Golf Club of Illinois

Tee Time: 1:20 on a Saturday ($35). My second time playing Golf Club of Illinois (the first time was earlier this year). Don't let the vague name fool you, this is a great links style course. Small rolling hills, wild grasses, and bunkers make GCI a fun track to play. The best part though has to be the greens which are sneaky fast and roll true. I don't know if I have a favorite hole, but I will say that the Par 3's are enjoyable and the 18th is a great way to finish out the round. This course is about a 30 minute drive from my house, but well worth it. Hit the on-site range if you're looking to get some practice in before and make sure to get a few putts in too (seriously)!

Bought a tee time to introduce a friend to the course which I have played before. Unfortunately it rained the day we played (can't blame GCI for that). The course holds up really well in the rain and with no one else on the course, the pace of play was as fast (or slow) as we wanted. The course can be demanding in windy conditions placing a premium on low boring shots into the wind. The only trees are those that line the course but there is plenty of tall fescue to catch and hide your golf ball. Tip -->> bring extra golf balls "just in case". There are multiple tee boxes so the course accommodates golfers with all skill levels. The club staff were all very pleasant and friendly. The only negatives were the condition of the driving range (lousy tee boxes), some of distance markers on the course were suspect and last several of the tees on the course were soft and mushy - most likely due to rain and that lack of mowing on the day we played. It is a course that you have to play twice so on the second round you know what to expect on each hole. Remember to pick up a course book in the pro shop before your round.

Fairly challenging but fun course. We played the day of the course championship, so greens very very quick, although the pins were in random locations so it was hard to get a true distance to the pin. Most holes were straight, but bunkers and hills made it interesting. A lot of balls rolled off the hard, fast greens. Saw the cart girl many times and beer was reasonable. The driving range is grass, but basically sand in all areas and hard to hit from. Wish the carts had GPS.

First time playing. No sand in the bunkers and greens rock hard. Approach shots landed in front of greens and rolled off the back. No need to fix ball marks as none were made during the round. Seems like it's a nice course just the conditions turned me off. Beautiful day but no cart girl or water jugs to drink from on the whole course. It's was a Saturday and I would think someone would be out servicing golfers. Clubhouse staff was very nice and food was good!

Pace of play was a 5 1/2 hour round. Marshals did nothing to help. 8 people playing in the same group. Greens had dirt showing in bare places. Terrible experience. I wouldn't pay $30 to play this course much less the $47 they charge. Never again.

Father's Day and it was busy. We played early. The groups in front of us were a little slow. Course was in very good condition. Lots of variety on this course. Several very long par 4's and the longest par 5 in most of Illinois at 647 from next to back set of tees. As a link style course wind is always a factor. Highly recommend (pricing is very good for this course).

Pace of play was awful. We had to ask an employee to tell a group of guys to let us play through. They were taking 9+ shots each to get to the green and were constantly searching the tall grass for balls. The cart girl didn't move. She sat on one hole on the back, we didn't see her until hole 12 and she never moved, said hi, looked up from her phone, etc. I went in to grab a beer at the turn with my buddy, he was served immediately, then she walked away, served two other people that were sitting at the bar, then served a golf course employee, then asked me what I wanted... It was just a Bud Light.

The course was in great condition and the greens were awesome. The experience was enough where I probably won't be back.

Many people criticize GCI for being "boring." Every time I have played here, I have found it anything but boring. All of the courses in McHenry County have fairways that are lined with mature trees. GCI is the one "links style" course that is a change in scenery from the other courses. The course itself has a good variety of holes with there being trouble with fescue, water, or OB on almost all of the holes.

The course is mostly flat with some changes in elevation into the greens. There is "normal" rough and then there are areas of fescue. The fescue was mowed when we played so it was easier to find your ball. However, during a normal round earlier in the year, it can be thick and almost impossible to find any wayward shots that enter those areas. Accuracy is a must in order to play well here.

