Old Oak CC - Homer Glen

Years of neglect and management indifference had left Old Oak Country Club in Homer Glen as a “must avoid” golf destination, but new ownership and a strategic influx of capital over the last several years has allowed the course to make a phoenix-like “rise from the ashes” and to once again become a viable option for southwest suburban golfers. The 6.600 yard par 71 track is a heavily wooded, somewhat hilly layout with a good combination of diverse holes that range from fairly easy (15 & 16) to super challenging (3, 6, 18), but each hole is unique in a way that provides for a memorable round.

The simple rule of thumb at Old Oak is to stay out of the trees, as there are probably more large hardwoods per acre here than on almost any other course in the area. The 1st hole is a perfect example, a short par 5 with a tee shot to an extremely tight fairway framed by thick stands of large trees; a straight drive provides a great opportunity to reach the green in 2 and start the round with a birdie, but off target and you’re hacking out of the woods. The 3rd hole is a 460 par 4 that runs slightly uphill and usually into the wind, the #1 handicap hole, and this starts a run of good holes thru the balance of the front 9. My favorite is #5, a downhill par 5 that is protected at the green by water on the left side and in back, another chance for either a birdie … or disaster. The toughest par on the front may be the par 3 6th, 239 yards from the tips to an elevated green fronted by a large bunker. The 8th hole also stands out, a dogleg right par 4 guarded by a large tree on the right that will block any tee shots to the right of the middle of the fairway.

The back nine is a par 35 and 300 yards shorter, but still full of peril on several holes. The recently reconfigured 11th & 12th holes are both tough pars, the first a dogleg par 4 with the ever present forest to the right and water surrounding the green, and the 12th a par 3 with a carry over wetlands and water to the left of the putting surface. The 14th requires over 200 yards off the tee to carry Long Run Creek, but the safe play with an iron or fairway wood will leave another 200 yards uphill to the green. The 17th is the lone par 5 on the back side, with OB and large evergreens left, and the 18th is a fitting finale, 455 yards through a tunnel of trees off the tee, and a pond fronting the right side of the green, a tough par to get if needed to complete a good round.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the tee times at Old Oak, which are basically broken into 3 groups (early morning, mid morning, and afternoon) with groups teeing off both nines for approximately the 1st 2 -1/4 hours of each group. This is the only course in the area that I’m aware of that does this, but it seems to work, and is especially helpful for mid size outings so groups can finish closer together.

Old Oak was established in 1926, but it doesn’t feel as dated as other courses from this era to me. Significant work has just been completed on the 7th hole to add bunkers and extend a water hazard into play, and one of the best looking driving ranges was added a few years ago, framed by an amphitheatre of large trees. There are some uncomfortable tight spots, especially between the 1st & 2nd fairways, and the 15th tee is a bit too close to the 14th fairway, but overall the course layout is the prize here. If the course conditions, which are at times inconsistent, can be improved, then Old Oak will take a step closer to the top courses in the southwest suburbs. The top green fee with a GPS equipped cart is $67, which is on the high end for the area, but a weekend twilight time can be had for around $30, which is definitely a deal. My recommendation is to take a ride down I-355 and revisit Old Oak, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

Mr Z Rating

Layout -8

Playability - 7.5

Conditioning -7

Aesthetics -8.5

Amenities -8

Value -7.5

Total Score -77.25