Bittersweet GC
A view of a hole at Bittersweet Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
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
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.8
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.6
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.6
93.8%
Recommend this course
15 out of 16 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.

Book a Tee Time at
Bittersweet Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Bittersweet Golf Club

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)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.3
350 Reviews (350)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Solid course

Played here for the first time this morning. I was the first person out so pace of play was no issue. Started at 5:55am, was in the car headed to work at 8:05am w/o rushing through holes. Course is routed well through forest/ wetland area. Feels like a $70 course, costs half the price. Awesome.

My impression after my first round is its a shot makers course. Distance off the tee really is not paramount, but if your comfortable with your long game, you can turn many holes into pitch and putts. It's the classic risk/reward scenario. There's a lot of hazards on this course, but because most holes are short, the need to be aggressive off the tee just isn't there. Conservative still gives you a short iron into most greens. Greens have nice shape to them. Some undulation, but nothing crazy. Not extremely fast. A bit bumpy at times. If they could get these greens rolling a bit faster and more true, I would be a big fan of them. Later in the summer hopefully!

My one suggestion: If you hit the ball only one way (aka fade or draw), there are holes that will demand you play very conservatively off the tee. Play within these holes, wait for the ones that set up well for you to get aggressive. The course is shorter and the greens aren't terribly difficult. Pushing it on the wrong holes is how big numbers are made here.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Slow

Course was in great condition, weather was perfect. Had a 8:06 tee time as we were hoping to get a jump on the dawdlers but, both, the group (3) we were behind the front 9 and a different group (4) on the back 9 really slowed things down for us (3). Why must duffers practice swing EVERY swing 4 times before hitting it 60% as far as most other golfers???

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout

Challenging course with plenty of teeing options for players of all abilities to enjoy.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Very nice course

Very nice course. Played a few tines. Staff is very friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

sung

Good location & rate .

Nice course layout.

My wife & her friends like the this course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

Great Course

I had heard how challenging this course was. I decided to go play it anyway. It looked like it was going to rain and that kept the crowds down. I got out there and it was a very fun, challenging course. I scored pretty well for me and was happy. The fairways were very nice and the greens were pretty fast. I would play here again in a heart beat. There is water on 16 of the holes or something like that. The only issue I had, which was taken care of very well, was that we teed off at 9:36 and were told at 12:40 that we had to be off the course at 1:00. There was a high school tournament that was an 18 hole shotgun start. I wish they would have told us this as we were checking in, but again we were given a rain check for 9 holes. The customer service alone would bring me back to this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Challenging

Impressive layout with a variety of shot making challenges. White tees shorten course significantly, and condition of some white tee boxes is poor. From blues or blacks this course will require discipline and skill. Ranks with the best in the area.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

very nice course

We loved this course. It has rolling contours, challenging greens, lots of water and high rough making accuracy important. The tee choices are good with the four tee sites quite different for each hole. After playing the nice but relatively flat courses in the area, this one was a treat. We will be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Nice day in Gurnee

Course was challenging and in beautiful condition. Greens were smooth and ball rolled nicely.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Wished play front 9 first

We were arranged to play back 9 first which turned out to be much more challenging than the front 9. After having my worst 9 holes record after back 9, played the front 9 like a pro and had my best 9 holes record. What a up and down day! A very challenging course to play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Consistently good course

This course is definitely challenging in spots, however, after playing it many times, it's an enjoyable course. The course maintenance is consistently good and it dries fast after hard rains. The staff is very friendly and the clientele is too.

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

Great Course, Great Value (If You Don't Count the Cost of Lost Balls!)

Bittersweet is a great course that's in great condition. And whether I've been paired up with other golfers on the first tee, they've been great guys. Just be sure to bring plenty of golf balls!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bittersweet is bittersweet

The course is well kept and the greens are fast. Every hole is a challenge and can make you feel like you need to get a few lessons. But the course is well laid out and very pretty. It has matured well. We will play it again for sure.

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

Bittersweet is sweet

A fun interesting golf course with lots of water hazards, dog legs and very tight/wooded in some places. We had a nice day (two deer and a very fast turtle were on the eighth hole visiting) and the course conditions were very good....greens were most speedy and overall the course was playing pretty hard/fast. A quality 4 to 4.25 star experience as it was last year when we played it. Recommend the course but you do need to play it a few times to get some good tee shot aiming points.......pay close attention to the flag positions as many of the greens are very large.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Course Review

It was fun and somewhat challenging courses.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

BSweet

good course, plays fair but challenging - only a few holes where "local knowledge" is a distinct advantage.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course

The course was in great shape. Tee boxes and greens were great for the end of the season. Pace of play was poor. The round started at a good pace but then hit a lot of slow foursomes that would not let you get around them. No Rangers on the course to help speed them up.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
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
Excellent weather
Used cart

I could recommend this course to my friends.

Because of excellent weather the course was busy with some waiting at times, other than that the course was relatively well maintained and the staff members were friendly. I could recommend this course to any of my friends.

Conditions Good
Value Good
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
Previously Played

Richard N

I play this all the time. Great Staff, great food, course is always in super shape. Each time I play there I seem to find it a challenge.
Everyone needs to play it once. You will want to come back.
Richard

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Nearby Courses
Grayslake, Illinois
Public
3.3720930233
43
Gurnee, Illinois
Public
4.5034284363
228
Grayslake, Illinois
Municipal
4.4180672269
94
Libertyville, Illinois
Private
4.0
1
Round Lake, Illinois
Public
4.1743034056
197
Wadsworth, Illinois
Resort
3.6774696117
518
Mundelein, Illinois
Public
4.8027210884
51
Mundelein, Illinois
Public
3.2998035741
358
North Chicago, Illinois
Public/Municipal
3.9744153752
393
Waukegan, Illinois
Public
4.6107060503
0
Ivanhoe, Illinois
Private
4.5
2
Lake Villa, Illinois
Public
4.3888888889
4
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).
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account