Tamarack Golf Club

Named after the hardy tree that defines its identity, Tamarack Golf Club opened in 1989 and is one of Naperville's three public golf courses. Architect David Gill designed the course, who also created Cress Creek, Village Links of Glen Ellyn, and Arlington Lakes. The track once stood tall in the Chicago golf scene. In fact, the course proudly claims it was named "Best New Public Golf Course of the Year" by Golf Digest upon its debut. This par-70 layout presents a formidable challenge from the back tees, stretching to 6900 yards with a rating of 73.8 and a slope of 139, comparable in difficulty to tough venues like Highlands of Elgin, Steeple Chase, and Chalet Hills.

However, over the years, Tamarack has developed a less-than-stellar reputation. Full disclosure, I have not personally played the course, but online photos (1, 2, 3, 4) and widespread golfer frustrations tell a story of neglect. Complaints frequently target the poor quality of the bunkers, rough tee boxes, rugged fairways, and subpar green maintenance. Some point to management by Arcis Corp. as a potential source of these conditioning issues, noting similar grievances at other Arcis-managed properties like the pricey Ruffled Feathers and the now-closed Fresh Meadow. To its credit, the course has tried creative strategies to attract players, such as "The Opening Shot" promotion started in 2022, offering a free pre-round cocktail. Despite this, be prepared for a potentially long day, as tee times are jammed only eight minutes apart, frequently leading to slow rounds.

Once you’re on the course, you’ll find the layout itself is quite demanding, a challenge made tougher by any maintenance shortcomings. The design is fairly flat and walkable, though most green fees include a cart. Water is a constant threat, with numerous ponds fed by the nearby DuPage River appearing throughout the round. While not heavily wooded, the course's primary defenses are these water hazards and the very penal bunkers. The par-70 track features five par 3s and three par 5s. You’ll also navigate around homes that line the course and even a cluster situated directly in the middle of the property.

Beyond the 18th green, the amenities are a mixed bag. Tamarack lacks a driving range, so you’ll need to warm up at nearby Naperbrook or Springbrook if you want to hit a bucket of balls. There is, however, a very large practice green available to dial in your short game. The clubhouse hosts a variety of events, and inside, the pro shop offers a modest selection of merchandise. In a quirky twist, the pro shop doubles as a full bar, meaning you'll check in for your tee time with the bartender. On a final, positive note, I can rank the hot dog here firmly in the top third of all Chicago-area golf courses.