ThunderHawk Golf Club
About
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.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 72 | 7031 yards | 74.2 | 141 |
Brass | 72 | 6631 yards | 72.4 | 137 |
Bronze | 72 | 6361 yards | 71.2 | 134 |
Silver | 72 | 6124 yards | 70.1 | 131 |
Silver (W) | 72 | 6124 yards | 75.6 | 138 |
Auburn (W) | 72 | 5046 yards | 69.6 | 125 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 74.2/141 | 414 | 573 | 212 | 446 | 416 | 178 | 522 | 338 | 481 | 3580 | 429 | 517 | 385 | 225 | 363 | 172 | 578 | 182 | 600 | 3451 | 7031 |
Brass M: 72.4/137 | 394 | 554 | 187 | 424 | 391 | 168 | 501 | 333 | 452 | 3404 | 409 | 512 | 363 | 200 | 317 | 145 | 568 | 154 | 559 | 3227 | 6631 |
Hybrid M: 71.2/134 | 369 | 534 | 187 | 394 | 391 | 168 | 470 | 333 | 417 | 3263 | 362 | 512 | 363 | 160 | 317 | 172 | 568 | 130 | 514 | 3098 | 6361 |
Silver M: 70.1/131 W: 75.6/138 | 369 | 534 | 153 | 394 | 379 | 138 | 470 | 302 | 417 | 3156 | 362 | 503 | 331 | 160 | 276 | 134 | 558 | 130 | 514 | 2968 | 6124 |
Auburn W: 69.6/125 | 298 | 453 | 95 | 309 | 326 | 90 | 422 | 254 | 378 | 2625 | 299 | 444 | 241 | 120 | 246 | 66 | 401 | 106 | 498 | 2421 | 5046 |
Handicap | 17 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 6 | |||
Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 13 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 2 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
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#5 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 09/29/2019
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#9 - Par 4 Approach Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 09/29/2019
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#11 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 09/29/2019
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#16 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 09/29/2019
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#17 - Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 09/29/2019
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#18 - Par 5 Approach Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 09/29/2019
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18th Green, after the 600 yard par 5. Photo submitted by brandonschicago on 08/05/2013
The greens are well maintained and the general course conditions are fantastic.
One of the best public courses in Chicagoland. Need to play to your ability and use the proper tees or else you will have a miserable day!
Nice Course...Grouchy Staff
The course is a 10. It just rained the night before the day of our round. Sand traps were in very good shape, tee boxes good, greens surprisingly firm and quick considering the rain, fairways had minimal moisture. Layout...great! One of my faves in the area.
But...
We had called to see if our tee time could be pushed back because we were running a tad behind as a result of traffic and a train. They accommodated.
But when we went in to get range balls and reiterate our gratitude for accommodating our being tardy, the old grouchy guy at the counter said, "you are lucky. We shouldn't have done that because you are a Golf Now booking".
What? This is the guy representing and being the face of your facility? Hey buddy, our tab ($69 GNow rate * 3) was $207, before beverages and food. Easily $300+ when all was said and done.
I got news for you, surly guy at the counter...
$69 * 3 equals a lot more than $85 * ZERO.
And how does this guy know that I haven't been there (I have) as a full paying customer?
I strongly urge the club the re-evaluate their counter staff, because that was enough to make me never want to return, no matter the course. As an aside, the rest of the staff was great.
***Course recommended, not service.
Great course
One of the best courses I golfed at in awhile. Staff was great. We were a two some and the rangers asked the 4 some in front of us to pass and we did. The 4 some had another 2 some in front of them so we finished the front nine in about 1:45 minutes. Course was in good shape, would have been better but it was wet from the huge storms that came in Friday night into Saturday morning. We tee'd off at 11:40am. It was challenging and great values with the deal we find on golfnow.
Great course
Great course, staff is ok, conditions are some of the best I have seen in Chicago !
Awesome course
Play there as often as possible,always in great condition,excellent price.
Amazing course
I visited Chicago with a friend and we decided to play thunderhawk. Although its a little ways out of the city, it was worth the drive and every cent. The layout is truly breathtaking and quite challenging from the tournament tees. The green were in great condition and roll at about a 10 or 11. I would definitely recommend to everyone who has the chance to play it.
Great mixture of challenging holes
It was worth the drive and money. The holes were challenging, but doable as long as you stay inbounds. I would definitely do it again once in a while.
Amazing
Simply Amazing, better then Glen Club. Almost as good as TPC Deere Run.
Too many blind shots
This course needs a map! While it was in beautiful condition, the layout is VERY difficult if you have never played it before. The tall grass Audubon areas "which you should stay out of" when looking for wayward balls means you better bring a lot of them. Many tee shots are blind and even though you think you hit it perfect. By the time your cart rolls up to the area you thought it should be, you find you have to take the drop. GPS would be nice to have so you can see the hole layout and how far to danger.....
Wonderful Time at Thunderhawk
Played Thunderhawk for the first time a while back and it was a very nice course. I found a decent deal (plus used a buy one get one free code for me and a buddy) and got to play for $32.50, and I believe the normal rate is $75+, so I just couldn't pass it up. I played from the 2nd to back tees and they were just perfect for my skill level. The fairways are generally quite generous, but there is plenty of trouble to get into on your approach shots. The course was in excellent shape, and the pace of play was good. This course was about an hour drive for me, but it was well worth it. the only real negative I have to say about the course is that the carts don't have GPS, and I would expect a nicer course like this to have these. All in all I had a wonderful time at Thunderhawk, and my actual score is 4.6/5.0.
Best Public Course in Chicago radius
Having played most of Chicago's top tier public courses ThunderHawk is the cream of the crop. The course is in great shape, with fantastic undulating greens, and there is a lot of diversity within the holes as it winds thru beautiful landscape. Each one of the Par 3s, 4s, & 5s play completely different and moreover there are a handful of holes (#9, #16 & #18) that belong in the best in class for individual holes within Chicago. An absolute must play that belongs in the top tier of Chicago are golf
Rough is rough
Play from the correct tees and you'll have a great time. The rough is rough and then they have the protected areas can't hit out of that stuff just take a drop. Greens are in great shape so is the fairways. If you have not yet played here do yourself a favor and play Thunderhawk.
Top notch
From greeting by bag handler, to Pro Shop staff, to staff at concession, to starter, to ranger, to attendant at end of course, there was not a moment that this experience was less than the highest rating available.
Great course - perfect conditions
Great course with perfect conditions. A bit of a drive, but worth it! Definitely going to go back.
very nice challenging course
very scenic long course, with many challenges. Very nice facilities.
Great course . Just wonderful course.
Pretty challenging and difficult course. But every hole has own special difficulties. Got to shot accurately . Mistake pays rewards. Great terrain and scenery also wonderful. Just top class golf course. 100% satisfaction gurantee.
Not easy
Great course, well maintained, pretty difficult. Very unforgiving if you're not a straight shooter. Bring extra balls or you'll be searching in some high grass OOB. Fast greens and deep sand traps.
Great golf destination.
My wife and I are from the Monterey peninsula in California. Thunderhawk is comparable to many of the quality courses we play in Monterey. Thunderhawk was beautiful, well maintained, challenging and with proper course management, par or bogey is achievable. This course will definitely be on our itinerary on our next visit to the Chicago area. (Unfortunately our round was cut short due to lightening. We were disappointed we could not finish our round. But we will be back!)
Best course I've played
Best value for the money. Challenging course but that's what I prefer. Greens were a super fast. Can't wait to play there in the summer
Tough corse
The course was in excellent shape. Staff was great.
The 133 rating from the brass is accurate. I would play this course again.