TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Magazine October - November 2026 | Page 13

The challenging par-4 10th hole.

I am frequently asked,“ What public course in the Kansas City area do you feel is the best?”

Well, picking just one course is very difficult for me( or anyone) to answer honestly. We have many great courses throughout the Kansas City metro, and saying one is the best is nearly impossible. I’ m more inclined to say that I have a top ten list and could narrow those down to my personal favorite five. Within those five lives WinterStone. I’ ve played this course on many, many occasions, and each time I play it, as I stated before, I genuinely feel as though I’ m on vacation and playing upscale golf somewhere like the Lake of the Ozarks.

Regardless of which of the four tees you play, you’ ll enjoy your round at WinterStone. There are holes for long hitters( all four par 5s are more than 500 yards) and for short hitters. From the White tees, five of the par 4s measure 320 yards or less, but one of my favorite holes, and believe it or not, maybe one of the toughest, is the shortest on the course: the par-3 12th.

The most talked-about hole at WinterStone is the par-4 10th— with a lake to carry off the tee and marginal“ bailout” room to the right or left of the fairway. It’ s a scenic hole and a fun challenge. It’ s best to keep your ego in check on this hole and play the proper tees for your game— or have extra golf balls.

For me, WinterStone is one of the KC Metro golf courses that remain my proverbial“ Oasis in the Desert.” Or, in this case, my“ Touch of the Ozarks” in my own backyard!

Current 2026 rates with cart are average for a course of this stature. Weekday senior( 55 +) rate, open – 5 p. m., is $ 49. Regular rate Monday – Thursday, open – 2 p. m., is $ 57, and weekend days are $ 75. Junior rates( 18 and younger) are $ 40 any day and any time. Rates listed here are subject to change. Check the website for upcoming adjusted winter rates.

The 12th measures only 110 yards from the back tee( and just 77 from the White tee); this“ shorty” seems simple enough but will test your accuracy— and your nerves! The two-tiered green slopes left to right, top to bottom, and if you don’ t judge the distance properly, a large bunker fronts the green. It’ s a fun hole to play, but three putts are common, and I rarely see more than one or two players in the group par this hole! Most leave it scratching their heads!