Courtesy of the club
Conway Farms Golf Club
Conway Farms Golf Club
425 S Conway Farm Dr
Lake Forest, IL 60045-2530
United States
Overview
Conway Farms reopened in 2023 after substantial remodeling by Tim Jackson and David Kahn, who each worked under Tom Fazio on many of his western U.S. projects before joining together in 2009. The 1991 layout has been one of the premiere championship venues in the Chicago-area, having hosted multiple BMW Championships, NCAA national championships and other big-time amateur events. The remodel, conducted over 2021 and 2022, included the overhaul of the irrigation system, removal of trees and the rebuilding of multiple green complexes as well as a creek that comes into play on several holes. Significantly, Jackson and Kahn reoriented the course’s bunkering strategies, adjusting their sizes and locations, adding new ones where needed and upgrading their appearance to a more modern aesthetic. The essential qualities of the holes haven’t changed—par 4s like the fourth with a cross-hazard drive, the long 10th and the par-5 18th with a creek slicing into the green’s front are still beasts—but some of the shorter holes like the first, now bisected with a ravine short of the green that’s been shifted to the right, the drivable seventh presenting more options to place tee shots, and the lakeside 15th with a 75-yard deep serpentine green running along the water, are much more interesting.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked for six years from 2013-'18.
Highest ranking: No. 165, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked eighth, 2013-'14, 2017-'18. Ranked 10th, 2011-'12, 2015-'16, 2019-'20, 2023-'24. Ranked inside the top 10, 1993, 2005-'07. Ranked inside the top 15, 1995-'99, 2003, 2009. Ranked inside the top 20, 2001.
2023-'24 ranking: 10th.
Previous ranking: 11th.
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
“This Tom Fazio designed layout which has been recently renovated by Jackson Kahn provides a great track for all levels of golf. The recent renovation included modifications of significant number of bunkers, repositioning the stream that runs through the course and enlarging numerous greens. With a number of different tee boxes, the course allows all levels of play to have an enjoyable round. Drive placement is at a premium because fescue and fairway bunkers are plentiful. The fescue in many places is very difficult to hit from, if you can find your ball. The course provides many risk reward opportunities such as carrying bunkers or cutting corners on doglegs. Second shots are often to relatively large greens but these greens have multiple tiers so placement is paramount. The greens have significant undulations which make them difficult to read despite their superior conditioning. Especially on the back nine the course is relatively open with views across numerous holes including the creek that runs through the course. The course requires the golfer to think through their strategy on each hole to maximize scoring."
Read More2024
Review
“Every single green is different. Incredible condition, flawless conditions. Upkept extremely well. Picturesque par threes. Course is much more difficult to the average golfer than what the pros shot here. Post renovation has significantly improved the course. This is an absolute must play in Chicago."
Read More2024
Review
“Many shot options, cross bunkers, false fronts and sides. Great short risk reward short par 4s. The course is fun, challenging and fair."
Read More2023
Review
“It's all about good golf at Conway Farms. The course is always in good shape, the practice facilities are the best you'll find anywhere in Chicago and the clubhouse is one of the more overlooked in golf. There's also no one quite as good as Tony, the caddy master."
Read More2023
Review
“Wonderful redesign of the bunkering and green complexes by Jackson Kahn Design versus the prior iteration. A few of the holes have been changed slightly as well with greens moving locations and additional tees or angles added. Hole 6 is a gigantic improvement taking a shortish par 4 with little interest to a really fun risk/reward short par 4. Difficulty of this course can be greatly increased when they decide to let the rough grow which they've been known to do frequently in the past! Standout holes also include the dog leg par 4 fifth hole that crosses marsh off the tee and bends between 2 large clusters of trees, the boomerang par 5 eighth hole that bends to the left around a lake and provides the player with a possible chance of going at the hole in 2 after a great drive, the short par 3 eleventh hole over water, the short par 4 14th that gives the player an option to drive the green if the pin is up on this 70yd long green, and the demanding par 5 finishing hole where trouble lurks off the tee w/ bunkering and on the approach and/or layup with a creek that protects the green and layup zones."
Read More2023
Review
“Excellent renovation, added fescue above bunkers and wide of fariways/rough. Reshaping of hole 1 a few others has added to the shot options and resistance to scoring. Conditioning is superb!"
Read More2023
Review
“Redone bunkers, expanded greens and pushed fescue back further from fairways are nice changes to the course"
Read More2023
Review
“This is a great club with a fine Fazio golf course. Don’t let Jim Furyk’s 59 lull you into thinking it is a pushover. It has plenty of teeth."
Read More2021
Review
“Terrific in every way. Course is challenging yet playable. Very enjoyable. Some strict rules like leaving your phone in your car, but not dissimilar to other Chicago clubs like Shoreacres."
Read More2018
