Chalet Hills Golf Club, in the northwest suburb of Cary, was described to me by a friend as “quirky”, which is a term that can be interpreted a number of ways, but usually carries a negative connotation; after playing there recently for the 1st time, I would agree with his description, but only in the most positive way that quirky can be used, as Chalet Hills is one of the most unique, diverse and stunning layouts I have played in the Chicago area. I made the 50 plus mile trip on a Monday morning, and the almost 2 hour drive in rush hour traffic was well worth it.
Chalet Hills winds up and down through a variety of woods and wetlands, with a large lake forming the centerpiece of the course where the 9th (par 4) and 18th (par 5) holes wrap around each side and meet to form a dual green, one of those "you have to see it to believe it" designs that I've never come across before. Throw in a beautiful downhill par 3 to a peninsula green (#17), a drive “through the eye of a needle” par 4 with an approach to an island green (#14), a dogleg right par 4 with another intimidating drive through a tunnel of trees (#5), a straight up the hill par 5 (#11), plus a few more holes with spectacular views from elevation (12th tee, 15th fairway), and you’ll understand why golf architect Ken Killian called this the best course he’s ever designed.
The round begins with 3 relatively benign (but good) holes (pars 4-4-5) which run parallel to one another, but then the course takes off as it weaves it’s way thru the hills on the fringes of a housing sub-division (the homes don’t really come into play). The 4th hole is a par 3 to an elevated green with a pond off to the right (all 4 par 3’s prominently feature water hazards), but the course gets serious on hole #5 (the #1 handicap hole), a slight dogleg right 425 yard par 4 with woods and wetlands bordering both sides of a narrow fairway, and the 2nd shot featuring a pond and large bunker protecting the right side of the green. After a short par 3 over water, the 7th hole is a par 5 that first twists right, then cuts back left near
the green, reachable in 2 for the lower handicaps if they can carry a steep ridge that borders the left side of the fairway and partially obscures the green from view. The 8th is a bit of a breather, a short but heavily bunkered par 4, and the 9th is the previously referenced par 4, a dogleg right which hugs the left side of the lake and is heavily bunkered near the green.
the green, reachable in 2 for the lower handicaps if they can carry a steep ridge that borders the left side of the fairway and partially obscures the green from view. The 8th is a bit of a breather, a short but heavily bunkered par 4, and the 9th is the previously referenced par 4, a dogleg right which hugs the left side of the lake and is heavily bunkered near the green. The 10th hole is a dogleg left that has an elevated green tilted left to right, and the 11th is the 1st of 3 par 5’s on the back (the course plays to a “quirky” par of 73), with a drive straight up a sizeable hill staring you down. The 12th hole provides one of the best views on the course, a short (360 yard), downhill par 4 with the fairway protected on both sides by water/wetlands, and the approach over yet more water. After the longest par 3 on the course, 225 yards to a slightly elevated gree
n, you arrive at the 14th tee, an impossibly narrow par 4 framed by the woods, with the island green waiting ahead. At 393 yards from the back tee, you’ll need to bust your drive (fairway wood or hybrid recommended) far enough to hit an iron that will hold the putting surface. (The White/3rd set of tees plays to a manageable 316 yds for the higher handicappers). The 15th is another par 5 with a gorgeous view of the green that lies down at the bottom of a hill and is guarded by a small pond to the right. And from the elevated 17th tee, a great view of the 9th & 18th holes as they stretch around the lake is available. The final hole is the ultimate risk/reward par 5, a sharp dogleg left where a drive over the edge of the lake will leave no more than 220 yards to the right to left sloping green and a chance at birdie.
n, you arrive at the 14th tee, an impossibly narrow par 4 framed by the woods, with the island green waiting ahead. At 393 yards from the back tee, you’ll need to bust your drive (fairway wood or hybrid recommended) far enough to hit an iron that will hold the putting surface. (The White/3rd set of tees plays to a manageable 316 yds for the higher handicappers). The 15th is another par 5 with a gorgeous view of the green that lies down at the bottom of a hill and is guarded by a small pond to the right. And from the elevated 17th tee, a great view of the 9th & 18th holes as they stretch around the lake is available. The final hole is the ultimate risk/reward par 5, a sharp dogleg left where a drive over the edge of the lake will leave no more than 220 yards to the right to left sloping green and a chance at birdie.
Although it is pretty obvious that I liked Chalet Hills, there were a few things that I noticed that tempered my enthusiasm. Several of the fairways were thin, the aftermath of a turf disease that plagued parts of the course, and the greens were a bit bumpy in spots, but since the hot and wet summer caused many sleepless nights for course superintendents, this has to being taken into consideration. This is definitely not a walker friendly layout, but the carts do feature GPS. And I’m still conflicted over the 14th hole, it just seemed there was a little too much going on here. But otherwise, this is a super layout with great views (at least for Chicago), and with good values at mid day and twilight and deals readily available online, well worth the trip.
Mr Z RatingLayout (20%) - 9
Playability (20%) -8
Conditioning (15%) - 7
Aesthetics (15%) - 9.5
Amenities (10%) - 8
Value (20%) - 8
Total Score - 82.75
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