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Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg
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Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg
Derek Duncan
Derek Duncan
Derek Duncan
Brian Palmer/Courtesy of Shoreacres
Scott Vincent/Courtesy of Shoreacres
Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg
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Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg
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Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg
Overview
Shoreacres possesses perhaps the most fascinating topography upon which Seth Raynor ever created a golf course, a remarkable assertion given that most of the playing surfaces are dead flat, though the in between spaces are cut through by winding depressions and several deep ravines. Raynor infused the design with his usual collection of suspects, including No. 3 (Leven), No. 6 (Biarritz), No. 7 (Double Plateau), No. 8 (Eden), No. 10 (one of the best Road Hole interpretations in the U.S.) and No. 14 (Redan) all playing along the plateaus that edge the gulleys and ravines that feed into Lake Michigan. The stretch of 11, 12 and 13, playing across a ravine, down into it and back out of it with a blind tee shot, are as unique a stretch of holes as can be found anywhere on a 100 Greatest course. The tight turf, rivaling the firmest conditions of any parkland course, add to the challenge, and when playing as fiery as usual shots played into the sensuously bubbled greens often have to be landed 10 or 15 yards short and play the hop.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked for 22 years from 2001-'12 and since 2015.
2023-'24 ranking: 55th.
Highest ranking: No. 54, 2021-'22.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 102nd, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked third, 2021-'22. Ranked fourth, 2019-'20. Ranked fifth, 2017-'18. Ranked seventh, 2011-'16. Ranked inside the top 10, 1987, 1991-2010. Ranked inside the top 15, 1989.
2023-'24 ranking: 2nd.
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
“A wonderful Raynor with great template holes and variety. Always in great condition."
Read More2024
Review
“As one approaches Shoreacres in Lake Bluff, Illinois, there is an initial lack of excitement due to the non-descript entrance and initial distant impressions of a flat, open, relatively boring-looking golf course. Arriving at the clubhouse and as more of the course is visible, the pulse starts to slowly increase as one realizes that perhaps all is not as simple as it appears at first blush. Designed by Seth Raynor and opened in 1916, Shoreacres is a classic example of an excellent golf course without the distractions of soaring views, gimmicky enhancements, or tons of earth reshaping. The short walk to the first tee for a short par 5 further cements the realization that Shoreacres is a special place. At only 6,725 yards from the seldom used tips, Shoreacres plays to a 140 slope and 72.9 rating, impressive numbers for a short par 71. While length is not part of the difficulty, there are many other attributes that make for a very challenging round of golf. Positioning and placement are key to navigating Shoreacres not just off the tees to setup reasonable approaches but also on the greens where two-putts are likely only from the proper locations. Ravines abound on many holes (in particular #’s 7, 11, 13, and 15) which force sculpted tee shots to avoid lost balls while penal bunkers punish those that cannot hold very quick, crowned greens, especially long. Getting up and down from the firm bunkers or closely mowed run-off areas requires deft touch and imagination as almost any club in the bag is a possible choice. Combining the need for accuracy off the tee with very well-defended and very firm and very fast greens, Shoreacres requires a thoughtful approach and is deceptively, but fairly, challenging for all levels of golfer. There is a wonderful combination and variety of holes at Shoreacres with many short par 4s that can be attacked by the bold along with a few long beasts that require strong drives and at least mid-iron approaches. The par 3s are an excellent collection of holes with the short 12th appearing like at least a one-club downhill but playing the true yardage (learned the hard way when a well-struck iron barely crawled onto the front of the green). The Biarritz par 3 6th offers an over 80-yard-long green with a deep swale in the center steeply rising to the back platform. The Redan 14th parallels the 6th but does not play as long. Good luck missing right if the pin is center/left as it is virtually impossible to hold the green and a difficult bunker awaits as your par attempt. The 3 par 5s offer a good mix of short (1st), mid-length (15th) and long holes (18th) to tempt long hitters, but only if one can navigate the trees, bunkers, and ravines defending the fairways and greens. Shoreacres is a shotshapers dream as almost any ball flight is possible from the tee. Faders of the ball will struggle a bit on the 2nd, 11th, and 18th holes as they do not favor a fade without flirting with an obstacle, but a draw is possible on every hole and even encouraged on many as 2, 5, 9, 13, 15, 17, and 18 are all doglegs right. Most holes allow at least partial access to the green via a running approach, except the 11th, 12th, and 13th, which are all defended by a ravine. There is little variety in elevation except for the uphill 13th as the property is flat but there is so much else going on that one does not even notice this deficiency. Since Shoreacres is a walking-only course, the flatness is appreciated as the round progresses. The playing conditions at Shoreacres are superb. Firm, fast fairways flow seamlessly into carpet-like greens that are receptive to well-struck approaches but punish even slight mishits. The greens roll beautifully and are very quick, especially above the hole. The bunkers are consistently firm and require a sharp sand game to avoid trudging across the green to play from another bunker. While located adjacent to Lake Michigan, Shoreacres does not have any holes along, or even in sight of, the lake. There are no magical mountain vistas or other non-golf aesthetic accoutrements to enhance the visual appeal of the site. The beauty of Shoreacres rests upon its quality as a golf course and its ability to challenge all levels of player with a well-routed layout that brilliantly uses the existing topography. Shoreacres challenges the mind and the skills of all golfers and is a true test of golf that has withstood over 100 years of change."
Read More2024
Review
“Terrific Golden Age Seth Raynor design near Lake Michigan with superb conditions. Course plays firm and fast and has all the requisite Raynor template greens. This one is not to be missed."
Read More2024
Review
“If you can find a way to play here, you won't regret it. This course is fantastic."
Read More2024
Review
“Shoreacres is a wonderful Seth Raynor design with several of his classic template holes. It's one of his best designs. It has a unique geographic feature which I have seldom seen elsewhere: ravines, which come into play on much of the back nine. The greens were in immaculate shape."
Read More2024
Review
“SA is a classic Raynor - with all of his unique design elements on full display Conditioning was perfect"
Read More2024
Review
“One of Chicago area's best. A true treat for those golfers that appreciate Seth Raynor and classic, strategic courses."
Read More2023
Review
“This about as good as you can get, especially the holes and routing around the ravine in the middle of the property"
Read More2023
Review
“A walk back in time. Wildly large green complexes that flow beautifully with the land."
Read More2023
Review
“A very nice example of Seth Raynor at his best. Although the property is on the water, the course isn't yet he made a course worthy of one every golfer should play at least once. Very private, need a sponsor."
Read More2023
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