The Evans at Canal Shores

Course has same personality as Bill Murray. While it had a lot of puddles from the rainstorms, it was a fun course to play on the first day it was open. It wasn't in perfect shape but you wouldn't expect that given that it was the first day. Lots of staff out on the course to welcome you back. They may need to do something about all the walkers --- don't want to knock out any small children with a good drive.

Got to the course, no mention there was a concert going on

Had to start at the 3rd hole, NO CARTS OF ANY KIND WERE AVAILABLE, The course is spread out over an entire neighborhood. Paid for 18, quit after 9

Wonderful experience. Walking through Evanston and Wilmette neighborhoods. Enough signage to keep us on “course”. If you want a “good walk NOT spoiled”, play Canal Shores.

I booked a tee time for 18 holes at 10:30 AM on Golf Now. When I arrived at the course, I found golf camp going on on the first two holes and was told by the person at the desk that the last six holes were also used by the camp. I was told we could play holes 3-12 twice for $29. We decided to do that as we were already at the course. However, we found that on two of the holes, people were getting golf lessons - not from pros from the course. Who wants to go out to play golf and have these types of obstacles in the way of a fun day? As I understand it, golf camp is scheduled for a good part of the summer so the course should not be selling 18 holes during camp hours on Golf Now without some sort of disclaimer. The course itself is in decent enough shape and is a short easy course that would otherwise make for a pleasant round for people, like me, who live nearby.

Course doesn’t have any trimmed grass other than their poorly maintained greens. 95% long par 3’s, might as well leave your driver at home. Only would recommend beginner golfers.

A great value for the money, Canal Shores features a mix of par 3's and short, tight par 4's that offer the chance to hit every club in your bag. No issues with slowness, even during peak saturday hours. Some of the greens had problems with patchiness on them, but the conditions overall were great.

Read a lot of reviews about how nice this course was now being kept up. I would have hated to see what it looked like before. Their is very little difference between fair way and rough with much fairways being probably a 85% lie. The greens were very patchy. Also the pace of play was extremely slow as every hole someone was walking their dog down the fairway at a snails pace. But what I can say goes into this places favor is that it is usually on sale for $10.00 then just add fees and your walking 18holes for $17.00 that is not bad for the area.

Great public course. Short, but well kept-best place to learn

Played for first time in 5 years. Big improvement. Only one green had issue. Course is country club tight. Very charming. Pleasantly surprised.

So, right off the bat: This is NOT a championship course. And if you're the guy who likes the $150, 5-hour rounds at many such courses, you most likely won't enjoy Canal Shores. In fact, PLEASE don't play Canal Shores.

But for the rest of us, this is the type of golf course that we need to grow the game. A mix of par 3's (12) and 4's (6), and you get to use every club in your bag. GREAT value, a beautiful setting, and almost always a great pace (usually about 3 hours for an 18-hole round).

I've been playing this course since 1982, and it's currently in the best shape it's ever been. They're really making it a great place to play. Love it. THANKS.

This course is one-of-a-kind. Snaking through Evanston and Willmette with a 100-year pedigree, it offers interesting challenges to both new players and scratch golfers alike.

Let's be clear: this course has no amenities, is very short, and is not of the groundscape caliber of many courses on the North Shore.

However, it is inexpensive, reasonably well-maintained (think Forest-Preserve) and eager to please. The best thing about this course is its unique layout, snaking it's way along 100-year old homes, waterways, the "El" and street layouts. I guarantee you have never played a course quite like this: and that is a good thing. It has charm and character. Few public courses I play in the Chicago-land area can claim charm and character.

Someone needs to come out and re-evaluate the slope of this course, because it is very narrow and unforgiving. There are only 2-3 holes where you would dare pull driver, and even these will probably result in a poor result for average-to-good golfers. This course actually makes you think about your shots and shape them in ways most courses would never ask.

Overall:

Pros:

- a unique course layout and community environs

- a great place to test your iron mettle

- nice people

- A quick round

- very reasonable rates

- It's a not-for-profit community course

Cons:

- Greens are dull and not very well maintained

- Very unforgiving off the tee

- Short

- No amenities

- Course conditions vary...wait for dry weather

Gentlemen: did you expect Pebble Beach for these prices? You are correct, this is not a country club or PGA tour course (but then the last time the pros played here, they could barely break par). They don't pretend to be Pebble Beach. However, it is very narrow and actually a good test of your iron game. There are only 1 or 2 holes you can even use a driver but you better hit it straight! this is an interesting mix between "pitch and put" and a standard 18 hole golf course. It also doesn't take 5 or 6 hours to get around the course. Play is sometimes a little slow because there are very few scratch golfer's on this course but everybody is friendly and you will still finish in half the time of a standard course. You are correct that there are very few amenities on the course but then you also don't have to pay $5 for a hot dog. if you are golf snob, go elsewhere! If you like a sporty little course that will give you a challenge for a very reasonable price and an excellent value, then golf here.

This. Course is horrendous, it’s difficult to locate, shares a small parking lot with three other entities. The rough looked liked a unkept mess. The greens were not well maintained but the most disturbing aspects were the hole location markers were so hidden that most of the players couldn’t find the appropriate holes. The course intertwineds through the Evanston neighborhoods which requires you to cross multiple intersections with on coming traffic, unbelievable!!

I have played here many times, and I always love it. Every time I come back I feel like it gets better, and I love some of the changes they're making. The staff is always super friendly. Although this course is pretty short, it's extremely narrow, and is a great place to work on your iron shots. If you're looking for a fun track that you can finish in a couple of hours, then I suggest you make your way to Canal Shores!

Great course for a the average golfer, no pressure, can get through a round quickly and very affordable. Despite the 45 minuet drive from my house I would definitely play here again.