Northern Illinois
Wisconsin is an amazing state for golf, and we are very lucky to have access to so many amazing courses. I’ve also been fortunate enough to play in some amazing places outside of Wisconsin that are famous for golf in my life, including some PGA Tour stops hosted by our neighbor to the south. The list isn’t too extensive, but here you will find some of my favorites in Northern Illinois. I look forward to adding to this list and sharing my thoughts here.
1. Cog Hill #4 (Dubsdread) – Lemont, IL. Home of the Western Open for 25 years and the BMW Championship for four, Dubsdread is exactly what it sounds like. A challenging golf course, especially for lesser players. It was designed to lure the US Open or PGA Championship, and now amateurs can feel it’s wrath. The course is loaded with bunkers and some of the most difficult green complexes I’ve played on. Precision is f the utmost importance, because if you’re out of position off the tee or on the approach, you can be left scratching your head. It’s always fun to play courses that the pros have played, giving you an idea of how much better they are than us. If you’re looking for a challenge, this is the course at Cog Hill you want.
2. TPC Deere Run – Silvis, IL. TPC Deere Run is home to the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour, so this one allows you to watch the shots you faced on TV each summer. While it’s a pro-level course, it’s not the same challenge that Dubsdread is. It’s a course rolls through the woods that requires good, but not great shots. There is a lot of side to side and up and down as you play, so picking yardages is key. This is an enjoyable course, but from what I have experienced, make sure you bring some bug spray.
3. Prairieview Golf Club – Byron, IL. Maybe even more impressive than the golf course itself, Prairieview has one of the most amazing short game practice/indoor simulator setups I’ve seen anywhere. There are multiple chipping and putting areas with large greens that provide the space to work on your entire short game list. Once you’re on the course, you’ll see plenty more of those large, contoured greens to contend with. The front is a more open, almost resort-style design, while the back offers much more elevation change and more trees. Both sides have their own positive traits, despite their differences. If you’re in the Rockford area, this is definitely one to hit.
4. Blackstone Golf Club – Marengo, IL. Blackstone has just about everything you’re looking for in an exciting golf course. There are short holes, wide-open holes, strategic holes, tree-lined holes. All the greens and fairways were in really nice shape, so the quality was definitely there, too. The course has a good-sized driving range and a big short game area, too. At less than an hour from both O’Hare and Rockford airports, Blackstone is in a sweet location and is a course I want to get back to.
5. Wolf Hollow Golf Course – Lena, IL. A wonderful diversity of golf holes that challenge your sight lines, Wolf Hollow was a pleasant surprise. The course features a lot of elevation change and allows for a number of strategies when playing. The greens range from subtle to very tricky, but were in excellent condition and rolled nicely. This is a course that playing a few times or playing with a course regular would definitely be a benefit.
6. Aldeen Golf Course – Rockford, IL. A solid layout that’s always been in good condition whenever I’ve played it. If you’re looking just to practice and not play, Aldeen has a huge range area and a massive putting green. Aldeen is one of the best values you’ll find in Northern Illinois.
7. Atwood Homestead Golf Course – Rockford, IL. Atwood Homestead is a municipal golf course just across the Wisconsin-Illinois border that offers a solid, no frills track that is easy on the wallet. Many of the driving areas are extremely wide, so you can spray it around in most places and not be in trouble. Most greens are large, but offer some challenge. There are a few holes that require a little more accuracy, but for the most part, if you just keep it out of the trees, you’ll be in good shape and be able to post a good score.