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It's hard to beat the conditions, location to the city, and unique layout of this course in Chicago, but the price tag doesn't match up. Pace was fine, was about 4.20 for 18 though we had to wait a few times, and the course is challenging but not punishing now that the fescue is cut down. I played a course in the burbs a week prior to Harborside with similar conditions and a better layout, and was $20 less with a cart. I think if the standard rate was closer to $80-90 Harborside would be tough to beat.

That said, the brat at the turn was on point and the practice facilities are unmatched for the area.

First time playing after having heard good things. $71 with a cart so not exactly a steal. Layout was truly great and challenging without punishing, though some mature trees had some branches hanging a bit menacingly. The greens and tee boxes were about as I'd expect for a public course, but bunkers were hard packed. The real issues here were the fairways (huge brown patches but also somehow squishy and wet, either from irrigation issues or bad drainage), and COVID protections - no foam in cups and all the rakes were left in bunkers. I'll be back but not this season until the fairways are back in reasonable shape.

Course is in good shape and a value option if you don't want to pay for The Preserve, but isn't a must-play. Not exceptionally long and it won't beat you up. The layout is a little strange with the 4th tee on the opposite side of the property from 1-3, but in a cart it's no big deal. Plenty of cross-fairway hits from other golfers' wayward shots but I'd chalk that up to hackers moreso than the layout. Pace of play is another story, we had a fairly early tee time (around 8am) but the round took almost 5 hours. We were waiting on the tee for every hole, but the group in front of us was not to blame. Unless the pace of play improves, don't put this too high on your list.

This course makes me wish I could play every day. Conditions are country club-like but the course is not exclusive, the layout is challenging but will leave you coming back for more (so long as you survive the 11th hole without too many lost balls), and both the staff and facilities are top-notch. The pace of play has always been good when I play here, too. If you can play this course, do it.