View of the 2nd green from Joe Jemsek Course.
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4.4
610 Reviews (610)
5 Stars
261
4 Stars
274
3 Stars
57
2 Stars
10
1 Stars
8
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
93.3%
Recommend this course
572 out of 610 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
17 Reviews (17)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.5
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.9
94.1%
Recommend this course
16 out of 17 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
92 Reviews (92)
5 Stars
49
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
92.4%
Recommend this course
85 out of 92 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6818 yards
Slope 126
Rating 72.5

There are two championship golf courses available at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago as well as a top-ranked practice center. The Joe Jemsek Course, formerly known as the Lakewood, was added in 1929, three years after the club opened. Unlike the original St. Andrews Course, the Joe Jemsek Course has a hillier terrain. Although it is shorter than the other golf course at 6,770 yards, the elevation changes make it seem similar in length to the 6,920-yard St. Andrews Course. The course features tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers, offering plenty of challenges but overall it is not an overly intimidating layout for beginners. There are several long and demanding par 3s throughout. The best example being the tricky second hole, which has a green that is guarded by two deep bunkers and towering trees.

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St. Andrews Golf & Country Club - Joe Jemsek Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1929
Fairways Bent
Greens Bent
Golf Season Year round
Architect Edward B. Dearie (1929)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

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

Policies

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

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Reviews

4.4
610 Reviews (610)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 26
Brunch 12
Watching the Game 11
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 31
Undulating Greens 19
Water Hazards 15
This course/club is great for:
Locals 26
Playing Multiple Courses 20
Seniors 17
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 36
Worth the Drive 20
Convenient to the City 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Slow Play

I've played this course many times the past few years and this one one of the worst if not the worst pace of play I have experienced here. Our foursome caught up with a slow playing threesome at the second hole. A ranger didn't show up to help move that group along until we got to the 15th hole. By that time the damage was already done. It took us over 5 hours to play which normally takes our group 4 hours or less to play. It was a very hot day, mid 90s, but that shouldn't excuse the course from monitoring the pace of play. The golf course was not crowded. In fact no groups caught up to us even though it was so slow. Very disappointing round. With that said, the course was in excellent condition. Come on St. Andrews. Get those rangers out there and watch for pace of play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/22/2018

Hi Robert,
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that your round was so slow. If you ever run into this situation again, please call the pro shop as soon as it happens. We will send the ranger right to you. 630.231.3100 ext. 114

Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Early season round.

For march the course was in decent shape. Green were like carpets but at this point they can’t cut them. Bunkers were in great shape. Overall a great place to play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Walked
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great course! Glad they opened early due to good weather

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Course in Great Shape

Considering we were playing on Dec. 8th, the course's tee boxes, fairways and greens were in fantastic shape. Due to the mild weather, the course was packed but the pace was decent. We were delayed only on a couple of holes. Remarkably, they even had a beverage cart going. Thanks St. Andrews.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 52
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Walked

Not Bad for December

Pros: Greens rolled pretty well, especially for December
Cons: Played behind a riding 4some (we were walking) and waited about every hole. Minimum of 2 holes open ahead of them all day. Called pro shop but that didn't help.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great value

St Andrews is great if you want to golf in an easy environment. This is your place.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Walked
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

Really nice course. Challenging but not frustrating

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice Course

The Joe Jemsek course was in great shape except they were aerating the tee boxes. The course was fairly empty, which made it a very quiet and leisure round. The St. Andrews course is a bit tougher than Jemsek but if you need to work on your game and get a confidence booster, I'd highly recommend the course. The greens are fairly flat with no severe slopes or breaks unlike the St. Andrews course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Beware of Early Tee Times

I played the earliest tee time offered, I won’t be doing this again. Love getting out early and playing a quick round but today I had to wait on greenskeeping crew on my approach shot for ~12 holes for around 5 minutes each time. I had to wait for the greenskeeper to stop mowing, go get and put in the flagstick, and then wave me in to take my shot while they proceeded to roll/mow the green, zig zagging back and forth across the green without regard for my incoming shot. I have great respect for the greens crew, and I have no doubt they were equally as annoyed by me disrupting their job, having to get off their mower and retrieve the flagstick. But I would encourage the clubhouse to take note of this and consider when they send players off the first tee. Value for the quality of course is great, always well kept. The Joe Jemsek course plays a little long on a few holes, which can be a little challenging, but every hole is straight, no dog legs or bends on any holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very solid courses

Wide open fairways, massive greens. Cannot go wrong playing here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Wonderful course and value. Slow play

Course conditions, amenities, restaurant and bar all meet expectations or above. Play is super slow so be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Sue to speed of play walking is a good option. Flat course, no issues walking.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 33
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great shape

Solid golf course. Couple of par fives are par 4s unless they open back tee. Alway in good condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 37
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Very great staff

The stafff at this course was excellent. I always enjoy playing this course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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