St. Andrews GCC - Joe Jemsek: #2
View of the 2nd green from Joe Jemsek Course.
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4.3
731 Reviews (731)
5 Stars
320
4 Stars
319
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
4.2
91.6%
Recommend this course
682 out of 731 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
55 Reviews (55)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.4
94.5%
Recommend this course
52 out of 55 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
68 Reviews (68)
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
29
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.4
92.6%
Recommend this course
63 out of 68 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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St. Andrews Golf & Country Club - Joe Jemsek Course
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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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$120 in tee time credits
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Reviews

4.3
731 Reviews (731)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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!!!

Played On
Reviews 11
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
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Very nice!

Great staff and course. I look forward to playing it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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