St. Andrews GCC - Joe Jemsek: #2
View of the 2nd green from Joe Jemsek Course.
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4.3
736 Reviews (736)
5 Stars
324
4 Stars
320
3 Stars
67
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.3
93.0%
Recommend this course
687 out of 736 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
15 Reviews (15)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.4
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.3
86.7%
Recommend this course
13 out of 15 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
61 Reviews (61)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.4
95.1%
Recommend this course
58 out of 61 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6818 yards
Slope 126
Rating 72.5

There are two championship golf courses available at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago as well as a top-ranked practice center. The Joe Jemsek Course, formerly known as the Lakewood, was added in 1929, three years after the club opened. Unlike the original St. Andrews Course, the Joe Jemsek Course has a hillier terrain. Although it is shorter than the other golf course at 6,770 yards, the elevation changes make it seem similar in length to the 6,920-yard St. Andrews Course. The course features tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers, offering plenty of challenges but overall it is not an overly intimidating layout for beginners. There are several long and demanding par 3s throughout. The best example being the tricky second hole, which has a green that is guarded by two deep bunkers and towering trees.

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Course Details

Year Built 1929
Fairways Bent
Greens Bent
Golf Season Year round
Architect Edward B. Dearie (1929)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS 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, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

4.3
736 Reviews (736)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

St Andrews Lakewood course

I really do love this course. It’s just all around solid. I don’t play much, but this is my third time here this season & im going to try to get back at least once more.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great shape

Course was in great shape. Need to be in fairway, second cut is long. But more than likely designed that way.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

A quick round after it rained

Due to early morning rain we weren't sure if we would be able to play, but the rain stopped and our twosome played 18 holes in just a little over 3 hours. considering it had rained before we played, the course for the most part was in excellent condition. One green had an area that had too much water on it and the bunkers were a little damp, but still playable.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Another slow play round

Another day, another outing we go stuck behind. First 7 holes our foursome played in less than 1-1/2 hours. Then we caught up to the outing. From holes 8 through 18, we played in 3-1/4 hours for a total playing time of 4-3/4 hours. Whoever was playing in the outing didn't know how to pick up their feet while walking on the greens. There were spike marks everywhere. Also there was a single player in front of us that played 3 balls off the tees at most every hole and played all 3 down the fairways. The rangers didn't do anything about it because the guy wasn't really holding up play due to the outing that was directly in front of him. Other than the slow play, again, and spike marks all over the greens, the fairway, bunkers, and tee boxes were in excellent shape.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Slow Play this time

We played this round following a shot gun start of an outing of wounded warriors organization. We followed the outing for our first 10 holes. It was very, very slow play. St. Andrews should never have offered tee times that close to an end of an outing, especially this one. On the pro shop's behalf they did warn us prior to teeing off that it would be slow play for half of our round. However, we made the reservation through Golfnow and was not aware that this outing would be happening. Other than that issue, the course was in excellent condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/03/2018

HI Robert,

This was our first time hosting this event. We always allow extra time for an "outing cushion", but obviously it was not enough. Now that we know their pace, we will obviously adjust the tee sheet for next time.

Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Beginner
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Narrow fairways

The course is well kept but the fairways are narrow. Also, there is very little difference from one hole to the next. Every hole feels the same.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Value

The course is really excellent. Challenging, but fair. The price I got on Golf Now was an outstanding value. The conditions were excellent too.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Walked

Horrible experience

Played on Father's day with my wife and my 10 year old son. Very busy. On Hole 2, we already had to wait until the foursome in front of us tees off. On hole 6, a ranger turned up telling us to pick up the pace. On hole 7, the ranger came back an told my wife that our group was holding up the entire course, which was not true, as we had to wait ourselves. The ranger followed my wife and my son from hole 7 to hole 8 to observe their game. Unacceptable. We decided to leave, as this was NOT a pleasant round of golf. Granted, the manager offered a full refund. Disappointing.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Slow Play

I've played this course many times the past few years and this one one of the worst if not the worst pace of play I have experienced here. Our foursome caught up with a slow playing threesome at the second hole. A ranger didn't show up to help move that group along until we got to the 15th hole. By that time the damage was already done. It took us over 5 hours to play which normally takes our group 4 hours or less to play. It was a very hot day, mid 90s, but that shouldn't excuse the course from monitoring the pace of play. The golf course was not crowded. In fact no groups caught up to us even though it was so slow. Very disappointing round. With that said, the course was in excellent condition. Come on St. Andrews. Get those rangers out there and watch for pace of play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/22/2018

Hi Robert,

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that your round was so slow. If you ever run into this situation again, please call the pro shop as soon as it happens. We will send the ranger right to you. 630.231.3100 ext. 114

Played On
Reviews 50
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Decent course, but nothing special

Hadn't played this course in years, and got a great Hot Deal so set up a foursome. This is an older course with lots of trees and a mixture of different holes. The greens weren't that fast, and they were a little bumpy. Course was OK, but I wouldn't go out of my way to play. However, the practice range is the best in the area.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Staple course

I play this course a handful of times a year. The greens roll pretty fast and run true. The front 9 plays more forgiving than the back. 15-18 can really challenge your game. I believe the biggest downfall is that the first hole is followed up by a long par 3 that tends to get backed up.

Bonus: the southwest salad in the restaurant is amazing

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

great staff

The staff is extremely professional and friendly. They make you feel at home as soon as you arrive. The course would be given an excellent except for a couple of greens. More so of the people not repairs their divots. Will definitely come back. well worth the drive

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Two great courses with lots of amenities and a great bar with food

It’s been sometime since I’ve played at Saint Andrews since I moved farther away. All the great memories come back once I get there. Both courses are superb, had a great time. Courses were in great shape for this early in the season. Can’t wait to go back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Way behind on mowing

Overall, a nice place to play. You can almost always get a tee time here on the weekend. Two courses, both pretty nice, with better than average greens. Top notch practice facility. This time, I played #2. They were clearly behind on mowing though. The grass was overgrown, and they were frantically moving everywhere right on top of us, leaving huge clumps of grass and one time even going over my ball which was greenside on a par three. A little frustrating, but for all the reasons I stated above, I’ll certainly play here again. And Dave, the bartender at the 19th hole is legendary.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/01/2018

Hi Gristle. Thank you for your feedback. Because of the record breaking rainfall in the month of May, the rough mowing, etc. was hard to keep up with. The owners added overtime maintenance hours so that we could correct this problem. Your next round will be back to normal.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First time

Loved the layout...some long par 3's...some tuff approach shots...large greens... definitely recommend

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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