What are the best courses in Chicago...

[Jud_T]

I think for a large city Chicago has a lot more good public options than most, but no really great ones.  So compared to NY or LA you've got much better access to a bunch of solid Doak 4s and 5s, but virtually nothing that approaches the upper echelon, and frankly not enough Doak 7 and 8 privates for such a great city with so many clubs...

[Carl Nichols]

I think for a large city Chicago has a lot more good public options than most, but no really great ones.  So compared to NY or LA you've got much better access to a bunch of solid Doak 4s and 5s, but virtually nothing that approaches the upper echelon, and frankly not enough Doak 7 and 8 privates for such a great city with so many clubs...

But might it have more Doak 7 and 8 privates than LA?

[Tim_Cronin]

Tom,

 Never heard of Lasker's Private Course.

Could you elaborate on what I found on Wiki?

He also owned one of finest golf courses in the world. The National Golf Review in 1939 had Lasker Golf Course in Lake Forest, Illinois listed in the No. 23 slot on its list of Top 100 Courses in the World. Lasker Golf Course was built on his private estate, Mill Road Farm. It was eventually perceived as too opulent and following the depression, Lasker donated the entire property to the University of Chicago.[5]

The beginning of the socialist movement in this country? Too Opulent?

Actually, Lasker was getting out of the ad business at the time, and no longer needed the course to entertain clients. He didn't play much golf himself, but was extremely interested in higher education, so donated the entire operation to the U of C, leasing the fam back for two years. The course was open for 15 years. The U of C hosted the 1940 Western Junior there. The mansion he built on the property, and several other buildings, still stand.

[Jud_T]

I think for a large city Chicago has a lot more good public options than most, but no really great ones.  So compared to NY or LA you've got much better access to a bunch of solid Doak 4s and 5s, but virtually nothing that approaches the upper echelon, and frankly not enough Doak 7 and 8 privates for such a great city with so many clubs...

But might it have more Doak 7 and 8 privates than LA?

According to Sensei Doak in the original CG, it was about a wash, with LA having the only 9.....There have been some significant tree pruning and renovation efforts in metro Chicago since, so there are probably a few 6's that now rate 7, but the only course worth traveling more than 100 miles for is virtually impossible to get on......

[mark chalfant]

2010

Chicago  GC
Olympia Fields  SOUTH
Beverly
Shoreacres
Skokie
Black Sheep

[Chris Flamion]

Since I am a serial trunk slammer, and I know better than to speak of which I do not know.

Top 5 Publics
Dubsdread - still the anchor to the public sector
Shepherd's Crook - Most Unique Public Course I have played
George W Dunne - Big, Big, Big, can't wait to go back if it gets dry for a couple weeks
Village Links - I am very biased on this one
The Glen Club - Not my cup of tea, but I know a lot of people who love it.

As an aside, I think the best greens I have played (with a couple private exceptions) belong to Mount Prospect Golf Club.  Getting to the greens isn't that great, but the greens are a great test.

Chris, why do you like Village Links so much?

Paul-

I like the Links so much because it is my home course.  I think the greens are good, the fairways have a good bit of movement, most of the bunkering works for me(albeit the fairway stuff doesn't), and I really like the mix of the Par 3's.  Is it a truly great course no, but I couldn't think of any public course I would rather play on a daily basis other than the first 3.

Chris

[Terry Lavin]

I think for a large city Chicago has a lot more good public options than most, but no really great ones.  So compared to NY or LA you've got much better access to a bunch of solid Doak 4s and 5s, but virtually nothing that approaches the upper echelon, and frankly not enough Doak 7 and 8 privates for such a great city with so many clubs...

But might it have more Doak 7 and 8 privates than LA?

I think it's pretty comparable, and this comes from a lifelong Chicagoan who thinks LA is the best place to go for a private golf getaway.  I just love going to LA.  You can stay in a world class hotel a driver and wedge away from LACC, also tee it up at Riviera, BelAir and Wilshire, just to name the top tier.  And go out at night and eat in world class restaurants.  Hard to beat LA.  And did I mention it almost never gets too hot?