Category Archives: GOLF COURSE REVIEW

Highland Park Country Club

1201 Park Avenue West
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 433-4000
Website

A former private club then opened to the public in the 90s, Highland Park Country Club may be public, but still has that private feel.  The few times I have played here, the course has always been in great condition.  With that said, if you don’t hit the ball consistently straight then you will have a very tough time here.  I fit into that category perfectly.  I am usually able to scramble on a course that is wide open, but at HPCC, good luck.  The holes are very narrow and heavily tree lined.  Hit an errant shot and you will either be playing from the trees, or the adjacent fairway.  There are a few open holes, which happen to be some of the best holes on the course, but the majority of your round you will need to be very accurate.  Like I said before the condition of the course is always great, so don’t let my aforementioned comments scare you away, because this is still an above average public course.  Redesigned by Dick Nugent, HPCC plays from 6,618 yards and has a rating/slope of 71.5/132 from the men’s tees, and 5,461 yards, 68/116 from the women’s tees.  The course is basically flat like the rest of the public golf courses in the area, but you do see some elevation on a couple of the holes on the back nine.  There is a practice putting green, and the Highland Park Golf Learning Center is next to the course, which I believe is accessible by golf cart.  They provide a grass driving range and short game area.  In my opinion this course is not for the average golfer simply based on the fact that you need to be accurate here.  Would I say to all golfers give this course a shot once, absolutely, but I warned you.  The conditions are great and better than the bulk of public courses you will play, but remember if you decide to tee it up at HPCC, don’t try and be a hero off the tee, short and straight is better than long and wrong.

Read the rest of this entry

Sanctuary Golf Course

485 North MarleyRoad
New Lenox, IL 60451
(815) 462-4653
Website

HOLE BY HOLE REVIEW AND PICTURES COMING SOON!!

Old Orchard Country Club

700 West Rand Road
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 225-2025
Website

HOLE BY HOLE REVIEW AND PICTURES COMING SOON!!

Sportsman’s Country Club

3535 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 291-2351
Website

This was my first time playing Sportsman’s Country Club since the recent renovations, and I have to say they did a great job improving the aesthetic value of this course.  It used to be a run-of-the-mill type course, but now its value has increased greatly.  Originally designed by Edward B. Dearie, an apprentice of Donald Ross, but recently has been renovated by local architect Rick Jacobson.  The majority of the renovations were to the bunkering and all the greens.  I have to say the contour and undulation of the new greens was fantastic, but the day I played the conditions of the greens were not that great.  I really hope this isn’t the case on a daily basis, but I assume they are just overplayed, and the recent rain doesn’t help too.  This par 70 course played 6,278yds from the tips and had a rating/slope of 70.4/126.  This course may be short, but if you don’t hit the fairways you could be in serious trouble.  Almost every fairway is guarded by strategic bunkers, so keeping it straight off the tee is vital at Sportsman’s.  The course features beautiful mature trees throughout the course and welcomed elevation changes to this part of the North Shore.  Sportsman’s also has a nine hole course, which I haven’t played, but heard it’s one of the best around.  There is also a driving range, but mats only, which I personally hate, and nice little miniature golf course.  If you haven’t been back to Sportsman’s in a few years, or never at all, I recommend making your next tee time here, it’s a new course in my eyes.

Read the rest of this entry

Maple Meadows Golf Course

272 Addison Rd
Wood Dale, IL 60191
(630) 616-8424
Website 

HOLE BY HOLE REVIEW AND PICTURES COMING SOON!!