Cheap(ish) Golf around Chicago NW suburbs? moving up in July

jimmie · June 6, 2012

I'm moving up to Des Plaines in July, and was looking for places to play once I get moved up. Looking for stuff in the under $50 per round range. Going back to be a broke student again, so cheap is good. Also looking for a good driving range. I like to play a couple rounds a week or more, so I don't want to drop too much cash on every round.

Also, im going to need some new playing partners. Who all on here is in the area

jdhallissey · June 13, 2012

Good luck with that. Golf in Chicago is so stupid expensive that really I have a hard time playing a lot due to it. Most courses that are decent shape are 70-100 bucks

p4174w · June 13, 2012

Plenty of places under 50 unless you can only go on weekends and not at twilight. I can't tell you the last time I paid over 50 and I've lived in the area 25+ years. Look for coupons on course websites and in the papers. Check out [url="http://www.golfnow.com/chicago"]http://www.golfnow.com/chicago[/url] for some good rates too

jimmie · June 14, 2012

Thanks. I'll check it out.

jimmie · June 14, 2012

are the forest preserve courses decent. I'm not expecting top notch, but at least decent fairways to hit from and smooth greens?

jdhallissey · June 19, 2012

umm yea but the forest preserve courses that are in decent shape are in the 70 dollar price range. Then again my idea of decent is much much different then most on this site. I could care less if I am hitting off of dirt spots on tees and fairways what really matters to me is the greens. Smooth true and fast. Pick one for most golf courses in IL under 70 bucks for the most part.

jimmie · June 19, 2012

Sounds good. I'm not too picky. I am used to dirt in the fairways and on the tees. Wont bother me.

fanofsaosin · June 19, 2012

Highland Woods is not that bad of a course... but be prepared to play a slow round

jimmie · June 20, 2012

Another good point. What courses arent too packed all the time? I don't mind a busy course, but hate when I spend more time waiting than I do playing.

fredmg · June 21, 2012

Live in the area. Check out some of the park districts in the area (Palatine, Arlington Heights, etc.). Not necessarily spectacular, but some decent tracks. Buffalo Grove golf course has a decent grass driving range and I believe Golf Center Des Plaines has a nice range and a lighted par 3 course.

stg099 · June 21, 2012

There are so many courses around the area, that golfnow is a great tool to find tee times and try new tracks. Having golfed in this area since I was a kid, the one piece of advice i can offer is that if you plan to play quickly, get out EARLY. A lot of the well-priced tracks around here fill up quick, but if you can get out before 8am you can play as fast as you want. Typically in the summer I try to get out around 7 to beat the crowds, and get a quick round in.

JakeBarnes · July 18, 2012

I am located out in the western suburbs and there are plenty of good courses to play for that range. You can score even better deals if you can play during the weekdays. Here are a few that I have played recently that fit that price range (usually on Saturdays)

Carriage Greens
Mill Creek (always seems to have a few weekday tee times for like 18 bucks)
Prairie Landing (Twilight)
Tamarack
Indian Boundary
White Pines
Bowes Creek

As most have already said: using golfnow is likely your best bet to find good deals, but it doesn't hurt to call the courses as well to see if there is a better rate (it happens at some courses).

p4174w · July 18, 2012

Sounds like you live out by me Jake.

I would also suggest Tanna Farms near Mill Creek. They have a fantastic $25 super twilight deal after 4pm every day of the week. It's where I play most of my golf

thegooddoctor · July 23, 2012

I haven't lived the area for a few years but wilmette county club seems to fit the bill. Not a bad track, but slow like anywhere in chicago. +1 on prairie landing, I don't get why more people to rave about that course, it was always in great shape and very scenic.

Evan

JakeBarnes · July 26, 2012

[quote name='p4174w' timestamp='1342626554' post='5299740']
Sounds like you live out by me Jake.

I would also suggest Tanna Farms near Mill Creek. They have a fantastic $25 super twilight deal after 4pm every day of the week. It's where I play most of my golf
[/quote]

I like Tanna as well. Usually can get on around twilight for a good price! Yeah, I am out in St. Charles right now so I'm about as west as it gets for the suburbs.

I agree, Evan. Only warning I give people about Prairie Landing is don't play it in the spring unless you are really confident in your links game at that point. Wind can be ridiculous around that time. But the course itself is gorgeous. Greens are always great (and usually fast) and the rolling hills beautiful.

Makes me think we need to pick a weekend for midwesterners, or at least chicago-area golfers on WRX get together for a round. Would be a lot of fun.

p4174w · July 26, 2012

I lived the first 22 years of my life in St Charles until I moved away 4 years ago. Now I'm in North Aurora

Sump · August 30, 2012

Palatine Hiils. Schaumburg Golf Club.

citizensdiscount · September 10, 2012

I am located in the NW Burbs. I play the majority of my rounds durring twilight. If you ever want to play at 2:30pm on a weekend at Turberry CC in Crystal Lake let me know. The cost is $43 and includes cart and unlimited range. I usually get to the course around noon and hit balls for a few hours then play. PM me if interested.

Sump · September 11, 2012

[quote name='citizensdiscount' timestamp='1347333581' post='5621047']
I am located in the NW Burbs. I play the majority of my rounds durring twilight. If you ever want to play at 2:30pm on a weekend at Turberry CC in Crystal Lake let me know. The cost is $43 and includes cart and unlimited range. I usually get to the course around noon and hit balls for a few hours then play. PM me if interested.
[/quote]

Love turnberry, kind of a shame what happened with the economy there. I grew up on the 6th hole. Played there for the first time in 5 or 6 years this summer. It used to be mint, it's OK now but needs some TLC.

citizensdiscount · October 6, 2012

[quote name='Sump' timestamp='1347375151' post='5622857']
[quote name='citizensdiscount' timestamp='1347333581' post='5621047']
I am located in the NW Burbs. I play the majority of my rounds durring twilight. If you ever want to play at 2:30pm on a weekend at Turberry CC in Crystal Lake let me know. The cost is $43 and includes cart and unlimited range. I usually get to the course around noon and hit balls for a few hours then play. PM me if interested.
[/quote]

Love turnberry, kind of a shame what happened with the economy there. I grew up on the 6th hole. Played there for the first time in 5 or 6 years this summer. It used to be mint, it's OK now but needs some TLC.
[/quote]

Ahh the 6th hole. Have to love the hardest hole on the course. Funny story, playing in the match play tournament out there and a guy with a 22 HC is getting 2 strokes on that hole. To make a long story short, he is on in 2 and has a short birdie put for a 3 net 1. Needless to say he pars the hole and shoots a net 28 on the front LOL. There is a very nice pad next to the 6th green, inground pool not to mention sport court. Every so often I hit a big hook on the hole and hope to see a few hotties out tanning

Its a suprise to me how empty that course is. You have Red Tail on the way in and the cost is almost double not to mention slow players and a mobile home style clubhouse. If you ever want to get a round in out there, pm me. Have a great weeeknd, T