Siver Lake CC (South Course) - Orland Park

Growing up in the South Suburbs, the courses at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park were a regular destination in my early years of playing golf.  The Rolling Hills short 9 was my 1st experience of "real" golf over 40 years ago, and I've played both 18 hole courses more times than I can remember since then.  The par 72 North course was always considered the "Championship" course, while the par 70 South course was the "Sporty" track, but the South was always my favorite, and after playing both layouts within the last year, that opinion has only been reinforced.

The South course had traditionally played at around 6,000 yards, but was lengthened to 6,300 during a recent upgrade to bent grass fairways (the North still has the old blue grass variety), and after playing a recent round from the tips, this course can be a handful.  Water is prominently featured on the 1st, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 18th holes, and formidable traps front the 6th and 12th greens.  Mature hardwoods and evergreens frame most every hole, and the 40 or so sand traps are well positioned for maximum annoyance.

The round starts off with an intimidating drive over a creek and up a hill with bunkers protecting both sides of the fairway on a 574 yard monster, the longest hole on the layout.  Two other par 5's top out at over 540 yards (#'s 5 & 16), and the 4th (#12) is one of my favorites, a short (471 yards) dog leg left cut through the trees, a definite birdie opportunity if you can navigate past the previously mentioned trap and successfully putt on the severely sloped green. 

The 8 par 4's range from 326 to 420 yards, and the additional 300 yards has pushed 5 of them to over 400, adding significant heft to the layout. My favorites are #4, a slight dog leg left with a nasty two tiered green; #10, with a water carry off the tee and more to the right; and #11, similar to #10 but 80 yards shorter and with another severe green to manage. And I can't forget #8, one of the 2 toughest pars on the course, with a water / wetlands hazard the last 80 to 100 yards and a well bunkered, elevated green.

The 6 par 3's are dominated by #9, at 236 yards one of the longest (and toughest) in the Metro area, and requiring another long flight over a pond; I have seen very few pars carded on this beast over the years. #7 is a pretty, near 200 yarder from the new back tee, and the 15th is downhill with several large trees providing a scenic backdrop. Like its sister course, the South also finishes with a par 3, a 163 yarder from an elevated tee over...yes, another pond.

The South course is a prime outing destination, and  5 hour + weekend rounds are unfortunately commonplace (it doesn't help that the 2 toughest holes, 8 & 9, are back to back).  But a "Play Ready Golf" flyer on the cart is an indicator that the management is taking this issue seriously (although our 4-some finished in just under 5 hours).  There's a few tight spots between fairways (although not as much as on the North), and the 17th hole parallels the entrance road off 82nd Avenue, so beware for approaching cars before you unleash your drive. 

With a top rate of around $60, and mid day and twilight reductions, you can normally find a time that will fit your budget. Considering the prime locale in the middle of a densely populated suburb and a significant amount of "eye candy", it's no surprise that the South course has remained a south side favorite.  But a word to the wise, weekend play could be tortuously slow, so be prepared.

Mr Z Rating

Layout (20%) - 7.5
Playability (20%) - 7
Conditioning (15%) - 8
Aesthetics (15%) - 7.5
Amenities (10%) - 7
Value (20%) -8

Total Score - 75.25