Chicago golf trip

Since we aren’t able to go to Ireland, we are replacing that with a trip to Chicago. We already have Medina and Dubsdread lined up. What other public courses would you recommend?

Cantigny, Mistwood, Harborside (Port + Starboard), Glen Club, Thunderhawk, Ravisloe.

Thx

For a cheap municipal course Innwood GC in Joliet (30 miles sw of the city). Grew up on it and dad still works there. Has an island green par 4 and a very scoreable back 9 staring (3,5,3,5,3).

I'd add Blackstone, Highlands of Elgin, Stonewall Orchard, and Prairie Landing.

Haven't played it in years but Cog Hill was fun.

At least spell Medinah right...

Where are you staying? Downtown? Mistwood, Prairie Landing and Thunderhawk are good options but a bit of a ride. I will say due to Covid it is easier to get around right now.

Medinah.. Is that better?

We will be out near Oakbrook/Lombard.

That's a great location for access to highways. From there you can pretty much play any course in the area. Traffic right now is about as light as it's ever been. When do you plan to come out?

Blackstone, Highlands of Elgin, Bowes Creek, Mistwood, Preserve at Oak Meadows are all solid options.

I'd suggest playing Metamora Fields on the way up from St Louis. It is now one of my favorites in the state is just a little detour off 55 on the way up from St Louis. Everyone else pretty much hit it on the head with the local courses. If you play gateway a lot in St Louis I'd suggest Harborside. I refer to it as Chicago's gateway national to my buddies back in Stl. Gateway is better, but you have slight city views and both courses are usually in above average condition -faux-links style golf. Tops of my ranks here would be Cantigny, Mistwood and Preserve @ Oak Meadows. Followed closely by the west group - Blackstone, Highlands of Elgin and Blackstone.

Most of the courses that I would recommend have already been listed here by others.  From where you are staying, I would try to go to Cantigny for sure.
And for what it's worth, I've always liked #2 at Cog Hill just as much (even better since the re-design of #4) as Dubs#4.
There's plenty of good golf in the Chicago area, but if you're up for a bit of a drive head to Weaver Ridge in Peoria.  Probably my favorite public track in Illinois.
Have fun!

No love for Shepherd's Crook?  I have heard it's a nice design.

On 8/7/2020 at 7:26 AM, Argonne69 said:

I'd add Blackstone, Highlands of Elgin, Stonewall Orchard, and Prairie Landing.

I see your posts on golf pics, and you have certainly played a lot of courses in the area.We have 4 booked for now. Butler National, Medinah, Dubsdread, and  Mistwood. 

17 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

I see your posts on golf pics, and you have cetainly played a lot of courses in the area.We have 3 booked for now. Butler National, Medinah, Dubsdread, and  Mistwood. 

I'd say that's about as good as you can do for a mixture of private/public courses around Chitown.   

On 8/23/2020 at 10:17 PM, Chanceman said:

No love for Shepherd's Crook?  I have heard it's a nice design.

It's a very nice course. If the wind is from the south you get a great sampling of the adjacent garbage dump. Lol. I think most folks would say that Thunderhawk and Stonewall Orchard are better courses in the far northern suburbs.

Tee Times are finalized! Can't wait till the end of next month:

Cog Hill Dubsdread

Butler National

Medinah #3

Mistwood

Conway Farms

On 8/23/2020 at 10:17 PM, Chanceman said:

No love for Shepherd's Crook?  I have heard it's a nice design.

I like it a lot. Great walking course, not many long green to tee walks.

Par 3’s good variety,  200, 165, 150, 130.

Green speeds are very acceptable for a mini.

Charlie the head greenskeeper is a good guy.
A couple tee boxes are shabby, but not a mess.

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Tee Times are finalized! Can't wait till the end of next month:

Cog Hill Dubsdread

Butler National

Medinah #3

Mistwood

Conway Farms

 

 

You are hitting some of the best we have to offer in Chicagoland.  The only one that I could add would be Shoreacres.  I hear that is a gem! Can’t wait to read your recaps.

50 minutes ago, Apindara said:

You are hitting some of the best we have to offer in Chicagoland.  The only one that I could add would be Shoreacres.  I hear that is a gem! Can’t wait to read your recaps.

Thanks! I’ll have to catch that one the next time.

On 8/28/2020 at 2:11 PM, hammergolf said:

Tee Times are finalized! Can't wait till the end of next month:

Cog Hill Dubsdread

Butler National

Medinah #3

Mistwood

Conway Farms

 

 

That is a great lineup. I lived in Chicago for 5 years and only played Mistwood off of your list. They keep that course in pristine condition. You will enjoy it. My all time best (76) at that course. Best practice facility I have ever experienced. 

23 hours ago, DallasDan said:

That is a great lineup. I lived in Chicago for 5 years and only played Mistwood off of your list. They keep that course in pristine condition. You will enjoy it. My all time best (76) at that course. Best practice facility I have ever experienced. 

 

No doubt looking forward to it!

Impressive lineup of courses. Mind sharing how you got on to so many great (private) tracks?

7 hours ago, UCBananaboy said:

Impressive lineup of courses. Mind sharing how you got on to so many great (private) tracks?

It’s good to have friends in the golf business..

On 9/6/2020 at 3:22 PM, UCBananaboy said:

Impressive lineup of courses. Mind sharing how you got on to so many great (private) tracks?

Butler is really the only one that takes any extra effort. Medinah and Conway are good private courses, but with a couple of emails you can get on either pretty easily. It took a lot more to get a time at Butler. 

On 9/6/2020 at 11:22 PM, UCBananaboy said:

Impressive lineup of courses. Mind sharing how you got on to so many great (private) tracks?

This really isn't a secret is it?

1. Your a member of a private club and have your pro call

2. You use Thousand Greens via your private club membership

3. Charity auctions

4. Friends-the old fashioned way I guess

5. Occasionally some courses allow unaccompanied outside play midweek afternoons with some kind overtures.

On 9/6/2020 at 3:22 PM, UCBananaboy said:

Impressive lineup of courses. Mind sharing how you got on to so many great (private) tracks?

If you live in Chicago area, it's pretty easy to find a way onto most any course except Old Elm and Chicago. It took me 3 years to get onto Chicago, Old Elm, I've never met a member personally. 

23 hours ago, Thunder Dan said:

If you live in Chicago area, it's pretty easy to find a way onto most any course except Old Elm and Chicago. It took me 3 years to get onto Chicago, Old Elm, I've never met a member personally. 

If you aren't a member at a reciprocal club, or don't have a business or member association, your chance of playing Butler is close to zero. Definately not what I'd call an easy get.