On a recent trip to Chicago, I had the opportunity to sneak in a round at White Pines Golf Club, and wow—what a great find! I’m Josh Holmes, primary golfer for Foreme Golf, and this time I teed it up on the East Course, one of two 18-hole layouts at this historic 36-hole facility located in Bensenville, Illinois.
White Pines is just minutes from O’Hare International Airport, making it a perfect stop for traveling golfers or locals looking for a well-maintained, accessible course. The East Course, designed by Jack Daray and opened in 1928, offers a solid test of golf. It plays 6,371 yards from the Black tees, with a par of 70, a course rating of 71.1, and a slope of 127—challenging enough to stay interesting, but fair and playable for all skill levels.
The tree-lined fairways, subtle doglegs, and occasional water hazards make it a course that rewards accuracy and smart play over raw distance. I especially appreciated the course conditions—firm but fair greens and well-kept bunkers made for a great overall experience.
East Course – Black Tees Overview:
Yardage: 6,371 yards
Par: 70
Course Rating: 71.1
Slope: 127
And I can’t talk about White Pines without mentioning breakfast at the 37 Bar & Grill. I stopped in before my round, and it didn’t disappoint—good food, fast service, and a great view of the first tee. Whether you’re starting your day or wrapping up your round, it’s a perfect spot to relax and fuel up.
If you’re ever in the Chicago area with your clubs, White Pines deserves a spot on your must-play list—especially the East Course. It’s affordable, easy to access, and a whole lot of fun.
It had been a while since I last hit the course, but I finally made it back for a short 7-hole round at Redmond Ridge Golf Course. This was my first time swinging the clubs since injuring my right index finger, and let’s just say… it wasn’t my best scoring day.
But this round wasn’t really about the score—it was about getting back into the game, testing my recovery, and learning a few things along the way.
If you’ve ever taken time off from golf—whether due to injury, weather, or life getting in the way—you know how it feels to step back onto the course after a break. Everything feels just a little off: the rhythm, the timing, and (unfortunately) the scorecard.
The Good, the Bad, and the Rusty
The Good: I was able to play pain-free, which was my biggest concern.
The Bad: My touch around the greens was nonexistent. Chipping and putting? Yikes.
The Rusty: My swing felt disconnected at times, and I could tell my muscle memory needed some fine-tuning.
Lessons Learned
Beyond just shaking off the rust, I also learned a few things about filming and editing a golf video. I won’t lie—some of the shots were a little shaky, and the editing process showed me areas where I can improve for future content. But that’s part of the journey!
One big mistake? I completely forgot to hit record on my tee shot and putting on the 6th hole. So while I played 7 holes, only 6 made it into the video. Lesson learned: Check the camera before every shot!
What’s Next?
This round gave me a good baseline for where my game is post-injury. Now, it’s time to work on consistency, rebuild my short game, and dial in my iron play so I can get back to playing at my best.
Your Turn: How Long Have You Gone Without Playing?
If you’ve ever had to take time off from golf, you know how tough it is to return. I’d love to hear from you—what’s the longest break you’ve taken, and how did your first round back go?
Portland Golf Club is one of the most historic and well-regarded private courses in the Pacific Northwest. Known for its tree-lined fairways, strategic layout, and an abundance of water hazards, it offers a challenging yet rewarding experience—especially for those playing from the blue tees. As an 8-handicap golfer, I found the course to be a true test of shot-making, patience, and knowing when to bail out and I failed that test… 🙂 It was the most beautiful day in October in Portland. I loved the course.
Course Overview
📍 Location: Portland, Oregon
⛳ Par: 72
📏 Yardage from Blue Tees: ~6,600 yards
🌲 Style: Classic parkland
💦 Water Hazards: Water comes into play on 14 of the 18 holes
🏆 Notable Events: Has hosted the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, and LPGA Tour events
Course Conditions & Design
All of the greens were faster than I had ever putted on. They were running about a 12 on the stimp meter.
