Best Public Golf Courses In Chicago

Golf, unlike most other sports, is a game for players, not necessarily winners, as courses and their challenges vary so widely. Although the Chicago Park District offers six courses in town, serious golfers have to travel just a little to satisfy their addiction to the sport that perhaps requires more mental agility than physical.
(Photo Credit: makraygolf.com)

(Photo Credit: makraygolf.com)

Makray Memorial Golf Club
1010 S. Northwest Highway
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 381-6500
www.makraygolf.com
 
Golfers go for Makray in Barrington for a number of reasons: it's extremely well kept, the holes are appropriately challenging with some stunning views and golfers get good feelings in the club house and pro shop from a genuinely friendly and helpful staff. The 18-hole championship caliber course offers four sets of tees, bunkers, fairways and greens, as well as a state of the art practice facility so you can practice your short game and putting, too. Makray consistently gets good grades for value, food and beverage quality, course conditions and the 18 holes of play.

Stonewall Orchard Golf Club
25675 W. Illinois Highway 60
Grayslake, IL 60030
(847) 740-4890
www.stonewallorchard.com
 
You won't find two holes that are even slightly similar at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Graylake. Designed by celebrated golf course architect, Arthur Hills, the course is very popular and diehard golfers constantly rate it as one of the best public courses in Illinois. Smooth greens in great shape, natural rolling landscape, sheer size, lush oak trees and wildlife keep the course a popular choice. But since it's tougher and a little pricier, expect to be able to play through most days. Golf Week, Golf Digest and Zagat give Stonewall Orchard high marks.
(Photo Credit: craneslandinggolf.com)

(Photo Credit: craneslandinggolf.com)

Crane's Landing
10 Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 634-5935
www.craneslandinggolf.com
 
The George Fazio 18-hole PGA golf course, which is part of the Marriott Lincolnshire resort, features some long, challenging holes, bent grass fairways, water challenges on 14 holes and kids 14 years old and younger can play for free after 3 p.m. when a full-paying adult plays along. The Audubon Certified Sanctuary means that views and wildlife are exceptional.

Sidney R. Marovitz Golf Course
3600 N. Recreation Drive
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-7930
www.sydneymarovitz.cpdgolf.com
 
You can't beat views of Lake Michigan and the iconic Chicago skyline while playing this nine-hole Chicago Park District course. Many golfers are pleasantly surprised about how well-maintained the course is for a public facility that gets a ton of wear and tear on its greens and fairways. The smart layout offers a challenge, however the most challenging aspect may be the pace of the game. Don't even think about a round on weekends or holidays.
 
Related: Best Chicagoland Golf Stores
The Arboretum Club
401 W. Half Day Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 913-1112
www.arboretumgolf.com
 
The holes at Arboretum Club challenge even the best golfers with perhaps the most water elements on an Illinois course – lakes, rivers and ponds – that not only make the game interesting but adds lovely aesthetics to the experience. The Dick Nugent-designed course that opened in 1990 is known for its tree-lined county club-like tees, fairways and greens in great condition, hospitable service in the clubhouse, tight layout and an ideal day on the links for analytic golfers.
 
Related: Most Affordable Golf Courses In Chicago
Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.