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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
573 Reviews (573)
5 Stars
219
4 Stars
293
3 Stars
42
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.3
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.1
91.2%
Recommend this course
541 out of 573 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.8
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.7
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.4
81.0%
Recommend this course
17 out of 21 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
42 Reviews (42)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.2
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.6
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.6
85.7%
Recommend this course
36 out of 42 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Marengo Ridge delivers outstanding value with a challenging layout featuring mature trees, plentiful water, and bunkers that demand accuracy from every club. Exceptionally friendly staff and well-maintained conditions make this hidden gem well worth the drive.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6654 yards
Slope 129
Rating 72.5

Marengo Ridge Golf Club opened as a nine-hole course in 1963. Spread across rolling, wooded hills, the course was crafted by re-purposing an old farm. The working cattle barn was even renovated to become the clubhouse. As the golf course garnered a local following, a new nine was added in 1990. The more than 25-year difference between when the two nines were constructed give the course a unique character. The layout seamlessly blends modern techniques and classic design. The distinct topographies of each nine add even more variety. Marengo Ridge Golf Club's original nine holes weave through mature trees while the newer holes are more open and links-style. There are several tricky doglegs throughout but it isn't overly punishing if you're errant. You'll also face several water hazards and strategically placed bunkers.

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Course Details

Year Built 1963
Fairways Blue Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 3/01 Closed: 12/25
Architect William J. Spear (1963) Bob Lohmann

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill
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Reviews

4.2
573 Reviews (573)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 30
Patio Dining 6
Watching the Game 6
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 33
Bunkers 32
Elevation Changes 19
This course/club is great for:
Locals 32
Advanced Golfers 24
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 18
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 41
In the 'Burbs 18

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Challenging course

Tight fairways and tough greens. Nice variety of hole layouts, including mature tree growth, water and various hazards to make the course challenging. I would definitely play here again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great value for this excellent course

Liked the course a lot, many difficult holes, lots of dog legs and water. Course in excellent condition.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

Beautiful course, wonderful staff, worth the drive and reasonable green fees. Need improvement on cart paths and use real sand, not rock pebbles in all bunkers. Will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice surprise

Hadn't played there in about 20 years, so this might as well have been my first round there. Tough layouts the first time around. Course seemed to be in good shape. GPS was very useful, but still found a few hazards that I didn't know we're there. Will play again.

Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Hopper

This course was average at best. The sand traps were not taken care of at all. The course is in ok shape. The driving range is terrible. For the $20.00 we paid its not a bad track. It would not be be my first choice ever and maybe not my ninth or tenth choice but it is a fun course. For the $20.00.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tom C

Very good course for value

Bunkers in poor condition

No beverage cart on course!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course had a fun amount of water, traps, and trees

The only negatives were traps were bad no sand and a lot of rocks. The other thing was that the cart paths were terrible. I really hate to show anything negative about the course because I really liked it and would definitely play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

4 stars for this course? Really?

Tee Boxes: 2 stars (uneven, dry and chewed up)

Fairways: 2 stars (hard, dry and not filled in)

Greens: 2 stars (slow and the don't roll true)

Bunkers: 0 stars (Hard crusty out substance that isn't sand)

Lay-out: 3 stars (Not bad; The courses ONLY redeeming quality)

Whoever is giving this course 4/5 stars really should get out to different courses from time to time. Perhaps take a 5 minutes drive down the road to Blackstone and play a course that deserves 4/5 stars. Then throw in the fact that after we finished playing the front nine, we were stuck behind a bunch of people who the pro-shop decided to allow them to play the back nine and hold up the players who were making the turn. I just love that. Don't you?

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/17/2017

"Greens 2 stars." Is this a joke? I have played 50 plus courses in the Chicagoland area. I would say the greens are typically moderate in speed, maybe rolling around 9. In August you can see 10, which is above average speed. As far as true, these greens are the most true rolling greens in the area! The greens/layout are the two best parts about this track.

Lastly, you can't even compare Blackstone to this golf course. Yes, Blackstone is a higher quality course but the value is nothing close to Marengo Ridge. You will easily pay 2-2.5 more to play Blackstone. Marengo Ridge has way more bang for your buck!

Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/23/2016

What do you want for 20 bucks? If they fixed all the little things on the coarse it would be thirty bucks.

Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 0-4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

relaxing track

pleasant surroundings in the country, lets you focus on your game and the fairly open course layout...great staff

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Enjoyed playing here

Good local course, friendly staff.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

fun to play

Overall very challenging course lots of dog legs some 90 degrees would play again definitely Pace was good all day

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

A great little country course

Loe the place. Two different styles for each nine. Love the country course look and feel. An elevated tees box, and just enough sand, trees and water to keep a played honest. Super friendly staff. Nice little clubhouse with a cold beer and a dog for after the round. Traps could use a little work, with new sand instead of the bank run that is currently in them.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

Gem of a course

Great course! Staff was super friendly. The club house is really neat, good prices and service. This course is really cool, not a monster masterpiece but just a great place to play. I will be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Poor weather
Used cart

this course has fair

The course is good and interest lay- out, conition is well,even winter season.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

good cours

I played here for the first time on a Sunday at 10 AM. never had to wait. The pace of play was good and the course was fair. The greens were nice except for some inconsiderate golfers who played sometime before us. Too many scuff marks on the greens from dragging their feet. If you do that, then take the time to tamp down your mistake with your putter. Someome took their putter and slammed it down next to the cup on several holes! Other than that, I thought this was an interesting layout that was fun and fair.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Good course nice round

Very nice course in good shape. Only complaint would be insufficient sand in some of the traps. Have had pace of play issues in the past here, but none this time around.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fun course

Fun Course good pace of play. It was after arreating so if you're reading this you know what I mean. Good experience. Would like to play it when the course was in top condition.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Slow going

I reviewed earlier this year and said I would be back. I have been twice but am not sure if I will again.. I like everything about the course except the pace of play is unacceptable. I am not sure why and I hate to blame the course but I sure have had bad luck the last two tries. I know courses don't want to hear it ,but if you cannot play 18 holes in 31/2 hours, stay home.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

50% off is not enough

This is a course with rangers more concerned about cart path only restrictions than the pace of play or conditions of the in play facilities. It had recently rained a lot, but the course was dried out well enough late in the afternoon to allow at least a 90 degree rule, yet that was not changed. No effort was expended to pump traps that were saturated and largely unplayable. The foursome in front of us was taking 20 minutes per hole and was slowing down play, yet was not warned even when complained about. At 75% off this course NIGHT be worth playing.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course for the cost

At $20 for 18 on a Sunday afternoon I was worried it would play slow and I was right on that for the front 9. There was a foursome two groups in front of us that was barely moving and no course ranger to move things along. Once we got on 10 the pace picked up but ended up almost at 5 hours. That said, the weather was awesome and the group I was paired with was friendly so I really had no qualms about the slow place. I just enjoyed the weather, the company, and the game.

This was the first time at this course and I found it to be a good challenge but playable. I was able to break 100 which I was happy with, I am usually worse in unfamiliar territoriy (I usually score in lower 90's on courses I am familiar with). For me, the front nine was more challenging than the back. There was a lot of hidden water on the front nine but not there on the back.

I will definitely go back.

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