Lake Forest, Illinois, is a quaint destination for those looking to explore the outskirts of Chicago or take in the beauty of Lake Michigan. Lake Forest also offers a variety of fun activities, including all things golf!
Check out these eight golf courses in and around Lake Forest, Illinois, for your next golf outing.
Image via Flickr by Chris Urbanowicz
Deerpath Golf Course
At Deerpath Golf Course, you can practice your swing at the driving range or enjoy an afternoon of golf with family and friends on the 18-hole course. Deerpath also has a casual dining restaurant, the Sandwedge Grill, that you can visit at the end of your day. Here, you can get delicious classics like hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, sandwiches, fresh salads, and refreshing beverages. If you need new golf gear, this course also has a golf shop with apparel, golf accessories, clubs, and more.
Conway Farms Golf Club
As a member at Conway Farms Golf Club, you receive several benefits and amenities. Enjoy a day of golf on the 18-hole course spread out across 209 acres of land. As you move along, you can enjoy waterside views with a creek and lakes scattered throughout the course. There's also a golf shop where members can shop for golf apparel and accessories. In the clubhouse, you will find several sitting areas and an attached outdoor patio area where guests can relax and enjoy food and refreshments after a game of golf.
Knollwood Club
Founded in 1924, Knollwood Club has welcomed guests and golf enthusiasts through its doors for almost 100 years. This club is considered one of the best in Illinois, no doubt because of its state-of-the-art facilities and variety of amenities for guests to use. Also, if the name "Knollwood Club" sounds familiar, that's because it's been the host for multiple championship-level golf events, including the PGA and the USGA.
For golf lovers, you can enjoy Knollwood's beautiful course, which is lined with trees and water features, all the while playing on the same green as pro golfers like Tiger Woods. Members also have the luxury of eating at the club's fine dining restaurant throughout the day. If you need a break from golf, Knollwood Club also has racquetball courts, skeet shooting, cross country skiing (winter months only), and a swimming pool for hot summer days.
Onwentsia Club
Since 1895, Onwentsia Club has offered community activities and amenities to those in Lake Forest. What was once a simple, seven-hole golf course is now a large, sculpted course with a full 18 holes. Golfers partaking in a day out on the green can pick up essential accessories and apparel in the club's golf shop. Besides golf, members can also play a game of racquetball or go for a swim in the pool. Inside the clubhouse, guests can enjoy several amenities, including food and beverages.
Vernon Hills Golf Course
Just a 15-minute drive outside of Lake Forest is Vernon Hills Golf Course in Vernon Hills, Illinois. This nine-hole golf course offers guests a picturesque location to enjoy golfing with family or friends. You can also sign up for fun amateur tournaments and take part in golf clinics and other golfing events. In Vernon Hill's clubhouse, you'll find a golf shop where you can purchase apparel and accessories for your next tee time.
After playing a round of golf, the clubhouse's dining facility provides guests with a full-service bar and an all-day lunch menu. If there is a private event you want to celebrate, such as a birthday or wedding, Vernon Hills' clubhouse also doubles as an event venue.
Sunset Valley Golf Club
You'll find the Sunset Valley Golf Club in Highland Park, Illinois, about 15 minutes south of Lake Forest. This club offers 100 years of history in addition to its pristine green spaces. Here, you and your family or friends have access to an 18-hole course with varying levels of difficulty that provide the perfect challenge to golfers, regardless of their experience. Sunset Valley Golf Club also hosts the North Shore Amateur Golf Tournament each summer, which members may participate in to try and win the championship.
In addition, they also have men and women's golf leagues for those with a competitive edge. In the Sunset Valley Golf Club's clubhouse, you'll find their pro golf shop with accessories and apparel to purchase as needed. After a day of golfing, you can stop by the club's 13nintey Restaurant & Bar to enjoy craft beer, soda, and a full menu that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Bittersweet Golf Club
Located in Gurnee, Illinois, Bittersweet Golf Club is also just a 15-minute drive south of Lake Forest. The club features an 18-hole public golf course with serene landscapes and water features. The clubhouse has a pro golf shop so that you can stock up on golf gear, accessories, and apparel. The club also offers golf lessons to adults and children alike, so you can perfect your skills or learn the basics.
If you are part of a league in need of a new challenge or a place to practice, Bittersweet Golf Club hosts tournaments and welcomes independent leagues to use their facilities. After enjoying a day out with friends or family, you can dine at the club's "19th hole" restaurant. Here you can enjoy classic staples like hamburgers, chicken tenders, or hot dogs complemented by french fries, onion rings, and select beer and wine.
Exmoor Country Club
Exmoor Country Club is located just outside of Lake Forest in Highland Park, Illinois. Established in 1896, this country club has been providing recreational services to members for over 100 years. Exmoor features an 18-hole golf course and a driving range to practice in. They also have a golf performance center and short game practice facility so that you can improve all sides of your golf game.
The club also offers a variety of tennis activities and courses along with an indoor curling facility and an outdoor pool for guests to use during the summer months. Additionally, it features a dining facility and patio area for guests to enjoy refreshments and food.
So there you have it! Eight golf courses in and around Lake Forest, Illinois. If we're missing a course you love, be sure to let us know at Pasquesi Sheppard LLC, and we'll add it to our list!