Brian Palmer/Courtesy of Shoreacres
Scott Vincent/Courtesy of Shoreacres
Derek Duncan
Derek Duncan
Derek Duncan
Shoreacres
Lake Bluff, IL • Private
Shoreacres
1601 Shore Acres Dr
Lake Bluff, IL 60044-1338
United States
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 to be played onto the putting surfaces.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked for 22 years from 2001-'12 and since 2015.
2025-'26 ranking (highest): 47th.
Previous ranking: 55th.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 102nd, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2023-'26. 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.
2025-'26 ranking (highest and previous): 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 classic design that is masterfully routed through impressive barrancas. It is a wonderful walk from great golf hole to great golf hole. The best golf course in the Chicago area!"
Read More2026
Review
“Shoreacres has one of the great, classic courses in the United States. What stood out immediately after my round, was the incredible routing around the property. The property is fairly flat with a number of barrancas running through the property that are needed to create interest. Mr. Raynor used these barrancas to perfection in the routing of the course to create strategic interest on most of the golf holes and to challenge the golfer, despite the lack of yardage. The result is great golf that gets every ounce out of the property. In connection with the routing, the golf course provides a diverse layout with a collection of unique golf holes. Obviously, the course is comprised of the typical, template golf holes that offer multiple shot options from tee to green. Of note, the template holes that stood out were the charming 2nd hole (Cape), the intimidating 11th hole (Road) and the dynamic 14th hole (Redan). The course conditions were impeccable with fast, firm fairways and pure putting surfaces. While Shoreacres is not a brute likely to test the best players, it's classic design and strategic use of angles and variety make it one of the special rounds of golf in the United States. It ranks with Fisher's Island as Mr. Raynor's best solo designs."
Read More2026
Review
“Shoreacres is such a unique course. Featuring both a classic Biarritz and a Redan template hole, as well as what seems to be a "flat" layout, with sneaky mounds and canyons, it was a treat to play."
Read More2026
Review
“Shoreacres Golf Club is a very aesthetic and very fun classic Seth Raynor design golf course. The huge trees, deep ravines that run throughout the golf course, and various plants and plantings make this a very unique and beautiful course. Conditioning is excellent with fast and firm fairways and greens that hold a well-struck shot and putt very true. Layout variety is excellent with long and short par 3's and 4's, uphill and downhill holes, and doglegs right and left as well as straight holes. There are several classic design holes including hole #3 = Leven, hole #6 = Biarritz with a very long green, hole #7 = Double Plateau, hole #8 = Eden, hole #10 = "Road Hole" design, and hole #14 = a pretty severe Redan hole. There is much strategy and multiple shot options from the tees, from the fairways, and around the greens."
Read More2025
Review
“Shoreacres Golf Club is a very aesthetic and very fun classic Seth Raynor design golf course. The huge trees, deep ravines that run throughout the golf course, and various plants and plantings make this a very unique and beautiful course. Conditioning is excellent with fast and firm fairways and greens that hold a well-struck shot and putt very true. Layout variety is excellent with long and short par 3's and 4's, uphill and downhill holes, and doglegs right and left as well as straight holes. There are several classic design holes including hole #3 = Leven, hole #6 = Biarritz with a very long green, hole #7 = Double Plateau, hole #8 = Eden, hole #10 = "Road Hole" design, and hole #14 = a pretty severe Redan hole. There is much strategy and multiple shot options from the tees, from the fairways, and around the greens."
Read More2025
Review
“Simply one of best walks in golf. Immaculate conditions surrounded by natural use of the ravine throughout the course, understated genius!"
Read More2025
Review
“Pay attention. On 2, you get a small glimpse of what is to come, a ravine to the left of the fairway. That topography will play an ever-increasing importance as you move through your round. Word is restoration work to Pettibone Creek is going to happen. Can it get better? I have not played a course the exudes the firm and fast conditions that are lauded by the golf design world in the Midwest more so. The ground game is alive and well at Shoreacres. Cheers!"
Read More2025
Review
“Shoreacres is a classic Seth Raynor design, with all of his signature green complexes. The course is a very interesting layout that is in fantastic condition, and it is clearly held in high regard by the members and staff. It is built near some ravines, which it does a great job of designing around and incorporating into the holes. The green complexes are fast and true, and in fantastic condition. It is a bit short to be considered challenging in this age of modern equipment, but just a very enjoyable round of golf and experience. If you get a chance to play Shoracres, jump on it."
Read More2025
Review
“Shoreacres is a classic Seth Raynor design, with all of his signature green complexes. The course is a very interesting layout that is in fantastic condition, and it is clearly held in high regard by the members and staff. It is built near some ravines, which it does a great job of designing around and incorporating into the holes. The green complexes are fast and true, and in fantastic condition. It is a bit short to be considered challenging in this age of modern equipment, but just a very enjoyable round of golf and experience. If you get a chance to play Shoracres, jump on it."
Read More2025
Review
“One of a kind place. Get here if you can!"
Read More2025
