With over 400 golf courses to choose where to play your next round, Illinois will satisfy most categories of golfer seeking to play a fun, leisurely round, or take on a few of the testing layouts.
The list of the top 10 golf courses in Illinois, may cause a few raised eyebrows from many pundits, but the task is never easy.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- Olympia Fields Country Club | South
- Medinah Country Club | Championship
- Olympia Fields Country Club | North
- Conway Farms Golf Club
- Chicago Highlands
- Beverley Golf Club
- Medinah Country Club | Medinah
- TPC at Deere Run
- The Glen Club
- Blackstone Golf Club
1. Olympia Fields Country Club | South
- Site Link
- Location: Olympia Fields, Illinois.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,495 meters off the Tips and 5,491 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – The 342-meter par 4 17th is the signature hole and is a blind shot dogleg.
The green is very quick and don’t get greedy on the tee shot, and give yourself a chance to make par.
The undulating course with tight tree-lined fairways and doglegs will test the accuracy off the tee for all who play here.
A creek, some cluster bunkers, and false fronts increase the challenge but make for an enjoyable round.
2. Medinah Country Club | Championship
- Site Link
- Location: Medinah, Illinois.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,999 meters off the Tips and 5,588 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 224-meter par 3 13th is the signature hole at Medinah 3 and plays over Lake Kadijah. The arrow-head shaped green is protected by 2 deep bunkers in the front and another bunker to the rear and left of the green.
The parkland layout with tree-lined fairways has an impressive record of hosting major top tournaments throughout its history.
It is a stern test for the pros and has a magnificent, but difficult closing few holes.
The course can be walked and 3 of the par 3s play over water.
A must-play if given the opportunity.
3. Olympia Fields Country Club | North
- Site Link
- Location: Olympia Fields, Illinois.
- Par: 70
- Length: 6,648 meters off the Tips and 5,658 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 406-meter par 4 14th hole is worthy of being the signature hole.
A tight tee shot to the narrow tree-lined fairway, protected by a creek on the right that then crosses just in front of the green, is all challenge.
The uphill approach across the creek to a fast green, with a false front, will be rewarded with a par.
A winding creek, penal deep bunkers, plenty of trees, and elevation changes make this a tough layout, that will challenge all skill levels.
The slick contoured greens require a deft touch with the putter, to score well.
The majestic, and largest clubhouse in the world awaits those who visit this facility.
4. Conway Farms Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Lake Forest, Illinois.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,596 meters off the Tips and 5,507 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 548-meter par 5 8th is the signature hole and the lake on the left forces the player to hit the tee shot to the right side of the fairway.
Attacking this green is a bold move as the penal bunkers protecting it can cause havoc with your scorecard.
Safe play is short, and the approach to the shallow green requires precision.
So many fantastic holes on this layout and accurate tee shots followed by precision irons will test the golfer’s shot-making ability. 4 lakes are in play during the round.
The tricky and somewhat shallow greens, with penal bunkers, can take their toll on the scorecard.
The last 3 holes are extremely challenging and playing to the center of the green is the play.
5. Chicago Highlands
- Site Link
- Location: Westchester, Illinois.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,755 meters off the Tips and 5,161 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
6 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 314-meter par 4 9th is the signature hole.
It plays uphill to a domed, tricky green, protected by a deep bunker on the left and a steep slope down the right.
Play for the middle of the green and 2 putts for par.
This links-style course was fashioned out of a waste site and a tremendous amount of earth was moved in the design. Mounds, water, deep grass all play their part in making it a challenging and enjoyable course to play.
The fairway and middle of the green are the 2 thought processes to conquer this layout.
6. Beverley Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Chicago, Illinois.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,413 meters off the Tips and 5,999 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 304-meter par 4 14th is the signature hole at Beverley and is a straight forward par 4 with 2 fairway bunkers to catch the errant drive.
Previously this hole was surrounded by hundreds of trees, which have subsequently been removed, with only a few remaining.
The green size was increased substantially.
Multiple restorations and the removal of thousands of trees have opened up the course for enjoyment and playability.
The front 9 sits on a global ridge whilst the back 9 has more rolling terrain and is the more difficult of the 2.
A few challenging holes will be appreciated by players of all skill levels.
7. Medinah Country Club | Medinah 1
- Site Link
- Location: Medinah, Illinois.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,303 meters off the Tips and 5,679 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 177-meter par 3 18th is the signature hole and can be a round breaker. It plays across the water from tee to green, with no bailout area.
Select the correct club and fire away.
A major redesign program and rerouting of holes have opened up the course.
Plenty of trees have been removed which has changed the character of the layout, making it a good and enjoyable test for all skill levels.
Medinah 2 is a favorite with female golfers.
8. TPC at Deere Run
- Site Link
- Location: Silvis, Illinois.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,566 meters off the Tips and 5,085 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
6 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 144-meter par 3 16th is the signature hole and requires an accurate, distance controlled tee shot.
Named “Mother Earth” this picturesque hole set on a bluff above the Rock River, is protected by bunkers and a shale outcrop.
Another fantastic TPC layout and good golfers will embrace the challenge.
It offers risk and reward holes, blind shots, and requires strategy and good shot making to score well.
Forced carries will keep the tension high as the round progresses, and a good few hours of discussion will follow on completion.
A must-play track.
9. The Glen Club
- Site Link
- Location: Glenview, Illinois.
- Par: 70
- Length: 5,736 meters off the Tips and 5,186 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 145-meter par 3 4th hole plays slightly downhill and is well protected by greenside bunkers.
The green is narrow but opens up a bit towards the back.
Select the correct club, but check the wind before playing.
The Glen Club is a course for all levels of golfers to enjoy.
The vistas can be distracting, but the rolling terrain, meandering streams, lakes, and elevation changes, require concentration to finish off the round.
Good greens are a bonus.
10. Blackstone Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Marengo, Illinois.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,315 meters off the Tips and 4,756 off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 214-meter par 3 17th is the signature hole and an outstanding golf hole. It plays over water to a very wide bunker protected green.
Getting the distance correct off the tee will allow for an opportunity for a 2.
Blackstone Golf Course has a variety of holes that require accuracy and distance control throughout the round.
Played through wetlands and dense forests, a good strategy will assist in recording a good score.
A hidden gem that should be played when in the territory.
Other Golf Courses Outside The Top 10
1. Metamora Fields Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Metamora, Illinois.
PLAYER RATING
Very much a traditional-style course on flat terrain it offers a variety of holes, with water hazards and bunkers to contend with.
A great course for a fun outing.
2. Evanston Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Skokie, Illinois.
PLAYER RATING
Tree-lined fairways and raised greens, all protected by bunkers, make this track a challenging, but fair course to play for all skill levels.
3. Flossmoor Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Flossmoor, Illinois.
PLAYER RATING
One of the first clubs to be established in the Midwest, this classic, parkland course, is an absolute pleasure to play for any golfer looking for a relaxed round of golf.
The semi-rough can be a challenge, so hit it straight.
Final Thoughts
Golfers are generally fairly easy to please when undertaking a short tour of one of the states in the USA.
Illinois provides the opportunity to play every type of course ever designed and making the choice creates its own problems.
Either way, wherever you play you will be treated to another great golfing experience.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
