Stonewall Orchard Golf Club

Don't understand the "Way OVERRATED" review. There's a reason our group has had a Saturday tee time at Stonewall Orchard for the past 10 years. It's a fantastic course that will challenge any level of golfer, never bore you, and fairly test every club in your bag. Conditions are superb, including the greens that must be "bikini waxed" to get them to run so true and fast. The only thing that surpasses this great track is the staff who's second to none ... very friendly, accommodating, and always willing to share a laugh. In my humble opinion, it's always wonderful at "The Wall".

I gave it a second chance, one chance to many, staff is great. But this course has a boring layout. I had to go back a set of tees the white tee boxes were so run down brown patches everywhere, off the fairways there rough hadn’t been cut in weeks. And ah there greens . They all had more craters than the moon. I had to fix on average 3 to 7 ball diviots just so I could putt. Half there greens were brown and there greens were rock hard. This course should be ashamed to ask more than $40 bucks to play. I play 3 times a week, this was a major disappointment. If you pay more than $40 jokes on you. This is so far from a championship course it’s truly laughable!!!! I fired a 88 with 9 three putts. There greens were so bad.

This was an early season round and I can’t wait for the spring/summer conditions. Very strong layout that requires every club and shot in your bag.

Great layout, tough greens, horrible mosquito problem. There were shots on numerous holes in/near the water or woods that had to be severely rushed due to the mosquitos, even with insect repellent. While the entire area has had a bad mosquito condition this year, this had to be the worst I have ever played in. Definitely affected our play and level of enjoyment. Also, with several holes to go and trying to beat the rain, we caught up with a five-some which required us to wait on 2-3 holes before storms chased us all in. While we may have only completed another hole or so before the rain, I really do not believe they should have allowed a five-some on a course like that - a bit irritating. But I definitely plan to play this course again under better weather (and mosquito) conditions.

I've read that Arthur Hills combines working with the natural beauty of the land, taking advantage of the natural contours, minimizing earth moving, all while keeping the strategy of the golf game always in mind.

This is evident at Stonewall Orchard.

While it may fall a touch short of "breathtaking" in terms of views, it absolutely delivers in terms of great golf experience which is both demanding and rewarding regardless of your level of play. I can't speak for others but here is what I love that Stonewall Orchard delivers:

Doglegs - gentle, yet demanding thought in distance and placement.

Bunker placement: Excellent and appropriate

Bunker conditions: Fair and consistent

Forced Carries: Enough to test without discouraging.

Greens: Undulating, firm, consistent and with wickedly subtle breaks that are shockingly difficult to read. A close approach to the pin will pay off as you will want to learn from the others in your group.

All staff encountered were as pleasant as you can hope for a mid-afternoon weekday round.

I've played Arthur Hills other Illinois public course (Bolingbrook) but I'd have to say that Stonewall Orchard tops that course in nearly every category.

Very much look forward to playing again!

Love the course. Challenging and pretty. Amenities are very nice - especially like the practice facilities. Course layout is very nice and the property feels big. The speed on a couple of the greens seemed inconsistent compared the other greens, but overall really like the course.

Have played here a fee times before but never when the course was in perfect condition, the pace of play was great and perfect weather. Cant wait to go back. Loved putting on these greens!

The greens were a little chewed up. Other than that it is a great course.

I played Stonewall Orchard many years ago. The only difference that I noticed this time was new multi-family units built on the far side of the property. Although, one of my favorite things about SO was that you didn't see a plane, car, train or house while playing the course. That has changed a little bit but it is still a great nature walk. The layout is really great. The only hole I don't care for is the 18th. It is a really long par 5 that ends with an almost blind shot to the green even with a wedge in your hand. Great spot. Highly recommend it.

Very fast but true greens. Not really any easy holes. Course was in great shape and the staff was very friendly. Played in three and a half hours on a Friday afternoon. Highly recommended course.

Great course and in solid condition. Have played this course numerous times and it never disappoints. Maintenance is great and the greens are very challenging but roll true. Must play for all golfers.

I don't play a lot of golf on the north side of Chicago, but when I do Stonewall Orchard is the first course I will try to get on. Always in great shape, greens rolling fast and true, and (knock on wood) never had a pace of play issue. We played as a twosome this go around; two foursomes let us play through on the front nine and then it was clear sailing. We played in 3 hours and it was cart path only; my kind of golf!

Since this was the first time I played here, I definitely want to go back. Been wanting to play here and wasn't disappointed. Greens were a little banged up but they still rolled fast and true. Flexibility by the pro shop and starter getting out a single so that was great. Quick round (little over 3 hours)playing with another single. Tees and fairways were nice. Some holes that were shorter but made you think. If you played here alot, could shoot some good scores. Looking forward to going back but also looking for a better rate on the greens fees. Worth the $60 I paid but would not pay the normal rate (near $100).

Always challenging but fair and in great condition with very fast and true greens. I really enjoy playing this track a couple times a season. I would play this course much more frequently if the greens fees were mid 60's, as nice as it is, 80 bucks at 2pm on a thurs is prolly the reason nobody was behind me on a beatiful sunny 70 degree no wind afternoon.

This is a very beautiful coarse and well kept, greens were very nice, great roll and not extremely fast but you need to be careful with your speed. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Will definitely go back. :)

There are so many courses to choose from in the Chicago suburbs but this public course was a truly a gem. Not an easy course to play but quite picturesque. Although it was challenging the built in GPS in all the golf carts made it very playable. Definitely worth the trip if you're in the area.

The Good: Very nice, upscale Arthur Hills layout about an hour northwest of Chicago is one of the premier suburban public tracks. Tree-lined, but very fair layout puts a premium on strategic shotmaking and putting. Impressive course conditions and outstanding, difficult greens. Good Par 5's and extremely challenging Par 3's. Nice clubhouse with full restaurant and locker rooms, as well as a strong practice facility. Priced steeply at just under $100 during peak season, but many online specials and twilight rates.

The Bad: While a great course, not sure its worth nearly a Benjamin to play. Lack of GPS or on-course restrooms is a bit of a letdown. Most holes are great, but a few of the Par 4's are unmemorable.

The Verdict: Stonewall Orchard is a top 10 public access course in Illinois and is one of the best conditioned courses in the state. Some of the most treacherous greens you will find!

Best Hole: The Par 5 18th is a beast. At nearly 600 yards, you can expect a mid-short iron third approach to a small, devilish green protected by water left and sand right.