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4.9
109 Reviews (109)
5 Stars
80
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.9
Value
3.2
Layout
5.0
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.1
98.8%
Recommend this course
101 out of 109 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
3.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
3.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7031 yards
Slope 141
Rating 74.2

ThunderHawk Golf Course covers a diverse terrain of mature forests, marshland, and prairie. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. who made a commitment to preserving the natural terrain as much as possible, it was the first public course in Illinois to be certified by the Audubon Society. It has also been ranked as not only one of the top municipal golf courses in the state but in the entire U.S. as well. ThunderHawk is definitely a must-play if you're in the area. The layout balances challenging elements with more player-friendly features, offering a course that is versatile enough to accommodate players of all skill levels. The fairways are exceptionally wide with some room for error but there are a few tricky blind shots as well as strategically placed bunkers.

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 4/01 Closed: 11/15
Architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

Reviews

4.9
109 Reviews (109)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 12
Patio Dining 9
19th Hole Scenic Views 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 17
Water Hazards 14
Forced Carries 12
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 16
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 15
Entertaining Clients 12
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 16
In the 'Burbs 14

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice challenge

Love the course great shape Challenging will definitely come back

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Challenging Layout

The course is setup for all skill levels. It is important to play from the appropriate tee boxes. I am a 12 index, 69 years old and played from the silver boxes. It was enjoyable. I played a week or two after the greens had been aerated so I didn't get a true indication of how the greens rolled.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course but fall season is always a crapshoot.

I've been playing the course sine it's opened - at least 4-5 times per year. My favorite time of year to play is fall, however, the course conditions in the fall are always questionable. The greens were aerated and sanded over about a week prior and were left to grow out, the fairways were drenched (there was no rain the night before) and as a result the experience was less than desirable. This is among my favorite courses to play and driving over an hour and half to play I was disappointed. The course should have warned us that they recently aerated and the greens have not been mowed for quite a few days, let alone they water logged the course. I'll go back, I know, but I'll avoid the fall season at all costs.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/12/2020

Golf courses will NEVER tell you they have aerated. You have to ask when September, October rolls around. Only way to be sure. I've been burned in the past.

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Hankster

Great course, great layout, however, the greens were just aerated. Neither Golf Now nor the course mentioned it before I paid for the round.

Pro Shop should have mentioned the condition of the course and discounted the round before I paid.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

More transparency please...

Beautiful and very difficult (penal) course that appears well maintained. The only (but significant) problem was that when we showed up, we were told all the greens were sanded down (virtually impossible to putt) and the 18th fairway was undergoing construction. I would have liked to know that at the time of my reservation. We did receive a break on greens fees but frankly, I would not have made a reservation if I knew this. Additionally, given the layout (narrow fairways with minimal rough and undulating lies--easy to lose balls) and price point, a course like this needs GPS on the carts.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Golfnow should tell ALL up front !

We were asked to play back first area
ting front nine. They said the holes would be all filled not true it was not puttable. Its to bad this place is really golf heaven.I golf a lot so $ brings me here once a year.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great challenge and very fair course

Along with the great course layout, the staff are wonderful. They are very cordial, helpful and go out of there was to make you feel welcome.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

One of my favorite courses in the area

Typically play here once a year mainly because of the travel distance.
Nice grass range, excellent course conditions and friendly staff.
Always an enjoyable round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful place to plau

36 hours before we tee'd off the skies opened up and rained like no other. We were sure we would either be waking or dealing with cart path only rules. Incredibly it looked as though it hadn't even rained a drop!! The course was in magnificent shape! The greens were a touch on the slow side, and there is no GPS on the carts. Those are the only downsides to playing this gem of a course. I would highly recommend playing here, as I know I will be again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

great course

Great Course, Great Layout, Make sure to get the yardage book if you dont have a gps.

Well worth the drive from south side of chicago

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 168
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Chicago Advisor
Top 50 Contributor
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Thunderhawk Golf Club

The Good: Imaginative RTJ Jr. design just south of the Wisconsin border feels more like a northwoods Michigan track. Great course conditions and excellent, fair greens that hold well and putt true. Beautiful layout with nice variety of holes that weave through trees and Audubon preserves. Great mixture of short Par 4's and challenging doglegs. One of the best collections of Par 5's in the state, if not the entire Midwest.Good practice facility with nice range and short game area. Good clubhouse and on-course restroom stations. Well-priced at $85 during high season.

The Bad: Greens can put a little slow compared to similar caliber courses. No GPS is a negative. Course can be extremely difficult, especially when the wind blows.

The Verdict: Thunderhawk is one of the best municipal courses in the country. A course that will play different every day you tee up and is very fun to play. One of the best public facilities in Illinois.

Best Hole(s): You could pick each of the Par 5's to be the signature, but the 18th is the best. The Par 4 9th requires a long drive into a dog leg left with an approach that must navigate large overhanging trees. Tough!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent course

This is my second time playing and I think it's one of the best courses I've played at. The fairways are very nice and the greens and hole location is always challenging. Pace of play was very good and staff are always friendly. Would recommend this course to anyone who's visiting the are.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Poor weather
Used cart

Beautiful wet slow round

Beautiful forest course with challenging elevation changes. If it weren't for the constant drizzle and intermittent downpours or the slow group of three walkers ahead of us, it would have been a MUST RETURN experience. As it was, can't wait to try this course early on a dry morning!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Awesome track!

Thunder hawk is always in fantastic shape with some of the truest greens in the state. Nothing to complain about here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

What a great track!

Our group likes to go on the occasional mini-road trip to new courses, so we keep our ears open for good ones we have yet to see. We had heard a lot about Thunderhawk from reliable sources, so we made the 1:15 drive...and it was so worth it. This place is a tough (but fair), interesting, thought-requiring gem in mint condition. Grass was great, traps were great, greens were great (and fast). Our only disappointment is that we didn't get up there earlier in the year...although we plan on going back before the season is over. The other reviews are true that it was especially difficult the first go-round, not knowing where to place some of your shots. Also, the course will eat a lot of balls if you aren't hitting it straight. Pace of play was excellent, although it was Sunday afternoon, so not sure what it's like on a weekend morning. Still, holes were very interesting and the place was just great. Can't wait to go back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

great but tough

Great course. Tough layout if it's you're first time playing here. Can't wait to get out their again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Nice Course

This was a scenic course that had some very tough holes....it was windy the Front nine and my score reflected it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

outstanding golf course

Thunderhawk is one of my favorite places to play- scenic course, fast but true greens, consistent bunkers. A bit challenging, especially the first time at the course, but one of the most beautiful courses anywhere. Looking forward to a return visit soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great layout, greens need some help

Every part of the course except for the greens were in great shape. The greens were in only average shape. The greens were fast but there were a lot of "dead" spots. The sand traps were in extremely good shape. The staff was very friendly. I really liked the layout. The carts don't have GPS but the course is well marked with yardages. I would recommend buying a yardage book bc some of the holes require you to hit less than a driver.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great across the board.

Everything was good. Pace was a tad slow. It seemed a permanent tee time had some extra things going on. Lol. Course was in good shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).

SentryWorld Stay & Play Package

FROM $347 (USD)
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SW Michigan Golf Around Package

FROM $127 (USD)
GRAND RAPIDS/KALAMAZOO | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Quality Inn – Battle Creek and 3 rounds of golf at The Medalist Golf Club, Angel’s Crossing Golf Club, and The Grande Golf Club.

Best of Battle Creek Package

FROM $147 (USD)
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