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

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  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
  26. 26Stonewolf Golf ClubFairview Hgts · Public · Est. 1997Jack Nicklaus6.6Memorable★ 4.3Online Golfer Rating
    512 reviews from GolfPass
  27. 27Atkins Golf Club at the University of IllinoisUrbana · University · Est. 1999Dick Nugent and Tim Nugent (Drew Rogers renovation)6.6Memorable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    124 reviews from GolfPass
  28. 28Eagle Ridge - The NorthGalena · Resort · Est. 1977Roger Packard6.6Memorable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    31 reviews from GolfPass
  29. 29The Den At Fox CreekBloomington · Municipal · Est. 1997Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay6.6Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    48 reviews from GolfPass
  30. 30Bonnie Brook Golf CourseWaukegan · Public · Est. 1926James Foulis6.6Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    415 reviews from GolfPass
  31. 31Chevy Chase Golf ClubWheeling · MunicipalTom Bendelow6.6Memorable★ 4.3Online Golfer Rating
    802 reviews from GolfPass
  32. 32Deer Park Golf ClubOglesby · Public · Est. 19046.6Memorable★ 4.6Online Golfer Rating
    276 reviews from GolfPass
  33. 33Schaumburg Golf ClubSchaumburg · Public · Est. 1928William Langford (Bob Lohmann renovations)6.6Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    1,254 reviews from GolfPass
  34. 34Cog Hill - No. 4 (Dubsdread)Lemont · Public · Est. 1964Dick Wilson and Joe Lee (original, 1964); renovated by Rees Jones (2007-2008)6.6Memorable★ 3.4Online Golfer Rating
    41 reviews from GolfPass
  35. 35Jackson Park Golf CourseChicago · Public · Est. 1899Tom Bendelow6.6Memorable★ 4.0Online Golfer Rating
    213 reviews from GolfPass
  36. 36Tam O'Shanter Golf CourseNiles · Municipal · Est. 19256.6Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    362 reviews from GolfPass
  37. 37Steeple Chase Golf ClubMundelein · Municipal · Est. 1993Ken Killian6.5Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    483 reviews from GolfPass
  38. 38Mount Prospect Golf ClubMount Prospect · Public · Est. 19276.5Memorable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    949 reviews from GolfPass
  39. 39Ledges Golf CourseRoscoe · Municipal · Est. 1966Larry Packard6.5Memorable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    105 reviews from GolfPass
  40. 40Deer Creek Golf ClubUniversity Park · Public · Est. 1972Larry Packard6.5Memorable★ 4.3Online Golfer Rating
    805 reviews from GolfPass
  41. 41Seven Bridges Golf ClubWoodridge · Public · Est. 1991Dick Nugent6.4Playable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    580 reviews from GolfPass
  42. 42Redtail Golf ClubVillage Of Lakewood · PublicRoger Packard6.4Playable★ 4.3Online Golfer Rating
    541 reviews from GolfPass
  43. 43Lake Carroll Golf CourseLake Carroll · Semi-private · Est. 19726.4Playable★ 4.8Online Golfer Rating
    164 reviews from GolfPass
  44. 44Palatine Hills Golf CoursePalatine · Public · Est. 1968Larry Packard6.4Playable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    359 reviews from GolfPass
  45. 45Cedardell Golf ClubPlano · Public · Est. 1926Leonard Macomber6.4Playable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    132 reviews from GolfPass
  46. 46Heritage Bluffs Public Golf ClubChannahon · Public · Est. 1993Dick Nugent6.3Playable★ 4.5Online Golfer Rating
    170 reviews from GolfPass
  47. 47Village Links Of Glen EllynGlen Ellyn · Public · Est. 1967David Gill (Garrett Gill renovation)6.3Playable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    31 reviews from GolfPass
  48. 48Acorns Golf LinksWaterloo · Public · Est. 1997William (Bill) Ebeler6.3Playable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    482 reviews from GolfPass
  49. 49El Paso Golf ClubEl Paso · Semi-private · Est. 1920William J. Spear6.3Playable★ 4.7Online Golfer Rating
    126 reviews from GolfPass
  50. 50Gateway National Golf LinksMadison · Public · Est. 1998Keith Foster6.3Playable★ 4.4Online Golfer Rating
    544 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.