Warren Golf Course Review

I don’t normally look for iconic golf courses to play, but since we have been coming to the Elkhart, ID area off and on for the past couple of years, we have noticed that the University of Notre Dame has a golf course that is open to the public. However, in the past every time we have been here it has been too cold, and I don’t like playing golf in the cold.

Honestly, I can’t think of anything I like doing in the cold! 

This visit to Elkhart we were determined to play Warren Golf Course. It just so happened the cold weather gave us a chance. The forecast was for 75 and partly cloudy for April. Sounds like a perfect day for golf. Gotta try.

We made the tee time and were excited to play.

Knowing that Warren Golf Course was the home of the 2019 Seniors Open made it even more exciting for us to get a tee time. We figured this course should be one of the best courses we have ever played. If it is the course for the University of Notre Dame and the Senior Pros then it should be an example of what a golf course is supposed to be.

Man we were ready!

I have to be very careful about this review because quality of play should not dictate the quality of the course or review. Which becomes even more important when you don’t play well and still have to review the course.

Let me tell you it is hard to say that a par 3 guarded by perfectly manicured bunkers was set up beautifully when you miss the green into one of those bunkers. Then hit it out right in the center of another bunker. Of course that happens because it takes two shots to get out of the first bunker.

Oh what a day! 

Ok, the course. Warren Golf Course was a little hit and miss. Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing here and there is a lot to be happy about. You are not going to find a course in better shape. It was perfect. Every tee box, fairway, bunker, and green were in perfect condition. There were enough sets of tee boxes for every level of player. It is ready for a pro tournament every day of the week. 

Where I thought the course was lacking was personality.

It didn’t have much at all. Nothing stood out. It was almost a grip it and rip it course. Not much in the way of plotting your next shot or avoiding any trouble or issues. I should have scored well. But, I was off target most of the day.

The personality of the golf course was lost on me. Sometimes golf courses are like people. There is nothing wrong with them. You just don’t click.

That is how I felt at Warren Golf Course… we just didn’t click.

It kind of started before we even arrived at the course. There was road construction around part of the course. Some of the access roads leading to the course were closed. We got a little lost and had to hurry a bit to make it to our tee on time. I just never got settled on the course. I didn’t connect like normal.

I wold give Warren Golf Course a par. As I said there is nothing wrong with this course, and you may even like playing here. I would never say no to playing here – I will just look for another course to play first next time I am in town. 

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By Marc Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORE CARD

Course:  Warren Golf Course – University of Notre Dame

Type: University Course

Date Played:  23 April 2022

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	We called the day we wanted to play and received a tee time within an hour of the time we wanted.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	5	Green fees were $80.00 with cart.
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	3	The tee boxes were good condition.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	4	The fairways were in great shape.
5 – Condition of Greens	4	3	The greens were already perfect for being early in the season. Super fast and the roll was true.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	The course design was good. The use of the terrain was the course defense.
7 – Hazards	4	4	All the hazards were perfectly placed.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	3	You were started from the clubhouse. Marshal kept the course moving.
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	3	Four different tee boxes to choose from.
OUT	36	34
10 – Practice Area	5	3	Great practice area, newly designed all grass tee driving range, chipping green with a green-side bunker and putting green.
11 – Locker Rooms	3	3	Locker rooms, bathrooms, and changing areas were clean.
12 – Pro Shop	4	4	Pro Shop basic. Just a few items that you might need for a round.
13 – Location	4	5	Warren Golf course was a bit tricky to get to due to road construction.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	4	They have clubs, bags, carts and buggies.
15 – Restaurant/Food Cart	4	4	Food available at the club house and on the course.
16 – Club House	4	4	Nothing special here. Clean and open area.
17 – Parking	3	4	Small parking area and hard to access due to road construction.
18 – Customer Service	5	4	Great customer service. Friendly staff willing to help get you out on the course.
IN	36	35
TOTAL	72	69	PLAYER:  Marc F.     ATTESTED BY:  Kathy F.