Glencoe Golf Club

Glencoe Golf Club, owned by the Village of Glencoe and situated next to the beautiful Chicago Botanical Garden, is a historic 18-hole course, the 9th oldest among over 160 18-hole courses in the Chicagoland area by my count. It recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary! The first nine holes opened in 1922, followed by the second nine in 1925. Originally designed by George O’Neil, the course underwent redesigns by Kenneth Killian and Dick Nugent in 1964 and again in 1978. A 1929 Lake County Register article stated that weekday play cost $1, while weekend play cost $2. You can see the aforementioned gardens through the fence on the 6th hole.

The pro shop and dining facilities are over 100 years old and show their age, with discussions for new facilities dating back to at least 2012. In April 2023, Glencoe voters approved a $15 million bond sale for a significant facility makeover, including a new clubhouse and pro shop designed by FGMArchitects. The current plan involves demolishing the existing clubhouse in the spring of 2025, with the new clubhouse anticipated to open in the summer of 2026. You can follow their progress on the course’s project updates page.

The track is a par-72 course measuring 6,601 yards, with a course rating of 72.3 and a slope of 133 from the back tees. It is comparable in difficulty to Bonnie Brook, Sunset Valley, and Naperbrook golf courses. The layout features three par-5s and three par-3s, with the first hole -- a 406-yard par-4 -- being the most challenging. Not exactly a gentle handshake to start things off. The course is tight, with limited space between holes and several parallel fairways. Its primary defenses are narrow, tree-lined fairways and numerous bunkers, with water coming into play on five holes. While the terrain includes gentle hills, it lacks significant elevation changes. The entire property is dedicated to golf -- no homes on-site here. Glencoe is manicured well, and I consider the course to be very walkable.

Solid practice facilities can be found here, including a short driving range of approximately 260 yards where driver use is restricted. I know you’re a big hitter, since you’ve been hitting the gym a lot, but leave the big dog in the bag for now. The range is supplemented by two hitting nets. Multiple practice greens are available for short game work, along with a practice bunker. Currently, the club operates with two main buildings: one housing the pro shop and another for the clubhouse and restaurant. As noted previously, these structures show their age, with plans for replacement in progress. The pro shop carries a good selection of merchandise, featuring items with the Glencoe branding as well as non-logo options.