Ravisloe Country Club

Notice the lack of staff at the course. No one to greet you and take your clubs and no one there at the end of your round offering to help. Seems like cut backs there.

The course makes you pay if you are not on the fairway with many thick trees. A few of the holes have a fairly narrow fairway but not overwhelming. Their are sand traps at every green and off many of the fairways to challenge shots.

The Good: The site of an original 9-holes designed by Theodore Moreau and finalized by Donald Ross in 1917, Ravisloe was one of the most respected Chicago private clubs for decades until recently going through a David Esler restoration and becoming public during the great recession. As nicely conditioned a public course in the greater Chicago area with beautiful sand bunkers that infiltrate the course and the signature Ross smallish, crowned greens that putt extremely quick and true. Compared to many other courses built in that time, there is excellent variety in the Par 4’s with several blind shots on the tee and some doglegs. Unique routing on the front nine with instances of consecutive Par 5’s and Par 3’s. The stretch of holes of 13-15 is some of the most fun I’ve played in the area. Incredible clubhouse is one of the nicest that I’ve seen for a public facility. Good practice area with small driving range, short game area and putting green. One of the better values in Chicago public golf considering conditions and history. The staff was excellent and gave me a brief history of the club when I mentioned it was my Chicago public golf “Great White Buffalo.” Pace of play was good and on-course service acceptable.

The Bad: The odd routing can cause pace of play issues. Fortunately, we planned in a monsoon for the front nine so it wasn’t very crowed and pass wasn’t a problem. Course isn’t marked extremely well in terms of pin placements and yardages. I don’t mind blind tee shots, but there are a few too many holes in which you drive into an abyss of trees and hope that your ball finds the fairway. I suspect when I play Ravisloe again it won’t be an issue, but a bummer for a first-timer.

The Verdict: Ravisloe is an extremely fair, fun test of golf for all skill levels. Esler apparently did a superb job with the restoration, as I felt like this was a “mini-Skokie” as I was on the grounds. Easily a Top 5-8 public course in all of Chicago golf.

Best Hole(s): I really liked the tough Par-3 7th over water and the spectacular Par 5 13th. The bunkering on the 13th is as visually interesting and intimidating as any hole in the area (sans only the 11th at Black Sheep).

Course was in good shape and the staff very accommodating however the traps are the worse I have seen. Traps need more quality sand and less dirt.

Years ago this was a private club. MY wife worked there while going to college, so when in Chicago visiting family it is awesome to now be able to play this fantastic course.

Very friendly staff. Played in wet conditions, but the course held up very well for an older course. As a single, other players were gracious in letting me play through. I love the bunkering at Ravisloe, both challenging and aesthetically pleasing. Beautiful course, especially the back 9.

Really good shape considering how much rain Chicago has gotten over the past few months. As is typical for an older Donald Ross, the greens are tiny - a 6 or 7 iron 20 or 30 feet from the pin is typically not in a good spot. Rough is incredibly thick and punishing in late spring/early summer. Greens roll well but, also a Ross feature, there are subtle breaks all over the place, and 5 - 10 footers are tougher than usual. Definitely enjoyed the course, but it probably takes playing a couple of times to understand it - you need to play from the green back, and that's hard to do first time around.

Don’t miss this course. The team that took over a couple years back has truly made this into a first class public course in Chicago. Friendly staff and great track. Everyone should make it out here. Plus there is a shuttle from the train so getting there from downtown is easy!

Ravisloe is just fantastic. Designed by the legend Donald Ross. I believe it’s Ross’ only designed public track in Illinois. Take a very flat piece of land and make it exceptional. Awesome fairway and greenside bunkers with tough elevated greens. I’ll be honest several years ago I wasn’t a fan. Mainly because I could never score well. You shouldn’t rate a course that way but sometimes frustrating tracks can do that to you. I’ve learned how to play Ravisloe and continue to appreciate this gem each and every time I return. Love a course that you don’t have to mindlessly pull driver each time. I played last week May 2019 and was shocked on how great the conditions were. Chicagoland has been pounded by rain and the only issue was deep into the rough which was soggy and drenched but almost every course this year has had that issue. Played with a friend and finished under 3 hours. Bunkers were absolutely incredible, unfortunately I was in quite a few to experience them. Plenty of sand so bottoming out your wedge wasn’t an issue. Greens were a touch slow due to the damp conditions but rolled perfectly.

The huge old oak trees are just awesome throughout the entire property. Definitely recommend this course especially if they continue with their tip top maintenance.

Well done Ravisloe.

Love this course, one of my favorite on the south side. If you can get a hit deal for cost of a round of golf, this can be the best deal ever!

I just enjoy this place!! Staff is super friendly, and the course is just a blast to play!! Greens were in great shape as well!!

The course was in good condition considering the previous weeks rain.

Course is amazing. Staff is excellent. Price is right.

Course was in great shape. Greens were good sized and fast. Fairways gave you alot of roll. Rough alittle long. Carts are electric and run great. Close by traffic on front 9 aliittle annoying but tolerable.

Really enjoyed the course-very little water in play but bunkers all over!

Love this place could play everyday and not get tired of playing here every round.

Course was in good condition, greens were average.