Chicago Golf Club

Favorite Hole

No. 5, par 4, 309-394 yards

One of Raynor’s most overlooked template holes is the Leven, and Chicago Golf Club is home to one of the best examples. The fifth hole follows a challenging opening stretch, so golfers will be hoping to score on this hole. Playing up the left results in a worse angle and a partially obscured view of the green, while playing up the right offers a clear view. The phenomenal green complex defines this hole. Although hitting the ball close may seem appealing, losing the ability to spin the ball can hurt, particularly when the pin is located behind one of the “elephants” buried beneath this green.

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Overall Thoughts

I can’t discuss Chicago Golf Club without focusing on the greens. Among the great golf courses in America, Chicago Golf occupies some of the most ordinary land. While often described as bad, it is far from that; it simply lacks the amazing landforms found at many other courses of similar quality. Chicago Golf overcomes its relatively unremarkable land with exceptional green complexes. These pushed-up, Seth Raynor-designed masterpieces are unrivaled in their scale; they are intimidating, memorable, and strategic. Raynor’s distinctive style comes through in the bold contours along the edges, which form large, eye-catching shoulders. Where the greens really excel, however, is in their subtle internal movements, often obscured by the impressive exterior shaping.

No. 3, par 3, 157-256 yards

One of the greatest Biarritz holes in golf, the third hole concludes one of the most challenging opening stretches anywhere. A feature you might overlook from the ground is the contours in the approach. Two parallel spines run across the front plateau of the Biarritz, guiding well-executed low, running shots toward the center of the green. Slightly off-target shots may catch the wrong side of the contour and bounce into unforgiving side bunkers.

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No. 5, par 4, 309-394 yards

The fifth hole, profiled above, boasts one of the most outstanding greens at Chicago Golf. The interior humps and bumps drive interest and strategy all the way back to the tee.

No. 9, par 4, 338-438 yards

The water hazard off the tee forces longer approach shots for most players. Skilled players often miss the hole high right or left. A pronounced central spine in the green encourages players not to play overly safe, as missing on the wrong side of the spine can result in a difficult two-putt.

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No. 10, par 3, 125-139 yards

This green, featuring a double thumbprint (a pair of depressed sections), rivals the sixth green at National Golf Links of America for the most fascinating Macdonald-Raynor Short template. When the pin is positioned between the two thumbprints, you simply have to pray to hit it close. Excellent shots yield birdies, while anything less makes par challenging.

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No. 15, par 4, 330-393 yards

Often cited as the course’s weakest hole, a marvelous green makes No. 15 noteworthy in my book. The front section tilts from back to front, but halfway into the green, the slope reverses and runs away. With players typically using a short iron or wedge on the approach, the varying slopes create diverse shots, particularly into the back portion of the green. Since the green is built up, missing long is disastrous, but the opposition of the front and back slopes makes it easy to leave your approach short and end up with a tough lag putt.

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No. 16, par 5, 516-525 yards

The 16th hole seems straightforward until you reach the green. Both of Chicago Golf Club’s par 5s present extreme challenges around the green in different ways. The fourth hole features a dramatic false front, while 16 kills you with its internal rolls. Two rounded ridges, akin to Maxwell rolls, cut across the center of the 16th green, making for tricky chips and putts.

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I could have written hundreds of words on every green at Chicago Golf Club; they are exquisite museum pieces. While it’s natural to be captivated by the remarkable scale of Raynor’s exterior contours, such as on the Redan seventh, be sure to appreciate the small nuances that make Chicago Golf’s greens truly great.

2 Eggs

I love Chicago Golf, and I believe that the common characterization of the land as substandard is exaggerated. The property is, in fact, very good for golf… but it’s not extraordinary. Therefore, it falls short of earning an Egg for its land, but it represents a gold standard in design and presentation. -Andy Johnson

3 Eggs

While the land at Chicago Golf Club is nothing to write home about and quite easily the most “bland” of all the 3 Egg courses we have rated, I believe that Raynor’s routing is at its absolute maximum potential. There’s seemingly no better layout of golf holes across the site and the land given therefore I think Chicago deserves the penultimate rating. Creating the amount of compelling uphill, downhill, and sidehill holes and shots that Raynor did with a relatively “flat” site is pure genius. Also, as Andy stated, the design and presentation of this golf course are at the pinnacle of all golf courses and makes up the gap in the less-than-stellar land. -Matt Rouches

Course Tour

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Additional Content

Secrets From Chicago Golf Club

Episode 99: Chicago Golf Club