Prairie Isle Golf Club is located in the small village of Prairie Grove, just east of Crystal Lake and North of Cary at the far edge of the Northwest suburbs, 10 miles closer to downtown Rockford than the Chicago Loop. The 6,600 yard par 72 course opened in 1993 and fits nicely within a 135 acre footprint that was once the site of a gravel pit.
Architect Gordon Cunningham used the varied elevations to create an interesting design that uses every inch of the available land. Prairie Isle boasts some dramatic rises
and falls, especially on the 12th & 13th holes, that are rarely found east of Galena in Illinois. Thick stands of old growth hardwoods funnel tee shots to several fairways on this distinctly parkland layout, and ponds and wetlands are in play on over half the holes.
The layout has an appealing mix of shorter par 4's (6 are under 380 yards) and a few that stretch out close to par 5 distance (the 6th & 9th holes are 444 and 440
yards). Several tees are tucked back in the woods to squeeze a few extra yards of distance, and many are elevated to add to the visual interest as the fairways unfold below. The 12th & 13th holes are at the far end of the property and harbor the most attention. The 374 yard 12th has one of the tighter drives through the trees and the fairway slopes to the left so a precise tee shot favoring the right side is required to have a reasonable look at a green that is picturesquely framed by thick woods.
The 13th hole is 408 yards and straight up a steep incline which requires a 250 yard drive to reach the top, and then it's all downhill to the green, one of the more dramatic holes in the area. The designated "signature hole" at Prairie Isle is #8, a 160 yard par 3. The green sits 40 feet below the tee and is surrounded by water on all sides, a very low margin of error and a very high eye candy quotient. The 15th Hole plays at the same distance as the 8th and is all carry over a pond with large boulders fronting the green, so if you are a little short you have an even chance of bouncing onto the green or back into a watery grave.
I mentioned the short par 4's, and my favorites are #'s 3, 4 & 14. The 349 yard 3rd hole has a pond right and trees left, but the money shot is the approach to the narrow, deep and elevated green. A few steps up is the 4th tee, but keep the driver in the bag on this 350 yarder. A downhill tee ball between the woods framing the fairway to the 100 yard marker is position A, as a sharp left turn toward the green puts a short iron in play. Then in quick order it's pond, fringe, green that is steeply sloped back to front. The 14th hole is only 325 yards and long hitters could think
of reaching the green off the tee, but it's a blind shot and water lurks below the green on the right. A nasty little pot bunker might save you from the hazard but is little consolation.
Prairie Isle begins and ends with shortish par fives at a few steps over 500 yards. The 1st is steadily uphill with wetlands left at the halfway mark, and the fairway is pinched by bunkers the last 100 yards. The 18th has two turns to the right on the way to the elevated green. Fairway trap right and trees left are in play on the drive, then aim to the right of an ancient hickory tree that signals the final turn towards the green, a good finish to a really fun layout.
The course rating / slope at Prairie Isle ranges from 72.1 / 133 from the 6,601 tips to 68.2 / 124 at 1,000 yards less and the track consistently finds that happy place between not too hard but not too easy. There are a few spots where a little local knowledge might come in handy (a tee shot pushed slightly right on the par five 10th hole might find a tiny, out of sight pond), but for the most part it is straight forward and eminently playable. About 30 traps are in play, but it's the water hazards, hundreds of trees and evergreens and elevated, subtly sneaky greens that are the biggest obstacles to par.
I've played Prairie Isle twice in the last few years and the course conditions on the early season rounds were above average as the greens rolled smooth and the rough edges are at a minimum. This is a golf course rich region, with Chalet Hills and Foxford Hills within a few miles, and though Prairie Isle may lack a bit of the aesthetic pizzazz of those layouts, there is plenty to like here. As opposed to its sprawling neighbors, an added plus is the short distance from green to tee on most holes, which encourages walking (though the climb up the 13th fairway might take your breath away if you're a little out of shape).
The amenities at Prairie Isle are a bit on the spartan side, as the pro shop is basic and the bar / dining area is small and the menu is limited, but if you really want to dine, a great option is Kief's Reef on the Fox River, less than a mile from the course. There was a driving range open across the street on my first visit, but that has since closed, so you'll have to find another option if you need to hit a bucket before the round.
But the golfing is the main attraction here, and posted weekend rates are an affordable $64 (cart mandatory until Noon), and then down to a bargain $29 walk / $45 ride after Noon. If you can get out during the week, the $26 walk / $42 ride greens fees are about as good as you'll find for the quality of the layout, and the 9 minute tee time intervals goes a long way to keeping play moving at a brisk pace.
The Verdict: If you don't live in the Northwest 'burbs, it will be a haul to Prairie Grove, but Prairie Isle is a solid, enjoyable golf course and an exceptional value, and pair it up with an afternoon round at Chalet or Foxford during the week for an outstanding, affordable 36 hole destination experience. But on it's own merits, Prairie Isle is truly a hidden, Windy City gem.
WCPGG RATING
Layout (20%) - 8
Playability (20%) - 8.5
Conditioning (15%) - 8
Aesthetics (15%) - 8.5
Amenities (10%) - 6.5
Value (20%) - 9
Total Rating - 82.25
Prairie Isle Golf Club
2216 Route 176, Prairie Grove
815-356-0202
4 tees - 6,601 - 5,251 yards, par 72
Rating/Slope 72.1/133 - 68.2/124 (M)
71.3/123 (W)
Posted Rates (2018)
M-F $26 walk/42 ride to 4 pm, $20/36 after 4
SA-SU $64 ride to Noon, $29/45 to 3 pm, $23/39 after 3
SENIORS / JUNIORS $22/38 M-F
9 minute tee time interval
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