The Links at Carillon

The Links at Carillon is a 27 hole facility
on Weber Road, just south of I-55 in southwest suburban Plainfield.  Carved out of rolling farmland over twenty years ago, the patriotic themed Red, White and Blue nines meander through a senior subdivision (at times a wee bit too close to the residences for this 20 handicapper).  Although this prairie links course will certainly not take your breath away with its overwhelming beauty, it does provide an enticing combination of water, wetlands and native grasses, and when combined with consistently discounted green fees, a great value.

I had the opportunity to play all 3 nines in 2010, and although all are used in the 18 hole rotation, the most common routing seemed to be the Red to White, with the Blue (the least of the 3 in my opinion) left for 9 hole rounds.  The Red and White nines are both par 36 and play to around 3,400 yards from the back set of 5 tees, while the Blue is one stroke and 250 yards less.  The Red starts with a solid par 5, with a lake looming straight ahead about 250 yards out, and a series of nasty little quasi-pot bunkers guarding the turn.  This is one of the trickier drives you’ll encounter, as most of the fairways are ample and the trouble on the par 4’s & 5’s is on the following shots.  The other par 5 on the Red, #6, is numero uno on my favorites list, the longest (546 yds) on the property with a pond protecting the wide, sloping, shallow green.  The par 3’s (#’s 4 & 7) are both winners, with the latter requiring a carry over wetlands and large evergreens behind the green that will cost a stroke if your ball is either under or behind.  The nine finishes with an uphill par 4, with one of the highest (though not very) points on the property offering a panoramic view.

The White 9 begins with a fairly benign par 4, but follows with a deceptive par 5 that requires your drive to avoid a large bunker right and water left that pokes into the fairway up to the green.  The 6^th hole is a long (207 from the tips) par 3 that features a huge, saucer shaped green that will produce plenty of dreaded 3 putts.  The 7^th is notable for the proximity of the homes to the tee, almost close enough to see what the couple on the back deck is having for lunch.  (Although the fairway does angle away from the homes to minimize the risk, it is telling that they all have screened in porches.)  The White ends with Carillons’ signature hole, the appropriately dubbed “Gauntlet”.  A lake borders the left side from tee to green, with a pond splitting the fairway.  Bail to the right and you have a true 3 shot par 5, but find the fairway between the water and you’ll have a chance at reaching the green in 2 and carding an eagle, a fun finish to the round.

The Blue 9 was noticeably more ragged around the edges and didn’t have the same polished feel as the other nines, but still had plenty of challenge, especially on #5, with water coming into play prominently on the 2^nd shot (a narrow patch of fairway curves around the left side of the pond); this is one of the toughest

pars of all 27 holes.

Carillon featured $50 green fees (including cart) last year, with reduced rates periodically being offered as early as 8:30 on weekends through out the summer, and the $50 rates have remained for 2011.  With acceptable (though not plush) course conditions, enough challenge (72.5 / 128 from the Red / White tips) for better golfers, a few memorable holes (especially the par 5’s) and close proximity to an interstate, at 50 bucks Carillon is a super bargain for southwest suburban golfers.

Mr Z Rating

Layout - 7

Playability -8

Conditioning - 7

Aesthetics - 6

Amenities - 7.5

Value -9

Total Score - 75