Year founded: 1922
Architect: Wayne Stiles
Best nearby courses: St. Louis Country Club, Bellerive, Old Warson
Best nearby hotels: Chase Park Plaza, Ritz Carlton St. Louis, 21c Hotel St. Louis
Best nearby restaurants: Olive + Oak, Indo, Vicia
The West course at Norwood Hills Country Club in Missouri is an underrated gem, with challenging greens that yield few straight putts. The rolling hills create engaging shots on a layout reminiscent of some of the country’s best.
The front nine is better than the back nine, which has a brutal six-hole stretch that will test the best players. The back nine is longer but with one less par, and has more water hazards. Walking the course is difficult due to the terrain and routing.
The 5th hole is a demanding 429-yard par 4, with water on the tee shot and along the right side. The approach must carry water and avoid a bunker left. Any lapse in concentration can lead to a big number.
The 197-yard 4th hole requires a confident tee shot over water to a two-tiered green guarded by bunkers. It starts a difficult three-hole stretch.
The 524-yard 2nd hole plays downhill off the tee then uphill to an elevated green protected by bunkers. The ideal line is to carry the ball past the first fairway onto the second. The two-tiered green makes putting difficult.
The 301-yard 11th hole tempts players to drive the green, though laying up still provides a good birdie chance. Ben Hogan clinched the 1948 PGA Championship here.
The tough 465-yard 13th has a blind uphill tee shot to a triple-tiered green guarded by bunkers. This hole demands near-perfect execution to avoid bogey or worse.
Overall, Norwood Hills' West course features great green complexes and terrain, providing an underrated test of golf in Missouri. The back nine in particular will challenge even the best players.
