Tanna Farms Golf Club

Located out west in Kane County, Tanna Farms Golf Club presents one of the more polarizing golf experiences in the Chicagoland area. This 18-hole layout, designed by Roy Case who also created the neighboring Mill Creek course and plenty of other layouts nationwide, opened as a 9-hole facility in 2001. It then expanded to its current configuration in 2008 according to the course general manager. Owned by the Shodeen Group and operated by GolfVisions, the course was developed alongside the expansive residential community that surrounds it, traveling between homes much like its sister course next door, Mill Creek. The two courses have a lot in common.

Golfers have strong opinions about this place, often negative, and those vibes may start the moment you pull in. You immediately notice the signature hole staring back at you: an island green par-3 that serves as your opening shot. This unusual start continues with a par-5 and then another par-3, creating what many consider anything but a gentle handshake to begin the round. With no driving range on property and only one small practice green next to the clubhouse, players find themselves tackling this tough water-surrounded target with minimal warm-up opportunity. The course's unusual par-71 layout features six par-3s and five par-5s, creating a peculiar 34-37 front-to-back nine split that's rather unique in golf course design.

At 6,510 yards with a rating of 72 and slope of 131 from the back tees, Tanna Farms demands precision over power across its somewhat hilly terrain. Many holes feel constrained, leading to jokes about leaving your driver in the trunk since you can't hit it when you feel like you should be able to. This is target golf at its most demanding, a shotmaker's course where you must hit specific landing spots. If you play "grip it and rip it" and hope for the best, this place punishes you with its abundant water hazards and wild grass areas. Tons of water comes into play here, with 12 holes where your ball could end up in the drink. The course can feel frustratingly restrictive due to homes lining fairways throughout the property, sometimes on both sides of a hole. With about three miles of cart paths connecting holes (in addition to the course length), this course isn't very walkable and would be a serious workout on a hot day. At least there are few trees to worry about.

The facility centers around a huge unmistakable red barn-inspired clubhouse housing both a large pro shop and the Tanna Tap restaurant. While the pro shop has a substantial footprint, it doesn't carry much merchandise beyond basic shirts, hats, and golf essentials. The restaurant has gone through several iterations, previously operating as TF Boonies, a western-themed honky tonk style establishment, before becoming the Tanna Tap serving American food bar classics. However, for a place with Tap in the name, they only have six beers on tap, which is underwhelming. Speaking of liquids, players should come well-prepared with fluids here, as there are no water stations on the course (last I checked) and the beverage cart is rarely seen during play. The course operates with 8.5-minute tee time spacing, and once you start playing hole one, you won't visit the clubhouse again until your round is complete. For practice facilities, golfers can tune up at the driving range next door at Mill Creek Golf Club, as Tanna Farms offers no range of its own.