Windy City Public Golfers Guide: BANG FOR THE BUCK - THE TOP VALUE PLAYS IN CHICAGOLAND

Value is a term that has many different interpretations depending on the person. When it comes to golfers, some might think that playing Pebble Beach at a $595 price tag is a good value because, well, it's Pebble Beach and the ocean views are worth every penny. TPC Sawgrass at $840? Kiawah Island Ocean Course for $600? Or closer to home, Whistling Straits at a bargain rate of $485? The value in these costs is in the eye of the golfer.

The most I ever spent on a round of golf was at Punta Espada, a Jack Nicklaus masterpiece in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic that is rated as one of the top courses in the Caribbean. A spectacular layout with 8 holes bordering the ocean, I certainly enjoyed the views but I was conflicted if the experience was worth the $325 price tag. But these are all bucket list, one-time adventures for most players, a special treat.

We are lucky in Chicagoland. Public access golf courses are plentiful and overall quite good, with price points that will fit any golfing budget. The bottom line is that you can play some really nice layouts and still have money left for a burger and a beer after the round.

Let's get back to value. Golf can undeniably be an expensive hobby, and it seems green fees go up a few dollars every year at many courses. I've often talked with my friends about which Windy City courses provide the best experience for the price, the proverbial bang for the buck. For this exercise, I defined the value criteria to include any course where the greens fee is no more than $55 weekdays or $70 on weekends (cart included), and regulation in length (at least 6,000 yards, give or take a few hundred). The greens fee range does not include any discounts, such as for residents or seniors, and reflect a better than the average rates for the Chicagoland golf scene.

These guidelines will undoubtedly eliminate many fine courses from consideration. Sorry George Dunne, the $49 weekday rate is fine but the $75 on weekends is not a value, especially at a course that needs some work. I love you, Joliet Park District, but that $62 weekday rate at Inwood / Wedgewood / Woodruff is just a bit too high. I stuck to these parameters for the rankings (with one small exception noted below).

The courses that met the criteria, however, was still impressive. Any course listed in the Course Guides on the WCPGG are eligible, and in a region that stretches from the Wisconsin to Indiana borders, the accessibility, along with the quality of the layout and the price, is all factored in the ranking to some degree. And a little historical significance doesn't hurt, either.

I've played most all of these courses over the last few years so I have recent experience to go off, but I did take a few glances at GolfPass to get a feel for what other golfers are saying. I'm sure I missed a few, and you might have an entirely different list, but I could play these courses anytime and be quite happy and with a few extra bucks in my pocket. The green fees listed below are current and represent either posted rates on the course website or are consistently shown on the online booking engines if fees are not specifically defined. Any Friday rates that are different than Monday-Thursday fees are considered a weekend rate.

So with my apologies to the Jemsek family (the courses at Cog Hill and St. Andrew's just missed the cost eligibility line), here is my list of the top 30 value plays in the Windy City:

1-10

KANKAKEE ELKS (St. Anne) $40 M-F / $50 SA-SU- The esteemed golden era architects William Langford and Anthony Moreau are known for their amazing green complexes, and the movement on the elevated putting surfaces at the Kankakee Elks is a tribute to their skill and imagination. Only a dozen or so sand traps and one water hazard does not diminish the experience in any way. A must play and worth the drive to the far southern edge of Chicagoland.

PHILLIPS PARK (Aurora) $50 M-F / $58 SA-SU - A 6,200 yd par 71 course that provides a great variety of prairie and parkland style holes over rolling terrain. This is a busy course as the price is a bargain for the quality provided, but I've never had issues with the pace of play and the 10 minute tee time intervals keep things moving. Plus the view from the clubhouse overlooking the last few holes is one of the best in the area.

ORCHARD VALLEY (Aurora) $50 M-TH/$60 F/$70 SA-SU - A top Chicagoland play since it opened in 1993, Orchard Valley needed some TLC, and the change in management to Troon seems to have helped as conditions are much improved. At its best, this course is underpriced and a wonderful track for west suburban golfers.

PRAIRIE ISLE (Crystal Lake) $55 M-F / $70 SA-SU - An under the radar layout in an area loaded with good golf courses, Prairie Isle pieces a 6,600 yd par 72 gem over 135 acres of scenic woodlands, with the climb and precipitous drop on the par 4 13th hole a surprise feature on a signature hole. Weekend prices drop to $65 at 10 am, making a good value a little bit better.

COYOTE RUN (Flossmoor) $42 M-TH / $52 F / $69 SA-SU - The old 27-hole Cherry Hills course was expertly reimagined by architect Greg Martin into an ultra-fun, playable 6,500 yd par 71 track that has become a popular destination for southside golfers. The Monday-Thursday fee of $42 might be the best weekday deal in the Windy City.

