Solid Short Game Takes You Far at Naperbrook
by: Jason Ferguson - 6/10/2005 8:58:45 AM

Driving up the long blacktopped drive leading to Naperbrook Golf Course, I was impressed before I even parked my car. I knew if the condition of the course is anything like the landscaping I was in for a treat. A calming pond with a fountain greets you as you walk up towards the clubhouse.

Residing in the farmlands south of Naperville, Naperbrook Golf Course is an 18-hole, links-style golf course built in 1991. Its rolling hills, native prairie grass, offer the perfect test for golfers, challenging them to a variety of shots to score well on the 6,755-yard layout.

The par 72 layout features four sets of tees: red, white, blue, and gold. In my opinion, most mid-handicappers would have the best experience playing from the blue tees since there is not a huge difference on most holes from blue to white.

Course amenities include a ten-acre driving range, practice bunker, 10,000-square foot practice green, and a separate teaching tee utilized by the five friendly and knowledgeable PGA golf professionals.

Now, let's go tee it up!

While setting up for my drive on the first tee I noticed the two-foot 150 yard marker placed in the center of the fairway. I am a big fan of these markers since they give a nice target to shoot at and reduce the time needed to search for distances on your approach. In addition, yardages on sprinkler heads are clearly marked every 25 yards.

For your approach to the green, the course provides hole position signs that are divided into three sections on the scorecard to quickly identify the hole locations.

Early into my round I joined a couple of friendly local veterans of the course who provided me with advice and moral support for the duration of our 95-degree golfing expedition.

With water coming into play on 10 of the 18 holes, this course definitely requires strategically placed shots or golf balls that can walk on water. On holes #1 through #3 you do not want to be long on your approach shot in order to avoid the backstop of prairie grass behind the greens.

The third hole is the #1 handicap hole, but as long as you don't like to slice you should be fine. Water comes into play on the right with your drive as well as your second shot. I believe the key is to leave your ego in the cart and plan this as a three-shot par 5. #4 through #6 give you a break from the water and are scoring holes.

Holes under construction are always a minor annoyance to any golfer as this is the case with #8. Chances are if you don't hit the green you will be heading to your golf bag for another ball. With a fence line on the left protecting the homes and the hole construction distracting you on the right you need to be focused.

With a slope rating of 122 from the blue course your ability to properly read a break is put to the test. My putting improved drastically after I decided to read putts from both directions. Although a few greens were difficult to read properly, all of them are in excellent condition and putt true.

It seems as though most golfers that frequent this course take ownership in repairing their ball marks which in my opinion results from the example set by the Naperville Park District for maintaining the grounds so well.

After a hot dog we are off to the back nine.

#10 through #12 should get you off to a good start on the back. The two par 4's and par 3 should give you a chance to score well. #12 and #16 share an enormous green divided by a large mound. Due to the front pin placement on #12, the par 3, I used a little "amateur backspin" off the mound to set me up for a nice birdie putt.

You guessed right.I missed the putt.

#13 through #15 seemed a little tougher than the previous three holes. On #15, a long par 3 with wind in our face, you need one club longer than you would normally use. If you miss the green, miss short so you can hit a nice bump-and-run shot onto the green to have a chance to save par.

#16 and #17 you don't want to go too far right - more agua.

On #16, a good piece of advice I received was to aim at the sand traps. On the scorecard they seem to be on the left side of this tight fairway but in reality they are exactly where you want to aim to give yourself ample room on the right in case you are off target. A fade aimed at the traps is the shot.

Although the scorecard has #17 as the #12 handicap hole, this may be more difficult if you have never played this course before. The water on the right side is very close to the fairway, which you can't see from the tee. Stay on the left side and you will be fine.

#18 ended up being my personal favorite hole for several reasons. First, I love to end a round with a par 5, especially a reachable one. With an elevated tee box this is a beautiful dogleg left that provides a good-sized landing area for a drive. And the biggest reason I liked this hole was because I earned my only birdie of the round.

Overall I was most impressed with the condition and maintenance of the course. In my opinion, you don't need to be a big hitter to score well, but a solid short game and good course management will be required.

The course is located south of the Dupage River at the corner of Naperville-Plainfield Road and 111th Street.