Lake Bluff Golf Club
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: 72.1/128 W: 78.0/138 | 393 | 522 | 330 | 183 | 538 | 200 | 338 | 360 | 419 | 3283 | 420 | 364 | 419 | 194 | 367 | 494 | 147 | 530 | 321 | 3256 | 6539 |
| White M: 70.3/124 W: 75.8/133 | 380 | 472 | 315 | 158 | 506 | 190 | 327 | 344 | 402 | 3094 | 410 | 357 | 391 | 182 | 342 | 482 | 137 | 521 | 279 | 3101 | 6195 |
| Gold M: 67.8/118 W: 72.8/127 | 299 | 469 | 285 | 149 | 406 | 168 | 312 | 331 | 399 | 2818 | 366 | 326 | 377 | 165 | 339 | 429 | 124 | 444 | 268 | 2838 | 5656 |
| Gold/Red M: 65.5/114 W: 70.1/122 | 296 | 400 | 276 | 140 | 404 | 168 | 312 | 331 | 340 | 2667 | 315 | 290 | 312 | 125 | 253 | 421 | 111 | 400 | 268 | 2495 | 5162 |
| Red M: 64.7/111 W: 69.0/119 | 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
Superb Condition
My first time playing this course but definitely not my last. The course was in impeccable condition, beautiful lush closely cut fairways, greens that were true and fast and great tee boxes. Preferred the back nine to the front nine especially the closing 5 or 6 holes. I made a point to compliment the staff in the pro shop before leaving.
Always a good time!
I've played Lake Bluff quite a few times, and I must say it will always be in the best shape possible. A challenging course for most. The staff is always friendly from the starter to the club house personnel, they're very accommodating.
Nice course
Hadn't played here since the 1970's. In excellent condition, greens quick, very enjoyable round.
Nice course, well maintained.
Pretty straightforward layout. Not very challenging except 1 or 2 holes. Very well maintained and the staff are very friendly.
Good Course
I played yesterday at 2 pm. I enjoyed the course. I am an beginner and there were a couple holes that were pretty challenging with the trees on one side. Overall I was happy and would play this course again. Greens were fast and a little tough to read for a beginner.
Average Golf Course
Played this course on a Tuesday afternoon. Pace of play was great and conditions were good. Course was a little wet. Overall, the holes aren't that interesting and not much trouble if you don't hit the narrow fairways. I would say this is good for a quick round but I wouldn't be returning that quickly. I'm sure there are better in the Chicago area (this was my first).
Although you can't complain with $20 twilight fees
Better than ever.
Spring was good to the course this year and the conditions are the best they have been in years. Greens have solid turf and fairways are lush. Watch the course conditions in mid summer when things usually burn out. The course has an awkward track. Hole two doubles back on one and 18 ends at the third tee a way away from the clubhouse. Good course with exceptions.
Good course
Good course. Kind staff. but sorry for cafeteria already closed...I should have a cup of warm coffee...
Very well maintained
Considering the time of year, the course was maintained very well, nice fairways and greens. Cart is electric so it was quiet and gives no air pollution.
Front 9 holes are generous and are very flat.
Back 9 holes have some ups and downs and are more interesting than front 9.
Very Good Course
Course is in great shape, especially considering I played in late October. Fairways and greens are in excellent shape. The only reason I gave the course 4 stars is because the overall layout of the course is pretty tight.
Quality
Must be able to hit it fairly straight off the tee. A lot of trees but most are between fairways. Difficult greens.
Lake Bluff GC
Golf staff was friendly. Course had just been aerated so true condition of the course on a regular day was tough to tell. Pace of play was phenomenal. Didn't play in prime hours but still made it around in 3.5 hours. Not a difficult layout, but fun.
Typical Northshore Course
The course is in great shape. Big hitters won't get much club variety out here. The greens were aerated recently but they rolled alright. My putts held their line just fine for the most part. It's no different from many of the courses in the surrounding area, pretty flat with some dog legs thrown in and tree lined (but not many/pretty open). I chalk it up to a typical outing course. I would definitely play it again though. I enjoyed it.
Great golf
The course and people were friendly. Too bad my game was not as good.
How much fun
We love playing at Lake Bluff G.c. It is changing, staff is great. We can play in less than 4 hours.
really enjoyed the round
First timer. I took daughter and her friends to Six Flags, the last weekend before school, researched and found this course in the vicinity for myself. Wow, what a treat. Not difficult 2nd shot generally speaking, but the green is a bit challenging, especially playing the first time. Just about all of them are slopping one way or another. At least twice landed perfectly only to see the ball rolling off green completely. Beautiful course overall, 2nd par 3 on back 9 is breathtaking. I will definitely come back given opportunity.
Great Experience
friendly staff well matched with a fun course.
First time golfing here. Found it to be very nice. Greens were in great condition.
Not a lot of trouble off the tee so good place for those learning the game.
Great Course with Great Staff!
My buds and I played this course recently and had a great experience. The moment I walked into the clubhouse I was greeted by the woman at the counter and she pretty much already had my Golf Now reservation ready to go. Plus she gave me free bags of golf tees with a smile! The course was in great condition and the greens played very professional. We went around 11am and had a great pace with no rush. Overall this is a great course for intermediate players up for some challenging holes!
Last Minute Bargain
I found the GolfNow Hot Deal at 10 am on a Sunday and was playing at 1:30 pm the same day for $24!
Course was in very good condition. Greens were true and had some speed, fairways were as good as can be.
Plan to keep this on the radar.
Those green
The courses layout if fairly wide open. As a result, getting on the green is not that difficult, however, finishing each hole with only a two putt on the fast moving greens can be a challenge.