Formula 18 Golf

Formula 18 Golf

Courses / Best in state

Best Public Golf Courses in Illinois

Experts + Golfers + Story + Architect + Challenge + Access = the Total Score

Local Knowledge
Top 10Top 25Top 50Top 100
  1. 1Stonewall Orchard GcGrayslake · Public · Est. 1999Arthur Hills8.5Legendary★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    596 reviews from GolfPass
  2. 2Tpc At Deere RunSilvis · Public · Est. 2000D.A. Weibring (with PGA TOUR Design Services)8.4Destination★ 4.6Online Golfer Rating
    154 reviews from GolfPass
  3. 3Annbriar Golf CourseWaterloo · Public · Est. 1993Michael Hurdzan8.2Destination★ 4.8Online Golfer Rating
    1,017 reviews from GolfPass
  4. 4Cantigny GolfWheaton · Public · Est. 1989Roger Packard8.0Destination★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    452 reviews from GolfPass
  5. 5Thunderhawk Golf ClubBeach Park · Municipal · Est. 1999Robert Trent Jones Jr.8.0Destination★ 4.6Online Golfer Rating
    111 reviews from GolfPass
  6. 6Ravisloe Country ClubHomewood · Public · Est. 1901Donald Ross (1917-19 renovation, full design credit); originally James Foulis and Theodore Moreau (1901); William Watson (c. 1910 expansion)8.0Destination★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    838 reviews from GolfPass
  7. 7The Highlands Of Elgin Golf ClubMunicipal · Est. 1971Larry Packard (original); Keith Foster (2003 redesign)7.9Destination★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    265 reviews from GolfPass
  8. 8Shepherd's Crook Golf CourseZion · Public · Est. 1999Keith Foster7.7Destination★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    757 reviews from GolfPass
  9. 9Preserve At Oak MeadowsAddison · Public · Est. 2017Greg Martin7.5Destination★ 4.2Online Golfer Rating
    223 reviews from GolfPass
  10. 10Eagle Ridge - The GeneralGalena · Resort · Est. 1997Roger Packard and Andy North7.3Memorable★ 4.2Online Golfer Rating
    72 reviews from GolfPass
  11. 11Mistwood Golf ClubRomeoville · Public · Est. 1998Ray Hearn7.2Memorable★ 4.3Online Golfer Rating
    52 reviews from GolfPass
  12. 12Harborside International - StarboardChicago · Public · Est. 1996Dick Nugent7.2Memorable★ 4.2Online Golfer Rating
    413 reviews from GolfPass
  13. 13The Glen ClubGlenview · Public · Est. 2001Tom Fazio7.1Memorable★ 3.2Online Golfer Rating
    6 reviews from GolfPass
  14. 14Spencer T. Olin Community Golf CourseAlton · Public · Est. 1989Arnold Palmer (with Ed Seay)6.9Memorable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    614 reviews from GolfPass
  15. 15Prairie Landing Golf ClubWest Chicago · Public · Est. 1995Robert Trent Jones Jr.6.9Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    512 reviews from GolfPass
  16. 16Metamora Fields Golf ClubMetamora · Semi-private · Est. 2011D.A. Weibring (Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design)6.9Memorable★ 4.9Online Golfer Rating
    9 reviews from GolfPass
  17. 17Arrowhead Golf ClubWheaton · Public · Est. 19266.8Memorable★ 4.6Online Golfer Rating
    583 reviews from GolfPass
  18. 18Pottawatomie Golf ClubSt. Charles · Municipal · Est. 1939Robert Trent Jones Sr.6.8Memorable★ 4.6Online Golfer Rating
    181 reviews from GolfPass
  19. 19Eagle Ridge - The SouthGalena · Resort · Est. 1984Roger Packard6.7Memorable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    32 reviews from GolfPass
  20. 20Blackstone Golf ClubMarengo · Public · Est. 2006Bob Lohmann6.7Memorable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    420 reviews from GolfPass
  21. 21Bolingbrook Golf ClubBolingbrook · Municipal · Est. 2002Arthur Hills (with Steve Forrest & Associates)6.7Memorable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    242 reviews from GolfPass
  22. 22Bowes Creek Country ClubElgin · Public · Est. 2009Rick Jacobson6.6Memorable★ 4.6Online Golfer Rating
    418 reviews from GolfPass
  23. 23Aldeen Golf ClubRockford · Municipal · Est. 1991Dick Nugent6.6Memorable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    205 reviews from GolfPass
  24. 24Lick Creek Golf CoursePekin · Municipal · Est. 19766.6Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    177 reviews from GolfPass
  25. 25Prairieview Golf ClubByron · Public · Est. 19926.6Memorable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    292 reviews from GolfPass

How we rank

Public courses only — anyone can book a tee time (public, municipal, resort, semi-private, university). Each course gets a Formula 18 Golf Total Score out of 10 with one word (Legendary, Destination, Memorable, Playable, Unsolved), cited on its page. Not enough to go on yet? It reads Uncharted. Expert lists, golfer stars, challenge, access and threads make the score. A notable architect and a real story add bonus points, and missing ones never count against a course. See the full formula →
Editor’s picks are placed by the Formula 18 Golf team. Played one that belongs higher? Tell us.