1 MINUTE READ - INDIAN BOUNDARY

INDIAN BOUNDARY BY THE NUMBERS

• 8600 W. Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago    773-625-9630
• YARDAGE - 3 TEES - 6,068 / 4,653 yds Par 72
• SLOPE/RATING - 69.0./116 - 66.6/110 (M) 71.5/119 - 66.8/109 (W)
• MAXIMUM GREEN FEES - $50 M-F, $61 SA-SU (W/CART) 
• indianboundary.forestpreservegolf.com

1 MINUTE READ

1st time visits can be hit or miss, and happily my recent trip to Indian Boundary was a big hit.  The most popular of the Cook County Forest Preserve facilities, this course somehow escaped my radar, which was my loss.  Short by today's standards at just under 6,100 yards, the par 72 layout is loaded with character and was a blast to play.

The heavily wooded parkland track was updated by esteemed designer Dick Nugent in the mid-2000's, and grass bunkers in fairways and around greens are applied liberally throughout the course in lieu of sand.  But when sand

traps are utilized, they are more than window dressing.  The stretch of holes 5 thru 8 were standouts, with par 3's bookending 2 short but stout par 4's.  The 344 yd 7th hole has water along the right side with the green angled at the edge past the hazard and surrounded by 3 huge traps, a daunting approach for any golfer, and the short 8th hole shares the pond with a carry to a tricky, multi-tiered green.

The 16th and 17th holes share a similar configuration with a water hazard.  The par 5 16th is a sharp dogleg right around a pond, and the 17th is the longest par 3 at 193 yds, with any shots to the right flirting with a penalty stroke.  In between is a course full of fun and entertaining holes in a classic parkland setting.

The longest hole, the 18th, is only 480 yds and 7 of the 10 par 4's are under 360 yds, but Indian Boundary never felt like a pushover for my average skill set.  Add in some of the best conditions I found anywhere in Chicagoland and Indian Boundary was a surprising revelation.

LOST BALL QUOTIENT - Low+ - There are the 2 ponds affecting 4 holes and thick, ball swallowing woods bordering numerous fairways, but the corridors are wide on most holes.  However, the patches of prairie pushes the quotient to slightly over Low.

HIT A HOUSE FACTOR - Impossible. There are no homes anywhere near this course, just acres of pristine Cook County forest preserve.

WALKER FRIENDLY RATING (0-10) - 8.  There are a few longer walks through the woods from green to tee, but overall Indian Boundary is a very manageable walk.

FINAL VERDICT - Indian Boundary exceeded my expectations and was entertaining from start to finish.  The modest distance may be a turn off to some, but this course was a perfect test from the tips for my 20 handicap game. I will be returning soon.

CLICK HERE to view the complete Photo Tour of Indian Boundary...