About DUBSDREAD, Course #4 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club
Watch our five part Golf Talk interview with Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek by using the links below.
Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part One
Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part Two
Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk Interview, Part Three
Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part Four
Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part Five
Here it is, the crown jewel of Illinois golf and certainly one of the best courses in the midwest and throughout the country. Course #4, Dubsdread at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Illinois, home of the 2010 BMW Championship.
We have all 18 holes in a glorious shot-by-shot virtual golf course tour that was taken just prior to the BMW Championship last year. Dubsdread originally opened in 1964 and was the vision and dream of the father of championship level public golf, Joe Jemsek and original course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee. Dubsdread has always been a tough test for any golfer, but by the mid 2000's the course was suffering under the assaults of modern players and modern equipment. In came Reese Jones, the renowned golf course architect and renovator and Dubsdread was transformed in time for the 2009 BMW Championship.
Watch a video of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek, talk about playing Dubsdread
The course is a demanding 7,554 yards of truly championship level golf but does offer 5 tee boxes so that golfers of all handicaps and levels can enjoy this magnificent public course. We have all 18 holes right here on the Look Around Golf Golf Course Directory and Virtual Golf Course Tour.
And to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment for Course #4, we're including hole-by-hole descriptions.
Just click on the Dubsdread Hole pictures above and you'll be able to take the Dubsdread virtual golf course tour 3 holes at a time. Okay here we go.
Dubsdread Hole #1, a par 4, 462 yards form the cup. Right from the beginning the newly remodeled Dubsdread is setting the tone with a challenging opening tee shot because of the relocated fairway bunkers. Big hitters will be tempted to challenge the inside of this dogleg, but be warned, there is a substantial risk in the bunkers should you fail. Perhaps the smarter play would be a slight draw off the bunkers that line the right side of the fairway.
Dubsdread Hole #2, a par 3, 228 yards. The green is protected by deep bunkers all around it making your tee shot very important, especially if you're looking to two putt the green.
Dubsdread Hole #3, a par 4, 446 yards. The green is the thing on #3. It's elevated, small and contoured for the pro game. You'll want to be careful with the bunkers down the fairway when considering how to set up your approach.
Dubsdread Hole #4, a par 4, 465 yards. Reese Jones made this hole significantly longer and the new, remodeled bunkers along the fairway punish those who miss the fairway. This is one of the new greens and will prove to be an interesting challenge for most golfers with the surface falling away.
Dubsdread Hole #5, par 4 for the PGA BMW Championship, par 5 for the rest of us, 509 long, challenging yards from the green. It's a long dogleg right and freshly planted trees will keep everyone but the most accomplished from trying to cut the corner. Try a slight fade off the tee and hopefully avoid the new bunkers that lay along the entire left side. While the green is narrow, it will hold a shot because of its depth and distinct cupping areas.
Dubsdread Hole #6, a par 3, 244 yards. After the test of Hole #5, at first one might be tempted to breath a sigh of relief at the par 3 #6, but don't. This is one of the most challenging holes Dubsdread offers. The multi-level green is a nasty two putt and the green itself is guarded by bunkers on the right and left.
Dubsdread Hole #7, a par 4, 434 yards. There's a nice pond on the inside of the dogleg that is certain to make you consider just how much risk you're willing to take right off the tee shot. With the bunkers across from the pond guarding the outside of the dogleg, that tee shot becomes very important. The bunkers protecting the green are quite deep and their design will require that you make a very accurate approach shot.
Dubsdread Hole #8, a par 4, 383 yards. the challenge here is avoiding and successfully carrying the left fairway bunker. Do this, and you've got a good chance at par. Of course you'll have to avoid the numerous bunkers protecting the green.
Dubsdread Hole #9, a par 5, 615 yards. Grip it and Rip it time on this one, but you'll not only need distance you'll need to be accurate in your shot placement off the tee. If you blow your drive, things can get sticky with the deep cross bunker coming into play. The green is elevated and thee protecting bunkers are deep and something you'd rather not encounter.
Okay, we're halfway home, so we figure this is a good time to tell you we have some great Golf Talk videos we shot with Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek talking about all things Cog Hill and golf, but especially about the history and development of Dubsdread and the dream and vision of his father, Joe Jemsek for bringing great championship level golf to the a public course. You can find these videos on our video page by clicking the video link at the top of this page.
Okay, ready for the back nine?
Dubsdread Hole #10, a par 4, 380 yards. This is the hole that quite possibly requires the most finesse of any on the course. Narrow, sculptured bunkers outline the fairway and frame the outside of the dogleg. The new green is seriously contoured and expect a challenge depending on pin placement.
Dubsdread Hole #11, a par 5l, 610 yards. This is a risk and reward situation with the repositioned fairway bunkers making any attempt to get the green in two, quite the challenge.
Dubsdread Hole #12, a par 3, 221 yards. If you happen to hit it over or through the green, forget it... bad things await you. The green itself is a well contoured challenge of it's own and should you wind up in the deep bunkers in front, well good luck trying to save a par. A very tough par 3, but take the time to look around and take in the natural beauty of the course.
Dubsdread Hole #13, a par 4, 486 yards. You need to make a good tee shot as the fairway bunkers on both sides will make you pay a steep price. This is often regarded as Dubsdread's toughest hole and par on #13 remains a standard of golf ecxcellence.
Dubsdread Hole #14, a par 3, 218 yards. Certainly one of Dubsdread's most recognizable holes, #14 has been reworked to reward accuracy from the tee and the new contouring on the green demands accuracy and skill there as well.
Dubsdread Hole #15, a par 5, 526 yards. According to the stats, this is the easiest hole on the course. However, your tee shot must be fairly long and it's wise to avoid the bunkers on the right and left. Of course, is it ever wise to not avoid the bunkers? The green is slightly elevated and due to the reworked bunkering, getting to any of the green's new back right hole locations should prove to be some serious work.
Ahhh... the home stretch...
Dubsdread Hole #16, a par 4, 459 yards. From the elevated tee box you'll want to go at it with less than a driver so as set up the proper approach shot to the green. If you miss the green, on either the left or right sides, you'll be seriously challenged to save par.
Dubsdread Hole #17, a par 4, 427 yards. Longer and more foreboding, the newly renovated and remodeled #17 is a totally new challenge. Whether setting up your approach by flirting with those fairway bunkers or trying a go for broke over the trees, a less than perfect shot either way will result in a very difficult attempt at par.
Dubsdread Hole #18, a par 4, 497 yards. A fitting end to a day of truly challenging championship golf. The bunkering and the pond demand a solid well placed tee shot in order to set up the proper approach. The green is a wicked little challenge of its own with its edge running along the pond. Truly a tough set of choices to reach the green (that deep bunker along the right, the pond itself to the left) and some serious work once you get there. This is a true #18 championship hole.
A couple of quick notes. See a Virtual Golf Course Tour of all of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club's four courses
For a really outstanding review of Dubsdread, we encourage you to check out Beaver Golf Blog, Dubsdread Review
Now, why don't you go play the beast?
