Meadowbrook - Missouri - USA

Keith Foster is renowned as one of the best restorers for classic golf courses, but occasionally he also comes through to add new ideas to existing routes. Such was the case at Meadowbrook Country Club, west of St. Louis. The original layout was created by Robert Bruce Harris and — already noted for its challenge — Foster came in to add some creativity to that reputation.

Foster’s approach makes itself most obvious in No. 6, a reachable par five that will require many strategic decisions from the player. The first is whether to take driver off the tee; technically, a “lay-up” to the shorter, left fairway, surrounded by bunkers, will also offer a shorter approach to the green. A longer drive to the right will leave a longer approach, but with a better angle. Both approaches will require considering the pond fronting the putting surface. Pick your poison...a few times...on just one hole. Regardless of whether you play risky or play safe, Foster’s renovation included widening the fairways to offer you those choices.