Did you know Illinois is one of the Midwest’s top golf destinations? With 450-plus public golf courses and plenty of unique local features across the state, a tour of golf courses in Illinois tests your game in dozens of ways.
The state has classic links courses, golf resorts where you can stay and play and urban courses for a city break. In a nutshell, Illinois has it all. Here’s seven of the best places to tee off…
Best Golf Courses In Illinois
1. Shoreacres – Lake Bluff
Located just north of Chicago in the town of Lake Bluff, Shoreacres Golf Club is a private club nestled just above Lake Ontario. The beautiful 1919 clubhouse by famed architect David Adler is the perfect place to relax after a game on the course designed by Seth Raynor, with routing that meanders over ravines.
2. Hickory Ridge Golf Center – Carbondale
The public course at Hickory Ridge is challenging for all skill levels, with long fairways, sloping hazards and smooth greens. The facility also includes an in-house pro-shop and restaurant.
3. Keller’s Crossing at Stone Creek – Makanda
Keller’s Crossing offers a championship course built in a resort setting with a restaurant and rental cabins. The club is located next to Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park, and combines a challenging golf course with breathtaking views.
4. Red Tail Run Golf Club – Decatur
PGA Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd made his mark on the PGA tour and this signature 18-hole course. The generous fairways gently undulate throughout the course among native prairie grasses. Plenty of tee options mean golfers of all skill levels can have an enjoyable round.
5. Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course – Chicago
A waterfront gem squeezed between Lake Shore Drive and the lake, this 9-hole course just north of downtown is incredibly popular not only for its prime location, but for its tight greens, numerous bunkers, and championship length.
6. The Den At Fox Creek – Bloomington
This Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole course offers wide, bent grass fairways with wild prairie grasses that flourish in the rough. A ball-gobbling 131 bunkers flank this postcard-perfect Scottish links-style course, with water hazards in play on half the holes.
7. Kokopelli Golf Club – Marion
The course at Kokopelli was designed by internationally-renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers, who is busy creating courses in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Kokopelli has been recognised by Golf Week Magazine as a top course in Illinois.
Where to stay in Illinois?
Looking for the best hotels in Illinois? Check out where to stay in Chicago
How to get to Illinois?
Easily plan transport to Illinois here, with the best car rental deals.
