When most of us think about Illinois golf, images of Medinah Country Club, the U.S Open and the Ryder Cup come immediately to mind. Or Tiger winning 5 times at Cog Hill (Western Open—1997, 1999 and 2003, BMW—2007 and 2009).
What you may not know, however, is that Illinois is #1 when it comes to public municipal golf. Of the 146 Muni courses in the Illinois, 65 received a GolfDay Rating of 80 or higher, and 11 received a rating above 90.
The GolfDay Rating
The GolfDay Rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect who did the original design, updates that have been done since the course was built, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest, Golfweek, and Links Magazine (as well as other authoritative sources), the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning, and current course reviews.
Consideration is also given for facilities that offer junior golf programs, a golf academy or golf leagues. Resort ratings also include a factor for the variety of courses located at the property, as well as the quality of accommodations. The GolfDay Rating is structured on the same basis as a test score—from 0 to 100. Over 90 is outstanding, 80–89 is very good and 70-79 is above average.
The Top 11
- Harborside International Golf Center, Chicago
Holes: 36
2 Eighteen Hole Courses (Port/Starboard)
Architect: Dick Nugent
USGA Course/Slope Rating
Port: 74.6/137
Starboard: 74.5/134
Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Golf Academy.
Website
GolfDay Rating: 98.9
- The Highlands of Elgin, Elgin
Holes: 18
Website
Architect: Larry Packard/Dick Nugent/Ken Killian/Keith Foster/Arthur Schaupeter
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/139
Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Indoor Golf Simulator.
GolfDay Rating: 98.8
- Thunderhawk Golf Club, Beach Park
Holes: 18
Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/141
Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
Website
GolfDay Rating: 93.9
- Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton
Holes: 27
3 Nine Hole Courses: East/West/South
Architect: Stanley Pelchar/David Gill/Greg Martin
USGA Course/Slope Rating
East: 36.4/133
West: 36.2/133
South: 36.5/135
Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3).
Website
GolfDay Rating: 92.3
- Schaumburg Golf Club & Academy, Schaumburg
Holes: 27
Architect: Bob Lohman
USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Tournament: 35.5/129
Baer: 35.5/126
Player’s: 34.8/128
Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Grass Saturday and Sunday, Mats Monday through Friday), Putting and Chipping Greens. Learning Center with Indoor Golf Simulators (3).
Website
GolfDay Rating: 91.9
- Shepherd’s Crook Golf Course, Zion
Holes: 18
Architect: Keith Foster/Kevin Hargrave
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.1/130
Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Green.
Website
GolfDay Rating: 91.2
- Mount Prospect Golf Club, Mount Prospect
Holes: 18
Architect: Davis Esler
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.3/135
Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets Greens, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
Website
GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Sunset Valley Golf Club, Highland Park
Holes: 18
Architect: Dick Nugent/Ken Killian/Bob Lohman
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.2/134
Practice Facilities: Warm Up Nets, Putting and Chipping Green.
Website
GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Glencoe Golf Club, Glencoe
Holes: 18
Architect: Dick Nugent/Ken Killian/Bob Lohman
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.3/133
Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
Website
GolfDay Rating: 90.7
With so many great municipal courses to play, the folks in Illinois are fortunate indeed.
And if you are visiting the Prairie State, it won’t be hard to find a great track without breaking the bank!