Best Public Golf Courses in Chicagoland

One of the most famous championship courses open to the public in the country, Dubsdread has hosted multiple PGA Tour events. The Rees Jones redesign demands power and precision, with deep bunkers, rolling fairways, and undulating greens that test every club in your bag.

If you want to challenge yourself on a true tournament layout, this is the crown jewel of public golf courses in the Midwest.

A 27‑hole facility consistently ranked among the finest parkland courses in Illinois. Cantigny offers three distinct nines – Woodside, Lakeside, and Hillside – each weaving through mature trees, wetlands, and lush prairie grasses. The conditioning is always immaculate, and the practice facilities are second to none.

Once a naval air station, now a Tom Fazio‑designed masterpiece. The Glen Club delivers a private‑club feel with impeccable service, dramatic bunkering, and bentgrass fairways that run fast. It’s a must‑play when exploring golf destinations in the Chicago area.

Built on a former landfill just minutes from downtown, Harborside is a true links courses experience with fescue‑lined fairways, deep pot bunkers, and ever‑present wind. The Starboard course offers stunning skyline views and firm, fast conditions reminiscent of Scottish golf.

A modern prairie‑style design by Rick Jacobson that feels secluded yet is easily reached from the entire northwest suburbs. Wide fairways invite aggressive driving, but the bentgrass greens are heavily contoured. A superb value for a course that plays like a high‑end private club.

Set within a stunning nature preserve, Thunderhawk is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that blends seamlessly with wetlands, prairies, and oak savannas. The layout is both beautiful and demanding, with risk‑reward opportunities on nearly every hole. Ideal for those who enjoy strategic course navigation challenges.

Known for its island‑green par‑3 and a mix of parkland and links‑style holes, Ruffled Feathers is a fun, playable layout that still offers plenty of bite. The course is always in fine shape and provides some of the best twilight rates in the south suburbs.

An Audubon International Signature Sanctuary, Prairie Landing combines prairie‑style golf with exceptional environmental stewardship. The holes are framed by native grasses and wildflowers, and the greens are some of the fastest in the region. A favorite among golfers who value both challenge and tranquillity.

A Keith Foster design that masterfully uses the natural ridges and valleys of the Fox River Valley. The layout offers panoramic views, diverse hole designs, and a refreshing absence of surrounding homes – just pure golf. The course is a perfect stop on any golf trip planning itinerary in northern Illinois.

One of the most player‑friendly premium public courses, Seven Bridges weaves through wooded terrain and across scenic water features. The course is always meticulously maintained and features a great mix of birdie opportunities and demanding par‑4s. It’s a reliable choice for golfers of all levels.