Olympia Fields Country Club: South
Olympia Fields, IL • Private
Overview
Early in its history, Olympia Fields had four golf courses. Today the country club, located in the quiet suburbs south of Chicago (downtown members used to take a train to the courses, as the line lies right along the property line), boasts two layouts, the North and the South. The North is well-established as a major tournament course as host of two PGA Championships, two U.S. Opens, a U.S. Amateur and several Western Opens. The South, originally designed by Tom Bendelow, serves as a wonderful everyday alternative. It's been many things over the years, having undergone several remodels. Steve Smyers tapped into its early 20th century heritage during a 2007 renovation creating chocolate-drop mounds and other sharp features, and Andy Staples recently completed a revision. How the recent work impacts its ranking both nationally (it made our Second 100 Greatest from 2013 through 2018) and regionally remains to be seen.
About
Awards
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked for six years from 2013-'18.
Highest ranking: No. 176, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked ninth, 2011-'12, 2015-'16. Ranked 10th, 2013-'14, 2017-'18, 2021-'22. Ranked inside the top 10, 2001, 2005. Ranked 11th, 2019-'20. Ranked inside the top 15, 1987-'91, 1999, 2009. Ranked inside the top 20, 1993-'97, 2007.
2023-'24 ranking: 12th.
Previous ranking: 10th.
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
“The South course at Olympia Fields definitely qualifies as being ounderrated and overlooked due to being located on the same property as the Championship North Course. The South holds its own quite nicely and sprawls over an equally intersting piece of property and even is advantaged in that it feels more open in places. It feels as though the course occupies significantly more acreage that the North and therefore offers allows more of the holes to seem isolated and not adjacent to neighboring holes like on the North Course in places. The execution of the hole concepts leaves something to be desired in places, namely the uphill par 3 5th where much of the green is blocked by a large overhanging tree near the tee box or the severely elevated green on the 8th hole with a straight drop off on the right side that too severely punishes approach shots that narrowly miss the green on that side. Overall the South course is a beautiful layout that offers great variety, challenge and fun. The course compliments the North Course very well."
Read More2024
Review
“OFCC boasts the more famed North Course, but do not sleep on this one. The South Course is a treat, and at times plays better than the more renowned track. With more acreage to work with, the course has many holes that feel like they stand alone -- isolated from the rest of the track (but still coherently connected in architectural style). The conditioning is the same as the championship course, so you'll be in for a treat. As for the rest of it, the clubhouse is one of the classic, old-school style buildings with a large locker room, excellent facilities, and delicious food for lunch. I recommend hanging around the restaurant, grabbing some of the complementary popcorn and reminiscing on a great day on the links."
Read More2024
Review
“Great conditions and excellent way to spend a day!"
Read More2023
Review
“Newly renovated course as July 2023. Greens still very new and firm"
Read More2023
Review
“This tournament ready course rests all parts of your game and the expansive clubhouse will get you ready to play the North Course in the afternoon. This is a great place to play two."
Read More2021
Review
“A challenging course that incorporates a lot of land features and beauty. A great time on the historic Olympia Fields property as The South is complimenting, but a little more "fun" golf than its championship partner The North."
Read More2019
Review
“The much-more fun and forgiving course at Olympia Fields is also most members' favorite. Great variety and opportunities to recover, with still enough difficulty."
Read More2019
Review
“Great compliment to North where all tournaments are held. South would be more famous if it wasn't in North's shadow. Play it if you are invited!"
Read More2018
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