Tanna Farms an adventure not to be underestimated

The first thing you notice when pulling into the parking lot at Tanna Farms Golf Club in Geneva is the first hole.

A picturesque, island green par 3 that plays 95, 120 or 140 yards, it's just begging golfers to start with a par or birdie.

Of course, you haven't hit a single ball yet so it's quite a knee-knocker, even with a wedge or 9 iron in your hand.

Without a doubt it is one of the best openers in the area.

After that, you are off on an adventure that features many scoreable holes but also a few monsters that can wreck a round. Let's take a closer look at this unique track that features some impressive views, gorgeous native wetlands and 60 bunkers that you'll want to avoid at all costs.

Course tour:

First things first: Be careful which tees you play from because this is not a typical 6,510-yard course from the blacks. Tanna, a par 71, features some brutally long holes with forced carries that can be awfully punishing for anyone who doesn't hit a consistent 230-yard drive.

"People look at the course rating and the yardage and we are very much underestimated," general manager Chad Zipse said. "It's a very big-shouldered course."

The first true test is the 5th hole, which is anything but a benign 465-yard par 5. An accurate tee shot is a must because there's OB on the right and wetlands to the left that gobble up plenty of balls. The second shot presents a serious quandary as well: Do you lay up just beyond the 150-yard marker or attempt to pound a long shot between two ponds?

I've made everything from par to a 10 on this head-spinner of a hole.

After the uphill par-3 6th comes two stout par 4s in the 389-yard 7th and 402-yard 8th. Back-to-back bogeys are fine, then go get a par on the 128-yard 9th because when you tee up on 10 you're about to really get into the teeth of Tanna Farms.

On the scorecard, the 12th hole doesn't appear to be much, but this is one time when shorter hitters playing the back tees wonder why they made that decision. That's because your tee shot must fly at least 180 yards - oftentimes into the prevailing wind - or your ball will not clear the massive wetlands.

"It's a very tough par 4," Zipse said.

Then comes No. 13. It's 604 yards from the blacks and still a beast at 578 yards from the blues. Oh, and it's all uphill once you reach the fairway. If you reach the fairway.

Unfortunately, this hole has standing water over large portions of it due to the massive amount of rain that hit the area in May.

"We've had engineers come out and try to divert the water, but we can't do that because it's protected wetlands," Zipse said. "It's extremely challenging because we have to fight beavers making dams to keep the creek flowing. We had a record of over 8 inches of rain in a (short) period and it couldn't handle it."

Other than No. 1, the most picturesque hole at Tanna Farms is No. 14 - a 365-yard dogleg left par 4. From an elevated tee, watch your drive float to a generous fairway, but be careful to avoid the wetlands guarding the left side.

After the birdieable par-5 15th comes a tough 194-yard par-3 and then another monster par 5 in the 605- or 574-yard 17th hole. Fight the urge to overswing on the tee and just get the ball in play. The key here is to pound a second shot because hitting the well-guarded green in regulation is awfully difficult for mid- to high-handicappers.

Suggestions:

• Take out - or drastically shrink - the first fairway bunkers on second hole. They too often penalize solid drives.

• On No. 17, the front greenside bunker should be a third of its size. The hole is difficult enough as it is, and asking mid-handicappers to fly a 165-190 approach shot over a massive bunker isn't fair.

• Add a set of hybrid black/blue tees to create a 6,235-yard course. Tanna could even add a blue/white hybrid because high handicappers who play the blues could use a break on 7, 8, 12, 13, 16 and 17.

Bottom line:

Perhaps the best deal in the area was Tanna Farms' $25 Mondays. It was 18 holes with a cart. Because Governor J.B. Pritzker's restrictions have limited how much revenue courses can bring in, however, Zipse isn't sure if that promotion will continue.

Under the current rate structure, Tanna gets a 3½ stars (out of 5) for value and 4 if you play twilight; 3 for course conditions; 3 for accessibility; 1½ for walkability (some very long walks between holes).

As the weather stabilizes and staff is added, the course should improve to 4 stars for conditions. I'm sending you out here because this is really is a fun track with a lot of unique holes that make you think. Go low on the par-34 front nine, then really use your brain on the back and you can score out here.

Next up: Tips for before and during your round.

Course spotlight

Course spotlight

<b>Tanna Farms Golf Club, Geneva </b><b>Founded in 1998 as a 9-hole course; expanded to 18 holes in 2002</b>Par: 71

Yards: 6,510 from black tees; 6,033 from blues; 5,437 from whites; 4,727 from yellows

Weekday riding rates: $47 ($37 for seniors); $37 after 3 p.m. ($27 for seniors)

Junior rate: $12-$17 to walk (and less for kids 10 and younger playing with an adult)

Approximate distance from Arlington Heights: 37 miles

From Hoffman Estates: 26 miles

From Barrington: 30 miles

From Wheaton: 40 miles

From Naperville: 55 miles

Note: There is no range and only a small practice green on site