Blackstone Golf Club

This is my favorite public course in the Chicagoland area. But it really isn’t that close for those near the city. It is definitely worth the drive, but it is a long drive. I would strongly consider a membership here if I didn’t live so far.

PROS - From the first time I played this course, I was enamored with it. The conditions, greens, pace of play, challenge of the course all made me really enjoy it. When people ask me where I like to play I always recommend Blackstone. Other than a few holes, I really like the layout. The conditions are always well kept based on it being public. And the greens are as fast and slick as any public course around. The course is challenging and fun. Two holes to watch out for. #3 par 4 with the tree on the left side. If you don’t hit a good drive, you’ll have to deal with that tree or have a long, tough approach. #5 par 3 which is over 200 yds. This hole always creates a back up on the course as you’re coming off a par 5 and then going into another par 5. I like the fact that they have 5 par 3s and 5 par 5s, but the 5s aren’t spread out enough (#9 and #10 are back to back par 5s AND #4 and #6).

CONS - It’s far from Chicago! On the drive out on 90, I always remember that the Highlands of Elgin is far too, but then you are driving another 15 miles to this place. I’d rather walk, but the distance from the clubhouse to #1, back from #9 to the clubhouse, walk to #13 and back from #15 are too long. The range is a little small. I have had some issues with the pro shop when making and cancelling tee times. And it is true that members are preferred customers, but I can see why.

VALUE - To me this course has tremendous value. I believe the best bang for your buck maybe outside of the Highlands of Elgin.

Notes for the course:

Please put your aeration schedule on your website, and discount a week after the aeration.

Black Stone is a very challenging course. The greens are fast and angular.Sandtraps are in good spots. You will really like playing here.

I had only played Blackstone once and that was 10 years ago. I remembered how nice the course was at that time. So now I have moved out to the area and played it again. It truly is a special course. We ran into hail, sleet and rain towards the last three holes but gutted it out. I was fortunate to have paid a great rate for the course. I only wish that rate would be offered again.

It's COVID 19 and none of the staff in proshop wear masks. Nor do most of the golfers in clubhouse. Steer clear of here until COVID passes.

Will return again before the season ends. Beautiful course with challenging greens that are in fantastic shape.

This course never lets me down. Beautiful, challenging, peaceful!

I like variety in hole presentation. You sure get it at Blackstone. I want to play this course again. Watch out for challenging and fast greens.

Nice course layout, with a variety of holes designs and changes of elevations. Generally very good conditions, too. One negative is that several holes have steep rises in front of the greens and the course typically has firm conditions, so it can be nearly impossible to get a full iron shot close to a front pin position. And we have seen some very slow pace of play.

Prior to this year I would have given Blackstone 4 stars. But this year they get dinged 2 stars for their total disregard to wearing masks and the Coronavirus. On a mid-July Sunday neither of the 2 staff behind the counter wore masks and most if not all of the golfers weren't wearing them either. And at the end of August a friend said no one was wearing masks there.

We won't play there again until either we know the management has gotten serious about the Coronavirus or the pandemic is over.

They have a guy who walks around filling in divots in the fairway. They have made turn arounds wider so carts don't go in the grass. All cart paths are in perfect shape. Greens are terrific. The fellow who puts in the holes on the greens must not play golf. A lot of those are on slopes or mounds on the green. They do an excellant job of leaf removal to keep speed of play moving. Have never had a round over 4 hrs and 10 min

This golf course contains a near perfect layout, on top of that the condition of the course is nice with a few not fixed ball marks on green but other than that 10/10.

We walked up to the tee box and noticed they had been recently aerated. I asked the starter if the greens had also been aerated and said yes, but 10 days ago. The greens were in terrible shape. No roll, extremely bumpy, and very unkempt. I have played here twice before and was very impressed, but today I left feeling like it was a $30 round, not $60.

I like the course and layout but I’ve walked off course the last 3 times around the 13 th hole because of very very slow pace of play. 3 almost 4 foursomes on a hole at the same time. They need an aggressive ranger policy so that rounds don’t take longer than 4:15 - 4:25 hours to play.

I’m staying away for awhile .