Stonewall Orchard Golf Club

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.

Stonewall Orchard is a gem of a course that I always look forward to playing. It's a great track that requires players to hit all the clubs in their bag--with precision as even on some of the shorter holes, trouble awaits those that don't hit the right spots. Natural beauty surrounds you amongst the quiet wilderness of the far northwest suburb of Chicago. The course is very playable with plenty of room off the tee but at times things quickly narrow as the green approaches--with plenty of trouble in the surrounding areas. Several holes require long "carry" shots over marsh and many greens have significant undulations which are testy. I love how the course "snakes" it's trail, so rarely will one even see or play from an adjoining hole. Bring your "A" game or else fear the "C" game results. Arguably the most challenging public course in the chicago land area.

Stonewall is a very difficult course from the gold or silver tee boxes. The design might have to grow on you as there are 4-5 par-4s where a driver is not necessary/discouraged. Each time I play, usually first time in the AM, I seem to get to the 6th hole and feel like my driver has not gotten a chance to warm-up. This is not necessarily negative; however, the 6th, 7th and 8th holes demand a lot from the driver. At this point in the round I ususally feel like I have warmed up, but have not really had a chance to build confidence in my driver.

The course has always been in amazing shape, the carts have GPS units and the staff consistently makes you feel appreciated and they genuinely want you to enjoy your time at the course. I love Stonewall and look forward to playing there several times each year.

Easily a top 5 golf course within the Chicago area. Very good condition and offers some exciting - and demanding -shot making opportunities.

Played 2 pm on a Wednesday

Nice conditions. Friendly staff. Good practice facility. Pace of play was awesome 3 hrs and 15 mins. A lot of fun.

Stonewall Orchard is a fair test of golf best suited for players who can consistently handle forced carries over marsh and water. Layout is excellent, with rolling hills, and a variety of options to choose.

Greens were very hard and fast (apparently a USGA qualifier was earlier in the week) making it difficult to hold the green on many approach shots. Some fairway locations showed heavy play. Otherwise grooming was very good.

Most golfers will be anxious to come back for another round after their initial experience here.

Without a doubt one of the nicest and most challenging courses in the Chicagoland area. Unfortunately you cannot take a step without walking in Geese C**p. It is all over the place. For $95 a round, they really need to get some border collies out there and get this under control. It is a shame that management has let one of the most beautiful and fun courses to play get to this point. I will not play this course again until they "clean up this mess". Too bad because it is definitely one of my favorites. My ratings of poor on course conditions and value only reflect the Geese C**p. Other than those two things, 5 Stars across the board

Played Stonewall Orchard for the first time. Very nice layout. Greens were difficult to figure out. Very windy day made a very difficult course almost impossible on some holes. I would like to try it again when conditions are better as I scored 15 shots higher than my average score for the year.

Unfortunately, had to quit after playing two holes because of the extremely rainy and windy conditions. It was 44 degrees without the wind chill. But, the first and second holes were in excellent conditions with the tee boxes were cut as tight as the fairways. The pro shop staff was very accommodating by providing us two rain checks for a later date. Although disappointed, I'm looking forward to returning.

Great course. Challenging but fair. Staff was friendly.

Yesterday I got to experience one of the rarest of golfing opportunities-Shirtsleeve golf in Chicago in FEBRUARY!!-and I was actually overheating by the end of the round. Stonewall Orchard was every bit as good in February as it is in the summer or fall, the only other times I've played it. The fairways and greens had been entirely cleaned of debris, the greens rolled true and nearly as fast and with the rough not as lush, I was able to locate a couple of my "strays" a little bit easier! The course layout is so well done that every hole is memorable, but coming back to the clubhouse on either the par 3 9th over water or the Par 5 18th blind approach to water on the left side of the green is something every avid duffer should appreciate at least once. Altogether, one of my more memorable golf rounds at one of the Northwest Suburbs most stunning venues!

Stonewall Orchard is such a gem track. Course is always in good to excellent shape, staff is courteous, and practice area is very good. Course will challenge you but if you're hitting the ball well you can score here. Starters at the 1st tee are always extremely nice and look forward to a quick chat. Tee boxes, fairways, and greens (Greens are some of the nicest out there). Stonewall is a top 10 public course in Illinois without question. Played the tips here once and even though I'm a bomber it was a very tough day. I play one up from the tips and the yardage I believe is around 6700 yards. Love this place so much and would play it much more if it wasn't hour drive for me. Keep doing what you're doing Stonewall!

A bit of a hike from the city but worth the trek. Excellent layout with unique challenges and strategy on every hole. No doubt one of the very best public tracks the Chicago area has to offer.

You must read the rated reviews above since the language is sensitive. 12 handicapper that plays 3X a week.

Great greens! Nice layout.