Big Run GC
A view over the water of a hole at Big Run Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.8
928 Reviews (928)
5 Stars
267
4 Stars
340
3 Stars
157
2 Stars
96
1 Stars
68
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.3
78.4%
Recommend this course
681 out of 928 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.4
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.2
StaffFriendliness
3.6
71.4%
Recommend this course
25 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
68 Reviews (68)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
33
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.3
StaffFriendliness
3.9
80.9%
Recommend this course
55 out of 68 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
Big Run's dramatic elevation changes and challenging layout consistently earn high praise from golfers seeking a true test. Noticeably improved course conditions and friendly staff make this a strong value worth booking.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7028 yards
Slope 142
Rating 74.6
Book a Tee Time at
Big Run Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Big Run Golf Club
View more Hot Deals on

Course Details

Year Built 1930
Fairways Blue Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Harry B. Smead (1930) Dick Nugent (1986) Ken Killian (1982)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Dicover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2025 #24)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

3.8
928 Reviews (928)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 34
Watching the Game 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 71
Undulating Greens 60
Plays Long 57
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 61
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 37
Locals 27
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 64
Worth the Drive 42
Convenient to the City 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Waste of money.

Greens were slow, fairways were long, the conditions of the greens was the best part of this course. Even if they were as slow as a toddler eating Brussels sprouts. After driving on the cart paths I may need a chiropractor. The sand traps were horrible. So bad they take care of half of them and those ones are rock hard as well. On top of all that I paid $70 to play a crap course. This course should be about $40 tops.

I would not waste my time or money here again.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 92
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course and people

The people who run the golf course were great. The course was challenging and you won’t want to walk the course, lots of hills.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

What a course

This is the most challenging course i have ever golfed. Though it is frustrating sometimes, the course looks like it is not in Illinois.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Amazing Property, but Overpriced for the Current Conditions

The good:

I will start off saying this is probably the best property for a golf course in the Chicago area. It has tons of elevation changes that you just don't see often in the Midwest. The routing takes full advantage of them with a variety of downhill and uphill shots. The grill had very good food and the beers were pretty cheap.

The bad:

Unfortunately the conditions were not what you'd expect from a $70 round. The bunkers ranged from decent to unplayable. Hole 18 literally doesn't have a fairway. The entire landing area is "ground under repair" with wet, knee high grass everywhere. I've never seen a hole in such horrible condition in my life. They should just close the hole completely and discount the rate. Also our afternoon round on a Sunday took 5.5 from our initial tee time. We didn't tee off until 20 minutes after our scheduled time and waited on almost every shot. They could've uses a ranger to speed up play.

Overall it's a fun course to play and different than anything you'd find in the area. With some TLC this could be a very nice course.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 449
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Illinois Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Always worth a play or two

I play this course at least once a season and I've already played Big Run twice. 5//13 and 5/21 the date of this review.....course is in pretty decent shape but until it gets more play and more revenue it was a bit shaggy. Greens were a tad slow but in very good shape because of the lack of play. As it heats up certain it will get better. Always at least of 4 star experience and lots of times more than that. Great old school clubhouse locker room and bar, nets to warm up and surprising elevations. See my 9/10/19 and 8/15/19 reviews as well as reviews pretty much every year in late May for details.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Outstanding course! Slow Pace

A beautiful course! Bring plenty of balls! Lots of trees and high grass. Pace of play.... took 6 hours for a round. Foursomes were stacked around the entire course.

Website showed rates as $60.00. But, you pay $70.00 for weekend play.

Will definitely return.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course is a hidden gem

We booked at this course because the one near us in Woodridge was booked. We had no idea this was nearby. It was the first time out this year and since the pandemic. The staff couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful. Beautiful layout with all the trees and very challenging. We’ve had a lot of rain and two holes were out of commission so I can’t wait to see it after the rain tapers off. Again pretty challenging so my husband was happy.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Challenging but fun course

Great course with huge hills and slopes. Tough bunkers but a fun challenge. Looking forward to playing again

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Up and down and up again

Is a great course but a real ‘you know what’ to walk it. Some of the holes, especially 9 and 18 were just brutal, as was walking up and down and up and down. Was so hard even with a push cart. But was first time out so not complaining.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Over-looked gem.

I have always liked this course. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination.

Walked it for the 1st time this week. That was tough.

There were no yardage markers on the course. I do not remember that in the past.

Please...at least stick a post at 150 on each hole.

That can't be too hard or expensive to do.

thx

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Long Walk

Great, tough course. Plays Long and a tough walk with all the hills.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Big Run, Big Fun

Always love playing this course. Greens were in phenomenal shape for November. Pace was great as it was cold out and not many golfers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Nearby Courses
Lockport, Illinois
Private
0.0
0
Lemont, Illinois
Semi-Private
3.4654309973
728
Lockport, Illinois
Public
4.2620127708
759
Crest Hill, Illinois
Public/Municipal
4.2901785714
224
Lockport, Illinois
Public
4.2620127708
759
Homer Glen, Illinois
Public
4.2237301732
557
Lockport, Illinois
Public
4.2620127708
759
Plainfield, Illinois
Public
4.4350451292
361
Lockport, Illinois
Public
4.2620127708
759
Plainfield, Illinois
Public
4.4350451292
361
Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package

Click Below
BELLAIRE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Shanty Creek's Lakeview Hotel or Lodge of Cedar River and golf at Shanty Creek - Cedar River, Hawk's Eye, Legend, Schuss, or Summit Courses.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account