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Rating Index Rating
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3.7
368 Reviews (368)
5 Stars
85
4 Stars
157
3 Stars
64
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
32
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.0
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.6
Amenities
2.8
77.8%
Recommend this course
281 out of 368 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.3
20 Reviews (20)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.4
Layout
3.9
Pace
3.5
Amenities
2.3
StaffFriendliness
4.0
55.0%
Recommend this course
11 out of 20 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
58 Reviews (58)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.0
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.6
Amenities
2.8
StaffFriendliness
4.2
75.9%
Recommend this course
44 out of 58 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This well-maintained forest preserve course delivers outstanding value, with clean fairways, fast greens, and a layout that rewards precise shot placement. Friendly staff and solid overall conditions make it a compelling choice for golfers seeking quality at an affordable price.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6742 yards
Slope 124
Rating 71.4
Book a Tee Time at
Joe Louis - The Champ Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1918
Golf Season Open: 4/01 Closed: 11/01
Architect Dick Nugent (1987)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Bunker Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire required.

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
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Reviews

3.7
368 Reviews (368)

What Golfers Are Saying

This course/club is great for:
Locals 6
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Joe Louis Take

I like JL golf course for the price point. The staff is cool & welcoming. The course conditions are fair/decent. I would recommend they install : place water stations across the course so golfers can stay hydrated and refill water bottles, etc. I’ll definitely play there several more times this season.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slowest round of life

Played only 9 holes. Tee time was 820 didn’t tee off till 850. Staff acted like this was normal. Will not be back

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/02/2026

Thank you for taking the time to leave us this review. I would like to talk more about your experience. Please reach out info.joelouis@forestpreservegolf.com

We pride ourselves in exceptional customer service and doesn't look like we lived up to it.

Played On
Reviews 38
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Decent Course, Poorly Managed

This is a decent overall course that presents some challenge and is longer than you might expect. However, the course is not in great shape and very poorly managed. My last round took over 5.5 hours and there were numerous groups loafing and that had 5 players. For me, it is not going to be worthwhile to return.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/02/2026

We appreciate you taking the time to leave us this review. Would like to dive into your experience some more, please reach out to us at info.joelouis@forestpreservegolf.com.

Pace of play is important to us and we will look into what was causing the backup this past Sunday. We will correct this and make sure we are doing our best to manage pace. Give us another shot I think you will be surprised.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Good shspe

Course is in good shape. Fairways and greens great. Staff friendly and helpful as always. Been playing here since the Pipe O Peace days. Still great.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/31/2026

Thank you so much for the great review. We are happy that you have been playing the property for a while now and we keep meeting your expectations.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Course for Beginners

This was my first time and I have to say it was a fun round of golf. Most of the fairways are very playable and wide. A few of after hazards but not bad. I can’t wait to play again!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/31/2026

Thank you for the great 5 star review. Hope we see you back on the course soon

Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/31/2026

Appreciate you taking the time to leaving the 5 star review. Cant wait to see you back on the course soon.

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/31/2026

Thank you for leaving this great 4 star review. Would love to know how we could increase the experience to 5 star. info.joelouis@forestpreservegolf.com

Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Why make the game unnecessarily hard?

We had a group of guys come out on a TUESDAY and they had some of the most absurd pin places I’ve seen in a while on a golf course.

To have a successful golf course you need people to return and play the course. I can assure you our group will not be back. We pay money to enjoy the game and you have pin placements that say we don’t want you playing here anymore. Golf is hard enough…nobody needs the “extra challenge” of placing the hole 3 paces from the fringe on a false front.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/31/2026

Thank you for bringing the course setup issues to our attention. We will reach out to the onsite team and make sure the course is being setup fair and not overly difficult. I think you will see on your next visit that our plan is to make sure everyone has a fun and enjoyable experience.

Joe Louis

Management team

Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/21/2026

Course operator here. Thanks for coming to play "The Champ" and for leaving a review. We couldn't agree more that golf is already a tough sport, and we want to offer a fair challenge to all player levels. In this case, we'd love to hear more about what you observed, and if you'd reach out directly at info.joelouis@forestpreservegolf.com.

Thanks again

Joe Louis "The Champ" Team

Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Dear Joe Louis

We had a group of guys come out on a TUESDAY and they had some of the most absurd pin places I’ve seen in a while on a golf course.

To have a successful golf course you need people to return and play the course. I can assure you our group will not be back. We pay money to enjoy the game and you have pin placements that say we don’t want you playing here anymore. Golf is hard enough…nobody needs the “extra challenge” of placing the hole 3 paces from the fringe on a false front.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

CWGC grateful

A sincere THANK YOU to Mr. Jimmy Chess, Ernie, and the entire staff for the outstanding hospitality during our 2026 Memorial Warm-Up event. The course was absolutely immaculate, and despite a very busy day, our players never felt rushed. The pace of play and on-course balance perfectly matched a beautiful Saturday of golf, fellowship, and fun.

Your professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail helped make the day truly memorable for the Chicago Women’s Golf Club. We are forever grateful for the warm welcome and 5-star experience. 💙💛⛳

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/31/2026

Thank you so much for the great 5 star review. We especially appreciate the kind words about Jimmie and his team. Hope we see you back on the course soon.

Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

The worst golf experience of my life

I arrived 30 minutes early for my tee time, checked in, and asked about the course on my way in. I was quickly told there would be a wait, as a large outing had every cart tied up. This is a big course — not one I’d choose to walk — so a cart wasn’t really optional. The pace of play was so backed up that I didn’t actually tee off until an hour past my scheduled time, and even then I had to wait further for a cart.

As you’d expect, the pace from hole to hole was painfully slow and exhausting. The course and the starter did a poor job staggering tee times — at one point there was a group of eight playing together directly in front of us. Maybe they booked consecutive tee times, but I doubt it. After six hours of play we’d only completed 14 of 18 holes, and we left around 7 p.m. without finishing.

Overall, I will not be back, and I can’t recommend this course to other golfers. 0 out of 10.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

5/15 Round

The course was in great shape. Even though the pace of play was good on this day, proactively, I would have liked to see a ranger monitoring it, for the occasion when it is not so good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Super Slow Pace

Love playing here, but they should consider getting a Marshall out there to keep it moving. Took 5hrs to play 15 holes before we decided to just quit and leave.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Grass seed? Poorly maintained greens.

Fairways were in horrible shape with almost/if not every, fairway with really large bare spots of mud. Every green was covered in unfixed divots. Probably not the courses fault but indicative of the type of golfer playing there. Golfers need to be better. Sand traps were like rock and not maintained. Could be because of the spring season. Tee boxes were acceptable and in fair shape. Its the old adage..."you get what you pay for". Just happy they are open this early in the season to get out and swing the club.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Nice course if the price is right

Because of the time of the year, late March, I have to give a little leeway to the Joe Lewis, the champ course as far as course condition, which was fair at best. Lots of bare patches and muddy sections on the fairways. The traps haven’t been cleaned. Some of them still have water in it. The fairways were wide enough to give you some room for error but littered with unfilled divots, while the putting greens were in pretty nice condition but slower than the practice green. I didn’t see a driving range, pitching area or practice bunker. If those things are important to you, I’d call and confirm whether or not they have them. But for $30 including cart on GN - it was worth the drive from the western suburbs.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
4.0
First Time Playing

Birthday present for my son

Beautiful course, sadly the man at the clubhouse was rushing my son and I because he wanted to close up early.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
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