Kemper Lakes Golf Club
Kemper Lakes Golf Club
24000 N Old McHenry Rd
Kildeer, IL 60047-8922
United States
About
Awards
ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked for 12 years from 1981-'92.
Highest ranking: 35th, 1985-'86.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked 27th, 2003-'04.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 5, 1983-'89. Ranked inside the top 10, 1991, 2009. Ranked inside the top 15, 1993-2007. Ranked 20th, 2013-'14. Ranked 21st, 2011-'12, 2025-'26. Ranked 24th, 2017-'18. Ranked 28th, 2021-'24.
Previous ranking: 28th.
2025-'26 ranking: 21st.
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
“Thinking man’s” golf course. A best in state contender for Challenge and Layout Variety. For most holes, there is a variety of ways to put yourself in the best scoring position. Carefully navigating an abundance of trouble (both trees and water) and knowing when/where to play aggressively vs. defensively is pivotal at Kemper. With very limited ability to scramble and trouble awaiting any wayward shot, double bogey’s+ are abound. Tee shots provide a chance for aggressive play with driver or laying back of trouble but requires a long club coming in. For example, par 4 8th hole has a tight landing area for driver pinched in by water and penal bunkers but quickly becomes a wedge/birdie opportunity if taken on. If the player chooses to lay back, a long iron to a raised green all carry over water is the penalty for playing safely. On both par 5 4th and 8th and par 4 18th, the player can elect to take aggressive lines off the tee that challenge large bodies of water that drastically changes the scoring ability. Several holes carry a wide variety of tee boxes for each level of player. For example, the par 3 13th has 6+ tee boxes all with a range of tee placements. Course design with a range of holes designed to go left, right, and straight. Though water defense is abundant, there are nice stretches without it which changes the feel and buildup to those with dramatic water challenges like 4,6 16,17,18 Routing does a good job taking you through an expansive property that has holes seemingly facing in all directions. Green to tee walks are not short but I believe that the architect used the land appropriately which my not have been conducive to a concise layout. The property is huge and so are many of the bodies of water that control the layout. High level of distinctiveness from hole to hole. Even after one round, a player doesn’t struggle to remember nearly every hole on the course. Each hole presents its own story and strategy which does vary from the rest. No holes feel “forced” in to fit the property (except for 12). The architect used the entire property quite appropriately and the flow of the round is compelling, keeping you wondering what’s next. Most holes have a green complex shape that is unique to the rest. The standout category of Kemper Lakes is Challenge, even among other categories that it excels in like Shot Options. In my observation, Kemper is one of the hardest courses in the Midwest from the back tees. There’s no faking it around Kemper Lakes. With both water and tree trouble abound, and lengthy unforgiving holes with demanding tee shots and above average winds the expectation, it’s hard to score. With the back tees playing over 7300 yards on the card and closer to 7600+ with winds, the scratch player will regularly struggle to shoot around par. A 1st shot golf course, whether it be water waiting for an errant shot or the abundance fairway bunkers strategically placed grabbing marginally offline shots, this course requires very accurate tee shots to small tight landing areas on nearly every hole. Many of the par 4’s, like 5, 9, 10,16 play closer to a par 4.5+. Given that offline tee shots are met with water, or other unplayable hazards, Kempers grades low in recoverability."
Read More2025
Review
“Lots of tournament history here early on [LPGA 2018 and exception]. Front 9 pedestrian and the back nine more challenging. In good condition."
Read More2023
Review
“Great variety of holes, #11, 17 and 18 good. Fairways, greens, bunkers in great shape however several teeboxes were unplayable and literal dirt as grass just was not there."
Read More2023
Review
“Great condition with a superb (#11) par 5."
Read More2019
Review
“Course has narrow and unusually shaped greens, often carved around bodies of water. Some issues with conditioning in the past 8-10 years at this private course. Not much fun, as your ball may find hidden lakes, not-so-hidden lakes, and may go missing in the rough right off the fairway. Players likely to shoot 8 shots more than usual."
Read More2019
Review
“Beautiful course in an urban setting. Well maintained and cordial staff, but bring your A-Game, or a lot of golf balls, because water abounds on this course that has hosted the PGA."
Read More2018
