St. Andrews Golf & Country Club - Joe Jemsek Course

About
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.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue | 72 | 6818 yards | 72.5 | 126 |
White | 72 | 6358 yards | 70.4 | 121 |
White (W) | 72 | 6358 yards | 76.2 | 133 |
Gold | 72 | 5797 yards | 67.8 | 115 |
Gold (W) | 72 | 5797 yards | 73.1 | 126 |
Red | 72 | 5341 yards | 65.7 | 110 |
Red (W) | 72 | 5341 yards | 70.6 | 121 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue M: 72.5/126 | 362 | 216 | 425 | 384 | 433 | 200 | 349 | 420 | 496 | 3285 | 517 | 221 | 338 | 329 | 207 | 514 | 451 | 552 | 404 | 3533 | 6818 |
White M: 70.4/121 | 333 | 194 | 380 | 370 | 402 | 171 | 336 | 406 | 479 | 3071 | 467 | 187 | 313 | 303 | 192 | 498 | 436 | 524 | 367 | 3287 | 6358 |
Gold M: 67.8/115 W: 73.1/126 | 314 | 165 | 361 | 356 | 332 | 148 | 305 | 372 | 452 | 2805 | 426 | 160 | 297 | 292 | 179 | 442 | 370 | 468 | 358 | 2992 | 5797 |
Red M: 65.7/110 W: 70.6/121 | 294 | 164 | 342 | 342 | 272 | 142 | 271 | 258 | 406 | 2491 | 401 | 158 | 292 | 284 | 176 | 413 | 333 | 458 | 335 | 2850 | 5341 |
Handicap | 11 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 10 | |||
Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 37 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 7 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 18 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 10 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u122474247 on 10/21/2024
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Photo submitted by u122474247 on 10/21/2024
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Photo submitted by u122474247 on 10/21/2024
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Photo submitted by u122474247 on 10/21/2024
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Photo submitted by Bigworm9 on 02/11/2024
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Photo submitted by MShambora on 11/10/2021
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Where My 2nd Shot Landed Photo submitted by DavePipitone on 07/25/2017
Bait and switch vibe
Greens were covered in sand with no attempt to make playable. I understand it’s that time of year where they prepare for winter, but the course made zero attempt on clearing off excess, top layer sand on greens. I’m talking greens that were effectively bunkers, oftentimes with no signs of aeration underneath. Course is probably nicer in the summer, but given there’s no off season rate for an off season quality, probably won’t be back. Also they Don’t allow carts on online tee time bookings, forced to pay another ~$75 in cart fees upon arrival, feels like a way to trick players into a cheaper rate when almost all tee fees on GN include cart fees - $19 per person is much higher than most courses cart rate for a low grade gps. Surprise cart fee also pushes a lot of people into walking, slowing down course pace of play a lot.
Price increases - poor $/value
Attached a screen shot but historically this course costs no more than ~$70 to play in prime time hours; didn't realize in between the day I decided to golf and actually book the price went from $51 to $67 without cart, and $87 total with cart. Additionally the greens were aerated AND sanded pretty heavily, which really does not help the frustration about the price.
For $80+ they are definitely out pricing themselves even in prime time conditions let alone aeration and sand; as there are many better courses around here for not much more. Also every one of the holes is ~340 - 430 dead straight without much variety. If they are going to charge that much they need to redesign this place pretty substantially.
Not worth $87
St. Andrew’s was always “old reliable” in that you can almost always find a time to play and really did give you solid value for the money you paid, but I will now start to look elsewhere.
I sort of knew this was coming as they really did a good job at improving course conditions, but they’ve increased their prices and I think are out pricing themselves. I paid $87 for a 7:48 tee time Sunday morning with cart, with aerated and sanded greens that looked like a beach. Just a few days before booking they raided the price from $51 (see screenshot). The only bonus from a month ago is they’ve added screens to the carts I guess.
But this course is not worth the money for $87, every hole is pretty much 340-430 dead straight, not a lot of variety which may or may not be a negative for you, but there’s plenty of comparable courses in the area that offer better value and more variety.
Enjoyable course
We have always enjoyed Saint Andrews golf course. We appreciate the variety of holes. It would be helpful if GolfNow informed us that the greens were recently aerated and very sandy.
Perfect…As I remember!
It has been 8 years since I last played St. Andrew’s and it is just as good as I remember. Welcoming staff and starter on 1st tee. Perfect fairways and greens and a great layout that is challenging but fun. Restaurant, bar and patio make for a perfect 19th hole. Can’t wait to return… Well Done!!!
Very nice!
Great staff and course. I look forward to playing it again.
Great Day for Golf
As usual, had a very nice experience. Friendly staff, great course for my skill set.
Only negative; I wish they would allow carts in parking lot. Many seniors play, including myself, and if we wanted to carry our bags, we wouldn't be in a cart.
Rough is getting long
I enjoy playing. The long rough is getting very hard to find balls, Add the problem of extra leaves now falling, it's easy to lose balls, even when you see where it goes and just off fairway. Cut the rough, please.