One of my favorite public courses in the Chicagoland area. Tips play at about 6950 yards. Middle tees from 6400-6600. Greens were running pretty fast during the end of summer. Lot of elevation changes and wide fairways. A few doglegs as well. Not a whole lot of water besides the one par 3 over a pond. Definitely the most bang for your buck when playing 18 holes.

Friendly staff and course is in fairly decent shape, especially for the price. Driving holes are wide and the rough is very manageable, so good times for bombers who don't have the best accuracy. Plenty of sand which you can mostly avoid if you play for the miss. Sand quality has become inconsistent between traps, but playable. The greens are sneaky and can be a little frustrating when it breaks way further or much less than you were expecting. And just when you think you've figured it out, that 6 inch break is actually a straight putt. They're fairly true, but depending on the pin placement, do expect to scratch your head a bit when you 3 putt, if you aren't totally excellent at reading greens. The range is massive with limited shade and mats were refreshed so that is nice. Good golf and good times. Totally worth the drive from Chicago.

Highland Woods Golf Course is located in Hoffman Estates, IL which is 30 miles Northwest of downtown Chicago. With this location comes great natural landscape beauty and elevation changes that make this a beautiful, fun course to play. I started at the large (48 bays) driving range that also has lights for evening practice. It was designed by respected golf course architect William J. Spear in 1975 and had several significant updates throughout the years. Spears designed 35 courses in his career, most in the upper Midwest and he’s known for using the natural landscape features to help distinguish the character of each hole. This course is built on the highest point in Cook County which gave Spears a lot more interesting canvas to build on. I played the White tees which are 6,490 yards with a 71.7 rating and a 119 slope. This is probably the most difficult Chicago Forest Preserve Golf Course, the very wide fairways and large greens make it accessible for any level handicap. I also like the Forest Preserve’s commitment to sustainability with its Guard Our Forest Greens program (#EcoForEveryone). It’s mission is to “create an ecological balance through sustainability and restoration.” It certainly appears like their mission is fulfilled when I walked this course. It’s in great shape and the wildlife is abundant. The course is managed by Indigo Sports, a Troon company. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are all lush (June in Chicago). The greens were excellent in that they were fast and pure, but not slate-fast. The elevation changes made it a lot more fun (great exercise if you’re a walker), but it also added a layer of difficulty. The pace of play was very good (4-hour round). The staff in the clubhouse is very friendly and the food and drink is good and priced fairly. I live in the city so driving out to Hoffman Estates isn’t convenient, but that said, I love this course and I will make the trip a few more times this summer and fall. I am an FPGC holder (Forest Preserve Golf Card) and I’m also a senior who enjoys walking. With all these advantages it cost $20 to play 18-holes here! It’s an unbelievable value and a wonderful golf experience.

Booked a tee time on their website, no where does it say anything about closing time and when they want you out. Payed for 18 got 5 holes in before they come and find you on the course and tell you to leave. Was told by manager ”do my research”. Was given a rain check on 4 holes I didn’t get to finish due to being behind slower groups. Would have loved to golf here. Never will be back

Played for my first and was quite pleased with the whole golf experience from start to finish. The staff was friendly and the club house well organized with quality golf item for sale. Did I mentioned that the grill has Johnsonville bratwurst! Best dam bratwurst available to mankind! The course it self was somewhat manageable but the greens were well cared for and the greens were fast! Definitely would come and play this course against soon