The fairways were lush, the greens were fast but fair, and the bunkers were strategically placed to make you think about every approach shot. But what stood out most? Water. While not on every hole, Fanno Creek and several ponds make key shots nerve-wracking.
Key Design Features: ✔️ Tree-Lined Fairways: Demands accuracy off the tee—straying too far off line makes recovery difficult. ✔️ Water on 8 Holes: Fanno Creek and ponds force strategic shot placement. ✔️ Well-Bunkered Greens: Positioning on approach shots is critical to avoid tough sand saves. ✔️ Classic Layout: No gimmicks, just pure, strategic golf.
Most Memorable Holes
🏌️♂️ Hole 4 (Par 3, 190 yards) – A Precise Iron Test
A scenic par 3 that requires a precise mid-to-long iron into a green that slopes heavily. The pin position can make a huge difference—if it’s tucked, good luck holding the green.
😡 Hole 7 (Par 4, 410 yards) – The One That Got Me
Let’s talk about Hole 7, because it absolutely ate my lunch. A dogleg right with a narrow landing area, this hole demands precision off the tee and an even better approach. I thought I had it under control—until I didn’t. A slight mis-hit off the tee sent my ball sailing toward the trees, and before I knew it, I was yelling “FORE!” at unsuspecting golfers down the fairway. The recovery wasn’t much better, and I closed out the hole with a frustrating double bogey. This hole is a perfect example of why smart golf beats aggressive golf at Portland GC.
🌊 Hole 8 (Par 3, 190 yards) – The Creek That Swallows Golf Balls
You know that feeling when you think you’ve hit a great shot, only to watch it disappear into the abyss? Welcome to Hole 8. A 190-yard par 3 with Fanno Creek guarding the left side of the green—a seemingly innocent little creek that devours golf balls for sport. I aimed safely for the right side but didn’t commit, sending my ball straight toward the water. Plop. Gone. Another drop, another putt, and just like that—another double bogey. Lesson learned: respect the creek.
💦 Hole 11 (Par 4, 430 yards) – Water Comes Into Play Off the Tee
This par 4 tempts you into going for distance off the tee, but a well-placed lake forces you to make a decision—play safe or risk a big number. If you don’t hit your drive just right, water is in play. Approach shots aren’t much easier, with bunkers guarding the front.
By this point in the round, you’d think I’d have figured out how to handle approach shots. But Hole 14 had other plans. The fairway is generous, but the approach requires pinpoint accuracy to avoid trouble. It’s a classic risk-reward hole, but if you get too aggressive, you’ll pay the price.
🏆 Hole 17 (Par 3, 175 yards) – The Creek Makes You Think
A mid-iron par 3 that shouldn’t be too tricky—except for the creek right in front of the green. If you don’t commit to the shot, it’s easy to come up short and watch your ball disappear.
Playing from the Blue Tees
For an 8-handicapper, the blue tees at ~6,600 yards offer a solid challenge without being overwhelming. The biggest keys to scoring well here: ✔️ Drive the ball accurately. Fairways are narrow, and errant drives lead to punch-outs. ✔️ Respect the water. It’s lurking on key holes, and even a small mistake can cost you strokes. ✔️ Dial in approach shots. The greens are tricky, and missing in the wrong spot makes for tough up-and-downs. ✔️ Stay patient. The course rewards smart, strategic play.
Overall Rating
🌟 Challenge: 9/10 (water on key holes will test you) 🌳 Scenery: 9/10 ⛳ Course Conditions: 9.5/10 🏌️ Fun Factor: 8/10 (depends on how many golf balls you lose)
Final Thoughts
Portland Golf Club is an old-school, strategic course that rewards precision and punishes reckless play. If you love thinking your way around the course, it’s a fantastic test. If you’re prone to losing golf balls, bring extra. Holes 7, 8, 11, 14, and 17 will take them from you. If you get the chance to play it, take it—you won’t be disappointed.
