Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur, Illinois

Designed by Raymond Floyd, the public Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur, Illinois is an immensely fun municipal golf course to play, with a good variety of both strategic and penal holes, and enough options from tee to green to cater to players of any level.

Rick Anderson, director of golf for the Decatur Park System, said Floyd ordered the removal of some cross bunkers and the widening of some fairways during construction. "He said the holes were already hard enough for average golfers," Anderson said.

The Red Tail Run golf course has already been selected to host an Illinois State Amateur qualifying round, the Decatur City Amateur, the Signature Cup between Decatur and Bloomington-Normal, and the Illinois State Women's Amateur.

Best of all, the green fees remain more "municipal" than "signature."

Red Tail Run GC: hole #1

The green on Red Tail Run Golf Club's opening hole is innocuous enough.

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Red Tail Run GC: the par-5 2nd hole

The green is welcome as an oasis on the difficult 604-yard par-5 second hole at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur.

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Red Tail Run GC: 3rd hole

The 334-yard third hole at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur is just about drivable for big hitters.

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Red Tail Run GC: 4th hole

The approach on the par-4 4th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur is almost as tricky as the drive.

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Red Tail Run GC

Fescue is an ever-present hazard at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur, Illinois.

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Red Tail Run GC: 5th hole

The 180-yard 5th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur, IL.

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Red Tail Run GC: 6th hole

The 364-yard par-4 6th hole at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur.

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Red Tail Run GC: 6th green

The seventh green at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur.

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Red Tail Run GC: 7th hole

The 238-yard, par-3 8th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur is a staunch test!

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Red Tail Run GC: 9th hole

The 453-yard, par-4 9th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur kicks off with a big forced carry off the tee.

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Red Tail Run GC: 10th hole

The tee shot on the 420-yard 10th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur involves a long carry, water left and trouble, right.

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Red Tail Run GC: 10th green

The 10th green at Red Tail Run Golf Club, like the entire hole, is surrounded by trouble.

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Red Tail Run GC's Waterloo

With a tee shot over water and water left on the approach, no wonder the 12th at Red Tail Run Golf Club is called "Waterloo."

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Red Tail Run GC: 13th

The 157-yard 13th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur is the last potential birdie you'll see for several holes.

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Red Tail Run GC: 14th hole

The 564-yard 14th is easily the most difficult par-5 at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur.

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Red Tail Run Golf Club - 14th hole

Behind the green at the difficult par-5 14th at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur.

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Red Tail Run GC's toughest hole

From tee to green, the 449/491-yard par-4 15th is hands-down the toughest hole at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur.

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Red Tail Run GC - 18th tee

If not for the softball field lights to the right, the 18th tee at Red Tail Run Golf Club would feel a bit like Scotland.

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Red Tail Run GC - 17th green

Behind the 17th green at Red Tail Run Golf Club in Decatur, Illinois.

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Red Tail Run GC - 18th green

The big green on the 618-yard 18th at Red Tail Run Golf Club is inviting after playing this long closer into the wind.

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