were well placed but not over-​challenging. My only complaint was the two years of rust I had to knock off of my swing, which resulted in several balls lost off in the rough.
There is something to be said about the players on the course as well, as everyone was quite friendly and patient with one another. We were allowed to play through on both instances where we felt it was necessary, and of course repaid the favor when a lone player caught up to us.
I ended up at Emerald Green by mistake, but I have to say, it will be on my list of courses next time I get the chance to break out the clubs!

This is a bit far north for my usual tastes, but I am in the process of playing all the Walter’s managed courses and this was next up. You pull in, and are greeted by a nice guard at the gate. As we pull in and get out, again we were greeted, and asked if we needed a cart. We said yes, and when we came back out a cart was waiting for us by our vehicle. We pay the proshop attendant, and he goes over the score card, and offers some tips and tricks on where to hit your tee shots. I haven’t had this done in years! It was very much appreciated once we got out there and saw what he was talking about!
The course was in very good shape, save a few spots where water has pooled, and it got very muddy. The front 9 is very nice. The back nine at the beginning was plain, but it was amped up on the last few holes. All in all I can’t wait to get back and play this course. It was beautiful, everyone was very nice, and for the money its very very tough to beat!