Gateway National Golf Links

About Gateway National Golf Links

Gateway National is Keith Foster's links-style course on the Illinois side of the river, a short drive from downtown St. Louis and named for an Arch that sits in another state. It's routed through native grasses and wetlands: rolling fairways split by low mounds, tall grass, lakes, wood-tie bunkers and the odd giant cottonwood, with stone bridges and raised boardwalks carrying you across the marsh. The Arch is in view.

Water is the constant. The map survey finds water on 14 of the 18 holes and 8 holes with a carry over it, and Top100GolfCourses notes the marshland's forced carries. The sand stands out too: along with links-style pots, Foster used Ross-style cross bunkers that jut into the fairway on 13 and 15 and run all the way across the par-5 6th. There are 76 bunkers in all, and the ground is flat, with about 16 feet of elevation change across the property. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.

The local tourism bureau says it's the only public St. Louis course with bentgrass fairways.

It's one of 79 courses Yoink watches in the St. Louis area, and the closest alternative is Indian Mounds Golf Club, about 2 miles away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

What it's like to play Gateway National Golf Links

Water is in play on 14 of the 18 holes, and you carry it on 8 of them, so bring a few extra balls. There are about 76 bunkers out there, well above average, so a good bunker game pays. A creek or river runs through the property and comes into play on 6 holes.

Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).

How to get a tee time at Gateway National Golf Links