Blackberry Oaks Golf Club
About
Blackberry Oaks in Bristol is a public golf course that has been recognized as one of the Chicagoland area's best courses. The course design utilizes the natural beauty and hazards of the landscape including the native wetlands, grassy prairies, and towering stands of mature oaks. Blackberry Creek also meanders through the course. In addition to the natural hazards, a heavy smattering of strategically placed bunkers was also incorporated into the design. Although it can seem intimidating, the golf course isn't overly formidable if you can manage to stay out of the sand and water. The third and 12th holes are two par 4s that are memorable for their water hazards. The third has a lake along either side and the 12th has a green that is almost entirely surrounded by water.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6404 yards | 71.3 | 134 |
| White | 72 | 6003 yards | 69.6 | 130 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5294 yards | 71.4 | 128 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 71.3/132 | 343 | 515 | 370 | 172 | 369 | 317 | 486 | 191 | 377 | 3140 | 373 | 523 | 161 | 361 | 365 | 202 | 492 | 400 | 387 | 3264 | 6404 |
| White M: 69.6/128 W: 75.0/134 | 323 | 473 | 328 | 158 | 343 | 304 | 464 | 175 | 332 | 2900 | 347 | 506 | 148 | 345 | 343 | 176 | 466 | 394 | 378 | 3103 | 6003 |
| Green M: 67.1/121 W: 72.3/128 | 312 | 455 | 313 | 146 | 323 | 284 | 445 | 161 | 314 | 2753 | 340 | 420 | 140 | 330 | 325 | 166 | 385 | 350 | 310 | 2766 | 5519 |
| Red M: 66.1/119 W: 71.1/126 | 300 | 437 | 298 | 144 | 303 | 262 | 439 | 147 | 294 | 2624 | 330 | 417 | 135 | 298 | 316 | 156 | 376 | 340 | 302 | 2670 | 5294 |
| Family 2 W: 66.1/105 | 216 | 360 | 220 | 144 | 230 | 185 | 349 | 93 | 210 | 2007 | 255 | 315 | 74 | 235 | 230 | 70 | 310 | 265 | 249 | 2003 | 4010 |
| Family 1 W: 62.2/99 | 165 | 248 | 168 | 65 | 185 | 152 | 265 | 80 | 180 | 1508 | 179 | 262 | 55 | 182 | 175 | 60 | 248 | 192 | 148 | 1501 | 3009 |
| Handicap | 17 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 4 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 13 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 4 |
Course Details
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ClubhouseReviews
Pleasant experience
Enjoyed playing this course. Several very interesting holes. Fairways and greens well maintained, some bunkers need attention. Pro Shop staff very efficient. Overall, pleasant experience.
Great Features
The layout is great, course is in good shape and a must play if you're in the area.
Charming course
Course is beautiful and very charming. Lush and green with Blackberry Creek winding throughout.
Only drawback is the numerous single golfers that are allowed out...they fly through the course making it necessary for groups to constantly be run down from behind. Maybe better that on weekends, a starter should be out there putting all of these single players into foursomes.
Also no rangers. That being said, everyone should get out to Blackberry Oaks at least once. You will be glad you did.
nice place
While play is slower than I am used to, it was Sunday afternoon and pushing 90 degrees so I wasn't in a big hurry. The course is interesting enough to make me think off the T instead of just bombing drivers.
Fairways are well kept. (stay out of the rough, its long , and easily hides a ball). Slopes on average speed greens are gradual and easily misread leaving many 4 to 6 footers for par.
They provide a nice practice range and lessons from Chad Johansen , inventor of a unique putting aid.
Booking Policy and Attitude
We were booked in the middle of two ongoing events, a high school qualification round and an outing. We were told to tee off on the back 9 with 5 foursomes in front of us. When we got there we were told by one of the students, that he was told to tell us to go to the 13th hole. The last foursome of the outing was still on that green when we arrived there.
It took 35 minutes before we tee'd off. It then took another 2 hours to play four holes, due to over indulgence within the outing, and ineffective rangers there apparently for appearance only! Management was abrupt, definitely had an attitude, and never offered compensation, or even an apology. We threw in the towel after 4 holes.
Consistently good
Well maintained with good greens. Very good value. On the play list every year.
Blackberry Oaks
Enjoyable course to play. Only 6400 yards from the tips makes you seem like a big hitter. Playing the course for the first time, I found it easy to hit through fairways and into the many creeks that wind through the course. It reminded me of playing a resort course where you have to play "target" golf
on some holes. Enjoyable none the less.
Blackberry Oaks
Great course, currency staff....course is challenging, but not so difficult that it takes away from the fun.
N/A
Greens were a bit beat up. Pace of play was ATROCIOUS. There really needs to be a ranger on course making sure people are keeping pace. Did not see a ranger even once. There was one group that was 2.5 holes behind, and holding EVERYONE behind them up. Waited an average of 5-10 minutes between shots. At one point, waited 12 minutes to hit my second shot.
BEAUTIFUL COURSE
BEEN THERE TWICE AND PLAN ON GOING BACK MANY TIMES. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. I'M A BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE GOLFER AND WOULD LIKE TO GET THERE A COUPLE TIMES, OR MORE, A MONTH NOW.
A hidden gem in Bristol
Blackberry Oak is one of those hidden gems in the western suburbs that most people have never had exposure to. Though not long in yardage it is a challenge to the low handicapper with challenging greens and course character. The fairways are some of the best I've played (bent grass) and the course is well manicured and appeals to your aesthetic sensibilities. I will continue to play this course and recommend it to others who enjoy great conditions and challenge.
Lovely
Wonderful day, conditions terrific, it really felt like we had the course to ourselves. Short, but challenging, with a great deal of water to avoid. Greens were in fantastic shape, probably could have mowed even a bit tighter.
all around great course
fairways,greens and all around course was great.also tee boxes were average.staff was good.would tell anyone to play course
Interesting course
About a 25 minute ride west of Naperville - slightly out of the way. Course is short - maybe 6,000 yards - lots of 350 yd par fours so from the card it looks easy. But a winding creek and lots of sharp dog legs, a tougher than average rough, and sufficient traps makes it more difficult. Slower , but well manicured greens, run true. Course is very flat yet the abundant water, and being in the "country" makes it picturesque. Nothing lavish but a nice clubhouse with good sandwiches and drinks - friendly folks.
nice track,good shape
played after rain but it drained well / 18 is a hole you need to have a yardage book or have played before or you will bogie it with a good drive thats just 15 yards out of position!
Pleasantly Surprised
Nice course for the area. Go and enjoy! Bring a buddy!
Nice track despite the gnat problem
Course was in good condition and greens rolled true. Not a single ranger in the afternoon, and this was not acceptable, despite holiday.
Probably wont be back as this one is in the sticks.
Not worth the trip
I repaired at least 5 ball marks per green, although they rolled true. Some tees not level. Not one hole was interesting from the tee. Length of collars around greens were longer than any of the rough. Probably will not go back.
Difficult Course
Hard play but the course is well maintained. I will be going back to this course for sure once I have had a little more practice. Excellent par 3's.
All aroung Great Day
Blackberry Oaks is a hidden gem. I almost did not want to write a review so I could keep it to myself. The course was in great shape. Challenging enough to give you the feeling that you could play well here. Not the feeling of defeat and that the course is unfair. Forgiving enough for the weekend warrior (like me) to feel like I have a chance. It makes for a fun round of golf.