From Chicagoland to downstate courses and those in the St. Louis metro area, we've got the top 20 golf courses in Illinois for 2014 as rated by golfers on Golf Advisor.
While Chicago is most well known for tournament venues like Cog Hill and uber-private clubs like The Medalist, among many others, it was an affordable muni in the suburbs of Rockford that led the charge. Aldeen Golf Club, a Dick Nugent design that opened in 1992, is operated by the Parks District and has been nationally recognized in the past as one of the country's best courses to play for less than $50.
That said, in the "value" category, PrairieView Golf Club, which came in second overall, had a near-perfect 4.95/5.0 rating on the year. Blackstone Golf Club (third overall) had the highest conditioning marks on the year.
You can see the full list for the overall ratings in the state below, and for all you Illinois golfers out there, let us know if your fellow golfers hit the mark.
Top 20 courses in Illinois in 2014
1. Aldeen Golf Club, Rockford
2. PrairieView Golf Club, Byron
3. Blackstone Golf Club, Marengo
4. Bowes Creek Country Club, Elgin
5. Ravisloe Country Club, Homewood
6. Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton
7. Stonewall Orchard Golf Club, Grayslake
8. Kankakee Elks Country Club, Saint Anne
9. Ledges Golf Club, Roscoe
10. ThunderHawk Golf Club, Beach Park
11. The Highlands of Elgin, Elgin
12. Midlane Golf Resort, Wadsworth
13. Cantigny Golf, Wheaton
14. Bonnie Brook Golf Course, Waukegan
15. Belk Park Golf Course, Wood River
16. Seven Bridges Golf Club, Woodridge
17. Lockhaven Golf Club, Godfrey (course closed in November 2014)
18. Far Oaks Golf Club, Caseyville
19. Acorns Golf Links, Waterloo
20. Crystal Woods Golf Club, Woodstock
Minimum of 20 ratings needed in 2014 to qualify.
UPDATE: Top 25 courses in Illinois according to Golf Advisor reviews in 2015
