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: 71.8/127 | 393 | 522 | 330 | 183 | 538 | 200 | 338 | 360 | 419 | 3283 | 420 | 364 | 419 | 194 | 367 | 494 | 147 | 530 | 321 | 3256 | 6539 |
| White M: 70.0/123 W: 75.9/131 | 380 | 472 | 315 | 158 | 506 | 190 | 327 | 344 | 402 | 3094 | 410 | 357 | 391 | 182 | 342 | 482 | 137 | 521 | 279 | 3101 | 6195 |
| Gold M: 67.5/117 W: 72.9/125 | 299 | 469 | 285 | 149 | 406 | 168 | 312 | 331 | 399 | 2818 | 366 | 326 | 377 | 165 | 339 | 429 | 124 | 444 | 268 | 2838 | 5656 |
| Gold/Red M: 65.3/112 W: 70.1/119 | 296 | 400 | 276 | 140 | 404 | 168 | 312 | 331 | 340 | 2667 | 315 | 290 | 312 | 125 | 253 | 421 | 111 | 400 | 268 | 2495 | 5162 |
| Red M: 64.4/110 W: 69.0/117 | 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
Pretty average, but finishes well
Fairways were honestly in good condition, considering the weather. Greens had been aerated recently, so they were bumpy, but surprisingly fast. A good variety of doglegs and of holes overall. Course has a municipal feel to it. Few interestingly framed tee shots. No beautifully framed greens. Not much in the way of mature trees. The entire front nine you can see every other golfer on the course and the front nine is largely flat and not especially interesting. A few holes are annoying. You hit to the fairway and realize that despite a good tee shot, you have no shot at the green because of trees that block off the entire right or left side of the fairway. Unlike a lot of courses in the area, however, the back nine is much more interesting than the front, which I really enjoyed. It finishes well.
Nice, clean course; not many obstacles
Fairways are wide, but enough trees to get you in trouble if you don't hit fairly straight. No water and not too many bunkers. Lots of Lake Forest college players during school season.
Great Course
The ground was pretty much frozen due to the cold weather but was able to tee with driver...staff handed me two bags of tees; no charge. Greens were also frozen but watch for some hard, bouncy landings. The course overall all free of leaves but beware of geese droppings. They roam at will.
Staff (one person) super friendly. Even invited me for cup of coffee after front 9. It was my first time at Lake Bluff. Can't wait until spring when there is better condition. Def recommended!!!