Big Run GC
A view over the water of a hole at Big Run Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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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
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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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
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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)
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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 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good deal. Tough course.

Big Run is a great challenge to your game. Fairly long with lots of old oak trees. Course has been around forever. Conditions are not pristine, but still pretty good for early season. Great hot deal for 25 bucks.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

A local favorite

Big Run is a local favorite of mine. Grew up in Woodridge, IL and now I live downtown chicago. I always make it out to Big Run once or twice per year with friends. Staff is as nice as can be, and the course is so much fun. Not pristine conditions, but the bones of the course are so good. Hilly, a good variance in holes, distances, etc. Course makes you hit challenging shots and the course is very fair.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Great course for the season

My buddies and I saw the Hot Deal for Big Run and decided to book it. When we got to the course, there was a frost delay. The delay lasted about 45 minutes, but on a weekday; the course was wide open. We let a single pass us on the second hole and then never say another person in front of us or behind us. Good times!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 55
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Big Run is best value in Chicago

Have played here many times. Never disappoints. Challenging, beautiful classic course. Terrain is unique to Chicago area. Top public course in Chicago area in my opinion.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 42
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

need new grounds crew

this could be one of the best and most challenging course in the area if they get a grounds crew. you could not tell the difference between the fairway and the rough, there was no sand in the many bunkers and there was a 1 inch lip around the greens. what a shame for such a historic course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Big Run- Fun & Challenging

Big Run was really fun to play, and I can’t complain about playing golf in October. I’ll be up front, this course is difficult. Many elevation changes, blind tee shots and altering wind directions will definitely put your game to the test. It reminded me of Cog Hill a bit with the elevated tee boxes and undulations of the greens. A few of the par 5’s are monstrous and very large mature trees line the fairways.

The greens are fair and true but the topography can be a real bear. There are some really awesome views on par 3’s, and I feel like I played every club in my bag. Yes there are a ton of trees, but there is room when you miss the fairway because the overall site of the course is huge.

The clubhouse is old since this course has been around for quite some time, but the staff was very friendly and the hot dog at the turn was awesome! The carts have a rangefinder which is helpful, but we never used because had our personal Bushnell. We'll be back for sure.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not your typical golf course

This is not your typical golf course, you have tremendous elevations up-and-down, tricky green that slope in every direction . you have some shots that are way down below you, some shots that are way above, you. I believe this is the most challenging golf course around here. Also it's very pretty, and peaceful . If you can score good on this golf course you have an all-around game. I love playing this place

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Don't play

Took 5 and half hours for 18 holes, no rangers, fairways in terrible shape. Bad spots all over, bunkers were either little sand of mud. Never going back again.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 58
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Long and hilly

I couldn't imagine walking this course. Elevation changes are constant. A lot of elevated Tee's to valleys to elevated greens. Multiple 500+ yard holes. Course was in great shape. Pace of play was very good. $40 for a Saturday afternoon isn't too bad for a nice course. Guy we got paired with only paid $14 on a last minute golfnow hot deal which is a steal. Would definitely play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bring a rangefinder

Great challenging course! Very hard to find a level stance on this course with lots of slope. A rangefinder, gps, or scope a must when you come here. There are very few legible yardage markers on the course. The carts have a scope attached that is outdated and did not work for most of the round. Bring extra balls, and hit them straight or suffer the consequences of a forests supply of of very mature trees. Great staff and a nice bar. We will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful course

There are some very long holes, but the front tees are up far enough to give me (female) a fair advantage. Holes are spread out far enough you never feel cramped. Took about 5 hours to play 18 but that is a very decent pace considering the length of holes, and we were really never waiting behind anyone, nor did we have anyone creeping up behind us. Staff is friendly. Quick refreshment window at the turn.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 141
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

A wonderful course

I have played Big Run before and it never lets you down A great mix of holes very interesting due the the change in elevation on the course most tee shots down hill but course is long almost 6700 yards from the White tees Greens are true and fast you will be challenged And like this course

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice course and nice people

Course was in great shape despite the relative lack of rain lately. Host staff are always friendly and they do a great job of getting people off at the right time. As a twosome we were behind a group of 4 and a threesome was behind us. The pace of play was excellent. I like that they didn't force another twosome with us as it was a daddy/daughter teaching day. At the turn, we grabbed their hotdog, chip and beverage special and the service was super-fast allowing everyone to continue play without a backlog. The course is super challenging in its length, with the 9th hole playing over 605 yards. It is a monster. The Par 3s in the front are short, while the back Par3s are quite a bit longer. They are beautiful AND tough.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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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.
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