The Highlands of Elgin

875 Sports Way
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 931-5950
Website

Every year my summer softball team has a golf outing when the season is over, and clearly I am the one that coordinates it. I chose The Highlands of Elgin, and needless to say all 12 of my teammates will be coming back to play this course whenever they can. Designed by Keith R. Foster this course is one fantastic golf course. The course went through a major renovation and just re-opened a couple years ago. According to their website they have recently received the following accolades.

#12 “Best New Courses in America” – GolfWeek Magazine 2012

#2 in Illinois “Best Courses You Can Play”- GolfWeek Magazine 2012

#1 “Municipal Course in Illinois & #7 in America” -GolfWeek Magazine 2012

I couldn’t agree more with these acknowledgments. The Highlands was esthetically one of the most beautiful public courses I have ever played in Illinois. Rolling fairways, elevation changes, excellent conditioning, and amazing views around the course…. you really can’t ask for more. One of my favorite features were the holes that hugged the quarry on the front 9. The bluffs are not the kind you’d see at Pebble Beach, but it’s a feature you don’t see too often in Illinois. Particularly the par 3 4th and 7th holes, with the 7th being an absolute beast of a hole at 254 yards.

The course plays from 7,000 yards and has a rating/slope of 73.8/136 from 7he men’s tees, and 5,625 yards and a rating/slope of 72.1/125 from the women’s tees. The course is basically wide open links style with hazards everywhere. Waters comes into play on almost half of the holes, fescue everywhere, and plenty of well positioned bunkers. The course offers a grass driving range, practice chipping area, and putting green, and great GPS golf carts.

So, if there is one course that I recommend playing this year it is the Highlands. For $65 for non-residents or $58 for Elgin residents this is the best bang for your buck you will find when you look at public courses of this caliber. There is just no better top-tier course you can play for this price point. When you choose to play your next round here I hope you enjoy the Highlands of Elgin as much as I did…..I will be back soon.

Tee it Up!!