6401 S. Richards Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 667-0524
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I played Jackson Park Golf Course recently for the first time and have to say, for a CPDG (Chicago Park District Golf) course I was pretty impressed.  Designed by legendary architect Tom Bendelow, this historic municipal course played 5,444yds from the tips and had a rating/slope of 65.7/109.  Located just 10 minutes south of the Loop right off Lake Shore Drive, Jackson Park is a convenient golf getaway for someone looking to not travel far from downtown for 18 holes of golf.  The course is situated right off Lake Michigan, and there are a few holes which you see the water and the Marina.  You can also see some of the buildings from downtown on a clear day.  In all honestly though, this isn’t the type of course you go home and brag about to your friends, but still recommend it (I know that might be kind of an oxymoron).  The day I was out there, the bunkers were in horrible condition, which might have something to do with all the rain, but I hope they are maintained better than that.  The tee boxes were also in terrible condition.  On the contrary, the fairways were in above average shape and the greens were surprisingly in good condition, slow, but well-kept.  Almost every hole is lined by mature trees, so accurate shots are necessary at Jackson Park.  The course does provide some challenge, but being that it is a shorter course a great score is definitely feasible.  The staff was very friendly, and you can’t beat some grilled food out on the course at the 14^th hole.  For the price, the location, and the course itself Jackson Park is a must if you live in the city.

Hole by Hole descriptions:

1^st Hole:  Par 4, 395yds.  The 1st at JPGC is a wide open par 4.  Take the driver and aim just left of the 150yd stick and you will be in good shape for your approach.  The green slopes back to front so keep your approach short of the hole.  Good birdie chance to start your round

2^nd Hole:  Par 4, 369yds.  The second is another straight away par 4, so just take your driver and crush it.

3^rd Hole:  Par 4, 288yds.  The 3rd is a drive-able par 4 for the big hitters, but the green is guarded by a large bunker.  There was some standing water in the fairway that day, due to all the rain in the area, so that did come into play on drives.  Definite birdie hole.

4^th Hole:  Par 4, 300yds.  The 4th is another drive-able hole for the big hitters, but since this is a dogleg left you will have to take a risky route over the trees.  It’s basically a blind shot if you take that path, but all you really need on the hole is a long iron off the tee and aim just left of the 150yd stick.  Your approach shot would then be uphill to a green with a bunker right.

5^th Hole:  Par 5, 464yds.  This is a short par 5 that is reachable in two with a good drive.  The hole is pretty straight hole with mature trees lining the fairway.

6^th Hole:  Par 3, 176yds.  The 6th is a slightly uphill par 3, with nice mature trees surrounding the green.

7^th Hole:  Par 4, 321yds.  The 7th is another short straight par 4, with no real obstacles in the way.  Rip the driver and you should be left with a nice pitch into the green.

8^th Hole:  Par 3, 133yds.  The 8th was my favorite par 3 on the course.  The tee shot is a short one over water (but the water really shouldn’t come into play) to a green guarded by two large bunker.  You also get a glimpse of some neighborhood buildings in the back ground.

9^th Hole:  Par 4, 300yds.  The 9th is another short drive-able par 4 for the big bombers.  Not too much to deal with on this straight par 4, but we do finally get a view of Lake Michigan from the green.  Birdie is possible on this hole.

10^th Hole:  Par 4, 267yds.  The 10th is another drive-able par 4.  The hole dog legs left so you will have to take it over the trees if you want to go for the green off the tee.  Of course the smart play is to use a long iron off the tee.

11^th Hole:  Par 4, 296yds.  The 11th is a nice little hole.  Take a long iron or any club you hit about 200yds, and this will leave you short of the water.  Your approach shot is all carry over water to a small green.

12^th Hole:  Par 3, 144yds.  The 12th is a decent par 3, with two bunkers on the left side of a small green.

13^th Hole:  Par 3, 183yds.  The 13th is one of the longer par 3’s on the course, with two bunkers guarding the front of the green.  From the tee box you can also see the skyline of downtown Chicago.  It was cloudy that day so I was only able to make out the Sears Tower (sorry, Willis Tower), but I’m sure on a clear day you can see more of the city.

14^th Hole:  Par 5, 559yds.  14 is the longest hole on the course and the most difficult.  Accuracy on every shot is necessary on this hole as the  is very tight, and the green is one of the smaller ones on the course.

15^th Hole:  Par 5, 470yds.  15 is a short par 5 and reachable in two for the long hitters, so a good score possible here.  Aim your drive at the stake and try to get home in two.

16thHole:  Par 4, 372yds.  16 was my favorite par 4’s on the course, just had a little different look and feel to it.  Aim for the 150yd stick and you should be in good shape for your approach.  Two large bunkers guard the front of a very undulating green.  Par is a good score here.

17^th Hole:  Par 3, 212yds.  17 is the longest and toughest par 3 on the course.  Hope you can hit a long iron.

18^th Hole:  Par 4, 259yds.  18 was a great finishing hole which is drive-able for the big hitters.  One of the reason I liked this hole was the American flag right behind the green.  Just a perfect thing to see when you are finishing your round, especially on 4th of July weekend, which it happened to be.

I recommend Jackson Park to anyone living in the city.  It is easy to get to, and for the price and proximity to downtown, you can’t beat it.  It’s also a good course for beginner golfers.  The course was a little short for me, but I still enjoyed my round.  Hop on Lake Shore Dr and play your next round at JPGC.

Tee it Up!!