Glendale Lakes GC - Glendale Heights

Glendale Lakes Golf Club (www.glendalelakes.com) is one of the prime examples of "target" golf in the Chicagoland area.  Designer Dick Nugent routes golfers over and around numerous water features and wetlands on this 6,200 yard, par 71 track (which plays a bit longer due to the obstacles), and will force several risk / reward golf shot decisions.  On a recent visit, I used nearly every club in the bag trying to keep my ball in play, but unfortunately, not too successfully (4 penalties).

The focal point of the course is the lake on the front nine, which the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th holes encircle.  The 2nd hole is the prototype of the target golf concept, a short, 500 yard par 5 (the longest hole here, #18, tops out at 517 yds).   The lake pushes across the fairway from the right and is reachable off the tee with a solid drive, so a 3 wood or long iron might be the play.  A 200 + yard carry over the hazard (depending on the position of your drive) would potentially have you on the green putting for eagle, or you can be safe and bail left (although a tight shot between trees with OB left makes this option tricky), leaving an approach with the water on the right.

The next 2 par 5's, #'s 7 & 10, again require choices off the tee. #7 has wetlands in play to the right 200-250 yards out which are tight to the fairway up to the green, but a well placed drive left will present another chance to reach the green in 2.  #10 will effectively force the driver out of most golfers hand, (sure to agitate many), as water frames the left and right, and then another pond around  240 yards out (from the middle tees) blocks the fairway (a narrow strip  maybe 10 yards wide is the only land between the hazards).

Of the 5 par 3's at Glendale Lakes, the 3rd and 16th holes stood out.  The 3rd is the closest to a signature hole the course offers, all carry over water with a bunker fronting the green on the right and mounding to the left that makes some uncomfortable chip shots back to the green with the lake looming behind.  The 16th has a small pond short right and 6 traps surrounding a green perched above the water, a really nice little hole. 

The par 4's are split between the super short (the 4th and 17th are a few yards plus or minus 300), and the moderately lengthy (9 and 11 top out near 420 yards).  The 4th is extremely tight between the lake to the right and a creek and trees left, with a severely back to front sloped green, but longer hitters will definitely be tempted to go for it with the driver (not an option I need to worry about).  On 17, plenty of obstacles (water both sides of the fairway, 5 greenside traps) are present to protect par.  I also liked holes 12 thru 14, all around 390 yards from the tips, with water in play on 12 & 13 (where the green sits in

a "bowl" surrounded by mounds and a pond), and an enormous 60 yard long fairway bunker guards the right side on 14.

There are around 35 sand traps and 11 holes where water is in play, and the 69.8 / 125 rating / slope from the back tees felt very accurate.  The top rate w/cart is $52, and there are some nice amenities (smooth electric carts, lightning protection system, nicely appointed clubhouse, long handled rakes in the traps) that you wouldn't expect at that price.  Plus this is a very compact, walker friendly course, always a nice option to offer.  No driving range is a drawback, but

since I hate using all my good shots before the round, not that big an issue in my mind.

My early memories of Glendale Lakes included the pock-marked houses along the 17th fairway, so yes, the homes are a bit too close on a few holes, but the course has matured nicely and the trees now provide some protection against errant shots.  And there are a few areas of congestion (10th green / 11th tee / 12th green / 13th tee comes to mind).  But with that just over $50 greens fee (and discounted rates readily available), and an entertaining layout that places a premium on accuracy, Glendale Lakes is a good value option in the western suburbs.

Mr Z Rating


Layout (20%) - 7
Playability (20%) - 7
Conditioning (15%) - 7.5
Aesthetics (15%) - 6.5
Amenities (10%) - 7.5
Value (20%) -8.5


Total Score - 73.5