Chicago's deep classical bench. · Vol. 01

The Ultimate
Illinois Golf Trip.

Chicago is one of the great American golf cities. The Lake County corridor north of the city (Chicago Golf Club, Bob O'Link, Old Elm, Shoreacres, Knollwood) stacks Macdonald and Raynor classics. Olympia Fields and Medinah are the major-championship anchors south and west of the loop.

Above · Medinah Country Club

INorth Shore Classics IIChicago Major Hosts IIIChicago Hidden Bench

Route I of III · Lake County

The North Shore Classics

Chicago Golf Club + Shoreacres + Old Elm

Duration3 days

Total drive30 mi

Tariff$$$$

Approx. $4,500 / person, 3 days. All three are sponsored-play only. The densest Macdonald + Raynor cluster in America.

Day
1
Chicago Golf Club
Day 1 · Chicago Golf Club
Fly into ORD. Stay in Wheaton. CB Macdonald 1894, the first 18-hole course in America.
- Chicago Golf Club
  Chicago Golf Club, CB Macdonald 1894.
Day
2
Shoreacres
Day 2 · Shoreacres
Lake Bluff. Seth Raynor 1921. Walking-only, ravines and ocean-style holes inland.
- Shoreacres
  Shoreacres, Seth Raynor 1921.
Day
3
Old Elm Club
Day 3 · Old Elm
Highland Park. Donald Ross + Harry Colt 1914. Men-only members club.
- Old Elm Club
  Old Elm Club, Donald Ross 1914.

Route II of III · South + West Chicago

The Chicago Major Hosts

Olympia Fields + Medinah + Cog Hill

Duration3 days

Total drive60 mi

Tariff$$$

Approx. $2,800 / person, 3 days. Olympia Fields + Medinah are sponsored-play; Cog Hill Dubsdread is public.

Day
1
Olympia Fields Country Club
Day 1 · Olympia Fields North
Fly into ORD. Stay south side. Willie Park Jr. 1922. 2003 U.S. Open, 2020 BMW.
- Olympia Fields Country Club
  Olympia Fields North Course, Willie Park Jr. 1922.
Day
2
Medinah Country Club
Day 2 · Medinah No. 3
Western suburbs. Tom Bendelow 1928 / OCM redesign 2019. Three PGAs + the 2012 Ryder Cup.
- Medinah Country Club
  Medinah Country Club No. 3, OCM redesign 2019.
Day
3
Olympia Fields Country Club
Day 3 · Cog Hill Dubsdread
Lemont. Dick Wilson 1964. Public-access; multiple Western Opens / BMW Championships.
- Olympia Fields Country Club
  Cog Hill No. 4 Dubsdread, Dick Wilson 1964.

Route III of III · North Shore Hidden Pots

The Chicago Hidden Bench

Bob O'Link + Knollwood + Skokie

Duration3 days

Total drive30 mi

Tariff$$$

Approx. $3,000 / person, 3 days. The under-the-radar Chicago heritage clubs. Sponsored-play.

Day
1
Olympia Fields Country Club
Day 1 · Bob O'Link
Highland Park. Donald Ross 1915 / Tom Doak restoration. Men-only.
- Olympia Fields Country Club
  Bob O'Link Golf Club, Donald Ross 1915.
Day
2
Knollwood Club
Day 2 · Knollwood
Lake Forest. Charles Maud 1909, restored by Andrew Green.
- Knollwood Club
  Knollwood Club, Charles Maud 1909.
Day
3
Skokie Country Club
Day 3 · Skokie
Glencoe. Tom Bendelow 1904 / Donald Ross 1915 redesign. Hosted the 1922 U.S. Open.
- Skokie Country Club
  Skokie Country Club, Donald Ross 1915 redesign.