Makray Memorial GC
A view of a green with water coming into play at Makray Memorial Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.1
728 Reviews (728)
5 Stars
376
4 Stars
220
3 Stars
77
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
25
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.8
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.3
75.9%
Recommend this course
605 out of 728 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
14 Reviews (14)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.7
85.7%
Recommend this course
12 out of 14 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
63 Reviews (63)
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
6
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.5
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.4
66.7%
Recommend this course
42 out of 63 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The course layout consistently earns high praise for its challenging design, rewarding course management and strategic play around quick, break-filled greens. Friendly staff and solid amenities complement a pace of play that keeps rounds moving efficiently.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 71
Length 6903 yards
Slope 139
Rating 74.5

Makray Memorial Golf Club (formerly known as Thunderbird Country Club) is a public course that has been open since 1962. To commemorate 40 years of great golf, the course was remodeled and revamped in 2002. The renovations improved its playability and also made it more challenging. The championship-caliber layout features strategically placed bunkers, including some Scottish-style sod-faced ones, and tricky water hazards on several holes. The hilly terrain offers both challenging elevation changes and scenic views. The golf course finishes with a long par 5 that plays across a canyon of berms to a narrow fairway. Further accuracy is needed to reach the well guarded green surrounded by high berms, a pot bunker to the left, and a deep, steep bunker to the right. In addition to the course, Makray Memorial G.C. boasts an extensive practice facility with 1 1/2 acres of grass teeing ground, two putting greens, and a short-game area.

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Course Details

Year Built 1962
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Architect ILT Vignocchi (2002) Bob Lohmann

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $20 - $30
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code No blue jeans. Collared shirts for men, although mock turtlenecks are acceptable. Shorts no shorter then 3 inches above the knee.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

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Reviews

4.1
728 Reviews (728)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 26
Patio Dining 18
19th Hole Scenic Views 15
Course Challenges Include:
Undulating Greens 35
Elevation Changes 27
Bunkers 26
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 34
A Weekend Splurge 13
Entertaining Clients 13
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 32
Worth the Drive 22

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Course & Staff

Makray is an awesome course, it has amazing facilities and staff members; I’ve golfed here 4 times in the past two seasons. I highly recommend trying it out.

I’m newer to the sport of golf, but one thing I will note is that if you’re booking a round and playing with other random golfers…. They will be either the nicest people you’ve ever met or some of the rudest / unsportsmanlike people you’ve ever played with. Ive never seen behavior like this anywhere else to this degree except at Makray.

I have played with a “club thrower” and others that like to argue with the starter because the starter won’t let their group tee off the second other players in their group show up after being late for their tee time. The starter was willing to accommodate and let them tee off about 35 minutes after the groups behind their original tee time had teed off, that way pace of play wouldn’t be affected.

Also, for reference, the club thrower I mentioned earlier, almost hit me with his club because he hit a poor shot. I was standing about 10 feet away from his bag and he wildly threw the club at his bag. I ended up being just fine, but very agitated that a 55 year old man decided to throw a tantrum and a golf club in my direction without thinking of someone else’s safety.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 47
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

It’s very tough track. The greens we’re lightning fast

Hard to hold

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bad conditions

It's a shame that such a beautiful course be maintained so poorly. Some greens were in horrible conditions. Fairways mostly ok but greens very close to being unplayable. I don't mind paying $80 to walk or $100 w/cart for a nice course, this course should be no more than $40 walking or $55 w/cart at the current conditions. Hopefully they start doing a better job, I've seeing what bad management can do to a course (ie. Ruffled Feathers)

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course, Tough Greens

Makray offers a little something for everyone depending which tee box you play from. The course was in very good shape but the tee boxes were a bit chewed up and the fairways could have used some watering. Many of the holes, you needed to think about your next shot to avoid getting yourself in trouble. The greens were incredibly fast and challenging. If you are above the hole, good luck in getting your ball to stop. Overall, it's a fun, challenging course to play. I appreciate the management providing water bottles on four holes.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Walked

HIghly recommend

Great layout. Excellent conditions. Very fast green. One of the best courses in the Chicago suburbs

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
5.0
Previously Played

Local favorite

One of my favorite courses in the area. Great layout. Greens were in good shape and rolled nice.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 117
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Nice Fall GolF

The course was pretty quiet during the week. I was not paired up with anyone, as I am about to hit my drive the starter informs me that it’s cart path only. It would have been helpful to know that when I checked in I would have walked.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Best kept secret

I have played many courses over the years here in the Chicagoland area and found this to be one of the best kept secrets for a public courses.

If you’re looking for a great track at a great value this is the place. Book it !!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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