When we played, the greens were very very firm and were not holding our approach shots. They were rolling fast and smooth. I was pleasantly surprised with how well they rolled this late in the year. Each green has some form of undulation or slope to it. Very rarely will you have a flat/straight putt on this course. The greens are also very well protected by bunkers and thick rough.

I have walked this course numerous times in the past. With it being relatively flat and the tee boxes being close to the previous hole's green, it is one of the better courses in the area to walk.

I rated the pace of play as average based on past experiences. On this day in the fall, we flew around the front 9 but ran into delays on each hole on the back 9. I would be lying if I said this was an anomaly. Numerous times the pace of play is much better on the front than on the back. I would assume that this is because in my opinion, the back 9 plays much longer and much more difficult than the front 9.

While this is not a course I would want to play every day or even every week, it is a course that my group works into its monthly rotation. The Golfnow Hot Deal around noon for $20 is very hard to beat. If you play here, just set aside some extra time in case you run into a log-jam on the back 9.

First, I got a good deal on GolfNow. Entered the proshop and was told prepaid tee times must tee off only at their designated time. While this was slightly rude, I assumed they were busy. Left the shop and found golf carts with questionable tires. Surprised that it was a fastest golf cart I ever had. Practiced on the greens - very slick! Bar had a cookout going on with burgers, pretty tasty.

I have not played the course in years, so it was a bit challenging to find the correct tee boxes - not the best marked course. While the course itself is modest looking its greens are true and fast. Constantly was waiting on the group in front...hackers, until I skipped the 8th. After that, had a decent pace and an enjoyable round. Fair course, fast greens, absolutely worth the $34.

Course was in great shape. No leaves and the greens were very quick. highly recommended.

Course is in great shape, great value
Golfnow rate $20 was a steal

We are a group of 8 guys that play a different course each week. We like the layout, and would play here more often, but there are a few things that are not acceptable. 1. The sand traps are very poor, especially the fairway bunker on the left side of the 14th hole, it has large rocks that would damage your clubs. 2. The on course bathroom had no light in it so you have to leave the door open or whiz in the dark. We played here earlier this season and it was the same way, I thought it would be fixed by now. 3. The clubhouse smells musty and is in need of a good cleaning. I rated food and beverages as average, because we only had a few drinks after the rounds, but I am not sure I would have them cook anything for me. On the plus side the course appears easy, but is a good test of golf partially due to the the rough which in some areas can be a tough to play out of. I would recommend this to a friend, but would explain the negatives up front so they can decide if they want to go there.

I just can't get into this course. It doesn't seem to have any beauty to it. It's just a boring dry course.

Course in great condition. Prevailing winds make some of the holes play really long. If it's a windy day, check your ego, and play a tee box more appropriate, and you'll have a much better time.

Try Golf Club of Illinois. Not your tree lined suburban course. Wide fairways that punish you with shots
into the long grass. Small greens that are fast and sloped . Great challenge to add for a weekend challenge

Great course, but need to play again because I did not know the layout which caused for a poor scoring day.

Always like this course, wide open big fairways. They could use water to drink on the course and a cart person which theyhave neither of.

This was a excellent value today due to the Golfnow promotion! Course was in good shape, the greens were a bit spiked up...

Course is in great shape, very challenging and the greens hold and roll true. Have lived very close to this course for 15 years and have played it often. Haven't played more than once a year or so in the last few because of slow play.

It a shame because it a nice course, friendly staff and an otherwise great experience. Not nearly as crowded as it used to be because, I would think, the time it takes to get around. If they'd put a real effort into marshaling the course, this place could be a great destination.

I last played this course 20 years ago and I hated it. Since then my game has improved and I thought I would try it again. The price was incredible so I thought I had nothing to lose. I was paired with a couple and another single who had never played the course. Watching him i soon remembered why I disliked it the first time. The prairie grass can make it a very tough day. Keeping the ball in play is a must.

The course was in very good condition due to all of the recent rain. There were only a few minor complaints a couple traps with water and the numerous impressions near the hole from all of the new spike-less shoes.

The facilities were comfortable and the bar/restaurant was full after my round. Had a good time and looking forward to bringing my friends next time.