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
734 Reviews (734)
5 Stars
379
4 Stars
223
3 Stars
77
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
25
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.8
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.3
75.0%
Recommend this course
610 out of 734 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
20 Reviews (20)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
85.0%
Recommend this course
17 out of 20 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
64 Reviews (64)
5 Stars
31
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
6
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.6
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.4
67.2%
Recommend this course
43 out of 64 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
734 Reviews (734)

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 14
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Last minute price is right round

I got a great price for this wonderful course. I got there just in time and had a great time. The course is hard and you get a sense that you are on a very high quality course. The staff is great, the facilities are excellent and the course is challenging and well maintained. I am looking forward to golfing this course again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Dance Floor sHore

Played after a day of rain and light rain on the day of play. The greens were stilllll lighting quick. Above the hole,...you might as well concede to a three putt cuz you don't hit the cup you can kiss it good bye. I played twice here in a week and even with that knowledge it still cost me several strokes. Apart from that there are maybe 4 stand out holes, everything else follows the same routine for the most part. Greens were elevated, protected and rolling undulation on every hole. Overall I enjoy this course but just don't see it being worth the amount they are charging because its BARRRRington. C'mon! $94? Loco. Don't pay more than $30.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Poor weather
Used cart

sales

Great Course, be ready to lose some balls.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good place to golf

1st time golfing out there and it was pleasant and the course is in great conditions !

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Low handicappers course

The only time I've played here is with deep discounts which are only available in cold weather months. Normally, the course is too pricy for my blood. This course is everything that's wrong about golf these. It's far too challenging for the average golfer to enjoy. I played the silver tees and even those had a slope of 131. I don't mind a challenge but the 9th green complex is ridiculous. I hit a nice high 8 iron shot to the front right of the green. My ball ended up in a deep bunker left and short of the green. Didn't have an issue with pace as the course was nearly empty on a Saturday. That tells me something.

The condition of the course was impeccable and some of the holes are very nice. But this is a course for only the single digit guys and is borderline unfair even for them on certain holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Best course in Chicago

The course is just so beautiful. It was a perfect day with very pleasant weather, and the course just makes a plus! We enjoyed very much and everyone was quite happy. The scenic enjoyment is part of the game. The green is quite challenging and very fast. The course provides bottled water and very good restaurant menu. We definitely will come back if the price can be a little cheaper.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Makray Memorial

I play all over the Chicago area but for some reason had never made it to Makray until this past weekend. What a mistake on my part! Not only was this the best conditioned course I've played all year but each hole seems to offer unique challenges. We played from the gold tees and our group consisted of 4 solid 8 - 12 handicappers and it was a great challenge. We all especially loved several of the very short par 4's that really challenge your strategy of club selection from the tee box. In our opinion this ranks with Bowes Creek as the top two public courses in Chicago. Pace of play was slow and the group in front of us could have used some help with the never seen marshal to push them along instead of looking for balls in every hazard. The staff at the restaurant were especially nice and the food is top notch. Will definitely make this a regular stop for our group.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

If you have the dough - this is where to go!

I played in 50 degree weather with 30mph wind and it was very difficult (especially the putting), but what a great course. The greenskeeper has done an excellent job. I was playing with a severely bruised ribs and it was a painful experience, but well worth it to be so lucky to enjoy such a beautiful place.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

This is a great layout

Greens were incredible and the fairways pristine.

great value

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Outstanding course, greens were near perfect

The greens were some of the most beautiful, best and true rolling that I have seen only on a few other courses. More public courses need to do what Mackray does on greens. Beautiful day topped off by beautiful course. And the clubhouse is outstanding, suitable for my wife and I to dine after our round. Not that many clubhouses are that elegant, that good of food, nice environment. It is nearly an hour drive for us from Hinsdale, but well worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

sunny

One of the most difficult courses in the area, the green are Masters like super super fast

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

The Course is well maintained

The course challenging and the greens are very fast.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hugely over priced

