When most people think about Illinois the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is the busy city of Chicago. But you would be surprised to know how many great public golf courses are located in/around Chicago and Illinois in general. From beautiful city views to lush forest courses there is something for everyone.
Whether you are looking to play in the Chicagoland area or taking a little road trip there will be something for you. A good thing to keep in mind is there is also great golf in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan which are all within 100 miles of Chicago.
We will first be taking a look at how Golf Digest, Golf Week, and Golf Pass have rated Illinois public courses. We have then compiled our list based off of how others have rated them, online reviews, and our own experiences. There are a lot of great courses in the Chicago land area so get those clubs ready!
Golf Digest’s Top 18 Courses (no specific order)
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club: Dubsdread
TPC Deere Run
The Glen Club
Stonewall Orchard Golf Club
Cantigny Golf
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
Mistwood Golf Club
WeaverRidge Golf Club
Thunderhawk Golf Course
Fyre Lake Golf Club
Chalet Hills Golf Club
Mt. Prospect Golf Club
Pine Meadow Golf Club
The Preserve at Oak Meadows
The Highlands of Elgin
Ravisloe Country Club
Harborside International Golf Center: Starboard
Prairie Landing Golf Club
Golf Week’s Top 15 2021
1. Cog Hill GC (No. 4-Dubsdread)
2. TPC Deere Run
3. Stonewall Orchard
4. Highlands of Elgin
5. The Glen Club
6. Thunderhawk
7. Eagle Ridge (The General)
8. Preserve at Oak Meadow
9. Weaver Ridge
10. Mistwood
11. Ravisloe
T12. Cantigny
T12. Harborside International (Starboard)
14. Mt. Prospect
15. Prairie Landing
Golf Pass’s Top 15 2024 (There full top 25 can be found here)
Bolingbrook Golf Club
Annbrair Golf Course
Cantigny Golf
Gateway National Golf Links
PrairieView Golf Club
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club - #2 Ravines
Indian Springs Golf Club
Thunderhawk Golf Course
El Paso Golf Club
Shepherds Crook Golf Course
Hickory Ridge Public Golf Course
McHenry Country Club
Arrowhead Golf Club
Shady Oaks Country Club
Atkins Golf Club at U of I
MVRK’s top 15
Illinois is home to some of the finest public golf courses in the country, offering a mix of challenging layouts, beauty, and accessibility to golfers of all skill levels. No matter your skill level, these 15 courses are sure to provide an unforgettable golfing experience:
1. Cog Hill Golf & Country Club (Course #4 - Dubsdread) - Lemont, IL (~29 miles SW of ORD): Designed by Dick Wilson & Joe Lee
2. ThunderHawk Golf Club - Beach Park, IL (~39 miles N of ORD): Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
3. Cantigny Golf - Wheaton, IL (~27 miles W of ORD): Designed by Roger Packard
4. Mistwood Golf Club - Romeoville, IL (~25 miles SW of ORD): Designed by Ray Hearn
5. Ravisloe Country Club - Homewood, IL (~32 miles N of ORD): Designed by Donald Ross
6. The Links at Carillon - Plainfield, IL (~35 miles SW of ORD): Designed by Greg Martin
7. The Glen Club - Glenview, IL (~12 miles N of ORD): Designed by Tom Fazio
8. Bowes Creek Country Club - Elgin, IL (~24 miles NW of ORD): Designed by Rick Jacobson
9. Orchard Valley Golf Course - Aurora, IL (~30 miles W of ORD): Designed by Ken Kavanaugh
10. Foxford Hills Golf Club - Cary, IL (~33 miles NW of ORD): Designed by Timothy Nugent
11. Settler's Hill Golf Course - Batavia, IL (~34 miles W of ORD): Designed by Bob Loham
12. Balmoral Woods Country Club - Crete, IL (~44 miles S of ORD): Designed by George Fazio
13. Blackstone Golf Club - Marengo, IL (~55 miles NW of ORD): Designed by Bob Loham
14. Whitetail Ridge Golf Club - Yorkville, IL (~43 miles W of ORD): Designed by Greg Martin
15. The Highlands of Elgin Golf Course - Elgin, IL (~30 miles NW of ORD): Designed by Kieth Foster
Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just starting out, these 15 public golf courses in Illinois offer a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone. So grab your clubs and tee it up at one of these fantastic courses!
Works Cited
Lusk, Jason. “Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play: Illinois.” Golfweek, 6 July 2021, golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/golfweek-best-courses-you-can-play-illinois/. Accessed 12 May 2024.
Powell, Drew. “The Best Courses You Can Play in Illinois.” Golf Digest, 30 Aug. 2022, www.golfdigest.com/courses/guides/best-public-courses-illinois. Accessed 12 May 2024.
“Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Illinois - Golfers’ Choice 2024.” Golf Advisor, 1 Mar. 2024, www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/best-of/best-public-golf-courses-illinois-golfers-choice-2024. Accessed 12 May 2024.