Rend Lake is a Southern Illinois golf and recreation heaven
Rend Lake Recreation Complex is one of the few golf resorts in downstate Illinois. As part of the Conservancy District surrounding the 19,000-acre Rend Lake, the resort offers lodging, dining and all manner of outdoor activities.
Emeis Golf Course looks to vie for top Quad Cities 'hidden gem' title
For all of us not ready for prime-time players Emeis Golf Course in Davenport, Iowa, is arguably the best non-tournament-venue value in the entire Quad Cities area, with greens fees at $14-$18 ($11 extra for a cart). And recent renovations all but guarantee the city-owned track top "hidden gem" status for a while to come.
Crab Orchard G.C. the homiest stop on Southern Illinois Golf Trail
Crab Orchard may be the shortest and oldest of the courses on the Southern Illinois Golf Trail, but the layout is still a local favorite. Family-owned since 1972, the course boasts the best conditioning in southern Illinois and landscaping that will make weekend gardeners green with envy.
Revitalized Gambit Golf Club in Vienna aims for "golfing destination" status
The Gambit Golf Club has been known for nearly a decade as a nice piece of property with management issues that have kept it from reaching its full potential. A new owner has the drive, vision and bankroll to fulfill that potential, and the metamorphosis to bona fide golf destination has already begun.
Carbondale's Hickory Ridge defies stereotypes as a superb municipal golf course
One of the two absolute "must plays" on the Southern Illinois Golf Trail is Hickory Ridge in Carbondale. This excellent 6,863-yard municipal golf course not only offers a solid challenge to power-hitters and shot-makers alike, it is home to an admirable kids' golf program as well as the Southern Illinois University Women's Golf Team.
Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort: One killer view compliments brutal course design
Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort bills itself as "Southern Illinois' Most Scenic Golf Course," and for good reason. The vista behind the 11th green is likely the best you'll see on any course with $35 green fees. Stone Creek is a fine stop on the Southern Illinois Golf Trail, and the only true golf resort in far-southern Illinois.
Marion's Kokopelli Golf Club is finally living up to its potential
Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion has seen its share of ups and downs over the past 10 years. Now, under new ownership that includes course architect Steve Smyers, the promising southern Illinois golf course is finally reaching its full potential.
Highland Springs G.C. in Rock Island: Everything a park district course should be
Aside from bringing golfers closer to nature — and at least one golfer closer to his maker — Highland Springs Golf Course offers plenty of other services to the golfing public, not least of which is a 6,777-yard design with a handful of very memorable holes. It's also ideal for outings.
Byron Hills Golf Course is a picturesque Quad Cities layout
There are golf courses that you like to play because they push you to the limit. Then there are courses that you enjoy playing simply because they're pleasant, relaxing and even, well, pretty. Byron Hills Golf Course just outside the Quad Cities in Illinois is one of those latter tracks.
- TPC at Deere Run: Play the golf course that felled Michelle Wie
- Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon keeps getting better
- Red Tail Run Golf Club by Ray Floyd is crown jewel of Decatur parks
- Public Brookhill and Willow Pond golf courses shine in Champaign-Urbana
- The Den at Fox Creek makes Bloomington-Normal a legit golf destination
- Ironwood Golf Course in Normal is nice, but normal
- Angus Links in Windsor serves up a tasty round of Central Illinois golf
- Short but not too sweet: Trees a test at Highland Park Golf Course in Bloomington
- Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington is challenging but fair
- Illinois State University Golf Course in Normal is a shot-maker's dream
- Mistwood Golf Club emerges out the mist of severe financial storm
- Piper Glen G.C. in Springfield, Ill., deserves critical praise
- For $30 you can golf where the pros play: The Rail in Springfield
- Decatur's Hickory Point G.C. home to Futures Tour event
- Decatur's Scovill Golf Club a shot-maker's muni
- Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield: Better than a night at the theater
- Favorite Chicago-area golf courses are flourishing after renovations
- RailSide Golf Club in Gibson City: Golf oasis in a corn field desert
- Ironhorse Golf Club: East-central Illinois' "new" upscale public
- Historic St. Andrews golf course in West Chicago shoots high, scores decent
- Stone Creek in a class by itself in Champaign-Urbana
- Lake of the Woods offers best value and hills in central Illinois
- Go Orange! Go Blue! Illini courses offer great value
- Ugly duckling Thunderbird Country Club turns into a swan with Makray Memorial
- Cantigny Youth Links is not your father's golf course
- Remoteness, odd layout add to mystique of The Bourne
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn gets good marks from regular golfers after $5 million renovation
- Whispering ThunderHawk is music to Illinois golfers' ears
- Orchard Valley Golf Course: Not your father's muni
- Chicago suburb brings big golf to small town
- From garbage to golf, Harborside is a study in urban renewal
- Chicago area course inspired by golf's greatest holes
- The TPC at Deere Run is a big deal in Quad Cities
- Indian Lakes Resort gets new lease on life
- St. Andrews Golf Club Filled with 36 Holes of Midwestern Charm
- Cog Hill's Dubsdread Course, home of the Western Open
- Stonewall Orchard is a thinking man's course
- Suburban style golfing in the country
- Lake of the Woods Golf Club offers a player-friendly track
- One Visit to The General, and You Won't Believe You're Still in Illinois
- Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo: An Unforgettable Golf Story
- The Arboretum Club
- Aspen Ridge Golf Course: A Pleasant Surprise Near Chicago
- Big Run Golf Club
- Going inside the private, male-only Black Sheep Golf Club
- Carillon Golf Club
- Chicagoland Becoming a Popular Golf Destination
- Cinder Ridge Golf Course
- The Den at Fox Creek: Walking in Arnie's Footsteps
- The Glen Club: Chicago's Nationally Ranked Resor
- Kemper Lakes Golf Club: Even Better Live than on Television
- Kokopelli Golf Club: This Southern Illinois Trickster is a Real Treat
- Fly First Class at La Grange Country Club
- Mistwood Golf Course
- Pine Meadow Golf Club: A Must-Play for the Traveling Golfer
- Purgatory Golf Club: A Superb Golfing Experience
- Quail Chase Golf Club: Louisville's Best Bet for Golf
- The Rail Golf Club: Bunkers Tell the Story
- Ruffled Feathers Golf Club: A Nice Escape from the City Life
- Shepherd's Crook Golf Course: Head North to a Golfer's Paradise
- The Glen Club: Chicago's Nationally Ranked Resort
- Water's Edge Golf Course: Take the Plunge for Great Golf
- Whisper Creek Golf Course
- White Deer Run Golf Club
