Big Run Golf Club

Big Run Golf Club in Lockport, Illinois, doesn’t try to dazzle you when you arrive, and that’s part of the charm. A modest parking lot and some understated signage are your first impressions. But once you step onto the course, it's clear you’re in for something far more intense. There's truth in advertising at Big Run; this course is long if you want to play it that way. Plus, this is one of the hilliest tracks in the entire Chicagoland area (perhaps the hilliest), with dramatic elevation changes that shape nearly every shot. Two par-5s stretch over 600 yards, and the full layout from the back tees hits 7,050 yards with a course rating of 74.6 and a slope of 142. It’s quietly tied for the 11th hardest course in Chicagoland, right up there with Thunderhawk, Seven Bridges, and Foxford Hills in terms of challenge.

Originally opened in 1930, Big Run was designed by C.H. Muelenford and legendary golfer Sam Snead, then reworked in the 1980s by Dick Nugent and Ken Killian. Much of the original character remains intact. That’s true for the clubhouse too, for better or worse. Inside, it feels like a walk back in time, with ubiquitous wood paneling, wall-to-wall carpet, and a large, old-school restaurant space anchoring the building. The pro shop is smallish but efficiently stocked, and there’s a large locker room tucked away downstairs. A single practice green sits near the clubhouse, but there’s no driving range, which is unfortunate for a layout this tough -- but nearby options like Old Oak and Cog Hill can cover that need.

The course itself is a true test: full of blind shots and subtle traps for the uninitiated. Knowledge of the layout really helps, especially on signature holes like No. 9 -- a 610-yard monster with uphill and downhill movement before finishing on a multi-tiered green. The par-5s here aren’t opportunities; they’re battles, ranked as the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 9th hardest holes on the card. Even the par-3s offer little relief, with two stretching over 200 yards from the tips. It’s not a course for players who rely on seeing everything in front of them.

Course conditioning does show its age, with some worn areas, less-than-immaculate greens, and bunkers that could use attention. Five ponds and Long Run Creek add additional natural difficulty, as if it needed more. Given the hills, it's a tough walk, too, especially on a hot day, so carts are the norm and included with green fee. Tee times are spaced at a reasonable 10-minute interval, helping even out pace of play.

Strangely, Big Run is now owned by CITGO, which acquired it in 2024 as part of a greenbelt expansion around its Lemont refinery nearby to the northwest. What that means for the future of the course remains uncertain. One curious feature that hasn’t changed is the heavy use of Native American imagery -- the venue logo, the giant totem pole at the clubhouse, and scattered decor raise questions that the facility doesn’t directly address. Obviously, various tribes occupied this land long before golf existed, but I’d love to know more about this specific history. That aside, Big Run remains one of the most physically demanding and mentally exhausting rounds in the area -- an old-school test that pulls no punches.