005: The Executive at Lakehouse

The little brother to Links at Lakehouse, located just around the corner. Formerly St. Mark Executive, this fun par-58 course is where I played my first full 18 holes and made my one and only ace on hole 9. The course isn’t anything fancy, but it’s a great track to work on your shorter shots or squeeze in a quick post-work loop.

The front nine zigzags at the base of the neighborhood, with most holes playing around 100 yards, incorporating both downhill and uphill shots. There’s one sharp dogleg par 4 and a longer uphill par 3, ranging from 160 to 170 yards—a nice change of pace from the wedge play. The greens tend to be soft and receptive, making it a great place to practice spin control. They’re usually spongy and slower but still roll pure, especially considering how many wedge shots they take daily. In fact, I’d say they’re in much better condition than the greens at the larger Links at Lakehouse.

The closing nine at The Executive is where the fun really begins. It’s less cramped than the front and features three par 4s. If there were a course with both nines designed like the back nine at The Executive, it would be a hit. This section is more spread out and lightly tree-lined, creating a sense of isolation between holes. It offers a great variety of short par 3s (ranging from 90 to 130 yards), complemented by three fun and distinct par 4s that satisfy the itch to hit a longer club.

The Exec is a great time for newer golfers or a casual stroll with just a handful of wedges and short irons.

-Hewgss