CINDER RIDGE (Wilmington) $44 TU-W / $52 M,TH / $57 F / $70 SA-SU - Owner and first-time architect George Kappos did an exemplary job of routing his dream course over an abandoned strip mine, loaded with elevation change and scenic views at every turn. It's a hike down I-55 (about 15 miles south of I-80), but if you can make it midweek, the Tuesday-Wednesday greens fee of $44 with cart is a great deal.

BONNIE BROOK (Waukegan) $55 M-F / $60 SA-SU - The "Brook" is a few years short of the100th anniversary and features hundreds of mature trees over rolling hills just a short distance from Lake Michigan. A classic parkland course on the North Shore with a good mix of holes that consistently offers top conditions at an affordable price point.

BALMORAL WOODS (Crete) $55 M-F / $70 SA-SU - Located along the Indiana state line down Route 394 in Crete, Balmoral Woods has a quirky par 38 / 34 routing, but the heavily wooded, hilly land serves up a challenging round with plenty of eye candy. The 7th hole is one of the most dramatic par 5's in all Chicagoland, a dogleg left that drops down to a wide green guarded by a creek.

CARILLON (Plainfield) $47 M-F / $65 SA-SU - Carillon features 27 holes, but the Red-White configuration is the most common 18-hole routing. The nines smoothly wind through a senior community and the par 5's shine, with the 9th hole on the White a thrilling risk / reward finish to the round. The weekend rate drops to a friendly $55 after 9 am, one of the best deals around.

REDTAIL (Village of Lakewood) $52 M-F / $71 SA-SU - Acres of protected wetlands define this McHenry County course that rolls over varied topography. The island that includes the 10th & 16th greens is a cool feature that is rarely seen. Although the weekend rate is $1 over the cost limit, it does drop to $57 after 11 am on weekends, an extra bonus at this fine Roger Packard design.

11-20

BITTERSWEET (Gurnee) $50 M-F / $70 SA-SU - A scenic, challenging course that winds through meadows and native prairies on the edge of a far north suburban sub-division. Shot placement is critical to avoid the water hazards that come into play on almost every hole. When the wildflowers are in bloom, the views are stunning. Well worth the trip near Great America.

FOX BEND (Oswego) $50 M-F / $60 SA-SU - The Oswegoland Park District course is a solid option in the far west suburbs. Current renovations to the greens on holes 2, 7 & 12 will enhance an already good group of challenging putting surfaces. The course stretches to 6,900 yards and will test the best golfers, with the par 5 14th a worthy signature hole with the tricky approach over a pond.

LINCOLN OAKS (Crete) $35 M-F / $48 SA-SU - A true neighborhood course, Lincoln Oaks is a delightful little (6,200 yd par 71) layout that winds through housing that oozes mid-century charm. The front nine is a quirky par 37 that starts with two par 4's and seven holes that alternate between par 5's & 3's, with smallish greens that are slightly bigger than a walk-in closet. A throwback course in all the best ways, including a super value price.

HIGHLAND WOODS (Hoffman Estates) $47 M-F / $62 SA-SU - The north side championship course of the Cook County Forest Preserve, Highland Woods tips out at 6,900 yards thru the typical heavily wooded forest preserve terrain, with mostly wide fairways and some really good green complexes. Overall, an excellent value.

INDIAN BOUNDARY (Chicago) $47 M-F / $57 SA-SU - Another north side Cook County Forest Preserve course is of modest length by today's standards (6,100 yd par 72), with the longest hole the around a pond/dogleg right 486 yd 16th, but there are plenty of challenges for the average golfer. One of the busiest courses in the Windy City, Indian Boundary is a fun play and was in excellent condition when I visited last summer.

FOSS PARK (North Chicago) $54 M-F / $60 SA-SU - An enjoyable layout in the northern suburbs with a good, diverse routing, highlighted by the thick woods framing holes 4, 5, 13 & 14 in the middle of the property. Eminently playable with all the hazards front and center, the hole that stands out for me is the 16th, a par 4 dogleg left with a creek running diagonally in front of the elevated green. Foss Park is also a prime walking course if you want to save a few $'s at an already bargain price.

BLOOMINGDALE $51 M-F / $65 SA-SU - Easily accessible off I-355 at the Lake Street exit, a previously mediocre track was transformed 25 years ago by Bob Lohmann into a top west suburban municipal facility. Bloomingdale won't be confused with Medinah CC across the street, but it is a good layout with many fine holes, highlighted by the par 3 11th, formerly a short par 4 that was redesigned into a scenic signature hole over a pond.

