Palos Country Club - Orland Park

The parcel of land between Southwest Highway, 135th St, LaGrange Rd and 131st St had for many years been the site of the Palos Golf Club, an average 27 hole layout that dated back to 1917.  Several years ago the course was bulldozed for a Pulte Homes senior subdivision, and acclaimed golf architect Ken Killian was brought in to design a 9 hole course on the southeast edge of the property.  The new configuration has absolutely nothing in common with the previous track, and in the true spirit of less is more provides a scenic, challenging round that packs more features into 9 than many courses have in 18.

Mr. Killian (who passed away in 2009) had been involved in many high profile projects  locally, both on his own (Steeple Chase, Chalet Hills) and with former partner Dick Nugent (Kemper Lakes, George Dunne), and he showed the same attention to detail at Palos as he did on the more prestigious layouts.  Water comes into play on all but 2 holes, the bunkers are well defined and there is plenty of mounding in the fairways and around the greens that add visual interest.  The four sets of tees range from 2,324 to 3,154 yards, and the tips will be a stern challenge (70.4 rating / 128 slope) for the less skilled golfer on this par 35 layout.

The 1st hole is a near 400 yard par 4 that demands an accurate tee shot as water flanks both sides (I'm always a little queasy when I need to stripe one down the middle on my first shot), and #2 is another tight driving hole, but the course really takes off at #3, a 192 yard par 3 with the tee shot down to a large sloping green protected by a huge bunker left.  The following hole is a beautiful par 4 with a drive over a pond from an elevated tee and then a gradual climb up to the green, one of the best looking holes you'll find on the south side.  #6, the longest par 4 at 438 yards, is another big time hole, a dogleg left with water and several fairway bunkers on the left side and a shallow, well bunkered green requiring a difficult approach.


The highlight show continues at the 7th, a short par 3 at 162 yards but still rated the #2 handicap hole, as the green juts into a lake that surrounds it on three sides, and the elevated tee offers a great view of the  9th hole and the clubhouse in the distance.  The round finishes with the lone par 5, with the lake along the entire right side (plus more water to the left off the tee) and several bunkers stacked along the left edge of the fairway towards the green.

I've played at Palos a few times since it opened and the only negative statement I have is that the conditions have been underwhelming at times, but hopefully this is something they can get their arms around in the future.  But with the big views and edgy features like the prairie grass in the traps around the 8th green, Palos will definitely surprise first time visitors who may have low expectations.  You can play 9 with a cart for $25 weekdays ($28 on weekends), and a replay will add only another $17 - $18 to the tab, leaving some money in your pocket to visit the onsite Murphy's Pub and enjoy a sandwich and your beverage of choice.  Overall, Palos CC is an excellent 9 hole option for south suburban golfers.

Mr Z Rating

Layout (20%) - 8
Playability (20%) - 7.5
Conditioning (15%) - 6
Aesthetics (15%) - 8.5
Amenities (10%) - 7.5
Value (20%) - 8.5

Total Score - 77.25

Palos Country Club

13100 Southwest Highway, Orland Park
708-448-6550
9 holes, 4 tees 3,154 - 2,324 yds par 35
70.4 / 128 - 62.6 / 110
M-F $17 walk/$20 ride (9) $26/29 (18) before 9 am, $18/25 (9), $30/42 (18) to 3 pm, $16/22 (9), $25/32 (18) to 6 pm, $16 w/c after 6 pm
Sa-Su $20/28 (9), $34/46 (18) to 3 pm, $18/25 (9), $30/35 (18) to 6 pm, $18 w/c after 6 pm
Seniors (60) $16/22 (9), $27/38 (18) M-F 9 am - 3 pm