Chicago Golf Travel: Explore the Courses, the Food and the City

It’s time to learn more about the middle of the map!

 Chicago, aka The Windy City, isn’t often considered a golf trip destination and is sometimes even overlooked as a major tourist destination at all. The countless incredible restaurants, unbelievable tourist sites, and awesome public golf courses tell us otherwise. And golf fans at the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah are about to find out why. 

Do not come to the Windy City without your golf clubs. Old-timers will tell you about the now-closed Illinois Center Golf Course, a 9-hole par-3 course with an island green designed by Perry Dye, located basically downtown (Think Wacker, Columbus, and Randolph), but Chicagoland still has an unbelievable number of awesome courses within an hour of the city

If you’re here just to play some fun, unique golf, you’re in luck. How does playing a course with a gigantic anchor green sound to you? Do you like views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline? Then you’ll love Harborside International Golf Center. Featuring 36-holes of incredible golf just 25 minutes south of downtown, Harborside is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a fun round before you head off to experience all the other incredible things Chicago has to offer.

There aren’t many public courses that can say Tiger Woods won a tournament here, and even fewer that can say Tiger won here FIVE times. Cog Hill Golf and Country Club is one of those courses (Torrey Pines and Doral are also on that list). Cog Hill features 72 holes of incredible golf highlighted by the impressive No. 4 Course, Dubsdread. And while Cog Hill has many prestigious accolades, it remains committed to being a facility made for you to enjoy. 

Is it a community park or is it a golf course? The Evans at Canal Shores works as both. Weaving through Evanston and Wilmette along the banks of the North Shore Channel, Canal Shores provides a golf experience unlike any other. Named to reflect the deep connection to the namesake of the Evans Scholars Foundation, Chick Evans, who attended high school in Evanston and became one of the greatest amateur golfers of all time. The Evans is deeply connected to the community and the game; you’ll see and feel it as you weave across streets and through neighborhoods while playing the fun new layout. Added bonus: you can bring your dog to play along with you! 

Head west out of Chicago, and you’ll soon run into a special piece of land housing 27 holes of golf. Cantigny. Named “Best New Public Course in America” when it first opened, Cantigny continues to merit being on any Chicago visitors must-play list with its fun layout. Add in all the incredible amenities they’ve added during the recent renovation, and you might want to plan a couple of days at Cantigny during your trip.

Other fun courses to visit include Arrowhead Golf Course, Bolingbrook Golf Club, George W. Dunne National, Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, Thunderhawk Golf Club, The Highlands of Elgin and Ruffled Feathers Golf Club.

 If you’re all about classic golf architecture, you’ll be in heaven in Chicago. While private club stalwarts like Chicago Golf Club and Shore Acres often get the spotlight, many public courses can hold their own in this conversation.

Ravisloe Country Club on the southwest side features a classic Donald Ross layout rarely available to public golfers. With rolling mounds, deep bunkering and challenging greens, Ravisloe takes players back in time with its classic golf architecture. Adding to the fun is Hawk’s Hollow, holes 14 – 16, where “Rossy” the hawk challenges players to make par on every hole.

While we often look to the golden-age architects for the best courses, modern architects are also creating awesome new courses. Think of names like Doak, Coore & Crenshaw, Hanse and Fazio. Visitors would have to drive up to Sand Valley to experience the first few, but Chicagoland features an impressive Fazio creation you can play at The Glen Club. Boasting rolling terrain, dramatic elevation changes, peaceful lakes, winding streams, and stunning views (even a distant glimpse of the iconic Chicago skyline on clear days), The Glen Club’s engaging layout makes the most of this special property. 

Another unique course is the renovated Sunset Valley Golf Club on the north shore. Once a course where the greats like Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour and Jock Hutchinson competed, Sunset Valley had lost a bit of its allure until architect Rick Jacobson returned it to its 1920s architectural roots. Now, you can tee it up on this classic British heathland design with strategic landforms, flowing masses of native grasses, and groves of trees that harken back to the character and aesthetics of a 1920s-era Chicago golf course.

Often you’ll have to head across the pond or to a historic country club to experience classic template holes like a Redan, Punchbowl and Biarritz, but you can experience them without the fuss at Mt. Prospect Golf Club. Architect David Esler drew inspiration from the greats like Seth Raynor, Charles MacDonald, and Donald Ross, integrating classic design elements that pay homage to early 20th-century golf architecture. The result is incredible and you’ll think you’re playing a historic golden age course.

Other courses that feature cool course architecture include the Langford and Moreau classic Kankakee Elks Country Club, Mistwood Golf Club and its St. Andrews-style sod-wall bunkers, and Keith Foster’s hidden gem, Shepherd’s Crook.

No trip to Chicago is complete without visiting a few of these tourist sites. At the top of the list should be a visit to Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”. Chicago is known for its architecture, and incredible boat tours cruise the Chicago River while guides share the city’s rich history. Another highlight is visiting the once-tallest building in the world, the Willis Tower. 

If you’re interested in museums, Chicago features some of the best, including the Field Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry, and the Art Institute. If you love sports, a trip to see Wrigley Field, the United Center, Soldier Field, and Guaranteed Rate Field is a must, and planning your trip around games is highly recommended.

You must save time to eat during your time in Chicago and there’s truly something for everything in this culinary city. One thing that might surprise you is the sheer variety of options. Burgers from Au Cheval, sandwiches from J.D. Graziano’s, tacos from Carino. Even a staple like Chicago pizza has options; you’d likely picture a deep-dish pie as you’d find at Lou Malnati's or Giordano's, but you’ll be surprised to find other creations like Pequod's with their caramelized crusts, or Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, home of the pizza pot pie (and amazing Mediterranean bread).

The same goes for Chicago Hot Dogs. While you would expect a classic Chicago Dog with all the fixings like at Superdawg or Portillo’s, local favorites like Weiner's Circle and their Chardawg, and Jimmy’s Red Hots and their delicious Polish, show off the city’s versatility. Most neighborhoods have their own go-to spot, so it’s best to ask around and make the most of the Midwestern hospitality.