Prairie Landing

The concept of a “prairie” makes most Americans think about grasslands, but Prairie Landings will make most golfers think of water once they’re done with a round.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. makes his game known right from the tee at this Chicago-area public access course: The opening par four, despite being well under 400 yards, features two significant water hazards, with a large lake to the right off the tee, and then another pond to the left of the green upon approach.

Almost every hole has a wet hazard of some sort, but perhaps that at No. 5 is the most noticeable. Players will have the opportunity, from the tee, to drive straight over the creek running along the left side, to arrive at the second fairway. Or, if less adrenaline is running through their veins, they can play to the standard fairway and cross the creek during their approach shot. Of course, they may choose to lay up on this par four rather than attack the green in such a situation.

Although no water is present at No. 6, the par three features two separate sets of tees, meaning players will face a different angle to the green from day-to-day.