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
Terrible drainage
Though i do not believe it rained that heavily prior to playing, the course had a huge amount of standing water.in the fairways and bunkers. It was not a good experience.
Fun & Well Maintained Course
This was a very nice and well kept course. The fairways are generous and mostly open. There are a few water features that add to the course and are not overly challenging. Played on a Friday morning and pace was good.
Well maintained course in good playing condition. Challenging greens. Fairly crowded on a Friday, would benefit from having a Marshall (in addition to weekends) to improve pace of play.
Decent track with fast greens and long par 3s from the tips
Probably played Lake Bluff 20 times in the past several years. Occasionally they run specials. Rack rate is higher than other courses in the area. Conditions are generally good and greens roll fast and true. A few challenging holes and tough par 3s. Only real challenge is this course is always busy, even if the online tee sheet looks open. I’ve booked early or late rounds on days the course looks wide open and show up and it’s not.
Ok for the once a week crowd
The course has never drained well and we caught it when it was very wet. Surprised they let you take carts out but very glad they did. Course is open and for a weekend golfer like me a good place to play. Get 18 in.
Poorly managed
Course is average (not in best shape) but the pace of play is the worst in the state. Tee times are way too close together and management was shockingly unfriendly and unwilling to make simple accommodations.
Swimming pool after heavy rains.
They had modified play there the day I showed up to play without any notice prior to booking or arrival. Only 10 holes were available for play. Won’t be booking there again after any significant rain. Lesson learned!