Course: Carriage Greens Country Club Address: 8700 Carriage Greens Drive, Darien, Illinois. 60561

Rating: 69.7; Slope: 122

Had the opportunity to spend a beautiful day out in Darien, Illinois this morning (7:08am tee-time) and play a course I have been wanting to try for quite some time: Carriage Greens Country Club.  Built within and around a rather impressive community, Carriage Greens has the allure of a classic old course with the maintenance and appearance as one of the best in the area.  While there is no practice facility other than a putting green, the course itself was in excellent condition even after a very rainy week in Chicagoland.

The front nine is very different from the back in terms of both difficulty and feel. The front side is more spread-out among the acerege and has more sand than any other hazards. The back nine, however, is pretty well-surrounded by water on 7 holes. My game seemed to favor the front nine as well, shooting 40 before blowing up on the back nine and shooting 48 (including a 9 on the par 5 thirteenth).

Both nines feature small greens, tight fairways, and sloping greens.  On my of the holes I was forced to hit less than a driver due to their sharp doglegs and extremely narrow landing areas. While the fairways and greens were very well-kept, the rough and bunkers left a little be to desired.  I don't mind needing to hit an extra club or two from the rough, but to be penalized an entire stroke is pretty aggravating.

Long story short, I was pleased with Carriage Greens on the whole. At a discounted price tag of $50 for 18 holes and a cart, the value was certainly worthwhile.