Top 10 Longest Public Golf Courses in Chicagoland

The undisputed boss monster of Chicagoland public golf, Cog Hill's Dubsdread stretches to a monster 7,554 yards from the black tees. This is the course where legends are made and scorecards are destroyed.

Dubsdread earned its fearsome reputation through decades of hosting professional tournaments, including the Western Open (now BMW Championship) from 1991-2006. The course rating of 78.0 from the back tees confirms what golfers already know: this is an absolute beast that demands excellence in every facet of the game. And the 153 slope rating means it's backbreaking for bogey golfers.

At 7,262 yards, George W. Dunne National is a championship-caliber test that lives up to its "National" designation. This Dick Nugent and Ken Killian design opened in 1982 to rave reviews, with the goal to test the best golfers.

The course earns its spot near the top of this list not just through raw length, but through strategic design that forces you to think your way around. With a rating of 75.4, Dunne demands respect from the first tee to the 18th green.

Pine Meadow stretches across 7,221 yards of rolling terrain in Mundelein, presenting a demanding challenge that has earned it recognition as one of the area's premier public facilities. The course combines length with strategic design to create a memorable test.

With a course rating of 74.8, Pine Meadow sits comfortably in the same difficulty class as The Glen Club, Seven Bridges, and Mistwood. The layout requires both power and precision, with strategic bunkering and water hazards keeping even long hitters honest.

Village Links' 18-hole course travels an impressive 7,208 yards, making it the longest municipally-owned course in Chicagoland. The course has an excellent practice facility with a grass-tee range and a dedicated short game area.

The layout features rolling terrain with tree-lined fairways and well-protected greens. It's a favorite among serious golfers in DuPage County who want championship-caliber golf without championship-caliber prices.

The Glen Club is perhaps the most prestigious public golf course in the Chicago area. This Tom Fazio offering was built on the former Glenview Naval Air Station and offers an experience that rivals private clubs in the region.

At 7,170 yards, The Glen Club combines length with pure conditioning and world-class design. The course has hosted numerous professional events and consistently ranks among the top public courses in Illinois and the entire Midwest.

White Deer Run in Vernon Hills runs 7,149 yards from the back tees, making it one of the longest courses in Lake County. The layout winds through wetlands and mature trees, creating a diverse and challenging round.

With 16 ponds, water comes into play on numerous holes. The track was built in 1998 by Dick Nugent and his son Tim. The course is well-maintained and offers a quality experience with a great practice area to tune-up your game.

This masterpiece of a course in Grayslake was designed by storied golf course architect Arthur Hills, who in his lifetime designed over 200 new golf courses all over the world. The beautifully maintained property has hosted 4 US Open qualifying tournaments (2003, 2005, 2009, 2015).

The layout is tucked into a veritable forest of over 60,000 trees. Each hole is thoughtfully designed and requires a deliberate strategy to score well. Water encroaches on 10 holes, and the greens are notoriously tricky. The par-5 18th hole is a real classic and the longest on the course, providing drama that will test every aspect of your game.

The Port course at Harborside International measures 7,123 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 74.6 and a slope of 137. Architect Dick Nugent designed this links-style layout to emulate traditional Scottish or English seaside courses.

The facility was constructed on 428 acres of former landfill and garbage dump, involving moving 3 million yards of dirt. Nugent stated, "wind is the hidden hazard here," and he wasn't joking. It's usually windy here, which is when this place really bares its teeth. The 15th hole, a par-3 famously dubbed the "Anchor hole," serves as the course's centerpiece, featuring a green and surrounding bunkers meticulously designed to mimic the shape of a massive anchor.

As the name suggests, Seven Bridges is defined by its abundance of aquatic hazards, with water coming into play on 14 of the 18 holes. Designed by Dick Nugent, the course is bisected by the East Branch of the DuPage River, which flows north to south through the center of the property.

Stretching 7,111 yards from the back tees, the course demands both distance and precision to avoid sending your ball into the drink. With a course rating of 74.6 and a slope of 144, it sits in the same tier of difficulty as renowned local tracks like The Glen Club and Mistwood. Despite the challenge, the design features memorable aesthetic details, such as the unique heart-shaped bunkers that frame the green on the 579-yard 9th hole.

Bolingbrook Golf Club is a premier Chicagoland destination, offering an impressive Arthur Hills design that demands precision across its rolling links-style layout. Water comes into play on twelve holes, complementing strategic bunkering and signature tests like the grueling 600-yard 5th and the famous island green on the par-3 15th. Typically playing 7,104 yards, the course requires accurate shot placement to navigate its scenic but punishing challenges.

The club recently cemented its status on the world stage by hosting LIV Golf Chicago in 2024 and 2025, where the course was tipped out to a championship-caliber 7,141 yards. Off the course, the experience is equally impressive, anchored by a massive 76,000-square-foot clubhouse and the acclaimed Nest Bar and Grill.