Having paid $92.00 I was expecting an immaculate course with fast even greens. I was hugely disappointed! The fairways were not well maintained with lots of patches of dead grass, we were told by the starter that the greens rolling at around an 11, evidently he had no idea what he was talking about. Not only were they slow and sluggish, they were uneven and very poorly maintained.
To add to my entire groups frustrations with the course the pace of play was bad, my group and that in front were held up for the entire round by a foursome who allowed nearly two entire holes to open up in front of them, resulting in U.S. Waiting for 5 minutes on every tee box.
Having played regularly in the area I can only conclude that the price point has been set bases on the zip code and nothing more. There are 20 courses within a half hour drive that will cost you half as much to play and are significantly better maintained.
Needless to say I with not be going back to Makray again!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Some People Just Don't Belong

74$ on the weekend to walk is a price to keep certain people away. The redesign is great but the greens were beat up around the hole. I play at a 9 and I played with a gent who is a 1 and we both agreed on our level of disappointment at how beat up the area around the hole was. It was like a nice IPA, hoppy. From the tee box though the course can be breathtaking. Especially on 4, 10, 11, and 18. My playing partner and I also commented on how the course was hard, but not unfair. If you just crack into the single digits on your index, play the tees one set forward. If you're under a 5 go play the backs and try to break 80. This course doesn't meet the $74 walking rate. Blackstone, Golf Club of Illinois, and Whisper Creek are better and cheaper. $30 bucks on Golf Now was a steal though. At $74 bucks all I could think of was Judge Smails saying, "Some people just don't belong." Get over yourself Makray.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course

A little pricey but fairways were perfect, greens were lightning fast and sometimes you couldn't stop the putt. Approach shots would hold. Greens could use a little work as there were ball marks from people not repairing the correctly

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 30
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

challenging green

Recommend for experienced player.Beautiful lay out .Course is in very good condition from tee to green.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 40
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Course - if you can find a Hot Deal

This is an excellent, top-tier golf course. Fairways are well manicured and the greens run true and fast. Good mix of long and short holes. They don't have a "snack bar" where you can run in and get a "dog 'n a beer" at the turn. You have to go into the dining room and wait for the bartender - which could be a while. Regular price at this course is pretty high. I found a last-minute hot deal for $40 which is the only reason I chose this course. I rarely pay over $50 for a round of golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course That's Been Thru A 12 Round Boxing Match

I have played Makray 10-12 times over the past 8 years and loved playing it every time. It is challenging and long but just a wonderful track. I haven't played here in 4 years and I have to be honest, it was beaten and bruised. Not because of lack of maintenance but seemingly from abusive and neglectful players. It usually draws a prim and proper crowd so I am guessing non-caring kids have been playing here lately. I say this because I can think of anyone else that would leave big marks and gashes on the tee boxes and all over the greens. Not just one or two but on just about every hole.

My only complaint outside of that was the cup placements were placed in very strange and complicated areas. One was 7 feet from left fringe on far left side and another was placed to roll 20-30 feet downhill if you didn't drain the put no matter how soft you hit it.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Great Value

I had a great time, but got rained out on the13TH. hole. The siren went off and we had to leave the coarse. I waited for over an hour and finally left. It was still raining. But I had a great time. The coarse was in great shape but like every whare, people need to fix their ball marks.
Thanks, rRoy Lovkvist

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

I Expected More

I have wanted to play Makray for a long time. I was really excited when my friend told me that we were going to play there. Upon arrival I expected someone to take our bags and put them on the cart for us but that did not happen. The half way house was closed, and the beer cart girl only came by 3 times during our round, Twice on the front 9 and once on the back 9. After the round, I also expected there to be someone washing the clubs but they did not have that either. I guess I expected this one to be more like a country club like Bolingbrook but it wasn't. Course was really nice. Greens are SUPER FASTTTTT so always make sure you are under the hole. id recommend it for the course but I don't feel its worth the $92.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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