Top 5 Public Courses in Chicago area?

[mci711]

I think there is a clear top 5-8 courses in Chicagoland and they have all been mentioned a few times. All are well worth a play. I like Kankakee Elks and think it is a very underrated course, but it probably needs to be cleaned up a little bit. It could be an awesome course if it had one of those fancy renovations.

 

That being said, I can't get behind Balmoral. I'm not sure it is in the top 30 public courses in the area.

It wasn't that long ago that I found the one who design Kankakee was the gent that designed Skokie CC (Langford)

Definitely going on the list to play

 

Played there last year, unless you are a big-time architecture guy it isn't worth the drive. Couple interesting original holes, but it isn't in good shape other than the greens, for the most part, those were solid. Tee boxes and fairways were trash. Also, I booked a tee time online and when I got there they had an outing and the course was full. Guy said I should have called, even though I booked online? Was able to get out off the back after telling him I drove an hour. There are 25+ courses in the area that are better.

 

Posting my yearly preseason vote for Big Run

 

As far as the 25 courses mentioned above, Big Run is far from one of those.

[SpeedKills7]

Posting my yearly preseason vote for Big Run

Last season before it is houses. Make sure to get out this year.

 

As cash-strapped as Foxford & Chalet Hills are, I think they were both rescued out of bankruptcy by the town of Cary >>>> They should offer one of the courses at 1/2 off *if you played the other earlier in the day.

I’ve always thought Chalet was a great course

[KMo23]

It surprises me that Arrowhead is rarely mentioned in the Top IL Courses threads.

That’s because you’re First person to ever nominate it as a top course in iL!

[Argonne69]

Ok, very good to know what are the best in the area. But we are planning a trip to Sand Valley and will arrive at ORD just before dark. It would be great to play one of these publics next day before heading north. So where could we stay the first night and which course would be best for us leading into the WI leg which wll include Kohler?

 

If you're heading to Sand Valley first, I think Blackstone in Marengo would be the best bet. It's 42 miles from ORD on the way to Madison on I-90, and just a few minutes off the highway.

[mci711]

Ok, very good to know what are the best in the area. But we are planning a trip to Sand Valley and will arrive at ORD just before dark. It would be great to play one of these publics next day before heading north. So where could we stay the first night and which course would be best for us leading into the WI leg which wll include Kohler?

 

If you're heading to Sand Valley first, I think Blackstone in Marengo would be the best bet. It's 42 miles from ORD on the way to Madison on I-90, and just a few minutes off the highway.

 

God I can't wait till its warm so I can go back to Blackstone. I agree with this suggestion.

[Chanceman]

Tell me about Blackstone. Is it better than The Glen Club and Thunderhawk?

[Argonne69]

The Glen Club is my favorite public course in Chicago, but it's also the most expensive. Blackstone is definitely in the top 10, and maybe the top 5. It's been years since I played Thunderhawk, but I'd rank it below Blackstone. I think it would crack the top 10 for most players.

 

All three courses are fairly similar in that they're basically prairie-style layouts with plenty of native grasses, uneven lies, and enough water to keep you on your toes. There are trees, but not enough that I would classify them as parkland. Thus prairie-style.

 

Here are a few pics from Blackstone:

 

 

 

 

 

[Chanceman]

Where would you stop overnight close to Blackstone?

ps is Stonewall Orchard in the conversation as first stop N/NW out of Chicago?

[Hybrid]

I’ll go a little out from the center of the fairway, in no particular order.

 

Balmoral Woods

Deer Creek

Lincoln Oaks

Longwood

Lost Marsh

Palmira

[Argonne69]

Where would you stop overnight close to Blackstone?

ps is Stonewall Orchard in the conversation as first stop N/NW out of Chicago?

 

There are hotels along I-90 from O'Hare to Randall Rd (Elgin, IL). The Rt 31 (Elgin, IL) exit has 6 hotels within 1/4 mile of the exit, and it's a 20 minute drive to Blackstone from there. There's not much in the way of decent hotels from Randall Rd to the course.

