Category Archives: GOLF COURSE REVIEW
George W Dunne National Golf Course
16310 S Central Avenue
Oak Forest, IL 60452
(708) 429-6886
Website
HOLE BY HOLE REVIEW AND PICTURES COMING SOON!!
Balmoral Woods Country Club
26732 S. Balmoral Woods Drive
Crete, IL 60417
(708) 672-7448
Website
This was my second time playing Balmoral Woods. After my initial round a few years ago I thought this was one of the better courses I’ve played, but after my second visit this course has unfortunately dropped in my rankings. With that said, DON’T take this the wrong way, because this is still one of the better course in the Chicagoland area, and a must play.
My favorite aspect of this course is the elevation changes on a few of the holes, most notably holes 7, 12, and 13. Hole 13 is a par three that you will always remember. It is a full 200+ yard carry to a very very small green. Leave it short you will have a steep second shot from some thick rough. The hole is deceiving so choose you club wisely. I hit my 5 iron flush and came up 15 yards short, when I know I can carry that club 200 yards.
Designed by George Fazio, Balmoral plays from 6,648yds from the men’s tips and a rating/slope of 72.6/133, and 5,147yds, 70.6/123 from the women’s tee’s. The course is a mix of wide-open and narrow tree-lined wooded holes. Rolling fairways, great elevation changes, and sloped greens will challenge golfers of any handicap. One thing I will recommend is staying below the pins as the majority of the holes slope from back to front.
The course offers a small grass driving range, but it is awkwardly located next to the 7th tee box. Not very convenient, so either get there early, or plan on hitting a breakfast ball. There is a putting green next the 1st hole though. Balmoral is priced accurately for the weekend golfer, and this fun course that is a must play for all golfers.
Tee it Up!!
Mistwood Golf Club
1700 W. Renwick Rd.
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 254-3333
Website
Playing at over 6,700 yards from the tips and a rating/slope of 72.4/137, this par 72 course is a must play for all playing levels. The day I played the greens had just been rolled so they were playing true and quick. The greens at Mistwood are generally pretty fast to begin with anyway and have plenty of undulation which can make putting an adventure. I find the course to not be to difficult due to its length, but there are several factors that can make your round a nightmare. Water comes into play on almost every hole, and the terrain is very hilly, so lies and stances are not always even. The terrain is one of my favorite attributes about this course. It make each hole interesting and adds value to the aesthetics of the course. Mistwood also has one of my favorite par 3’s in IL (see pics), and a stretch of finishing holes that can’t be missed. Mistwood offers a grass driving range, a nice putting area, and nice clubhouse. I highly recommend this course to anyone and definitely bring plenty of balls with you.
Village Links of Glen Ellyn
485 Winchell Way
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 469-8180
Website
The Village Links of Glen Ellyn in my eyes is one of the best and most challenging public courses you can play in IL. This course has almost every feature I look for when it comes to a course. It is aesthetically pleasing, it is challenging, and in great condition. This par 72 course plays from over 7,200 yards and a rating/slope of 74.9/138 from the men’s tees, and 6,382 yards with a rating/slope of 76.8/140 from the women’s tees. Village Links has played host to several PGA qualifying tournaments, and continues to stand our as one of the finest layouts around. In my opinion, the back 9 at the Village Links is one of the greatest stretches of 9 holes you will find in the Chicagoland area. Each hole is unique and visually beautiful and you will notice more elevation changes on the back. The course is just brilliantly mapped out, with strategically placed water hazards and bunkers that will come into playoff the tee on several holes. The fairways are pretty tight as most holes are lined by trees, so errant shots will only make you scramble to make a good score. The day I played the rough was also pretty long, so it was tough hacking out of there. The greens were on the larger size, undulated, had a rather quick pace, and overall in fantastic shape. They have a grass driving range, short game area, and putting green. I couldn’t recommend this course anymore to every golfer in the Chicagoland area. You might leave a little mentally defeated, since this is a very tough course, but I know you will have enjoyed the round on one of the finer courses in the area.
CHICAGO GOLF CENTRAL 
