Old Orchard Country Club

Course plays well, a little short and forgiving if you are looking for a challenge. Staff was very friendly, and the pace was great (granted it was pretty dead the Saturday we played). I would play again.

Short course with narrow fairways. You won't lose your ball if you miss the fairway, but you will likely be blocked by a tree. Greens are well protected by trees from shots not coming from the fairway. I felt like the whole day I was punching out to short of the green when I missed the fairway. The course doesn't really restrict you from using your driver, but its important to hit the fairways.

Greens were fairly firm, fast, and small with decent amount of slope from back to front.

The Good: Traditional parkland layout was a former country club turned public course turned park district funded. Short, challenging course with good mixture of long Par 4's, long Par 3's, and risk-reward Par 5's. Course is typically in good shape, with large, tough greens. Decent clubhouse with large bar and banquet area. On-course service is pretty good, especially on the weekends. Pretty good value for the north Chicago suburbs, especially when using an internet special. GPS on carts!

The Bad: Sand traps aren't in very good shape. No restroom areas on-course is a negative. Driving range only allows irons and there is no sand short game area. Pace of play is a big issue. Peak season rates of around $75 with cart is overpriced.

The Verdict: With reduced rates, Old Orchard is becoming a stronger player in the Northern Chicago area. An interesting, parkland track that will sneak up and bite you if you aren't straight.

Best Hole: The short Par 5 15th is pure risk-reward. A good drive will leave a long shot to carry water in two.

We had a 1:39 tee time. The starter said it was slightly slower than the 4:15 we had been told to expect. It was so slow that we didn't even start the back 9 until 4:55. We reached the 14th tee at 6:10 and there were 2 groups waiting to tee off. We gave up and left. We stopped at the clubhouse and they were unapologetic. They said a 24 person party had teed off a little before us and they were slowing everyone down. I'm no expert, but isn't that why they have marshals? I will never go back.

This will be my new home course. I hadn't played here in years, and had forgotten how nice it is. The clubhouse is a bit dated, but for a park district run club the course is in fantastic shape. Bent grass throughout, undulating fairways and very nice, true greens...they weren't all chopped up like most other muni's can be. I recently moved back into the area and I will be changing my CDGA membership to Old Orchard CC next year.

Nice, old course that is well maintained. The fairways lack the huge number of divots that scar many of the public courses. Offers plenty of challenges with water and sand for both new and experienced golfers. Course has a narrower feel than some of the newer courses I have played. Staff is friendly and willing to do whatever they can for you. Matched with some exceptional weather, this made for a great round of golf.

The starter was great, very nice. I wish they has a ranger to make sure pace was kept.

I play this course a few times a year. It has the look of a private club from the fifties. The clubhouse is run down and shabby now. The course itself however was in good condition for this time of year. The fifties look of the course is a positive feature for me. Heavy rains the night before seemed to have no effect. The rough was long and challenging as you see in most mid-west courses in the Spring. The greens looked spotty, but putted fast and true without bumps. Pace of play could be slow, but we were able to play through a foursome and finished under four hours. If you can get a tee time under $50.00, this course is one of the best values around

Have golfed at Old Orchard before, but likely won't return. Greens were in terrible shape, sand traps weren't even raked, and tee boxes were beat up. Played behind four golfers who were extremely slow and the group ahead of them was at least 3-4 holes ahead. There was no ranger on the course at any point to push them along. It created a 2 foursome backup on every hole and a 5-plus hour round. For $60, there are far too many other courses to play where they actually monitor what is going on and at least make an effort at maintaining their course.

caught a tough Chicago day, prior days too, yet course was in superior shape under the circumstances..upper 40's, wind off the lake, yet, caught a break w/Golf Now 'hot deal' and will say that I'll play it again at real higher bucks cause of the
GREENS! smallish with tough pins, and slopes. The typical Chitown greens this spring are generally poor becuase of ice issues. OO got it right.

Course has fast greens and in good shape for this time of year.
Fairways have nice bent grass and are mowed at perfect height.
Roughs are a little shaggy. There is some tree removal going on right now as well, but if you keep the ball where it is supposed to go, the course is fun. A lot of water comes into play at this course too. Course is much more picturesque in the summer with the flower beds in bloom, but still pretty with the fall colors. Most of the leaves are down, which made ball location a little difficult, but all in all it was very enjoyable.

Short but need accuracy. I enjoyed pretty much. Pretty moderate and cozy course. Has some features.

Equal amount of water and bunkers. You really need to stay on the fairway; rough is long, lots of trees. I like the layout with little curves and creeks.

The course is in great shape and boasts some quite challenging holes and then some easy ones.

Typically this course runs about $65 for 18 and a cart and while it's a nice course, not sure it's worth that type of coin.

Challenging tee box and pin placement a lot of trees enough water makes this a great find of a course. Playing in the fall will be though with all the leaves. Best $27 play of the summer

Very nice course with some challenging holes. It would be nice if some golfers would follow the USGA golf etiquette of repairing their ball marks on the green.

Needs some work on the rough. Needs to be cut more often.

Liked the coarse overall, but it was narrow and winding. Reminded me of British style links coarse's with trees. Tee boxes were poorly marked and smallish. Hole 16 was very narrow and had a very tough approach for your 2nd shot. Fun overall and would play again at the discounted price, not full.

Course was well set up and maintained. Starter was very helpful and friendly. Played with two different threesomes on the front and back nines and both were good company.