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Rating Index Rating
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4.1
416 Reviews (416)
5 Stars
166
4 Stars
168
3 Stars
44
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
16
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.2
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.7
88.6%
Recommend this course
367 out of 416 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
19 Reviews (19)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.7
89.5%
Recommend this course
17 out of 19 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
37 Reviews (37)
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.4
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.7
91.9%
Recommend this course
34 out of 37 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Exceptionally friendly staff and outstanding value make this nine-hole walking course a top suburban pick. Lush fairways and a unique layout consistently reward golfers seeking a well-conditioned, uncrowded round.

About

Holes 9
Type Public
Style Links
Par 35
Length 3033 yards
Slope 118
Rating 34.2
Book a Tee Time at
Willow Hill Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1995
Golf Season Open: 3/01 Closed: 12/15
Architect Dick Nugent (1995) Tim Nugent (1995)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "Willow Hill Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

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

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2020 #5)
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Reviews

4.1
416 Reviews (416)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Walked
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Previously Played

Course had great features

Have been golfing with friends for 30 plus years. I reached the first Green and I was shocked to I had to move small stones off the Green. Than I looked at the “sand traps” and they were filled with all little stones no sand what genius came up with that! I’ve played there since the course opened it was a great layout. I was excited when new ownership took over because the course and facilities had so much potential. Wow what a huge disappointment!!!! Course is in worse condition especially the sand trap issue. Never a ranger to keep play moving. No progress on the outdoor range. Lots of promises failing miserably. Don’t waste your money sad. So much potential with the layout of the course views.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Walked

Fun Place to Play

O trees. What is referred to as a Scottish course. The rough is a bit difficult. A wet day added to the difficulty. Some tricky holes. Well worth your time to play at least once or twice a season. On a weekday afternoon, you can play this 9 in about 90 minutes walking. The starters couldn't be nicer!. Well priced, too.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 51
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Played On
Reviews 140
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Nice layout needs some TLC

I like the links type course with several fun holes including two nice Par 5’s. It just needs some attention to cart pathways and drainage.

Course is on a large hill you can see downtown from the top so it has plenty of slope to remove water they just need to add more drains.

They are adding nine more holes so maybe they will address the poor drainage.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 140
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Nice Nine home course

I like Willow hill it’s to expensive without a golf now deal but a fun course with two Par 5 ‘s.

The layout is nice with a few raised tee boxes the use stairs to reach number nine is the best with tee box about 40 feet up. Nice views of down town from course.

Staff is always nice

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 51
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

No surprise the course is very well cared

No surprise.., we enjoyed playing this “unique” Scottish

Golf course in beautiful Northbrook overlooking the city iChicago skyline.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great links layout

Great course for a quick 9. No trees aka no leaves makes it a great track for fall golf. Be prepared for some wind.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

really windy

Nice course during the fall. A little windy, but you wont lose your ball under leaves. You will loose it on the hills. It is an enjoyable course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/13/2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We appreciate your feedback and apologize for any inconvenience caused by the windy conditions and hilly terrain. We're glad to hear that you still found the course enjoyable.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2023

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave an excellent rating! We really appreciate your business. Thanks for choosing Willow Hill Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Slowly improving

Some good some not so much. The course has good layout, is challenging and the staff all are pleasant. However, fairways are mostly alright but can use some improvement, as well as the tees, and the bunkers need some attention also. pace of play was a little long 2hrs and 15min for 9 holes.

One suggestion I have is to have more of a defined fairway so you can see it clearly from the tee. Overall, course is slowly improving and with a few tweaks it can be in as good shape as Glenview Prairie Club.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2023

Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at Willow Hill Golf Course. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good 9 hole course

The only downside to this course IMO were the sand traps. Very little little sand in them. Club just bounces and you can’t get under the ball.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2023

Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at Willow Hill Golf Course. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good Stuff

My hats off to he owners and staff. They have done more than an incredible job of improving this course. These are really smart operators. I’m so impressed not just with course but all the other things they are doing on the hill. They are changing the direction of the driving range so you’re not hitting into the sun in the late afternoon. Currently you’re hitting from a bit of a downhill lie. They will level it off when they change the direction of the range. The course is good. The greens are much improved. Fairways are good. Really the only improvement I see they need is to do a better job with the sand traps. They need some work starting with more Good sand. There is not enough sand currently. If you open up your club face it just bounces and you end up blading your sand shot. Otherwise I like what the owners and staff have done so far!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2023

Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at Willow Hill Golf Course. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 51
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A very nice Scottish links course

Enjoyed playing here, very challenging 9 hole Scottish links course

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2023

Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at Willow Hill Golf Course. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

for the right golfer, this is an excellent course

The course is known for a traditional layout. That means that there are no water hazards, and few trees. there are a fair amount of sand traps. The comment that they are rocky rather than sand is correct. For a golfer looking for a novel experience, or a golfer with directional control problems, this is the best course in the north Chicago suburbs. The starter and Ranger go out of their way to be friendly and helpful.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/06/2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that you found our course to be suitable for golfers seeking a traditional layout. We apologize if the condition of the sand traps did not meet your expectations. We will take your comments into consideration to improve our facilities. We're glad to hear that our starter and Ranger provided a friendly and helpful experience, and we hope to see you again soon.

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