Starboard at Harborside International Golf Center

I played the Starboard Course on 8/11/22. It’s been a long time since I have played this course and I’m happy to say it is still in great shape. The fairways were perfect to play from and the greens rolled true. I think the Starboard course is just as playable as the Port course and in my opinion the Starboard course has the best set of par threes on one nine (back nine) between both courses. The staff was very friendly and professional. If I had one criticism, it would be the cart paths are getting in rough shape, but I blame that on the harsh Chicago winters. It’s an outstanding place to play golf regardless of which course you play.

Great course layout, but course conditions on the day we played were below average. The greens were shaggy, the slowest I’ve played in Illinois all year, which was surprising given the cost per round. The rough was very long, which they were starting to cut mid afternoon, yielding inconsistent conditions. Bunkers were groomed with a tractor, so lies in the bunkers depended on if a ball settled in a tractor groove or not - for a course that boasts about its multi million dollar bunker renovation, that was unfortunate. The greens at such a slow speed were a disappointment. Facilities were great.

The course was in excellent shape and has definitely earned it’s course/slope ratings. Your’re in for a treat, but pack an extra sleeve of balls

My only negative comment was that our Noon tee time included at least 6-8 maintenance guys cutting the fairways and rough on the first 8 holes we played. I understand Monday's are typically the day this is done, but a better approach would have been to start on 18 and work your way back so that you aren't impacting the same groups.

Course was in great shape and we enjoyed our round.

Course is in great shape. Keep it in the fairway as rough is lush in many places. Greens were rolling true.

PACE: Paired up with another single, and moved just fine.

CONDITIONS: Tee boxes and bunkers were good. Fairways were scruffy, and the greens were thick and slow.

STAFF: Had a trainee help me at check-in, and she did a great job. Got me checked in an out on the course.

VALUE: Range balls no longer included. Given the loss of that amenity, quality of cart paths, and quality of course I don't think this course is as good of a value as it once was.

LAYOUT: Despite my value comment above (mostly based off of conditions), I still think the Starboard Back 9 is one of the most fun back 9s in Chicago. If interested, you can walk this course... the trek from Starboard #9 to #10 isn't that far. :)

Nice course! For a $140 it’s too much ! Played many courses in better shape and layout! No food at turn except hotdogs!

This place had a lot of hype. Disappointing though for all of the status and name recognition it has.

Course was lack luster.

Cart paths were in poor condition.

Staff was cold. My starter wasn’t even there and I had to wait 10 mins to get guidance on carts and which hole I’d be starting from.

Not worth the money. I’ve played at park districts that felt better and gave a run for the money.

Course was in terrible condition. Greens were slow with flower buds appearing on the greens grasses, anything off the fairway was swallowed up by long rough and rough cuttings. Dead patches spread sporadicly across fairways. I played this a few years back and it was quality, although expensive. This week it was like an unmanaged parkland course. Most expensive round for mediocre golf in Chicago. Will not be coming back!

It’s been pretty damp the past few weeks The rough (anything off the fairway or the fringe) is lush and thick. In other words, miss the fairway and you risk the chance (high) of losing your ball. Fairways were rolling and the greens a little slow. Overall, below average conditions for an otherwise excellent track.

I’ll have to come back when they have the mowers out and have more than one beverage cart.

Dollar for dollar the worst value golf in Chicago. Over priced tee fees ($80+ for their “Spring Rate”). Charged for a “bucket” of balls that was maybe 10-15 balls (found out after I bought it). The course was so wet that I found plug balls on nearly every fairway. Had to give up the round after 9 with how wet my shoes got. Don’t think the course should’ve been open. I’ve played here a bunch and always been annoyed by the higher prices relative to the quality (it’s often a swamp). I will be avoiding more than I usually do moving forward. Better options around the metro for significantly less $$. Finally - the anchor hole is so gimmicky and dumb.