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This was my 5th time playing Bittersweet, but my first time playing in ~2 years. Practice facilities are solid. Great short game area, plus grass tees at the driving range. Putting green is a little small. Bittersweet isn't for amateurs, so if you're not striking the ball well... come prepared with plenty of extra balls because the course can be very penalizing. What surprised me most about Bittersweet was the speed of their greens and quality of their traps. I don't recall either being in this good of shape this late in the season. It was a treat to play and great way to round out the Chicago golf season.

I haven't played Chevy Chase since the redesign until now as I thought the price-point was too high, but now I feel a little better about the price tag. Subtle sloping fairways and slightly elevated greens add character to the relatively flat topography @ Chevy Chase. Their greens are speedier than I would expect and roll true. GPS on the carts is a plus. Only downside is there is no driving range or short-game area.

Quitno Golf Designs is responsible for redeveloping the course to eliminate chronic flooding issues, which I remember being a big issue. Other courses in their portfolio include Blackstone, Bridges of Poplar Creek, and Schaumburg.

It's been several years since I last played Bridges of Poplar Creek. It's just as remembered with a few added bonuses! GPS carts, Top Tracer bays, and an improved drink selection. What hasn't changed is that Bridges continues to be a "target golf" course that requires precision off the tee and on approach shots to avoid the many water hazards decorating the course. I didn't play my best golf, but the experience still made for an enjoyable round.

I don't play in the South suburbs often, but when I do I like to get out @ Coyote Run as I think it's a great track that you can typically play for $70 or less. What I love most about Coyote is the layout and that they have the hybrid tees, which allow for the perfect challenge. It is a Par 70 course, but it's not gimmicky. You have to earn your pars here as there's always a well-placed water hazard or bunker waiting to eat up errant shots. Shouts out to the staff & maintenance team for keeping Coyote Run in great shape and for making it a fun place to play!

This was my 3rd or 4th time playing Foxford Hills. Every time it's enjoyable. The front nine features wide fairways that allow you to "grip it & rip it" off the tee. Traps and water hazards are the only real threats. Relative to it's next door neighbor (Chalet Hills), the greens are much trickier and provide a true test for all golfers. Placement is key. The back nine starts off similarly to the front, but then it narrows on holes #14-16. Moral of the story is get your pars in early, otherwise you're in trouble!

Even though I live close, I have always avoided playing Makray due to the horror stories about their fast greens. A twilight round of 9 holes a few years ago confirmed that these stories were in fact true. Fast forward to this weekend where my friends & I (~18-27 handicaps) worked up the courage to give Makray a shot. Long story short, we got murdered when we were on and/or around the greens. Don't leave yourself a downhill putt here! If you do, good luck as they're virtually impossible to make. Be wary of the greenside bunkers too as 50% of them aren't visible on the approach and sit very deep below the greens. If you can avoid those two things, you are in for a great day as everything else about Makray is excellent. Their practice facilities are phenomenal with a grass tee driving range, large putting green, and chipping area with free practice balls. The course itself is in great shape and provides a fine layout that feels relatively secluded and forces players to use almost every club in their bag. If they could slow down their greens a touch, I'd give Makray 5 stars - however, I can't fully recommend that the average golfer torture themselves.

Tee time: 11:20 on a Saturday ($35). Drove 40 minutes up from Chicago as this was the best Saturday deal before noon less than an hour away from the city. The pro shop attendant gave me the course rate, which is $35 after 11 on the weekends instead of the GolfNow rate ($49) that I had reserved for - so that was a plus! The first few holes aren't all too special, but after hole #5 things start to get fun and that only gets better on the back nine. Conditions are solid with the exception of a few greens. At $35 on weekends, Veteran's Memorial is a good choice for a value round!

