Winnetka Golf Club

Played after a very heavy rain had to walk course was wet but fun

A beautiful course, with amazing nature, great fauna sightings. The maintenance to the course is not par with its natural beauty, though.

I wish they had earlier hours.

The Good: William B. Langsford design (original nine, C.D. Wagstaff completed the final 9 holes) in the north shore suburbs has retained some of its 1917 charm, with a good variety of doglegs, unique green complexes, and a fantastic little Par 3 course that is great for beginners and seniors. Greens are fun and putt pretty smoothly, even if a little slow. Course includes a modest clubhouse, but an excellent practice facility that includes a huge training center and multiple short game areas. Great finishing hole!

The Bad: Fairways are not in great shape and are really bumpy. On-course amenities are really lacking: very poor signage, limited yardage markers, and no GPS. Some of the holes tend to blend in together and look / feel like you're playing the some shot over and over. There was no on-course service when we played on a weekend afternoon. Overpriced by about $15 for the area.

The Verdict: I'm sure that Winnetka was a very fine course in its day, but there are dozens of public courses in the area that I'd play for the $$ before this squandered Langford track.

Best Hole: The closing 18th was quite the pleasant surprise even though its very difficult. A long, straight away Par 4 with a downhill tee sheet and approach to a double-tiered green.

This isn’t a bad course from a layout standpoint but the course conditions, esp. the fairways, are deplorable. They are very bumpy and uneven. I recognize they have had problems with the drainage, but something should be done -and soon- to rescue this course. Otherwise, the numbers of rounds there will continue to decline.

I think this course is just like so many of the Northshore public courses, a high cost for what you get.

The back 9 can play VERY WET if there has been rain within the last week.

But the real issue is that I can drive an additional 15 to 20 minutes and play a superior course for less money. If the price was lower, I might consider going back.

Great layout challenges all golfers. Great condition.

The staff is really nice and friendly, the club is really nice! The golf carts were very slow, honestly should have walked (walked to my ball on most holes to save time)! The early groups were paired very tightly together, felt pressured to shoot whenever I saw our trailing group. The rough is really rough were it seem like you spent more time walking the rough than anything else. You leave the fear way by more than 12 inches, you might as well get the next ball out to drop. Overall, well kept fairways, greens, buildings and staff (stay out of the rough and you are golden)!!!

The ground is very lumpy if you’re riding in a cart.

The course was in good shape. The pace of play was a bit slow. There are lots of kids on the course but they seem to know what they were doing. There are great draft beers.

Very enjoyable to play. The only reason I give course conditions as average is all the rain we have had.

This course used to be a good muni course. I’ve been playing here at least once a year for 40 years and it’s now gone way downhill due to maintenance. I may have played my last round here.

This course could be great, but needs a lot *lot* of TLC. Unless they're hosting the US Open, the rough anywhere near that high. It was so bad, my playing partner and I lost 8 balls or more that should have been totally findable. You couldn't see the ball unless you were right on top of it. I can't even imagine how poorly this impacts pace of play on weekends.

I like it, but I won't be back until the course is in much better shape.

I’ve played in a women’s league at this course for the past few years and enjoyed the course very much. It’s in good shape and a good value. The best part about it though are the folks that work here. All are very nice and they make you feel like you are a member, even when you are not.

I live in the city and the courses associated with the Forest Preserve aren't great but are fun to play. That said, playing at Winnetka is certainly a treat in comparison. My friends and I love heading to this course a couple of times each summer. I only wish I lived closer.

The WPD staff at Winnetka Golf Club host great programs for kids and beginners. It's a wonderful community amenity that makes it easy to hit a bucket of balls, practice your putting, and grab a quick bite to eat with your kids. Lessons are top notch!

I would flip nines. 10th hole nice par5. 1st hole short par 4 with tight overbunkered green. 9 would be just as good finishing hole as 18. Also get on Teeoff.com.

The course was under some renovations due to flooding. However i was informed before playing and had no issues.

Nice people and good practice facility as well.

Great layout, typical distance and difficulty for a muni, good price particularly off peak, and great practice facilities including the Par 3 course. Commonly used for HS tournaments at the local and Regional level - so a legit layout

It is hard to believe that nestled amongst The best country clubs on Chicago’s North Shore that the local Park would provides public course of almost equal stature, but that is what Winnetka has done. Two courses that are fun to play, a 9-hole Par-3 and a regulation 18 that are very well maintained and provide a bit of a challenge. The clubhouse is nice with a full pro shop, locker rooms, and good golfing food. There is an excellent driving range, putting green, and chipping green shaded by great trees with pastoral views.