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Steeple Chase Golf Club
200 N. La Vista Drive
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 949-8900
Website
HOLE BY HOLE REVIEW AND PICTURES COMING SOON!!
Ravisloe Country Club
18231 South Park Avenue
Homewood, IL 60430
(708) 798-5600
Website
There is nothing quite like having to stop at the front gate to a course because the only way to get the parking lot is to drive in front of the 10th tee box. Then kindly wait for a golfer to tee off if necessary and then you can proceed to the clubhouse. This was my second time playing Ravisloe Country Club, and I have to say this a hidden gem of a golf course. That is most likely due to the fact this is only the third year the course has been open to the public. Ravisloe used to be a prestigious Country Club, but like many CC’s the economy has really taken a toll on membership. You would expect a country club turned public would lose a lot of that country club feel and immaculate course condition, but they have really done an excellent job keeping the course well maintained. Playing from only 6,321 yards and a rating/slope of 70.8/127, don’t let the distance of this par 70 course fool you, because there is plenty of trouble out there. Though not the original architect, legendary architect Donald Ross was the genius behind what we see today. At first glimpse of the fairway and bunkering around the green on #1 any serious golfer will know who designed this course. You will also encounter back-to-back par 5’s and par 3’s, which is another component Ross is known for. The majority of Donald Ross courses in IL are private, so this is a real treat to experience. I highly recommend this course to Chicagoland golfers, and I am confident you will enjoy your round. The clubhouse is great, they have a grass driving range, short game area, and practice putting green, really everything you would expect a private club to have.
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.
CHICAGO GOLF CENTRAL 