Settler's Hill Golf Course

This course has a lot of elevations changes. Some fairways are a little tight but most have generous landing areas. The greens were in great shape, but they are never flat and have plenty of undulations.

I play Settler's Hill fairly often and I love the layout, but I'm going to have second thoughts after the last round. This review deals almost strictly with the course conditions. Staff was great, Pace was okay at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon.

I also realize that for the price, the course cannot receive too much criticism, however having played it at a better price when conditions were absolutely top notch, I have to report that things have taken a turn for the worse, and I say this only in the hopes that improvements are close at hand. Overall, I still recommend the course. That said...

I'll start with the good. All areas were mown nicely and appeared to be the proper height and consistency and that includes the greens which are clearly cut and rolled regularly. There is a nice edge to the first and second cuts just as any golfer likes to see. The rough we deep enough to be penal, especially around the greens, but without wasting time trying to find your ball. The ball washers were mostly great with clean soapy water and clean towels and that's always appreciated.

Tee Boxes: The tee boxes are torn up pretty bad. and I saw no signs of recovery as one would expect.

Fairways: Show many of signs of poor turf repair jobs that if not addressed will forever scar those areas and some of them are quite large. I'm not talking about divots, I'm referring to large areas where turf as been transplanted and is not looking well at all. Areas that should be marked as under repair are not.

Rough: around the tees, greens, and along the fairways many areas were mushy or even soaking wet after nearly a week with sun, high temps, wind, and no rain. There are clearly some major sprinkler issues and drainage problems. Many areas that should have been marked as under repair were not and so they are really getting torn up by carts.

Bunkers: Many of the the bunkers were in really awful shape with the weed barrier showing through many of them and others had a layer of mud that bakes in the bottom and then cracks as you'd see on the great salt flats.

Greens: Worst of all, people weren't repairing their ball marks to the point that you can't confidently putt long without fixing several marks along the way. I repaired at least four ball marks on every green and but could have easily spent 15 minutes fixing them all. While one could argue that it only takes a handful of careless golfers to mark up green, by the looks of it the same careless golfers are playing over and again with number of characteristic dead brown and black grassless patches increasing. If this keeps up, the course is going to go from bad to worse over the next few months as we head into the months of heaviest play.

Equipment. Many flagsticks and cups are worn out and getting floppy to the point that it favors one side of the hole enough to ruin a possible chip in opportunity. The rakes are heavy and difficult to work with but who cares when so many people don't care to use them!

I wish the best to the course and staff and I hope that they can overcome the issues that they face and I look forward to returning with a much more positive review in the near future!

This course is not for beginners. I am about an 18 handicap and I shot a 102. Danger on both sides of every fairway, and one of the longer courses around. Lots of heather, woods, and water. Despite being very challenging, it was in very good condition. Greens were very fast, and undulating. Fun course though

These are some of the tougher greens in the area. Plan on some 3 putts.

I've always wanted to play this place and have heard good things. It was just as advertised. First, bring some golf balls. You'll loose a few balls because they let the wild grass grow around the fairways and greens so any errant shots usually end up in the tall grass...lost. I was impressed with the elevation changes! Really cool to hit blind shots or from up higher into a low landing area. Greens were plenty large and ran fast the day we played. The overall layout was beautiful and hard to believe you're playing on a landfill. I'm a 'bogey golfer' and found the course very fun and challenging. The clubhouse was alright, nothing special, but the beer was cold. If they can keep the price at the $55 area with a cart it is worth it to play.

I have played this course twice this year and I really enjoyed it each time. Course is reasonably priced. Great layout. Well maintained course.

There is definitely a lot of hills on this course and with the wind on the day I played, the challenge was great. The layout of a few holes were wonderful and the others were good as well. Definitely worth a try.

This was my first go at Settlers Hill and it didn't disappoint. Playing later after 2pm I thought the pace may be slower but finished up 18 in under 4 hours! The course was in good shape for early season and the layout was more challenging then expected. I am definitely looking forward to playing this course again when I move closer.

Very fun day but cold and wet conditions but overall enjoyable

I had not played this course since the mid 90's and I remember not liking it.

My opinion has changed after playing it recently. The layout is very nice and can get tight on a few holes. There are a lot of elevation changes which you don't see on most Chicago area courses.

The greens were in great shape for early May and the traps could use some work to make the sand less compacted or adding sand to them.

The biggest change was in the fairways. They used to be sparse and now they are much better. I would recommend adding a second cut to fairways to better define them. On a number of holes it was hard to see where the fairway ended and the rough began.

