Best Public Golf Courses In Chicago
(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.
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)
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.
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
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
