Thunderhawk Golf Club

Nestled in northeastern Lake County just 3.5 miles from the Wisconsin border, Thunderhawk Golf Course stands as a testament to environmental golf design and natural beauty. The course was designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., who Newsweek magazine described as "the father of the environmental golf movement," with construction beginning in 1996 and opening to the public in 1999. Owned by the Lake County Forest Preserves, Thunderhawk has earned recognition from the Audubon Society as a Signature Sanctuary Course, highlighting its commitment to preserving and showcasing the area's natural splendor.

The par-72 layout stretches 7,031 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 74.2 and slope of 141, featuring a routing of five par-5s and five par-3s that takes full advantage of the hilly terrain. Bolingbrook, Golf Club of Illinois, and The Preserve at Oak Meadows are comparable in terms of course difficulty. The course is maintained in excellent condition and offers large fairways with generous bail-out areas, though each hole feels like a solitary challenge as they're spaced far apart with veritable forests separating them. This spacing creates a peaceful experience for each shot but makes walking the course arduous, despite carts not being included in the green fee. Water comes into play on seven holes throughout the round, adding strategic elements to the already demanding layout.

The signature hole is the climactic par-5 18th, which plays 600 yards from the tips and winds through what architect Jones described as "an amphitheater of oak trees," providing a dramatic finish to the round. The course's practice facilities include a grass tee driving range with the thoughtful addition of a practice bunker for fairway bunker shots, along with a small green near the range for short game work, though this green could benefit from being larger. A much more substantial putting green is located near the first tee.

The large, modern clubhouse serves as more than just a golf facility, hosting events and weddings while featuring a well-stocked pro shop with extensive merchandise and everything you need to have a great day on the course. Thunderhawk successfully combines Jones Jr.'s environmental design philosophy with challenging golf, creating a unique destination where players can enjoy both the game and the natural sanctuary that surrounds each hole.