The course was a great deal for what we paid on Hot Deals! I will be back to play it again.

Settler's Hill is a track that keeps your interest and was in fairly "decent" shape when we played. Thankfully the 4-some in front of us (who were a tad "late" for their time) allowed us to jump in front of them on the 1st tee with at least two entire holes open in front of us. But golfers directly behind this group suffered through what had to be an over 5 hour round!! We teed off and didn't have anyone in front of us the entire day...got around in 350. Finishing we packed our cars had a beverage in the completely empty clubhouse (3pm) and all the help was wondering where everyone was.....well over 40 minutes passed by the time we left the parking lot and the group behind us was had not even reached the 17th green! Two groups we ran into at the parking lot upon departure were so frustrated with the slow pay they quit after 9 holes....and the course routing after 9 doesn't finish at the clubhouse. ZERO stars to the 1st tee starter and anyone else who was in charge of getting this group moving. Clubhouse employees were all great, welcoming and gracious. I'd have to strongly recommend avoiding Settler's Hill on weekend afternoons all season.

The greens were very fast (always have been) and fairly smooth but they are too fast for many which contributes to very slow play. Also noticed several times that old ball marks from last season were not healing properly....grass on greens average/below average at best these greens likely will deteriorate further as the season progresses...... Experienced several putts (even 4 or 5 footers) with old brown ball marks right in my line. Sand traps are sketchy to inconsistent at best. Some tee boxes are pretty ripped up. Par 5 11th hole is a complete high handicappers nightmare (it's a poorly designed golf hole...one you have to play several times just to have a chance at par) and have seen many a 4-some take well over 25 minutes to play it. While I do like the track....it's challenging and fun for me....I do feel fortunate to have been able to play it on the best of terms I could ask for....with my Golfvisions book pass....Settler's was getting $49 for the times after us...but it's just not even close to a $49 experience especially if you suffer a 5 hours plus round. No driving range and the practice putting green will somewhat prepare you for the overly fast greens...practice your downhillers. It's worth a play during the week mid-morning....but it's a $30 to $35 course at most. Call them as I see them.

Had a great time playing this course. It was in pretty good condition as well.

Greens are awesome. Very quick.

Fairways, tee boxes, and bunkers are in good shape. Scenic course. Very challenging no matter what tee box you play.

Nice track, much of course is elevated so when the wind blows it can be tough. But nice layout and generous landing areas

The course is a solid track that takes a few rounds to learn where to place your tee shot. One downside however is the lack of on course water coolers and on this particular day, there wasnt a beverage cart roaming the course. With it being one of the better days of the Chicagoland golf season the course was fairly full but a ranger was not present to facilitate the pace of play. Greens could use some work as they didnt flow well, one would be slow and another would be quick. Overall solid course that is fun.

Great value. Challenging but fair course. Accuracy is important, very important.

Course was not in the shape i am used to there. either needs some growing in or they are letting it go.

My father and I played last Sunday, the most beautiful day so far of 2016. Now I understand that on such a perfect day everyone would want to get out and play- naturally. With a lot of people playing things always get a little slower. But after 5 hours of play, we were still waiting to tee off at 17! There was not one single Ranger on the course keeping pace during our round. After 5 hours neither we or the two we were playing with could stand anymore. 16 holes in 5 hours is ridiculous! While this is a fun and challenging layout, be advised, the pace of play makes it difficult to enjoy a round of golf here.

This course was in horrible shape. The bathrooms on the course we're not fit for even the animals. Will not be back

The Good: Settler's Hill is not an upscale facility by any stretch, but the course is very fun and has enough quirk to keep you interested for all 18 holes. Bob Lohmann design in far west Chicago suburbs has more undulation than most courses in the area, with several excellent Par 5's, multiple downhill Par 3's, and some decent Par 4's. Nice mixture of prairie and woodland holes. Good course conditions and well-groomed, tricky greens. Very friendly staff will assist you at every turn. Above average value at $65 during peak season.

The Bad: Some of the green complexes are extremely challenging and severe. Very limited amenities with a ratty barn for a clubhouse and no 19th hole. No driving range or short game area. No GPS and yardarge markers are tough to come by.

The Verdict: Settler's Hill is a fun course without the bells and whistles of a premium public course. There are closer courses to the city that provide a more complete experience.

Best Hole: All the Par 5's are strong, but the 11th is a tight hole that requires a precise drive and then uphill approaches to the longest green on the course.