Twin Lakes Golf Course

Twin Lakes Golf Course Overview
This executive (short) 9-hole course is in Palatine and owned by the Salt Creek Rural Park District. The twin lakes reference Lake Irene and Doughnut Lake, which surround the clubhouse area to the west and east, respectively. Don’t confuse this place with the identically named Twin Lakes golf course in Westmont, which is about 30 minutes south of here.

Measured at 1,460 yards, Twin Lakes is the kind of course you hope to squeeze into an otherwise busy day. There’s two par-4’s here, and the rest of the holes are par-3’s, with the longest of those clocking in at 180 yards. Par is 29 and things start off with a bang. The first hole is the most difficult, and quite daunting from the back tees, with a long carry over the calm waters of Lake Irene. It’s about 250 yards to the center of the green, but protected by bunkers in front and back. Or you can aim for the fairway, but that’s still over 200 yards into a fairway that’s under 25 yards wide.

There’s a driving range here and it’s unique in that you hit balls into the water of Lake Irene. A small practice green is next to the clubhouse. There’s a restaurant and a large outdoor patio area with dozens of tables at the clubhouse too. You can rent paddle boats to explore Doughnut Lake if you like, along with playgrounds and volleyball courts at the recreational area.