 

Stonewall Orchard is a Top 10 course, but its north of the city. If you were planning to stop at Kohler first, it would be a very good choice. It's a little tougher route to Sand Valley, but still doable.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Posting my yearly preseason vote for Big Run

Last season before it is houses. Make sure to get out this year.

 

Is this confirmed, or is it rumor? Already established with Lockport?

[DavePelz4]

Posting my yearly preseason vote for Big Run

Last season before it is houses. Make sure to get out this year.

 

Is this confirmed, or is it rumor? Already established with Lockport?

 

This is from the Herald on Jan 19, 2019. Think we have a bit of time based on this.

 

The Big Run Golf Club is looking for developers as it plans to close in a few years and be replaced by a large mixed-residential development.

The owners plan to replace the 84-year-old, 220-acre golf course with a 515-unit residential community that would include single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and senior housing along with conservation open spaces.

The committee was presented with three measures to review that the City Council would need to approve in order to move forward with Big Run’s plans.

“This is an exciting growth opportunity for Lockport we probably haven’t seen for a long time,” Benson said.

Before any construction can take place, the city needs to annex the unincorporated Big Run property located between New Avenue and Smith Road and 135th and 143rd streets, which is an unassigned area, according to a 2014 boundary agreement with Romeoville.

But, the city must first annex two properties east of Smith Road in order to establish contiguity.

The city also needs to show it can feasibly link utilities to the proposed development.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

It will be a sad day.

 

Thanks for the info. I will savor my remaining rounds there.

[mci711]

The sooner the better. Course is an abomination.

[VNutz]

I love the differing opinions on it, swing so wildly from one side to another. I've only played it once, I most certainly wouldn't like to play it on a regular basis as there were some silly spots, but there was something about the property, old school layout and design and the abundance of trees that I found appealing. Courses like it can't just be built; once they're gone they're gone.

[mci711]

I love the differing opinions on it, swing so wildly from one side to another. I've only played it once, I most certainly wouldn't like to play it on a regular basis as there were some silly spots, but there was something about the property, old school layout and design and the abundance of trees that I found appealing. Courses like it can't just be built; once they're gone they're gone.

 

You are right. I'd prefer it to stay open, don't like to see courses being shut down in general. Also, the more courses that are open the more spread out the golfers are around here haha.

[DavePelz4]

I love the differing opinions on it, swing so wildly from one side to another. I've only played it once, I most certainly wouldn't like to play it on a regular basis as there were some silly spots, but there was something about the property, old school layout and design and the abundance of trees that I found appealing. Courses like it can't just be built; once they're gone they're gone.

 

It pains me to agree with V but I'm 100% with him on this. Big Run is coming up on being 90 years old. Love it or hate it, the maturation of the course is paralleled by few courses in our area. It's quirky in places unfair in others but there just aren't any other courses like it in our area. The bar says Northern Wisconsin as opposed to Burbs of Chicago. I've only played it maybe 10 times, I'll miss it whenever it goes.

[Vanderslam9]

If I were to recomend public golf to an out of towner in Chicago, I would say Dubs, Cantigny, Ruffled Feathers (Pete Dye- just poor conditioning), Maple Meadows, and Medinah ;)

[DavePelz4]

If I were to recomend public golf to an out of towner in Chicago, I would say Dubs, Cantigny, Ruffled Feathers (Pete Dye- just poor conditioning), Maple Meadows, and Medinah ;)

 

Did you just sneak in Maple Meadows to see if people were paying attention?

[psygolf]

I think there is a clear top 5-8 courses in Chicagoland and they have all been mentioned a few times. All are well worth a play. I like Kankakee Elks and think it is a very underrated course, but it probably needs to be cleaned up a little bit. It could be an awesome course if it had one of those fancy renovations.

 

That being said, I can't get behind Balmoral. I'm not sure it is in the top 30 public courses in the area.

