Butler National Golf Club

Oak Brook, IL • Private

4.4

Panelists

25 Reviews

1 / 5

2 / 5

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3 / 5

Courtesy of Butler National GC

4 / 5

LC Lambrecht

5 / 5

Courtesy of Butler National GC

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 permanent site of the Western Open. Problem was, when it opened, it was the last cool-weather venue on the PGA Tour to utilize bluegrass rather than bent-grass for its fairway, 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

Holes 18

Length 7523

Slope 152

Facility Type Private

Year Opened 1974

Designer George Fazio & Tom Fazio

Awards

Ranking history:

100 Greatest: Ranked since 1975.
2023-'24 ranking: 75th.
Previous ranking: 49th.
Highest ranking: No. 21, 2007-'08.

Best in State: Ranked second, 2017-'22. Ranked third, 2015-'16, 2023-'24. Ranked fourth, 2011-'14. Ranked inside the top 5, 1977-2010.
2023-'24 ranking: Third.
Previous ranking: Second.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.4

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

7.6106

Character

7.6621

Challenge

8.1833

Layout Variety

7.52

Fun

7.1079

Aesthetics

7.3867

Conditioning

7.8864

Reviews

1 / 10

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."

2024

2 / 10

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"

2024

3 / 10

Review

“True test of golf"

2023

4 / 10

Review

“A "big boy" course for sure. The more modern championship design will challenge even the best golfers. In addition, the food, beverages, and service our outstanding from the time you pull up your car until you leave."

2023

5 / 10

Review

“Great place to test a good golf swing. Excellent conditions with long challenging holes. Drop whatever you are doing if you get a chance to play here"

2023

6 / 10

Review

“PGA tour quality"

2023

7 / 10

Review

“Butler National Golf Club is an exceptionally difficult golf course and that's by design. Rough is think and penal and the greens are small, raised, and fast. The staff at Butler National is exceptionally welcoming and it makes for a lovely day out on the course. The course isn't necessarily fun to play, but that's not it's intention. If you think you're good at golf, go play Butler National and get a reminder that you aren't as good as you think. If you don't think you're good at golf, just go enjoy a very nice course, walk, and club."

2023

8 / 10

Review

“Demanding course. Water in play and forced carrys. Great variety of hole lengths, direction and shapes. Very difficult rough coupled with relatively smaller greens. Course in terrific condition and bunkers in wonderful shape."

2023

9 / 10

Review

“Great experience. Very difficult for the average golfer. Rough is very penal. Can order anything in the restaurant. They have no menu!"

2022

10 / 10

Review

“One of the most demanding tests in golf. Everything is out in front of you at Butler, however you must be accurate to avoid the penal rough and deep bunkers across the course. "

2021