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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3.9
902 Reviews (902)
5 Stars
261
4 Stars
333
3 Stars
151
2 Stars
92
1 Stars
65
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.3
79.9%
Recommend this course
665 out of 902 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.5
100.0%
Recommend this course
10 out of 10 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
79 Reviews (79)
5 Stars
29
4 Stars
43
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.4
91.1%
Recommend this course
72 out of 79 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
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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

3.9
902 Reviews (902)

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 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

BIG FUN

Big Run is probably one of the top three courses for me in the Chicago south area.
It is challenging yet fair with plenty of slopes which adds to the fun of every shot.
The condition is always in great shape from tees to greens, and the layout is phenominal.
The only thing that needs improvement are the cart paths which might jar a few teeth while riding in the suspensionless carts.
Walking would be a marathon like achievement and a real accomplishment that would accentuate the entire experience.
This is one course that I would never get tired of playing though.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Jim C

Awesome course.. Have played it many of times..
One of my favorites. Course in good shape for so early in year. Probably the hardest course on south side of Chicago. Need to update yardage plates in fairways. If you think your a really awesome player challenge yourself and head out to Big Run.. You will not be disappointed

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

this course will teach you a lesson

big Run is an old golf course in Chicagoland that makes you feel like you're in a much more rugged area of the country. its ports some beautiful scenery teeing off from hi a top many cliffs. many challenging holes and long par fives.if you need to know anything more about how tough this course can be go online and check out the 9th hole that's all that needs to be said. the 18th hole is nicknamed heart attack Hill and if you're walking it good luck.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 138
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Fun course nice greens

I enjoyed the course a real test with many tough shots uphill down hill and bending left and right so bring your A- game and enjoy the wonderful lay-out that will keep you comming back.
I just wish it was a bit cheaper at $40.00 its at the top of my budget.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

maybe ok for you, never again for me

This course is extremely difficult due to the constant elevation changes making it play a lot longer than the stated yardages. I have played this course between 5 and 10 times over the years and every time at the end, it feels like I've been beat up. Some of the par 5s should be considered par 6s...600 yards from the white tees is, well it is what it is. Some of the par 4s should be par 5s. A couple of the greens are unfairly sloped. Overall, the course just seems gimmicky.
On the day I played, there was no water available out on the course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

first and my last one

late star , fisrt they tell us 20 min behind then 30 min and then was like 1 hour and 30 min that was a joke!!!! because group of people, they give them preference because they was "members" frustated time!!! sorry but is the true!!

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

Early Spring

Course in great condition for early spring. Two greens still closed, but course plated great.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Should be called Big Bumps

STAY OFF THE CART PATH! Unless you want back problems and damaged clubs. The path here is the golf cart equivalent to the Rubicon Trail. I sincerely hope they either demolish it, or put some money into it.

The course is great. It's long, challenging, and very scenic. I always like playing here.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Poor Customer Service

I was not contacted regarding the frost delay. Drove from Chicago. Young man behind the desk was kind of curt and not helpful. Also, some of the patrons in the pro shop were using inappropriate language with a female staff member present. I ended up leaving.

Friendliness Poor
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fun course

Great value with golf now discount. I have played this course several times now. The course was in great shape all around. Greens as always fast. Would like to see them change slope on one or two greens on the back. Can't stop the ball at all when it gets rolling. If you think you got game, then play here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Great Layout

Layout is one of the best in anywhere. Greens were in great shape. Fairways recently aerated. The only complaint was the young staff member in the pro shop, repeated smart ___ comments.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

It's a Big Run !

Big Run is a challenging course for any level of player. However I will say that a few of the greens are just a bit over the top. If your ball will not stay on a green, it can be very frustrating. Hole #11 fits that ! I saw many balls just roll right off the green. There are 2 other holes that are quite evil, but #11 is just not fair. Other than that the course was in great shape and as always a challenge. Big Run has always been a very sporty course and it still is ! Also a Great Value for the buck !!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Long tough challenge

This course has 134 Slope Rating, 130 front nine & 138 back nine, from the white tees. It is long with lots of elevation change and greens have lots of slope and tricky to read. The facilities are old school (not like Cog Hill) but I didn't care. With 10 handicap shot 97 for first time playing course but loved every minute of the experience. Group in front of us very courteous and let us play through. I loved that each cart had a laser distance gun for determining exact yardage to pin. Walking this course requires being in excellent physical condition. I consider playing here a great value for the money and I plan to come back next year.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

The good, the Bad and the Ugly

Good. Absolutely beautiful layout. Very scenic.
Bad. Roped off so walkers can't navigate without dealing with ropes. An entry between the ropes would be nice.
Ugly. Absolutely the worst greens I have ever played. Severe undulations and pins placed right next to impossible mounds or slope. We had 3 putts on 18 less than 6 feet above the hole and all of them rolled off the green. I had a side hill put from 10 feet for a birdie and it just missed on the high side then, yup it proceeded to roll off the green.

So if you are looking for a picturesque course with elevation changes in a normal flat area, this is a course you will like. Just don't expect to shoot anywhere near your index because the greens are almost unplayable.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great bones

This is a big beautiful old park-style course with hundreds of giant oak trees, big rolling hills, elevated tees, and plenty of really tough holes. It could be better maintained, the sand traps are more like dirt. Sometimes they are too hard. The greens can be a little shaggy at times, but if these faults keep the price down then it's all good.

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

Bring your best game.....

Great course, old school layout. Lots of elevated tees and greens. Very well conditioned. Carts have laser rangefinders for approach shot yardage. Bring your GPS or other measuring device to figure out tee shot clubs on the par 4s and 5s.

Friday 9AM tee time for $44 with cart.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Poor weather
Used cart

Great Raincheck Policy

I'm writing this review to give Big Run credit for it's exceptional Rain Check Policy. We played on a day when the weather was spotty. In fact, we got rained out after a few holes. Big Run guarantees you 18 holes. If you play fewer than 18 holes due to the rain, they give you a rain check for the balance of your round (eg. if you get washed out after 6 holes, they give you a rain check for 12). What could be fairer!

Regarding the course...the few holes we got to play were very nice. The clubhouse is dated, but the course itself is well maintained.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

one of the best in chicago no doubt

This course is worth twice the cost that I can book through golf now.
It's quite a challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Challenging and fun public course

Challenging course with rolling hills on almost all fairways, and large ondulating greens! Course has spectacular views and well maintained greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

great value, great course

Went out and got good deal on Golf Now. Only problems were rate of pace on 2nd nine was super slow and when called club house they said well there are lots of groups (wish they had gotten in cart and sped up whichever group was playing super slow not just said oh well). Other than that was pretty challenging - lots of elevation changes which is a change up for most of the Illinois course so that was good. Tight fairways as well. Pretty course and in very good condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat 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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