Lake Bluff Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
About
Situated on Chicago's scenic North Shore, Lake Bluff Golf Club has become a "must-play" destination in the area. First opened in 1968, the course has a classic layout with front and back nines that are very different. The front nine provides a gentle start. The terrain is mostly flat and the holes are straightforward. As you move onto Lake Bluff's back nine there is more up and down and consequently the challenges are greater. Don't get too comfortable on the first half of the golf course because you'll need your wits about you for the second. Trees line the narrow fairways and the tricky greens all slope in one direction or another. Accuracy is essential. Water doesn't come into play but the doglegs and strategically placed bunkers provide plenty of challenges.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 6589 yards | 71.3 | 124 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6195 yards | 75.4 | 126 |
| White | 72 | 6195 yards | 69.5 | 120 |
| Gold (W) | 72 | 5656 yards | 72.4 | 120 |
| Gold | 72 | 5656 yards | 67.0 | 114 |
| Red/Gold (W) | 72 | 5162 yards | 69.6 | 114 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4969 yards | 68.5 | 112 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 71.3/124 | 393 | 522 | 330 | 183 | 538 | 200 | 338 | 360 | 419 | 3283 | 420 | 364 | 419 | 194 | 367 | 494 | 147 | 530 | 321 | 3256 | 6539 |
| White M: 69.5/120 W: 75.4/126 | 380 | 472 | 315 | 158 | 506 | 190 | 327 | 344 | 402 | 3094 | 410 | 357 | 391 | 182 | 342 | 482 | 137 | 521 | 279 | 3101 | 6195 |
| Gold M: 67.0/114 W: 72.4/120 | 299 | 469 | 285 | 149 | 406 | 168 | 312 | 331 | 399 | 2818 | 366 | 326 | 377 | 165 | 339 | 429 | 124 | 444 | 268 | 2838 | 5656 |
| Red/Gold W: 69.6/114 | 296 | 400 | 276 | 140 | 404 | 168 | 312 | 331 | 340 | 2667 | 315 | 290 | 312 | 125 | 253 | 421 | 111 | 400 | 268 | 2495 | 5162 |
| Red W: 68.5/112 | 296 | 400 | 276 | 140 | 404 | 140 | 248 | 274 | 340 | 2518 | 315 | 290 | 312 | 125 | 253 | 421 | 111 | 400 | 224 | 2451 | 4969 |
| Handicap | 7 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 10 | 12 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 13 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 10 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Accolades
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Illinois (2015 #21)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Nice golf course and I love it
Great Day for December, Amenities Absent
I really enjoyed the course, but during the Covid crisis I had hoped that my playing partner and I could use individual carts as we don’t live in the same place. We got a firm no-go even after offering to pay extra.
I have been playing three times a week during the pandemic and this is the first course with no indoor restrooms available, just a not very appetizing port-a-potty..
The greens and fairways were in good shape for this time of year. Many tee box markers were absent and distance markers were hit and miss. Their electric carts don’t have GPS installed.
Jim
Nice to be able to play in early December in Chicago.
Great muni course
I have played this course several times this year. Always I’m great shape from tee to green-immaculate!!
Staff always friendly and always on time as far as tee times. Sometimes even ahead of schedule
Best public course in the area
For the price, this is the best public course north of Chicago. Greens are in great shape and the fairways were the best I’ve seen. Staff is super friendly which is always a huge plus!
Good value if you want to travel north
Fun and forgiving course, good value for money, interesting lay out and terrain, reasonably well maintained.
Good Track but Pricy
I have played LBGC for a long time now. Got a Hole in One on #13 back in the late 90's . The Golf Course is in decent condition with spongy but yet fast ,clean greens and excellent fairways . Most of the holes are straight forward but there are a few that can make you think ( ball placement) . Bunkers like most this year on most golf courses have been neglected ( covid probably). I would not pay the $51 to play this GC though. There are much better Tracks up the street like like Bonnie Brook, Bitter Sweet , Shepard's Crook to name a few . I guess if you see a Deal on GN for $38 or whatever do it!! . Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad golf Course what so ever. I just can't seem to justify their regular price. GPS ? nope. Half Way house or Food/Bev Cart? nope.
Slightly over priced
Nice course layout. Good pace of play. The golf carts however- barely worked. Had to play w cart mechanics to get it to start-up every time. Course is over priced by $10-20 IMO
Fine Place
This was my first time at Lake Bluff and it was very nice. The course was moderately difficult with a decent layout.
The pace of play at 8:30 AM start was good and the weather could not have been better. The only issue I have with the course was that the greens could have been in better shape. I will play there again.
Not organized
There was no starter so everyone started when they wanted with no regard for scheduled tee time. 2 foursomes that was supposed to start after us, started before us. Pace of play was slow since there was no ranger to make players aware they were leisurely walking before and after their shots. Did not play all 18 holes because pf the waiting time and had to skip a couple of holes behind a slow group.
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