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It's been a dry spring, but apparently they don't water the course or tee boxes which were so hard you couldn't get a plastic tee into the ground. The greens were fine, and it's an interesting course. It was still nice to get out.

Willow Crest is a beautiful course and much hillier than you would expect in the Chicago area. It's part of a Hilton resort but not well known among area golfers. I played with my brother and cousin and neither had played it before even though they are avid golfers and long time residents. The course was in excellent condition and the weather was perfect. The front 9 greens had been aerated and a little bumpy, but the back 9 greens were smooth and fast. This is a very interesting course where each hole is unique and only a couple of holes have adjoining houses. It's only a par 70, so it plays a lot longer than the yardage on the scorecard. The staff was friendly and the Golfnow rate was a bargain. Due to Covid, there was no cart girl and the lower level bar was closed, but we were able to grab a beer in the hotel lounge. We had a very competitive match and really enjoyed the course for what might be our last round of the year. The only drawback is the lack of a driving range, with only a net to hit into for warming up. We'll be back next year.

Left work early to take advantage of the 2:52 pm Hot Deal - a real bargain. I hadn't played the course in several years, but was familiar with the layout. It's only a par 70 and we played the white tees at a little under 6,000 yds, but it plays to about 6,400 since it's a par 70. All of the front 9 par 4's are very long (over 400 yds), but the back is easier. Wide tree-lined fairways with some tough holes. Being close to the city, I'm sure this course gets a lot of play, but the greens were covered in ball marks and the bunker were either rock hard or full of foot prints. They need a ranger out there to teach some golf etiquette. We still had a good time, but I was disappointed in conditions.

Red Tail is sort of a hidden gem. It's a little out of the way, but worth the drive. All the holes are unique and it's a good test. They had 3 1/2 inches of rain 2 days earlier, and there were a couple of soggy spots, but no restrictions on carts and the course was in good condition. There are some homes bordering the course, but you'd have to hit a wild one to find a back yard. It was a hot day and not too crowded. We played as a twosome and had to wait on most holes, but still finished in 4 hrs 25 mins. Not much of a clubhouse, but nice fresh grilled brats at the turn. Course always has deals, so it's a real bargain for a nice track.

Hadn't played this course in years, and got a great Hot Deal so set up a foursome. This is an older course with lots of trees and a mixture of different holes. The greens weren't that fast, and they were a little bumpy. Course was OK, but I wouldn't go out of my way to play. However, the practice range is the best in the area.

Was looking for a new course to play on a beautiful Friday afternoon and found a HotDeal with a bonus 25% discount. Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised with the layout, conditions and the beauty of the course. It's mostly a links style course with generous landing areas and a couple of tree lined holes, but the holes are challenging and vary in length and layout. We had a heavy rain the day before and there were a few areas of casual water and the greens were a little slow, but no cart restrictions. The only negatives were that the bunkers were unplayable and having to wait to tee off on most of the holes, but we still finished in 4 1/2 hrs. As an added bonus, the course has $3 PRR's and $3.50 J'ville brats! I'd definitely play again, but also want to try the upscale sister course, Oak Meadows, across the street which has the driving range (which is pricey at $7 for a small bucket of 20 balls).

I used to have a permanent Sat morning tee time 15 years ago, but haven't played Blackberry in several years. I always liked the layout, but the course is even better now that it has matured considerably. We played on a day after very heavy rains in the Chgo area, and many north side courses were closed, but Blackberry was very playable, and there were no restrictions on carts. Course was in excellent condition and the staff was friendly. In fact I left my cell phone in the cart, and the pro shop had it for me to pick up the next day.

Nice tree lined fairways, but the greens were hard and fast and wouldn't hold a wedge shot. Also the rough was a little long which made it difficult to find your ball. But a nice track and a great deal.

This course was recently renovated and was recommended by a friend. The weather was cool and windy, but it had rained the past few days and was cart path only (which I hate). Anyway we still finished our round in 4 1/2 hours. None of us shot very well in our first round of the year, but we were impressed with the layout. We played the silver tees which seem short at only 6,000+ yards, but since it's only a par 70 and wet, it played much longer. Nice sporty layout with plenty of trouble if you're wild, but being Masters week, the greens gave us a hint of Augusta Nat'l - very fast with lots of slope. Course was in good condition for early April in Chicago. We'll definitely return, especially at the Hot Deals price.

Got great hot deal for a beautiful Friday afternoon round. They have 36 holes, and we played the Lakeside (now called Jemsek) course. Mature course with lots of big oaks, some water hazards and excellent greens. Cart was included in the price, but this is a very walkable course, and range is the nicest in the area. Clubhouse is decent as well.

I haven't played the course in several years, but was enticed by an unbelievable Hot Deal. The only drawback is that there is no driving range, but our foursome stopped at Mill Creek's range which is on the way. This is a very interesting layout with elevation changes, lots or prairie grass and several water holes. It is very scenic (only a couple of holes with homes that do not come into play). The fairways are blue grass (instead of bent which is typical), but the course was in great shape and the greens were true. We finished in under 4 1/2 hours even after letting a twosome play through. We played the white tees at 6,208 yards, but even at that relatively short distance there are some very long par 4's and it was challenging. We had a great time and the 2 guys who hadn't played it before were both pleasantly surprised at the quality of the course for such a small green fee (including cart). This course is very walkable, since it's not spread out, but there are a couple of steep hills to climb on 9 and 18.

Played on a Friday afternoon and it was a 5+ hour round. Maybe the low greens fee attracts a lot of bad golfers? It's a very nice layout on forest preserve land and no houses to worry about. Every hole is different and it is challenging. My only complaints are that the greens were somewhat slow and the sandtraps were very hard without much sand.