If you have been following along for more than several months or even a few days, you know that I hate to do things that resemble mediocrity in any way. That includes visiting the city of Chicago for a golf / photography trip. Having cleared out the majority of the big names, it was time to focus on the clubs that don’t get the attention that they deserve. Please enjoy my 2026 trip to Chicago. My trip was a quick 18 golf courses in 10 days and I even had time to go to a Cubs game, eat some Pequod’s pizza and take a stroll downtown. I love the city of Chicago and the golf courses that surround it.
Willow Crest - Oak Brook, IL
Like no one ever says… All epic Chicago golf trips start at Willow Crest. But as you will soon find out, this is no ordinary golf trip. Regardless, my hotel was right in the middle of the golf course and it played short with a good pace of play. I shot a 69 with 4 2’s on the 5500 yard layout. Trip was officially kicked off.
Chicago Highlands, Westchester, IL
Chicago Highlands is one sweet Arthur Hills design and unlike every other golf course on this list. Built on an old garbage dump and in fashioned in a links style, this course reminds me of a little of Bayonne. The highlight is the volcano 9th hole which is one of the best short par 4’s in Chicago
Meadowlark Golf Course, Hinsdale, IL
I have no idea how this golf course is in another town as it is directly across the street from Chicago Highlands. I literally pulled out one parking lot and went right into the other. Meadowlark is in a completely different class compared to Chicago Highlands. When playing plenty of fancy private clubs, it is important to keep things real. The $23 green fee is also nice.
Cantigny Golf Club, Wheaton, IL
A recent renovation from Todd Quitno has turned this place into something glorious. I first played back in 2018 and I barely recognized the changes in 2026. When it comes to public golf in Chicago, this is easily one of the best options. There are 27 holes to enjoy out at Cantigny and the conditions make it feel like a private club.
Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton, IL
It’s only a ten minute drive from Chicago Golf Club to Arrowhead Golf Club. So if you can’t get yourself a tee time at Chicago Golf Club, you would be wise to head down the street to play Arrowhead. Arrowhead isn’t anything special, but there are 27 holes and the conditions are usually in good shape.
Onwentsia Club - Lake Forest, IL
I had been eyeballing Onwentsia for years and I finally managed to get around to securing a tee time at one of the north shore’s coolest clubs. CB Macdonald, Tweedie, Foulis, CH Alison, Doak and Foster have all been a part of the golf course’s design journey. Today it is in excellent shape with some bunker renovation scheduled in the next few years.
Butterfield Country Club - Oak Brook, IL
Big flashy Augusta-ish bunkers are the dominant view at Butterfield. I have played a good number of Langford & Moreau golf courses and I have never seen anything similar to what Steve Smyers created at Butterfield. The greens emit a golden age feel, but the bunkers are unusually bold for the era. Golden age aesthetics aside, there are 27 great holes of golf to be played at Butterfield.
Bull Valley Country Club - Woodstock, IL
It’s gonna take you over an hour to get to Bull Valley from Wrigley Field but if you are anything like me, the drive will be worth it. This Dick Nugent design is pretty damn difficult and at times feels like a Pete Dye golf course. I really enjoyed a handful of the golf holes and the golf barn was one of the finest in America. Fun Fact: They filmed Groundhog Day in Woodstock, IL
Medinah No 3 - Medinah, IL
A recent renovation of the championship course at Medinah has the majority of golf course fans excited about the upcoming 2026 President’s Cup. The new renovation from OCM Golf will have plenty of eyes on it in September when the American’s face off against the international team. Ironically, course designer Geoff Ogilvy will captain the International team. That Medinah clubhouse continues to stun.
Merit Club - Libertyville, IL
It’s another Chicago gem brought to you courtesy Todd Quitno. Not only does this club have a great membership, but it also has a world class golf course. The renovations were focused on more natural bunkering, greens adjustments and fairway expansions. There are a bunch of new pin positions that make the Merit Club even more fun to play.
Lake Shore Country Club - Glencoe, IL
People are sleeping on Lake Shore CC and thats a damn shame. The golf course has a classic golden age aesthetic and one of the finest stretches of golf on Chicago’s north shore. Holes 13-16 are a dream and had me reminiscing about Shoreacres… my favorite and one of the very best courses in the Chicago area. The clubhouse across the street is glorious and overlooks Lake Michigan.
Pine Meadow Golf Course - Mundelein, IL
Public golf in America can often pale in comparison to the local private clubs. This is why I like to keep it real and scout the local options for public golf. Pine Meadow delivers decent conditions with some interesting golf holes.
Northmoor Country Club - Highland Park, IL
There are a lot of “Moors” in Chicago. Exmoor, Flossmoor and finally Northmoor. I had experience the first 2 and it was time to round out the trio of Chicago Moors. Like a handful of Chicago clubs there are 27 holes at Northmoor. In 2023, Tyler Rae completed a redesign of the White Nine and I found it to be particularly well done.
Chick Evans Golf Course - Morton Grove, IL
I continued to keep it real with a visit to a local favorite with public golfers, Chick Evans Golf Couse. The rates range from $30-$50. The golf holes are pretty straight forward and a few of the par 3’s will raise your excitement level considerably.
Wynstone Country Club - North Barrington, IL
They were playing the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village during my visit to Wynstone. The similarities from what I saw on television and what was in front of me were very similar. Several of the holes are near replicas and I found the course to be just as interesting as Muirfield Village. Jack Nicklaus has built a very enjoyable experience that is often overlooked out in North Barrington.
Glen View Club - Glenview, IL
I was hired to shoot before and after photographs of Glen View Club and during this trip I was capturing the before imagery. On June 22, 2026, Tyler Rae and his design team will taken over and restore the golf course to its original William Flynn intentions. The transformation should be spectacular and I cannot wait to see the results.
Briarwood Country Club - Deerfield, IL
If there was one thing that I learned during my visit to Briarwood it is that the sunsets are hot fire. This C.H. Alison design has a classic feel but doesn’t quite have the grand scale as some of his other efforts in the area. There are 5 Briarwood Country Clubs across the country and this one is arguably the finest.
Sydney Marovitz Golf Course - Chicago, IL
The golf course at Sydney Marovitz is almost always packed with beginners and people on golf dates. Fortunately, the location and the views are spectacular. The focus here should be on having some fun and enjoying the walk. If you get bored waiting for the green to clear, just have a look at the Chicago skyline and admire the beauty of the John Hancock Center.
