Cog Hill #2 - Lemont

I recently took the short drive down Archer Avenue from my home and crossed another course off my 2012 play list, Cog Hill #2.  Although the second most expensive of the four 18 hole tracks, course 2 has much more in common with the #'s 1 and 3 courses than with the famous sibling, Dubsdread.  Whereas "Dubs" is unrelentingly difficult, the Ravines course (as #2 is referenced on the scorecard), is a straight  forward, very playable layout with a 71.8 / 124 rating / slope from the 6,600 yard back tees.  (The course also plays at 6,248 and 5,610 yards.)  There are barely 20 sand traps total, and water comes into play on only a handful of holes.  The fairways are wide (except for a few exceptions) and the greens

 tend to be on the large side and moderately sloped (although the putting surface on 6 and 11 are mega sized and stretch to nearly 60 yards from front to back!).  But what Course 2 has in abundance is a consistently high fun factor as it flows up, down and around the rolling terrain of the Des Plaines River valley.  The course eases you into the round with 2 fairly easy par 4's, and the par five 3rd hole (the longest at 540 yards) doesn't pick up steam until it dives over a ridge to the green with a large trap guarding the left side of the back to front sloped putting surface.  The first ravine is traversed on the par three 4th, an uphill tee shot that must reach the green or risk rolling down into the brush.  Or if the group in front hasn't cleared the green, you can scoot over to the left

and play the alternate 4th, a few yards longer but with less elevation to handle.  (I recommend playing the traditional shorter hole.)  The 14th hole, the only par 3 on the back nine (only three par 3's here), has another ravine carry to the green, with the chasm angling deceptively left to right.  Course #2 has added three new holes over the years, with two short par 4's taken out of service and the old par three 18th hole providing a bonus for those who want to cross the street to play it.  The new holes (7,9,10) are now permanently in play, and the par five 9th and the par four 10th provide needed diversity and difficulty to the layout, as both require precision off the tee and challenging approach shots, with the 9th offering an impressive view over the

pond near the green.  The 10th runs downhill tightly through the trees with a narrow green tucked into  the side of a hill, and any shot off line right is destined for the woods.  This hole is so unlike any other on Course 2 that it almost doesn't fit here. The 400 yard 12th hole has a grassy depression fronting the green with another scenic view from the  edge of the fairway, but the best eye candy is on the 13th tee as the short (325 yard) par 4 skirts up the side of a hill.  After the 14th, the course flattens out and winds through the woods, with the 454 yard dogleg left 15th one of the toughest pars on the course, and the dogleg right 16th another tricky par 4.

As with all the courses at Cog Hill, the conditions were top notch, with true rolling greens and tight fairways, and our group completed the round in a comfortable 4 hour 20 minutes (not including the bonus par 3 "19th" hole).  The weekend prime time rate might be a bit steep for some ($73 w/cart), but the 3 pm twilight rate of $42.50 ($40.50 weekdays) is a bargain.  You can save $10 by hoofing it, but there is some elevation change to contend with so be prepared to work up a sweat if you go this route.  The bottom line for me is that this is a classic Windy City parkland course that will challenge  you in subtle ways, but will reward solid shot making, and is well worth the trip to Lemont.

Mr Z Rating

Layout (20%) - 8
Playability (20%) - 8
Conditioning (15%) - 9
Aesthetics (15%) - 8
Amenities (10%) - 8.5
Value (20%) - 8

Total Score - 82

Cog Hill Course #2

13100 Southwest Highway, Orland Park
708-448-6550
3 tees 6,639 - 5,610 yds par 72
71.8 / 124 - 67.1 / 113
M-F $57 walk/$73 ride to 3 pm, $30.50/40.50 after 3 pm
Sa-Su $57/73 to 3 pm, $32.50/42.50 to 4:30 pm, $30.50/40.50 after 4:30
Juniors (17 and under) $30.50 walk M-F, $32.50 walk Sa-Su
Driving Range