University Park Golf Club

About
University Park Golf Club (formerly known as University Golf Club & Conference Center) boasts one of the most popular championship courses in the Chicagoland area. The golf course has been a local favorite since it first opened in 1962. The original design by Lawrence Packard received an update in 2004 by Greg Martin, but the classic character of the layout still remains. The course wanders across gentle rolling terrain, providing elevated tees and undulating fairways. Water hazards come into play on half the holes, including on the 17th, University Park Golf Club's signature hole. This intimidating par 3 requires a tough carry over water to an elevated green. Miss it and you'll be faced with the nearly impossible task of getting up and down. The difficulty doesn't let up with the final hole, an uphill dogleg par 4 with a sloped, elevated green and water on the right.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 72 | 6724 yards | 71.7 | 126 |
Gold (W) | 72 | 6354 yards | 75.8 | 131 |
Gold | 72 | 6354 yards | 70.0 | 122 |
Silver | 72 | 6003 yards | 68.5 | 118 |
Silver (W) | 72 | 6003 yards | 73.8 | 127 |
Bronze | 72 | 5208 yards | 64.9 | 109 |
Bronze (W) | 72 | 5208 yards | 69.4 | 117 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 71.7/126 | 328 | 536 | 428 | 180 | 362 | 446 | 197 | 565 | 390 | 3432 | 329 | 200 | 328 | 488 | 423 | 354 | 623 | 158 | 389 | 3292 | 6724 |
Gold M: 70.0/122 W: 75.8/131 | 319 | 526 | 408 | 144 | 334 | 429 | 176 | 485 | 373 | 3194 | 321 | 192 | 318 | 463 | 418 | 345 | 600 | 142 | 361 | 3160 | 6354 |
Silver M: 68.5/118 W: 73.8/127 | 308 | 506 | 396 | 124 | 320 | 401 | 146 | 462 | 356 | 3019 | 307 | 184 | 306 | 449 | 408 | 337 | 532 | 124 | 337 | 2984 | 6003 |
Bronze M: 64.9/109 W: 69.4/117 | 294 | 417 | 261 | 119 | 311 | 291 | 131 | 411 | 251 | 2486 | 295 | 178 | 296 | 421 | 340 | 328 | 488 | 110 | 266 | 2722 | 5208 |
Handicap | 15 | 11 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 16 | 14 | |||
Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Locker RoomsAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2022 #3)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
PACE: Was great for the first 15 holes (even had a 2some let me, a single, play through). But I caught a 4some of 16 tee and they refused to acknowledge I was even there... which aligns with many previous experiences I've had here. Pace here can be an issue.
CONDITIONS: Not great. I mean, you'll find your ball in the rough and the fairway is cut down, but this course still has some way to go. Bunkers need tending and the greens are not at their best now either.
STAFF: Very friendly and welcoming.
VALUE: In the past this course has always been $25 to walk during the week ($20 at twilight). They've bumped that rate to $35 to walk during the week which puts them in competition with other local courses that I would choose over University Park. Would be nice to see that rate become competitive again. Also, please allow walking on the weekend mornings.
LAYOUT: Great layout, when conditions are right. Very walkable.
Work in progress
I think they are still trying to get this place back to form. There are some weeds in the fairways (which were cut) and tee boxes, and some of the greens definitely have/had some issues. Course is definitely NOT worth the rack rate now, but if I found another deal on golf now or online I would return. It's fairly open so it's forgiving, but there is some water and length so it's a pretty decent layout. Hope the conditions here continue to improve.
Conditions
This place has done a complete 180 . The new crew has brought it back from the dead
For the last four years the course was in poor conditions. But now, the course was realy well maintained. Guys, co.e out and play again. You won't regret it.
They're getting there
They spent the summer trying to get the place in shape...finally opened it couple weeks ago...weren't even charging you to play (walking) because it still needed work..went there today and charged $20 to walk 18, which is fair...rough is still pretty long but fairways were mowed nice...greens still slow and some dead patches on some...but compared to where it was, big improvement..
Course not ready
The course was not ready for play. Greens were in really bad shape
Price is same ,so course should be maintained
Rough is still to high,you spend lots of time looking for ball even if you are right on top of it,also someone should be getting rid of leaves Everyday,price is the same so service and maintenance should still be the same
No Fairways
The course had not been mowed in weeks. There were no fairways.
Bad experience
Overall the greens were terrible as they all were bumpy with small dirt chunks. Fairway looked like the rough, also greens was playing super slow due to grass being too tall. Overall will not return.
Course needs help
Management company deserted them, so they have no equipment. It’s a really nice course, but needs someone to manage the grounds.
Slightly disappointed
Played here Sept 3. Fairways indistinguishable from 1st cut of rough. THAT was disappointing. Greens were "furry" and inconsistent. Conditions USED to be reliably acceptable. We had trouble finding balls that were actually in the fairways. Our group was saddened by the decline in course conditions at University. Hopefully this was an isolated event.
Unfortunately Golf Course
The golf course is in very good condition. I highly recommend this course. Don't miss out.
Needs improvement
I played this course a couple of times earlier in the year and felt it was in good condition except for the shaggy greens. This time I was disappointed. Greens about the same but I couldn't tell the difference between the fairway and the rough. I have no idea the last time they mowed the fairways. This could be a great little course if they put a little effort into it.
Good
I enjoyed this course. Great layout. I heard this course was in bad shape- those people were wrong. Good course. Wish they had a driving range. They do have a nice big putting green.