In photos: The best public golf courses in Chicago
The second stop of the 2020 FedExCup Playoffs is the North course at Olympia Fields Country Club outside of Chicago.
The host venue of the BMW Championship, also the site of the 2003 U.S. Open won by Jim Furyk, is one of a dozen or more premier private clubs that ring the Windy City. In addition to the town's granddaddy club, Chicago Golf Club, you've got Medinah (host of 12 majors and the 2012 Ryder Cup), Kemper Lakes (1989 PGA Championship), Rich Harvest Farms (2009 Solheim Cup), Shoreacres and Butler National, to name a few.
Chicago's public golf scene can't compete with these exclusive playgrounds, but it probably doesn't get the credit it deserves, either. There are a half-dozen "country club for a day" experiences with big green fees, and a few hidden gems, too. At the top of the list, the Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, the 72-hole Cog Hill in Lemont and The Glen Club in Glenview set the standard. Cog Hill's No. 4 course is the legendary Dubsdread that hosted 16 Western Opens. The Port and Starboard courses at Harborside International next to Lake Michigan are the municipal courses worth seeing.
If you're looking for some value-oriented picks, pay attention to our Golfer's Choice awards determined by user reviews. In 2019, the Highlands of Elgin, Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook and Blackstone in Marengo rank highly.
You can tour Chicago's best public places to play in the photo gallery below:
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![Cantigny Golf]()
A view of a green with water and bunkers coming into play at Cantigny Golf. Cantigny Golf -
The Glen Club, a Tom Fazio beauty that is the official golf course of the Chicago Bears, hosted a Web.com Tour event from 2003-08. Courtesy of The Glen Club
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![Harborside International Golf Center]()
A view of a hole at Harborside International Golf Center. Harborside International Golf Center -
![Stonewall Orchard GC]()
The Stonewall Orchard Golf Club is a Chicagoland favorite. Courtesy photo -
The 379-yard eighth hole at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club's Dubsdread Course. Kiel Christianson/TravelGolf
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![Prairie Landing - holes 9 and 18]()
Many of Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s works come at resort courses, but he has some metro-area standouts. Chicagoland's Prairie Landing made our 2021 Golfers' Choice list. Courtesy photo -
![Ruffled Feathers - hole 11]()
A view from the 11th green at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club. Courtesy photo -
![Pine Meadow GC]()
A sunset view of a hole at Pine Meadow Golf Club. Pine Meadow GC -
![Mistwood GC]()
A view of a hole surrounded by water at Mistwood Golf Course. Mistwood GC -
A massive green awaits at Bowes Creek Country Club's 17th. Courtesy of Bowes Creek C.C.
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![Bolingbrook GC]()
A view from a tee at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Bolingbrook GC -
![Highlands of Elgin: #4]()
A view of hole #4 at Highlands of Elgin. Highlands of Elgin -
![Ravisloe (Tweed).jpeg]()
Ravisloe Country Club is a former historic private club that is now open to the public. Bryan Tweed/Illinois Local Golf Advisor -
![Arrowhead GC]()
A sunny day view of a hole at Arrowhead Golf Club in the suburb of Wheaton. Arrowhead GC -
![bartlett hills tweed.jpeg]()
Bartlett Hills dates back to 1929 and has since been renovated. Bryan Tweed/Local Golf Advisor -
![mereva.jpeg]()
In Marengo, Blackstone Golf Club opened in 2006 and was designed by Bob Lohmann. Golf Advisor reviewer 'Mereva'
