Crooked Creek Golf Links , Mount Vernon, IL

Crooked Creek is a nice venue, looks more difficult than it plays, with a fair amount of water (5 holes), and a majority of fairways bounded by trees on one or both sides. Given the trees and water, and with most of the par 4 and 5's turning left or right, to score well you need to control your tee shots- I used my hybrid and 3W a fair amount off the tee, and that left me many simple 120-150 yards approaches.

Upsides
+ The third hole is under 400 yards, but wraps around a large water hazard, with a relatively narrow landing zone.
+ Three par 5's (holes 4, 12, and 13) are especially fun. Although they are on the short side (470, 570, and 430 from the white tees), they require precise shotmaking, and imagination off the tee for big hitters. If it is your first time, definitely drive the 12th prior to teeing off, as there is a significant dropoff with heavy undergrowth that will eat your ball on a 260 yard drive. Similar advice on the 13th, as a drive will likely end in a hazard.
+ The 174 yard par 3 14th is visually arresting, with severe eleveation changes, it looks farther than it plays.

Downsides
- When we played, September 4th 2011, the greens were in rough shape from loss of grass- there were many bald spots, likely due to the brutal summer we've had in NC. The front desk warned us about this, and advised us they were working on it aggressively. The parts of the greens without damage played well and rolled true.
- With only one watering spot per nine, and no cart girl making the rounds with snacks and drinks, it was brutal- be sure to bring a water bottle.

Overall, a nice course, well mintained and with a good variety of holes to challenge both bombers and precision hitters.

Not as easy as it looks. Needs paths. Value is excellent ! Neely and Walt in the front are super guys...

As said, a good value course. Dont let the name fool you its not really a links course. The fairways, if you can call them that, are not much better than the rough. There is a very laid back atmosphere, and the BYOB factor is a plus.

As the others said, It is a great course to play for the price you are paying..its a quite difficult course i thought.. but i live quite a ways from the place but i will definately go back in the near future..

crooked creek golf course

THIS IS A FINE GOLF COURSE FOR THE MONEY. ITS NOT REAL CHALLENGING BUT IT IS NOT EASY. THE ONLY THING I DONT LIKE ABOUT THIS COURSE IS THE CART PATHS, OR LACK OF. AND IT IS HILLY SO IT IS A CHALLENGE TO WALK BUT THIS IS THE BEST COURSE FOR THE MONEY. P.S. YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN BEER IN TOO. THE PHONE # IS WRONG. IT IS 618-735-2445