Tee time: 3:48 on a Friday ($25). If you like great golf, look no further than Cary, IL. Chalet Hills and Foxford Hills are beautiful and two of my favorite tracks in the Chicagoland area. I love Chalet because it is well kept, challenging, and forces you to use every club in your bag. No two holes are alike! Similar to others, my only complaint is that there is no driving range and the carts do not have GPS. Living in Chicago, I don't get to play this course often, but when I do it's a huge treat. It's time I move out of the city so I can start playing Chalet Hills (and Foxford Hills) on the regular.

Tee time: 2:36 on a Saturday ($50). I hate to give Ruffled Feathers a 3 stars given the excellent course layout & design by Pete Dye, but the extremely long rough and poor bunkers render this course unplayable in parts. On hole #13, the back bunker has 4 feet of water in it (no joke). After having the pleasure of playing this course two years ago in much better conditions, I know how majestic this course can be and it's a disappointment to see the grounds crew not giving it the respect it deserves. With a little more attention, repairs to the cart paths, and water coolers every few holes this course can contend with any other great course in Chicagoland. I hope the owners turn things around soon!

I have played Buffalo Grove 10+ times over the last few years, and I plan to continue playing it as long as I am in the area. At just under 6,700 yards from the back tees, Buffalo Grove plays longer than most municipal courses in the area. The front 9 is fairly straight-forward, with the only real challenges being a few select small greens and a 210+ yard par 3. It acts as a good warm-up to the back 9, which has a few more obstacles including a long & tight fairway on #10, and water that is waiting to eat up any errant tee shots on 6 of the 9 holes. Course conditions are usually pretty solid, although this week there were a few "ground under repair" areas on the fairways. Greens were in great shape. I make it a point to play here once a year because the course forces you to use every club in your bag and you can usually get out for a decent price.

Tee time: 2:16 on a Friday ($35)
Second time playing Bartlett Hills in the last 2 months. Outside of the pace, I love the way this course plays. Both times it has presented a challenge. Greens have subtle undulations, but roll pretty true. I love the elevated tee boxes, elevation changes, and sloping fairways. It's tight in areas, so if the course is crowded you will need to keep your head on swivel. Driving range on-site is a plus. As long as you're not too short on time, I would recommend giving Bartlett Hills a shot.

Tee time: 2:36 on a Sunday ($51),
I could see Big Run being a pristine course back in the day, but that was probably 50+ years ago. The clubhouse and signs are all extremely outdated. The range finders attached to the carts are outdated, but at the same time kind of cool because it's rare to see an amenity like that. The course itself was very challenging due to all of the elevation change, long distances, and old trees. The layout earns 5 stars from me (great views, secluded feel), however I can't say the same for the conditions. Greens were solid. Bunkers could definitely use work. Fairways were very poor (patchy dry spots and not manicured). I don't know if I will be returning to Big Run unless I catch a good deal or I am already in the area.

Tee Time: 1:30 on a Saturday ($31). I’ve played Crane’s Landing twice now. Once last year, and now once again this year. I’m surprised a couple of users labeled this course as “easy”. I know it’s a shorter course, but from the Blue tees it can be fairly challenging. There are a few Par 4’s which eclipse the 430+ mark and 8-9 holes that have water hazards (most being lateral). The water hazards are most intimidating on the Par 3’s. The course conditions I would say are pretty average. Crane’s Landing gets an 8 out of 10 stars in my book because of its layout, mixture of short and long holes, and rather secluded nature. Normally I feel it’s overpriced, but if you can find a deal for $50 or under I would definitely give Crane’s a shot.

Note: They removed the GPS systems from their carts, which is a bummer. Hopefully, they will add a few more distance markers next season (or just find a more cost-effective GPS device).

This is my 2nd favorite Par 3 course in the area, behind Twin Lakes. I love that it is built up on top of a hill because it offers a great view of the surrounding area. Bears fans will be excited to know that they’re playing on the same grounds where Walter Payton used to train. Fun fact aside, this course is a solid place to practice your short irons. All the holes are between 100 and 150 yards, but changes in elevation keep things interesting. I am always extremely pleased with the course conditions. Greens aren’t too fast, but they do roll true. If you need to work on your short game, save the $8 you would spend at the range and use it to play 9 at Nickol Knoll.

