Chicago Area Golf

[Yannick Pilon]

I might be going to Chicago at the end of July.  What are the best courses someone should definitely try to see there?

A few that come to mind are the following:

Chicago
Medinah
Olympia Fields
Shoreacres
Cog Hill

And a little further away:

Lost Dunes
Warren course at Notre-Dame

Any thoughts on the above courses? Any other suggestions?  Any ideas on guest policies at some of these courses?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Mark Leo]

Butler National, especially after the recent changes.

[Steve_Roths]

Yannick,

If you belong to decent club they should be able to get you out on Olympia Fields without much problem if its during the week.  Possibly the same with Medina.  

As for Shoreacres or Chicago.  Highly unlikely.  And Chicago you must play with a member and most members don't even play that much.

I think Cog is under going renovations under Rees directive so that might not be an option.  

If you do have connections I would go and see The Dunes Club in New Buffalo, MI.

[Wayne Freeman]

There are so many guys who post here who can give you all the info you need, and you could probably play great courses there every day for a year.  There are a number of excellent public courses scattered around besides Cog Hill.  From a private standpoint any of the following would be awesome:
         Chicago Golf             Glen View         Rich Harvest
         Medinah                   Ontwentsia       Black Sheep
         Olympia Fields            Shoreacres       Butler
   
       If you haven't been to Kohler you should give serious consideration to going there.  In 1 1/2 days you could play Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run, and maybe one of the others and stay in the less expensive annex building one night.
                                 

[Andy Troeger]

If you're willing to drive I'd certainly recommend Whistling Straits/Blackwolf Run going one way, or if you can get on, some combo of Point O'Woods/Dunes Club/Lost Dunes going the other.

Can't really help much in Chicago...only course played there is Kemper Lakes. Its worthwhile but probably wouldn't be your first choice if the other courses mentioned are options.

[Tom Roewer]

Shivas should chime in.  He's a font of Chicago golf knowledge.  I truly believe that you could be there for a month and never play a bad course, playing a different every day.

[Yannick Pilon]

I am afraid that Kohler won't be an option, as it is too far from Chicago.

I'll be there with my wife and kids (2 and 4 years old...).  Golf will have to be a day trip or less, away from Chicago.

Would have been great though!  Lost Dunes and Notre Dame might even be a stretch....

But keep the suggestions coming, guys.

Thanks

[PThomas]

SKokie, Beverly, Briarwood too

[PCCraig]

Again it all depends on your connections. Any of the previously mentioned Clubs are very good for a day outing.

As for Public close to the city, I would look more towards The Glen Club in Glenview, about 20 min north of the city or Cog Hill if it isnt closed.

Kemper may be closed to the public now if it has sold all of its private memberships.

Thanks...

[james soper]

bob o'link
old elm
black sheep
chicago golf club
shoreacres

[cary lichtenstein]

Add:

Skokie Golf Club in Glenco, Il

[Yannick Pilon]

Shivaschmidt,

I like the way you think, my friend.  Browny points are always welcomed, especially when I can play golf while getting them!

Thanks,

Yannick