Bittersweet GC
A view of a hole at Bittersweet Golf Club.
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4.3
350 Reviews (350)
5 Stars
126
4 Stars
184
3 Stars
28
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.1
93.0%
Recommend this course
323 out of 350 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
18 Reviews (18)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.4%
Recommend this course
17 out of 18 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
39 Reviews (39)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
94.9%
Recommend this course
37 out of 39 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6751 yards
Slope 135
Rating 73.3

Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee, Ill. is ideally situated for a scenic round of golf. The diverse landscape flows seamlessly from lush wetlands to native prairies covered with colorful wildflowers. The layout also winds across a 100-year-old sage meadow and through forests of mature hardwoods, which serve as a home to an abundance of wildlife. Beyond the beautiful scenery, the terrain presents many challenges. The undulating fairways demand accuracy as you hit from multi-tiered tee boxes. Water also comes into play on almost every hole and there's an array of strategically placed bunkers you'll have to avoid. The eighth is the toughest hole on the front nine, a par-4 dogleg right with a lightning fast green. Bittersweet Golf Club's back nine is known for its scenery, which is best displayed on the signature par-5 11th hole, which offers not only a challenge but also a spectacular view from the tee.

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Course Details

Year Built 1996
Golf Season Open: 3/15 Closed: 11/15

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Illinois (2016 #12)
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Reviews

4.3
350 Reviews (350)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Great Before The Rain

It was a cold May day but course is in good shape. We cruised around because not many people were playing. Started playing 2nd 18 and rain moved in. Came in after 8 holes and we were given full 18 hole rain check. Staff was very nice. Course is tough but fun. I have played here many times. Great bloody mary at the bar.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Get off the tee - have a great day

There is a lot of water on this course...I recall on nearly every hole. However, the trouble is really mostly off the tee - and often it's the trouble directly in front of you (think tall prairie marsh). If you hit worm burners, you will die here.

The course was in very good condition, and it's a good challenge for 10s to 20s in handicap. The greens are very easy. Very little break and not too fast. If you get on the green in regulation, it will be par for the course with an occasional birdie mixed in.

Clubhouse is fine. Decent sandwich fare. Pro Shop is pretty average.

$35.00 with GolfNow on a Thursday morning at 8:30 would bring me back here in a heartbeat. If it were $80, I'd enjoy playing again but not regularly.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

good

it's good course but wanted to see good maintenance on the course...

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 449
Handicap 10-14
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Illinois Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Trouble all over the place

Course is a high handicappers nightmare from the blue tees. Very slow play when crowded. I enjoy playing Bittersweet but it's so target golf oriented and playing so hard and fast with the dry weather it was almost impossible not to lose a ball or two. The back left pin on the 16th was overkill yesterday - no room for error and you'll find yourself under clubbing purposefully on many approach shots just to avoid hazards left/right and behind greens. Course was in decent shape in most areas - sand traps hit or miss. Several really good challenging golf holes on this course. Decent functional clubhouse with grill that has a couple of showers in the mens room. Good range and practice area as well. 3.75 stars.....pace of play issues abound. Two groups on the 15th tee waiting?? Would give it a 4 but high handicappers really have no biz playing this place. Recommended for mid to low hdcps....a nicely routed track.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a year
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bring Hair Spray

Course is in great condition, we played early morning staff dried the seats of the carts and were pleasant. The hair spray poke is about you can't spray the ball at this course. It's fair but has some tough holes. It's a must play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bittersweet both Bitter and Sweet

One of the most challenging and beautiful golf course I've ever played. Tight fairways, lots of water and marshes, fast greens. It's not for the faint of heart, but I'm ready to play it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A real gem nestled in a great spot.

The golfers were the biggest problem. And no ranger to keep people moving along. That is my biggest issue.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great good nice

Great course all around. Played the whites because my buddies were beginners so didnt use the full course. Greens rolled real nice and fairways were consistent. Would play again whenever i have time to make the hour long trip.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 98
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Got a great deal from GolfNow. Very challenging course. Would recommend to bring some extra balls as it is easy to lose balls. This course offers a mix of long and short holes with different twist and turns. Some of the holes have parts of the fairway blocked off because of the heavy rain we have gotten the last couple of weeks. However the rest of the course is very well maintained and beautiful. Staff was great and very helpful.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Would Play Again

Played on a Monday afternoon. The staff was very helpful and accommodating, The course is a combination of links style and then tree lined fairways, always keeps you thinking. I would have to say there is ample landing areas in the fairways but the greens are protected and challenging to putt

The course was in excellent shape but as to another comment...please repair your ball marks on the greens and fill your divots in the fairways!!! Seriously...every time I filled mine, there were at least 4 -5 others nearby. Congrats to the grounds keeper...well manicured! The only complaint would be the lack of GPS on the carts. Otherwise I look forward to playing there again now that I know my way around. Great course for the money!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart

Really like this course....

Really like this course.... I drive an hour to play here. Always friendly staff help start your golf out on the right foot! Trees and water add complexity to a well shaped course. It would be nice to have better course information for first timers and us non regulars.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good golf course that's challenging yet playable. Good mix of marsh and tall grass amongst the tree lined fairways. Good layout and great value. GARP! Golf at a reasonable price.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).
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