Courtesy of the club
LC Lambrecht
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of Butler National GC
Courtesy of Butler National GC
Butler National Golf Club
Oak Brook, IL • Private
Butler National Golf Club
2616 York Rd
Oak Brook, IL 60523-2364
United States
Overview
Butler National was former tour player George Fazio’s ideal of a championship course, with 10 forced carries over water in 18 holes. Even before it opened, it was signed to eventually serve as a permanent site of the Western Open. The problem was, when it opened, it was the last cool-weather venue on the PGA Tour to utilize bluegrass rather than bentgrass for its fairways, and several prominent golfers declined to play Butler National because of potential flyer-lies from those fairways. Eventually, the turf was converted, but then the Shoal Creek scandal occurred. Rather than change its restricted men-only policy, the club relinquished its role of Western Open host after the 1990 event. So why include a club on America’s 100 Greatest that won’t allow female panelists a chance to evaluate it? Because we rank golf courses, not club policies.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1975.
Highest ranking: 21st, 2007-'08.
Previous ranking: 75th.
2025-'26 ranking: 87th.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 5 since 1977. Ranked second, 2017-'22. Ranked third, 2015-'16, 2023-'24. Ranked fourth, 2011-'14. Ranked fifth, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 3rd.
2025-'26 ranking: 5th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Butler National is set on a large sprawling propterty in the West suburbs of Chicago. The course traverses subtle elevation changes and many holes either run alongside of over water hazards. The extreme difficulty of the course comes from the forced carries over the water hazards, the length of the holes, the undulation of the greens as well as the narrow corridors. Several holes offer risk reward decisions that can lead to advantageous positions or disaster off the tee. The club's male only policy is evident in the design of the clubhouse that feels like the entirety of the building is a locker room."
Read More2025
Review
“George Fazio with Tom Fazio design, opened mid-70's. Paul Butler envisioned a tour-caliber course with appropriate length, narrow FW's, difficult rough, and challenging approach angles to heavily contoured greens. No let-up anywhere on the course, except perhaps for par 3's. BN hosted the Western Open immediately upon opening through 1990. OUTSTANDING staff, especially outside operations. Course is located in Oak Brook, IL, very convenient to O'Hare."
Read More2025
Review
“George Fazio with Tom Fazio design, opened mid-70's. Paul Butler envisioned a tour-caliber course with appropriate length, narrow FW's, difficult rough, and challenging approach angles to heavily contoured greens. No let-up anywhere on the course, except perhaps for par 3's. BN hosted the Western Open immediately upon opening through 1990."
Read More2025
Review
“Championship level test in every regard. This course will test every part of your game. Forced carries, thick rough, deep bunkers and elevated greens are prevalent throughout. The course is wonderfully conditioned. Wonderful walk with a caddie. Staff is very accommodating and welcoming throughout your visit. Go test your game if offered the opportunity to play a round here."
Read More2025
Review
“Butler is a wonderfully conditioned George Fazio golf course outside Chicago. George created a tournament golf course that may be one of if not the hardest golf course in the Midwest. Several tee shots require you to hit not only the fairway but a certain portion of the fairway in order to set up your approach. Water and bunkers line not only many holes but abut the majority of holes with forced carries over hazzards galore. Constantly requires a golfer to hit a golf shot or be punished by a lost shot or two. The par 5 600 yard (623 from the tournament tees) is stunning hole which requires two very accurate shots to a green surrounded by bunkers. The lake that sits in the middle of the property comes into play on two holes with water in front of our behind the other two. The closing par 4's on both nines are awesome. The 9th requires you to hit the right side of the fairway for the best angle through a chute of overhanging trees. the 18th requires you to avoid the hazards boht of the tee and the water looming to the left of the green. The greens are straightforward so if you can manage to get there in regualtion you will have a birdie look. Big ballpark, great walk."
Read More2025
Review
“Lengthy and challenging Fazio design. Challening tee shots & approach shots. Some green complexes were smaller in size but reasonable in undulation once once you reach the greens. Water throughout the routing adds to the challenge with forced carries. The par 3's accentuate the water but played realtively simiar in yardages. Not fun for golfers "of all levels" but elevates the challenge category."
Read More2025
Review
“Really solid layout, raised greens with small surfaces... 2nd shot golf course... very challenging!!!"
Read More2025
Review
“Butler is another awesome club that is greater than the course. The goal at BNGC seems to be to create the hardest parkland layout possible while still remaining fair, and the current version succeeds at this, with deep rough, narrow fairways, and most greens perched and surrounded by trouble. There are some great holes here, especially around a central pond, but there are several shots that seem massively incongruent, especially the 10th approach and green complex. With no shortage of funds at their disposal, this may be a candidate for a complete reimagination."
Read More2024
Review
“Butler is a course with championship mettle, but there are a number of repetitive holes that do not stand out from each other. Conditioning was penal, but inconsistent at times"
Read More2024
Review
“True test of golf"
Read More2023
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