It wasn't that long ago that I found the one who design Kankakee was the gent that designed Skokie CC (Langford)

Definitely going on the list to play

 

Played there last year, unless you are a big-time architecture guy it isn't worth the drive. Couple interesting original holes, but it isn't in good shape other than the greens, for the most part, those were solid. Tee boxes and fairways were trash. Also, I booked a tee time online and when I got there they had an outing and the course was full. Guy said I should have called, even though I booked online? Was able to get out off the back after telling him I drove an hour. There are 25+ courses in the area that are better.

 

Posting my yearly preseason vote for Big Run

 

As far as the 25 courses mentioned above, Big Run is far from one of those.

You might not need to look beyond the daily manicure from time to time...pull the nose away from the painting in order to take in the full picture of a golf course.

[mci711]

I think there is a clear top 5-8 courses in Chicagoland and they have all been mentioned a few times. All are well worth a play. I like Kankakee Elks and think it is a very underrated course, but it probably needs to be cleaned up a little bit. It could be an awesome course if it had one of those fancy renovations.

 

That being said, I can't get behind Balmoral. I'm not sure it is in the top 30 public courses in the area.

It wasn't that long ago that I found the one who design Kankakee was the gent that designed Skokie CC (Langford)

Definitely going on the list to play

 

Played there last year, unless you are a big-time architecture guy it isn't worth the drive. Couple interesting original holes, but it isn't in good shape other than the greens, for the most part, those were solid. Tee boxes and fairways were trash. Also, I booked a tee time online and when I got there they had an outing and the course was full. Guy said I should have called, even though I booked online? Was able to get out off the back after telling him I drove an hour. There are 25+ courses in the area that are better.

 

Posting my yearly preseason vote for Big Run

 

As far as the 25 courses mentioned above, Big Run is far from one of those.

You might not need to look beyond the daily manicure from time to time...pull the nose away from the painting in order to take in the full picture of a golf course.

 

Not sure if you are referring to Kankakee, Big Run or both. I can see the defense of Kankakee as the layout is above average. But having a good layout with very below average conditions doesn't really make it worth over an hour drive. If it were in Naperville or up north etc I would get playing it a couple times a year. Big Run, well if you think it is a good course or layout then there is no point in arguing. The awful conditions, no range/practice area, dated clubhoues and mini golf layout make it one of the worst courses in the area. Being old doesn't make it good.

[psygolf]

MCI

 

It’s obvious that it’s the fringe benefits that are important to you. You’re welcome to your .02

 

Big Run has the best collection of par 3s & par 5s around. The warts of the course do not bug me.

If the greens ran at cc speeds it would eat everyone up.

[KMo23]

MCI

 

It’s obvious that it’s the fringe benefits that are important to you. You’re welcome to your .02

 

Big Run has the best collection of par 3s & par 5s around. The warts of the course do not bug me.

If the greens ran at cc speeds it would eat everyone up.

 

Wow could you imagine those green complexes at a 10+???? Wow it’d be challenging!

[stasek]

Big Fun is where I played my first ever 18 holes (130+ strokes later, I was hooked) and coincidentally is the closest course to my house. Back in the day, when they actually cared for it, they had a sign on 11th green - “maximum 4 putts”, or something like this. KMo23 is right - these greens would be impossible to putt in if they got them to 10+. Despite its’ quirks, it’s a “one of a kind experience”, especially in the Chicago area. Even though I don’t play it as much as I should, I’ll definitely miss it.

[psygolf]

Big Fun is where I played my first ever 18 holes (130+ strokes later, I was hooked) and coincidentally is the closest course to my house. Back in the day, when they actually cared for it, they had a sign on 11th green - "maximum 4 putts", or something like this. KMo23 is right - these greens would be impossible to putt in if they got them to 10+. Despite its' quirks, it's a "one of a kind experience", especially in the Chicago area. Even though I don't play it as much as I should, I'll definitely miss it.