FOX RUN (Elk Grove) $55 M-F / $69 SA-SU - A sparkling new clubhouse enhances the overall experience at a really good course just a few miles south of Woodfield mall. The par 70 layout tips out at 6,300 yds and has a good variety of holes, highlighted by the tricky, split fairway 10th and the par 4 18th, a really good finish to an enjoyable day.

WHITE PINES (Bensenville) $48 M-F / $65 SA-SU - Ideally located off York Road a few miles south of O'Hare Airport, the 36-hole park district facility has been a go to spot for over 90 years. The East course is a 6,400 yd par 70 and the West is 200 yards longer at a par 72, but both courses are traditional tree-lined layouts that provide a top Windy City value.

HILLDALE (Hoffman Estates) $50 M-F / $70 SA-SU- A rare Robert Trent Jones design in the Chicagoland area, Hilldale rolls across property that was at one time a sportsman's club owned by Marshall Field. The 6,400 yd par 71 layout does not lack challenge, as reflected by the stout slope of 138. The grill near the 10th tee to grab a brat or dog is a nice touch.

21-30

SETTLER'S HILL (Batavia) $55 M-F / $65 SA-SU - Settler's Hill went through an update by architect Greg Martin in 2022 and is a course in transition as the new turf takes hold, but the diverse topography over and around a Kane County landfill produces some of the best views of any Windy City layout. A recently added driving range and a planned new clubhouse will boost the status once completed, and if the green fees remain at current online rates, then this will be an under-valued play.

BUFFALO GROVE $55 M-F / $63 SA-SU - Smack dab in the middle of the crowded northern suburbs, Buffalo Grove tips out at 6,700 yards over slightly rolling terrain and is an affordable option in an expensive part of Chicagoland. Although not a lot of wow factor, there are plenty of good holes here that will test your game. A solid municipal track for north side golfers.

MARENGO RIDGE (Marengo) $45 M-F / $58 SA-SU - Located on the northwest fringe of Chicagoland, the newer front nine has a linksy feel and is more open, while the original 9 hole course is a wild ride over the hills and through the woods. Together they make for a really fun, affordable play at the privately owned facility.

MINNE MONESSE (Grant Park) $42 M-F / $54 SA-SU - Tucked along the Indiana border in the far south suburbs, Minne Monesse is a sporty throwback layout that originally opened in 1926. It is a parkland course with elements of prairie links, especially with the newer holes on the back nine, and has plenty of elevation change in the middle of the property before leveling off at the finish near the clubhouse. Overall, a really fun play.

WHISPER CREEK (Huntley) $49 M-F / $69 SA-SU - Easily accessed off the Route 47 exit of I-90, Whisper Creek has a distinct prairie feel as it winds through the vast Del Webb property in Huntley. The course stretches to 7,100, but 5 tee sets make it playable for all skill levels. The online prices include a $62 weekend fee starting at 11 am.

COUNTRYSIDE (Mundelein) $54 M-F/ $66 SA-SU - This Lake County Forest Preserve property features two 18-hole courses (Prairie and Traditional) that both provide a good test of golf. The Prairie is a couple hundred yards longer and has wide swaths of native grasses bordering fairways, while the Traditional is the parkland option with hillier terrain, but either option is an enjoyable play.

GLENWOODIE (Glenwood) $48 / $65 - Classic south suburban mainstay (established 1926) has a primarily north/south routing highlighted by the ravine that runs through the north end of the property. The 16th hole is a monster par 4 that ranks as one of the hardest in the area. Big, sloping greens and hundreds of mature trees adds to the challenge at the 6,900 layout.

DEER CREEK (University Park) $40 M-F / $52 SA-SU - Serving south suburban golfers for over 50 years, Deer Creek plays to a championship length of 6,900 yds and is far from easy (73.2 slope / 129 rating), but pick the right set of the 4 tee options and you'll be in for a treat. The last 4 holes is one of the best finishes on the south side.

BONNIE DUNDEE (Carpentersville) $44 M-F / $56 SA-SU - Part of the Dundee Township golf offerings (along with Randall Oaks), Bonnie Dundee is a few yards short of 6,000 but still packs a punch, thanks to small, sloping greens and a ridge at the north end of the property that adds a dose of elevation change. The 300 yd 17th hole is one of the best short par 4's in the northern 'burbs.

JOE LOUIS (Riverdale) $44 M-F / $50 SA-SU - Named after the all-time great boxer, "The Champ" was frequently played by Joe Louis back in the day when it was called Pipe 'O Peace. Today it is a challenging but fair layout highlighted by the 7th hole, one of the few Chicagoland par 5's topping 600 yds. Another solid Cook County Forest Preserve course, and the boxing glove tee markers are just so cool.

OTHER TOP VALUE OPTIONS