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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4.0
716 Reviews (716)
5 Stars
368
4 Stars
217
3 Stars
77
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
24
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.3
74.2%
Recommend this course
594 out of 716 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
3 Reviews (3)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.5
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.5
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
66.7%
Recommend this course
2 out of 3 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
65 Reviews (65)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.4
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.2
63.1%
Recommend this course
41 out of 65 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

4.0
716 Reviews (716)

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.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Tremendous Greens

I played here because it looked like the average golfer constantly complained about the fast greens, they are fast but that’s what they should be, if you’re a good to advanced golfer you’ll love this place especially the greens

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

The course is in amazing shape. It’s a strong test of golf. Fastest greens I’ve played all year. Wide range of tee selections so the higher handicap’s can enjoy it. Would definitely recommend. Oh, and the hot dog at the turn was phenomenal!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great track and layout

Great track. The layout is great and makes you use different clubs and not just driver and short iron. Greens not as bad as people say it is but it is very fast. Would’ve been better if people fixed their ball marks on the greens and if they had leveled tee boxes.

Only BAD thing was despite finished 18 in a little over 4 hours that we caught up to a 2 some after hole 2. They wouldn’t tee off until we finished putting the last hole. A 4some should never be waiting on a 2some with the whole front open ahead of them. Course ranger said they’re on pace so it’s ok. That’s pretty unacceptable to wait he waiting behind a pair.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Ridiculous Greens

The greens are unfare, not only are they extremely sloped, they are hard as concrete so they are fast and rough.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

FIrst time playing and was impressed by the layout and hole designs. Par 4s that made you lay up or make sure you hitting the fairway for an approach. Unfortunately the greens were rolling the fastest I had ever seen. Just tap the ball to start rolling and if was downhill you were going off the green sometimes.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Tough, fun course

The main talking point of the course is the tabletop fast greens. Fastest I have played for a public course, almost unfair if the pins are in sketchy spots. I still enjoy it though, worth playing especially if you get a deal time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Awful Conditions!!!!

The greens were in terrible condition. Too hard, too much sand and ball marks all over, they need to be replaced. The price of this course is not suitable for the conditions. I will not be going back.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best public course greens in IL.

Easily my favorite track I’ve this year. Best greens I’ve played all year, including private clubs. White sand is pure. Great course layout. Clubhouse has a private club feel.

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

Fastest Greens Around

Makray greens are always a challenge, but they seemed exceptionally fast on my most recent round. In addition to the speed there is a lot of back to front slope, so you want to stay below the pin on your approaches. The greens and the whole course was in great shape in spite of the shortage of rain. Pace was unusually slow because of a "full house" on a Friday afternoon.

Fun course to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fun course, good condition, AWFUL pace of play

One of the most challenge greens I’ve played. Fun course and makes you think. However the pace of play was so bad I might never come back. At least two rangers patrolling and still unacceptable pace of play. 5 hour round got a two-some.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 136
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Difficult

Makray is serious test

Almost all the greens slope back to front and if you are above the hole good luck

Greens were receptive but very fast

Nice range

Course is difficult and you need to play the correct tees

Group in front of us were playing one up and figured out by the 5th hole they needed to move up

One thing they need to fix is the practice putting green

It is awful and has been that way since opening

On the right side you can drop a ball and it will roll 20 feet

If you want to test every part of your game Makray is the place

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Top Notch facility

This Golf Course never disappoints always in Tip Top shape greens are lightning, staff is right on top of things. Water on every few holes in coolers is one of the nicest touches I've seen in the course in this area. For the money you cannot beat this course private course amenities at a public price highly recommended

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 42
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Greens Unplayable

Greenskeeper should be fired. Greens are unplayable

Too fast for the amount of undulation.

Stay away from this place unless you like to be tortured?

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Course, but

One draw back - I asked for a handicap flag and they said they don’t have one (or cart override). Not too happy about that as there is a lot of walking from the path over hills to the green.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
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