Tee Time: 1:50 on a Saturday ($35). I traveled to the Eagle Ridge/ Galena area for Labor Day in hopes to play some reasonably-priced golf and enjoy the extended weekend. After surveying all the courses in the area (i.e., Eagle Ridge, Galena, Lacoma), we settled on Woodbine Bend. I can say with a satisfied feeling that we made the right choice.

Woodbine Bend is a 18-hole beauty built on rolling farmland. There is wild grass to the left and right of a majority of the fairways so it's best to be accurate here. A lot of blind shots from the tee boxes (be careful, there's a creek on the 18th hole). Not many bunkers, but I'm sure one or two of them will come into play. The greens are fairly quick.

Overall, I was very pleased with my experience at Woodbine Bend. It was well worth the 20+ minute drive and definitely beats paying $75+ at the Eagle Ridge courses. If you're in the area, I would suggest giving it a go.

Tee Time: 4:06 on a Thursday ($16). Second time playing the Executive Blues at Salt Creek. Normally, I play the Executive Whites with a few of my co-workers every couple Thursdays. This time we were forced to play the Blues because of a high school match on the Whites. Not a big deal - we were all happy to adjust. However, what is a big deal (and the staff should take note) are the very poor tee boxes, fairways, and bunkers. More than half of the tee boxes are 75% dirt and very hard. The only thing the Executive Blue course has going for it are its greens, which are soft and in good condition. I dislike playing here because its overpriced, boring, and not well maintained. Unfortunately Salt Creek is the closest "Par 3" course to our work, so it looks like I'm kind of stuck with it. If you decide to go into the clubhouse I recommend trying their wings.

Tee Time: 1:20 on a Saturday ($35). My second time playing Golf Club of Illinois (the first time was earlier this year). Don't let the vague name fool you, this is a great links style course. Small rolling hills, wild grasses, and bunkers make GCI a fun track to play. The best part though has to be the greens which are sneaky fast and roll true. I don't know if I have a favorite hole, but I will say that the Par 3's are enjoyable and the 18th is a great way to finish out the round. This course is about a 30 minute drive from my house, but well worth it. Hit the on-site range if you're looking to get some practice in before and make sure to get a few putts in too (seriously)!

Tee time: 2:10 on a Tuesday ($30). Took a half day at work to play Highland Park with two of my friends. The course is short at just 6,051 yards from the golds. Greens were quick, but for the most part easy. Course layout is interesting. I really liked Hole #11 (a 165+ yard tight Par 3 with water running down the right side) and Holes #14 and #16, which were both very unique. Note: there is a driving range and chipping green on site. Only thing Highland Park is missing are GPS-equipped electric carts (seriously though, please upgrade). If you're in the area, give this course a go!

Twin Lakes is my go-to course if I’m looking to play a casual 9 holes and practice my short irons. Rates are typically between $8 and $12, which is a steal. What’s nice about Twin Lakes is that there are two Par 4’s so you get a chance to pull out your driver/ 3-wood. Water comes into play on 3 of the 9 holes and there are plenty of sand traps to add to the challenge. The greens are well-kept, roll true, and will test your skills. I’ve probably played Twin Lakes 25+ times and will continue to play it because I love the course, it’s playable for golfers of all skill levels, and always makes for an enjoyable round.

Tee time: 11:04 on a Saturday ($39). I found a new favorite. Randall Oaks is a very well manicured, beautiful looking course. The undulating greens and elevation changes make for a challenging play. The 560+ yard Par 5 #9 hole makes for a pristine finish to the front 9. Other bonuses include the GPS carts, great practice facilities, and great amenities. I was displeased with nothing. I plan to play here at least one more time this season... possibly more.