Green Hills Golf Club

The rolling prairie terrain south of St. Louis delivers genuine elevation changes that most Illinois tracks can only dream of, with doglegs that actually matter when your ball is sitting 30 feet above or below the fairway. Water hazards come into play on seven holes without feeling contrived, particularly the pond that guards the left side of the par-4 14th and forces a genuine risk-reward decision off the tee. At under $40 for 18 holes, this municipal gem proves that thoughtful routing trumps big budgets every time.