When I was younger, I loved it when one of my friends were convinced they could walk the course...watching them that final walk up #18.

 

"Dead Man Walking!"

[mci711]

Big Fun is where I played my first ever 18 holes (130+ strokes later, I was hooked) and coincidentally is the closest course to my house. Back in the day, when they actually cared for it, they had a sign on 11th green - "maximum 4 putts", or something like this. KMo23 is right - these greens would be impossible to putt in if they got them to 10+. Despite its' quirks, it's a "one of a kind experience", especially in the Chicago area. Even though I don't play it as much as I should, I'll definitely miss it.

 

If #11 green was on a course like Cog Hill 4 it would be eviscerated. If #9 was at Cantigny it would be one of the worst holes in the city. Big Run gets a pass because it isn't a good course and it isn't being held to those standards. In my opinion. I totally get it being fun and going out there occasionally knowing what you are getting into. The first time I went, I went in thinking I was playing a top course/didn't know what I was getting into. I'll probably never play it again, it left a bad taste. People like different things though, I like Ruffled Feathers, which a lot of people hate. 14-16 are goofy.

[DavePelz4]

Big Fun is where I played my first ever 18 holes (130+ strokes later, I was hooked) and coincidentally is the closest course to my house. Back in the day, when they actually cared for it, they had a sign on 11th green - "maximum 4 putts", or something like this. KMo23 is right - these greens would be impossible to putt in if they got them to 10+. Despite its' quirks, it's a "one of a kind experience", especially in the Chicago area. Even though I don't play it as much as I should, I'll definitely miss it.

When I was younger, I loved it when one of my friends were convinced they could walk the course...watching them that final walk up #18.

 

"Dead Man Walking!"

 

 

Hmmm...we've walked it several times. Will admit 18 was a bear but the rest of it isn't bad. But then again, I'm in the minority that like the course so maybe that explains it.

[psygolf]

Big Fun is where I played my first ever 18 holes (130+ strokes later, I was hooked) and coincidentally is the closest course to my house. Back in the day, when they actually cared for it, they had a sign on 11th green - "maximum 4 putts", or something like this. KMo23 is right - these greens would be impossible to putt in if they got them to 10+. Despite its' quirks, it's a "one of a kind experience", especially in the Chicago area. Even though I don't play it as much as I should, I'll definitely miss it.

 

If #11 green was on a course like Cog Hill 4 it would be eviscerated. If #9 was at Cantigny it would be one of the worst holes in the city. Big Run gets a pass because it isn't a good course and it isn't being held to those standards. In my opinion. I totally get it being fun and going out there occasionally knowing what you are getting into. The first time I went, I went in thinking I was playing a top course/didn't know what I was getting into. I'll probably never play it again, it left a bad taste. People like different things though, I like Ruffled Feathers, which a lot of people hate. 14-16 are goofy.

#9 is easily one of the best par 5’s in Illinois

[psygolf]

Big Fun is where I played my first ever 18 holes (130+ strokes later, I was hooked) and coincidentally is the closest course to my house. Back in the day, when they actually cared for it, they had a sign on 11th green - "maximum 4 putts", or something like this. KMo23 is right - these greens would be impossible to putt in if they got them to 10+. Despite its' quirks, it's a "one of a kind experience", especially in the Chicago area. Even though I don't play it as much as I should, I'll definitely miss it.

When I was younger, I loved it when one of my friends were convinced they could walk the course...watching them that final walk up #18.

 

"Dead Man Walking!"

 

 

Hmmm...we've walked it several times. Will admit 18 was a bear but the rest of it isn't bad. But then again, I'm in the minority that like the course so maybe that explains it.

You must be an ex-caddie

[Argonne69]

I walked Big Run the first time I played it. Oy. Yeah, it's walkable, but it's a tough walk. I'd say the toughest in the Chicagoland area. Is there a course with more elevation change? I don't think so. Chalet Hills? Heritage Bluffs? Longwood?