20 WINDY CITY COURSES TO PLAY THIS FALL

Once the weather cools down and the leaves start to change, the green fees at many top Windy City courses are falling, making October the perfect time to visit some premium layouts at a bargain price.  Here is a list of 20 courses that are on my list to play before the end of the season.  All have published late season rates on their websites or are currently posting online fees significantly below summer rates for the 1st week of October. Many also use dynamic pricing models for even more potential savings.  All rates include cart unless otherwise noted. 

NORTH

OAK GROVE (Harvard) - It's a long drive but a beautiful layout awaits in the far northwest suburbs.  Online tee times are $39 weekdays and $49 weekends, with an extra bargain at $42 after 10 am.

PINE MEADOW (Mundelein) - Part of the Jemsek family group of courses, Pine Meadow was the #1 New Public Course in America when it opened in 1986 and has aged well.  Summer Weekends will cost $76 to walk or $93 to ride, but published Fall Rates are $52 / $69, good everyday.

SCHAUMBURG - Currently undergoing extensive renovation, the Tournament / Players nines are open, but all 3 (the Baer is closed until next season) are good tracks. Online rates are $50 during the week and $56 on weekends, a $18 savings from summer prime time. 

STEEPLE CHASE (Mundelein) - The Mundelein Park District course was designed by Ken Killian and is somewhat overlooked in the crowded North suburban golf landscape.  But $32 walk / $44 ride weekday rates and $40 / $52 after 11 am on weekends is a great price point.

STONEWALL ORCHARD (Grayslake) - This Arthur Hills design has 65,000 mature trees and rolling hills on a pristine piece of Lake county land. Online weekend rates with cart are currently $79, 20% below the $95 summer fee, and $65 after 11 am.  Weekdays M-TH are $65 (vs $84), and the $55 rate for 55 year olds before Noon is a top Senior rate.

THUNDERHAWK (Beach Park) - Just south of the Wisconsin border, this Lake County Forest Preserve facility was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and is one of Chicagoland's finest courses.  It will cost $90 to play in July, but in October the rate is $69 SA-SU and $49 M-F, starting October 8.

WHISPER CREEK (Huntley) - A Greg Nash and Billy Casper partnership, Whisper Creek winds through the Del Webb mega-complex and is an Audubon International certified Sanctuary. Rates are as low as $29 with cart weekdays and $54 on weekends for online bookings.

WEST

BOWES CREEK (Elgin) - "Member for A Day" rates at this semi-private, Rick Jacobson signature design are currently $85 weekends or $69 weekdays, which includes unlimited golf and full use of the practice facility. If you only wish to play 18, the posted rates are $59 to Noon, $55 to 2 pm and $49 after 2 M-F. Weekends green fees are $69 to 10 am, $65 to Noon, $59 to 2 pm and $49 after 2.

HIGHLANDS OF ELGIN - An abandoned stone quarry is used to dramatic effect as the centerpiece of the prairie style course.  Weekday rates are only $35 w/cart and weekends are $49 ($45 after Noon), a great deal at this top Chicagoland facility.

OAK BROOK - Centrally located at York Rd and 22nd Street, Oak Brook is an entertaining track full of tricky doglegs and challenging greens.  Weekday early bird at $45 ride to 9 am ($55 afterwards), and weekend (F-SU) at $60 (50 after 1 pm) are fair fall fees.

PRAIRIE LANDING (West Chicago) - Big prairie links layout south of Dupage Airport is another RTJ Jr. design. Posted rates with cart are $56 mornings and $48 afternoons M-F and $72 to 11 am, $60 to 2 pm and $50 after 2 on SA-SU, but the online rates will vary widely from hour to hour and day to day.

PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS (Wooddale) - Greg Martin reconfigured the Oak Meadows 18 hole and the Maple Meadows 9 hole layouts into an 18 hole master class in course architecture.  Fall rates are $59 weekdays and $75 weekends, 15 - 25% below in-season fees, and SA-SU rates at Noon drop to $65.

SEVEN BRIDGES (Woodridge) - Monster Dick Nugent design is as intimidating as it is beautiful, so at least if you're playing poorly you can enjoy the scenery.  Posted fall rates are $59 M-F and $75 SA-SU and 2:30 twilight is $50.  Senior Rate (60+) is $47 M-TH and weekends after 1 pm.

ST. ANDREWS (West Chicago) - Both the Jemsek and St. Andrews layouts deliver similar experiences, traditional parkland courses at reasonable prices.  Posted weekend fall rates are $40 walk / $51.50 ride until 11 am, $34/45.50 to 1 pm and $28/39.50 after 1.  Weekday early bird special is $20/31.50 before 9 am, then $30/41.50 to Noon and $25/36.50 in the afternoon.

VILLAGE LINKS OF GLEN ELLYN - The Bears are playing great, but book a tee time during the game with 3 friends and pay $100 per foursome (carts are $20 per person extra) at one of the best muni's around.  Fall rates are 25% below in season fees, starting October 10. Play on M-TU at 50% off.

SOUTH

BALMORAL WOODS (Crete) - Heavily wooded layout is ideal for the fall colors and a solid play, but stay below the hole on the severely sloped greens.  Online rates M-F are currently $39, $35 after noon,  Weekends are $54, $39 after 1 pm.
  
BIG RUN (Lockport) - Big views and monster par 5's at a southwest suburban mainstay.  Listed Weekday rates are $49, Weekends are $59, and 1 pm twilight is a $40 deal, carts included.

ODYSSEY (Tinley Park) - Water is in play on almost every hole at this Curtis Strange design off I-80 and Harlem Ave.  Weekday green fees are between $30-35 and weekends around $45 at the Odyssey, which promotes programs that benefit Veterans.

PRAIRIE BLUFF (Crest Hill) - Wind swept, hilly links is a fun, playable track designed by Andy North.  Weekends rates are $52 to Noon, $43 in the afternoon.  M-F rates are between $38 - $42, cart included.

SANCTUARY (New Lenox) - Expansive driving range at 6,900 yard layout with water and wetlands on 14 holes.  Weekday green fees are $30 - $32 and weekends are a reasonable $42, and $30 after 1 pm.