Bonnie Brook GC
A view from a fairway at Bonnie Brook Golf Course.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
400 Reviews (400)
5 Stars
243
4 Stars
136
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.7
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.3
97.5%
Recommend this course
388 out of 400 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
3 Reviews (3)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.3
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
100.0%
Recommend this course
3 out of 3 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
41 Reviews (41)
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.6
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.6%
Recommend this course
40 out of 41 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Bonnie Brook delivers consistently excellent conditions with fast greens, well-maintained fairways, and a layout that balances challenge with accessibility for all skill levels. Exceptionally friendly staff and outstanding value make this north suburbs gem a highly recommended round.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Woodland
Par 72
Length 6640 yards
Slope 128
Rating 72.3

Bonnie Brook Golf Course, known amongst locals as simply "The Brook," is one of the most popular public courses on the North Shore. It has even been ranked as one of the top 50 public golf courses in the Chicagoland area. Designed in 1926 by James Foulis, the course has a classic feel to it with challenges that have withstood the test of time. The layout sprawls across a scenic natural landscape accented with gently rolling hills, tall native grasses, and sparkling lakes. The north branch of the Waukegan River also meanders through part of the golf course. The Bonnie Brook layout offers enough of a challenge for advanced players with narrow, tree-lined fairways and subtly tricky undulations throughout the spacious greens, but it is a round that is player friendly enough for any skill level to enjoy.

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Bonnie Brook Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1926
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 4/01 Closed: 12/01
Architect James Foulis (1926) Bob Lohmann

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

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

Policies

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

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

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Reviews

4.6
400 Reviews (400)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 15
Patio Dining 7
Course Challenges Include:
Undulating Greens 12
Thick Rough 11
Water Hazards 9
This course/club is great for:
Locals 13
Seniors 11
Walkers 11
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 16
Worth the Drive 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful course. Well maintained. Not expensive. Cool employees

First time playing this course. I just started playing a couple years ago n go every Sunday over the summer with my pops. This is one of the nicest courses I’ve played on. We’re not the greatest golfers n we let them know that and the guys were cool about it without lecturing a bunch of rules at us they told us to have fun n wished us luck

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2022

Your feedback is important to us, buttcheeks21. Thank you for sharing your 5-star experience. We look forward to seeing you again at the course soon! Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2022

Hi, chrisdynek. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Bonnie Brook

Course conditions were great and greens were some of the nicest in the area. Easy going course with some obstacles and strategic play on a handful of holes. Slow play as a group of 6 we’re all teeing off together and slowed down the play tremendously starting on hole 4.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2022

Hello, u479680179. Thank you for visiting us at Bonnie Brook Golf Course. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 35
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2022

Hi, Edetgen. We would love to hear more about your 4-star experience on our course. Please tell us what we can do to earn that last star, and thanks for golfing at Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/17/2022

Hi, koamch. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/01/2022

Hi, u976944867. We would love to hear more about your positive experience on our course. Please contact us to share with us your favorite part of your experience. Thanks for golfing at Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Solid track in Waukegan

Bonnie Brook is an enjoyable golf experience. The staff and players are very pleasant. The course layout is general good with a number of doglegs and overhanging trees. The rough was fairly punitive this time. The greens have some tricky slope as well. I have played her before and plan to return again soon.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/26/2022

Hello, u513253197. Thank you for visiting us at Bonnie Brook Golf Course. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/17/2022

Hi, koamch. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 138
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Fun challenging course

I have played her many times and because of the layout you never get tired of this course . Many fun tee shot where you have to place your ball short or over a hazard. It keeps you thinking . It was a cold windy day so only a couple of us on the course so play was quick. I was surprised that give the wet conditions the green were still very good. I will be back in the spring

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/17/2021

Hi, uUAQJ7930UA. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/10/2021

Hi, tajsyed. We would love to hear more about your 4-star experience on our course. Please tell us what we can do to earn that last star, and thanks for golfing at Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best value course in an area of great courses

This is an old time Country Club feel to a course that is outstanding from tee to green. Rough was long - a true penalty for missing the fairways. Greens roll very well. Food service and staff are outstanding. This is one of the best kept secrets in the far North suburbs as you have other courses like Thunder Hawk and Sheppard's Crook not to far away. This is the jewel of Waukeganites and they are proud of it.

Only issues are 3:

1. Upgrade the driving range if possible

2. The need for new range balls on occasion

3. Somehow go on a campaign to educate golfers to fix ball marks. Great greens but they get pounded from people not wanting to bend over. Maybe invest in ball repair tools to give at the first tee and have the starter go through how a player fixes them. You do get new players out there and they don't know. Fix your mark and 1-2 more on every green - that should be the slogan.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/21/2021

Hi, Kwhitlock80. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 77
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played

What a Gem

As usual, my round at Bonnie Brook was a wonderful time.

Got paired with a couple praying there gor the first time. They absolutely loved it and couldn't wait to come back. The course is in Fantastic shape, rough was a little deep, so keep it in the fairway!

Greens were immaculate, staff friendly as usual. Best value for your dollar in Lake County.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/27/2021

Hi, u6722019. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bonnie Brook Golf Course

A hidden gem in the area, and a challenging course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/11/2021

Hi, u000001822202. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/11/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u782367701! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 83
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

challenging but fun

I played this course all summer and through out the season this course has been in great condition. Thru heat and rain the ground crew has kept this course in terrific condition. The greens are in terrific shape considering its late fall. The greens are very challenging with the flag placement always on a little mount.

Fun course .

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/08/2021

Hi, ggmyg. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/05/2021

Hi, gmarvy. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/04/2021

We love hearing about our golfers' experiences, trunez. Please tell us more about what you enjoyed during your round. Thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Pleasant surprise

This was my first time playing Bonnie Brook. The course was fun and in great condition. Except for a couple of tricky short holes, the layout was a fair challenge. I will definitely return.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/30/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u513253197! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 80
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/27/2021

Hi, FANTACHU. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/20/2021

We're glad you enjoyed your 5-star experience with us, u314162058894. Please comment or reach out to our team in the golf shop to let us know more about your round at Bonnie Brook Golf Course!

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