Many of the finest golf courses in Illinois can be found in and around Chicago, such as the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton. The club has a long and rich history in the nation as one of the five founding members of the United States Golf Association. Chicago Golf became the first venue outside the northeast to host the United States Open in 1897, though the location is better known as America’s first ever 18-hole golf course.
The course at Chicago Golf Club was designed and built by C.B. Macdonald, though it was significantly updated in 1923 by Seth Raynor. While the club has maintained the course over the years, the original vision has remained largely untouched. The course is especially popular among technical golfers, as the first four holes are considered one of the toughest golf openings.
The Chicago Golf Club ranks as the state’s top course with Golf Digest and one of seven Illinois courses to rank among the nation’s 100 best, at No. 13. The course at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook ranks No. 2 in Illinois and No. 49 in the United States. It has consistently ranked among the nation’s top 100 courses since 1975, peaking at No. 21 during the 2007-2008 season. It ranked as a top five course in Illinois from 1977 through 2010 and has maintained its No. 2 ranking since 2017.
The design of Butler National was conceived by George Fazio, who included 10 mandatory plays over water hazards out of 18 championship-caliber holes. The private course was selected as the permanent host of the Western Open before completion. Still, the well-reviewed course has undergone several scandals and, in 1990, had to relinquish rights to the tournament. Professionals initially disliked playing on bluegrass in a cold weather climate, while modern golfers have become increasingly unsupportive of the club’s decision to allow only male golfers on the grounds.
That said, several challenging and visually arresting courses can be found throughout the state. For example, the course at Shoreacres Golf Club in Lake Bluff is one of the state’s most beautiful and visually distinct. Similar to the opening challenge of the course at Chicago Golf Club, Shoreacres Golf Club is known for a six hole stretch cutting through steep ravines that test a golfer’s range and control
Outside of holes 10 through 15, the course at Shoreacres presents a simpler layout. However, designer Seth Raynor refrained from his typical template hole design to create several large, irregular greens perfect for target golf. These two attractions come together on Hole 15, a 520-yard par 5 that unfurls around an expanse of the ravine, tempting golfers with a risk-reward decision about going around or over the ravine. Shoreacres ranks No. 3 in the state with Golf Digest and No. 54 in the US.
Other well-reviewed courses in Illinois can be found at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park, the Flossmoor Golf Club, the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, and the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont. Course No. 4 at Cog Hill is particularly well regarded.
