Work on your backswing and unwind at some of the best golf courses in Illinois. Illinois has over 600 golf courses, some of which include top public golf courses and renowned golf resorts. Experience summer days on the green and enjoy country clubs and courses in Chicago and beyond with the help of our guide to golfing in Illinois.
Golf in Chicago
Golf in the Heart of the City
With over 200 courses in the Chicago area, there are plenty of places to put your skills to the test. Swing amongst the skyline at spots such as Jackson Park Golf Course, Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, and South Shore Golf Course.
For a lakeside experience check out Harborside International's quirky city golf courses which were designed by Dick Nugent to bring the great Scottish tradition of seaside links golf to Chicago. Minutes from Chicago’s Loop, Harborside offers two courses, Port and Starboard, a driving range and practice facility.
Golf in Chicagoland
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club + The Glen Club
Cog Hill Golf and Country Club sits southwest of Chicago in the Des Plaines River Valley. There are four courses at Cog Hill, but the reason you’re going is to play the infamous No. 4 course nicknamed Dubsdread, so called because rookie golfers (dubs) dread playing this difficult course.
The 18-hole golf course at the Glen Club in Glenview is designed by Tom Fazio. An old naval air base has been beautifully transformed into an exciting golf course with rolling berms and picturesque vistas of prairie grass, lakes and streams.
Golf in Galena & Rockford, Northern Illinois
PLAY GOLF IN A RESORT ENVIRONMENT
Set amid the rolling hills of northwestern Illinois in Galena, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa has four golf courses. Their jewel is the multi award-winning General, an 18-hole, par 72 course with over 250 feet of elevation changes throughout.
Ingersoll's wooded 18-hole course with narrow fairways and gently rolling terrain offers 6,107 challenging yards on its par 71 course. This course is located on Rockford’s far west side and was selected by the Tiger Woods Foundation to host Tiger Woods for a two-day golf clinic in 2001 and 2004.
Golf in Southern Illinois
BEST GOLF IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Southern Illinois is home to premium golf courses that are ready for you to discover! The Links at Kokopelli, designed by renowned architect Steve Smyers, offer an exceptional golf experience with family-friendly green fees. Recognized by Golf Week Magazine as a top Illinois course, it’s also ideal for walking.
Overlooking 18,000-acre Rend Lake, Rend Lake Golf Course is part of a recreation complex that includes dining and lodging options. Five sets of tees make this course extremely playable for all levels.
Public Golf Courses in Illinois
COURSES FOR ANYONE TO PLAY
PrairieView Golf Club, a short drive south of Rockford in the town of Byron, is a magical golf course that provides a top country club experience at a municipal course price. With four sets of tees, stretching to over 7,000 yards, the course design takes advantage of a natural, rolling terrain.
One of the best-in-class public golf course choices for Chicago's North Shore is Winnetka Golf Club. With a championship 18-hole course, par-3 nine-hole course, driving range, practice greens and a clubhouse, you'll be sure to have a satisfying time.
Golf Resorts in Illinois
COMPETITIVE PLAY AND RELAXING STAYS
Bring your clubs for a stay at Eaglewood Resort & Spa, for exceptional dining, relaxation, and golf. Enjoy a pristine course with fully stocked carts and catch up on golf news at Prairie River Bar and Patio.
Sticking with the eagle theme, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena is the premier golf destination. With four award-winning courses, each meticulously renovated to its original design, you can enjoy 63 holes of breathtaking, scenic golf.
Golf Packages in Illinois
HOLE-IN-ONE DEALS
Eaglewood Resort & Spa and Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa both offer stay and play golf packages, while Quail Creek's "Putting for Birdie" package includes a 3-night stay and 4 days of unlimited golf on their PGA Championship course. Cog Hill Golf Club provides free range balls with many of its multi-round golf packages.
If you're looking to play more than just the game of golf, Bally's Quad Cities Hotel and Casino partners up with some of the top courses in the area to give their customers the best golf and hotel packages around.