Our Picks for The 10 Best Golf courses in Illinois
1. Chicago Golf Club
Address: 25W253 Warrenville Rd, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, Du Page County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 135
Course Rating: 73.4
Total par (men’s tees): 70
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,846
Scorecard: Link
Chicago Golf Club opened the country’s first 18-hole course in 1893, and was founded by renowned course designer and World Golf Hall of Fame member Charles B. Macdonald. Chicago Golf Club is the oldest 18-hole course in North America, it was one of the five founding clubs of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1894.
2. Shoreacres
Address: 1601 Shore Acres Rd, Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044, Lake County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 143
Course Rating: 77.1
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,327
Scorecard: Link
This Seth Raynor masterpiece lies in the sleepy town of Lake Bluff, Illinois. Seth Raynor constructed Shoreacres in 1919. Tom Doak’s Renaissance Design was involved in course restoration work in 1993.
3. Old Elm
Address: 800 Old Elm Rd, Highland Park, Illinois 60035, Lake County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 131
Course Rating: 73
Total par (men’s tees): 73
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,883
Scorecard: Link
Designed by Harry Colt the course was constructed by Donald J. Ross, ASGCA, the Old Elm golf course opened in 1913. Old Elm was restored in 2010, in which the club commissioned J. Drew Rogers which initially centered on a tree clearance program to widen playing corridors and open up sightlines.
4. Skokie Country Club
Address: 500 Washington Ave, Glencoe, Illinois 60022, Cook County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 141
Course Rating: 74.4
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,091
Scorecard: Link
Skokie Country Club was founded in 1897, it features a 7091-yard 18-hole course. The original course was designed by Tom Bendelow in 1904. It was turned into a Donald Ross course in 1914 when he redesigned it.
5. Butler National Golf Club
Address: 2616 York Rd, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523, Du Page County
Type of field: Traditional
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 152
Course Rating: 78.1
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,523
Scorecard: Link
Butler National was the creation of Paul Butler, an affluent entrepreneur, philanthropist, and sportsman who was the founder of the village of Oak Brook, Illinois. Architect George Fazio designed Butler in 1972, on what was previously York Country Club. This club was home to the PGA Tour’s Western Open from 1974-1990.
6. North at Olympia Fields Country Club
Address: 2800 Country Club Dr, Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461, Cook County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 150
Course Rating: 76.6
Total par (men’s tees): 70
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,353
Scorecard: Link
The North Course is formerly the club’s No. 4 Course. Designed by Musselburgh native Willie Park Jr. in 1923 who is also a two-time British Open champion and grandfather of inland golf design (1887 and 1889). Olympia Fields has hosted four major championships: two U.S. Opens (1928, 2003) and two PGA Championships (1925, 1961).
7. Black Sheep Golf Club
Address: 2S610 Seavey Rd, Sugar Grove, Illinois 60554, Kane County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 143
Course Rating: 75.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,111
Scorecard: Link
Black Sheep Golf Club was set up in 1999, a men’s only club located on former farming ground an hour west of downtown Chicago. A few keen golfers, who wanted their own private male-only members club with an unpretentious and casual atmosphere set up this golf course. Black Sheep holds its head high as one of the best and most unique tracks you can experience in Illinois.
8. Medinah Country Club #3
Address: 6N001 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL 60157, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 135
Course Rating: 73.3
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,895
Scorecard: Link
Medinah is famously known for its Course 3, which has hosted five major championships: three U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, 1990). Medinah will host the 2026 President’s Cup. The club was founded in 1924 by the Medinah Shriners (named after an Arabian city). The first golf course was opened in September 1925, followed by Course 2 in 1926, and finally Course 3 in 1928.
9. Beverly Country Club
Address: 8700 S Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60620, Cook County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 137
Course Rating: 74.
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,016
Scorecard: Link
The Beverly Country Club, is one of Chicago’s historical cornerstones. The club was founded in 1908 and initially designed by George O’Neil, also the club’s first professional golfer. Architect Tom Bendelow helped fortify the layout and architect Donald Ross renovated the course in 1918. In 2014, Beverly hosted the Western Amateur for the first time since 1930.
10. Flossmoor Country Club
Address: 1441 Western Ave, Flossmoor, IL 60422, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 135
Course Rating: 73.3
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,928
Scorecard: Link
Founded as Homewood Country Club in 1899, Flossmoor Golf Club was one of the first clubs established in the Midwest and designed by Herbert J. Tweedie, its name was later changed to Flossmoor. The club hosted the PGA Championship in 1920, also was host to the 1923 U.S. Amateur Championship.
