Where To Play Golf In Chicago

By Susan Comolli Davis

The town of great pizza and the 2016 World Series champs has a roster of stellar private clubs—Medinah, Olympia Fields and Butler National come to mind—but Chicago may be better known as the public golf capital of the U.S., offering an astonishing number of nationally recognized daily-fee courses.

Photo by Nick Ulivieri Photography

The town of great pizza and the 2016 World Series champs has a roster of stellar private clubs—Medinah, Olympia Fields and Butler National come to mind—but Chicago may be better known as the public golf capital of the U.S., offering an astonishing number of nationally recognized daily-fee courses. For starters, there is solid golf within the city limits—hail a cab and you can be teeing it up lakeside in minutes. Just outside the boundaries, in the burbs to the south, north and west (easy drives on interstates) awaits an abundance of plush courses that offer good value and high-caliber golf. Most are classic parkland layouts, serving up the traditional challenges of old-school golf, but you'll also find several links in the mix, with windswept prairie as the backdrop. The only downside is that the golf season is somewhat short, typically running from late March through October, although playing into November is not unheard of. Plus, in the fall you get the bonus of changing leaves—and for Cubs fans, a possible repeat.

CANTIGNY GOLF CLUB
From bag drop to finish, a round at Cantigny is a top experience that will test the full measure of your game. This premium parkland property in Chicago's western burbs boasts a spot on Golf Digest's "Best in State" list. Its three nines jog through leafy fairways and numerous lakes. Castle Keep, the dramatic par 3 No. 8 on Woodside, is all carry to a green with a moat-like defense. Hillside is the shortest of the three nines but has some of the toughest holes. Hang out after the round for a burger and beer on the inviting outdoor patio with golf course views. cantignygolf.com; 630-668-3323

COG HILL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
There's something for everyone at this Chicago golf landmark, which celebrated its 90th birthday in July and is still run by the Jemsek family (founder Joe, the patriarch of public golf, died in 2002). Those who take on No. 4 are in for a substantial challenge (a round here will really show you how your game stacks up). It's the most decorated of the four courses, with a coveted spot on Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses ranking. No. 2 (Ravines), sometimes called the poor man's Dubs, is less demanding, with some fun downhill holes, reachable par 5s and a bonus feature: an actual 19th hole—a sporty par 3. coghillgolf.com

THE GLEN CLUB
Membership may have its privileges at this upscale facility on Chicago's tony North Shore, but daily fee golfers can enjoy the private club's amenities too, from the beautifully laid out Tom Fazio course to the sprawling clubhouse with comfy overnight-guest accommodations. Fazio created the course from scratch, transforming the flat former Navy air base into a layout with wow factor: elevation changes reaching almost 40 feet in spots, rolling berms, thousands of mature trees, flowing prairie grass. To many, it's the tops you can play in the state. Adding to the fun are a fleet of GolfBoards and the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. www.theglenclub.com

HARBORSIDE INTERNATIONAL GOLF CENTER
What was once city landfill is now a top 36-hole golf complex with a pair of upscale Scottish-style links, Port and Starboard, about 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago. The courses are well-maintained, and the bunkers are in ship-shape, after a $1.7 million renovation in the spring. Its layout, fescue, dunes and bunkers have drawn comparisons to Muirfield. With often windy conditions, the bump-and-run may become your best friend. The property sits atop one of the area's highest points, yielding views of the skyline and lake. Fun facts: On Port, the signature par 3 has a green complex shaped like an anchor, and in 2001 Bill Clinton aced the 145-yard sixth hole here. harborsidegolf.com

JACKSON PARK GOLF COURSE
For a Southside slice of history just off the lake, this is hands-down the best 18-hole value in Chicago. Boxing great Joe Louis was a regular, and Horton Smith, the first and two-time Masters winner, played the course. At 5,463 yards, this walkable muni built in 1899 is part of the Chicago Park District and has a devoted local following. Long on history—and now, controversy, as the proposed development to merge Jackson Park and South Shore, its 9-hole lakeside neighbor, into a PGA tournament-caliber course designed by Tiger Woods looks like a go. Play it while you can for the easy access, sense of history and the price—30 bucks on weekdays. jacksonpark.cpdgolf.com

PRAIRIE LANDING GOLF CLUB
This Robert Trent Jones, Jr. links-style layout is always in excellent shape. Its open fairways allow you to let loose off the tee, but the strategically placed bunkers and contours will keep you in check. Windy conditions can whip up the challenge, which includes firm, fast sloping greens, tall grass, swales and wetlands to negotiate. The practice facilities are among the best you'll find and include two par-4 practice holes that are as good as any on the course. The clubhouse's McChesney's Pub and Grill, with its fireplaces, wood paneling, big screen TVs and good pub fare, is a cozy spot to curl up after your round.
prairielanding.com

RAVISLOE GOLF CLUB
Ravisloe Golf Club has the charm and elegance of a private club—and that's because it used to be one. It was built in 1901 and became public in 2009 when it changed ownership. Donald Ross was invited to put his imprint on the course in the late teens (1917-1919), and his fine-tuning is evident today, with extensive bunkering around the small greens and waste areas. Short by today's standards at 6,300 yards, Ravisloe is an ideal layout for walking and presents many risk-reward challenges amid its tree-lined fairways. The clubhouse was designed by George Nimmons, who also designed the clubhouse at the famed Olympia Fields. Ravisloe is accessible from the Metra commuter train; in fact, the Homewood train station is right across the street from its gates. Call ahead and the staff will come pick you up in a cart. ravisloe.com

STONEWALL ORCHARD GOLF CLUB
If you're in need of a healthy dose of nature, put unspoiled Stonewall Orchard on your play list. In the serene, rolling landscape an hour north of Chicago, there are no houses and few holes parallel each other. Said to have more than 60,000 pines and oaks, this Arthur Hills design is no walk in the park though: it's 7,124 from the tips and requires some lengthy carries over marsh and water. No wonder it's a US Open qualifying site. Choose the right tee and you'll have more options. The upscale clubhouse with restaurant and locker rooms, the top-drawer practice area, and touch-screen GPS (where you can order food and drinks from the cart) add to one of the best public golf experiences in the state. stonewallorchard.com; 847-740-4890

THUNDERHAWK GOLF CLUB
Although it's a bit of a hike from Chicago (an hour north), area golfers in the know say this Robert Trent Jones, Jr., course is worth the drive for its natural beauty, secluded setting, immaculate conditions and great value. Thousands of maple trees make it especially scenic in the fall. Often ranked in the top ten public courses in northern Illinois, ThunderHawk, a muni, has five sets of tees stretching from 5000 to 7000 yards. Big hitters who love to unleash the driver will relish the ample fairways. In true RTJ, Jr. style, the greens are huge with a lot of break. Devotees say to put this on your don't-miss list. thunderhawkgolfclub.org; 847-968-4295

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