Best Private Golf Courses in Chicago
Four researched private golf-course picks in and around Chicago, with reasons to consider each, actual locations, access guidance and cited sources.
Looking for the best private golf courses in the Chicago area? Start with Chicago Highlands Club and Medinah Country Club and Olympia Fields Country Club and The Beverly Country Club. These four researched selections offer different reasons to consider a round, rather than a claim that one course wins for every golfer. The shortlist includes nearby communities where explicitly identified below.
Compare the Chicago-area shortlist
| Course | Location | Reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Highlands Club | Westchester, IL | Elevated ninth hole design features |
| Medinah Country Club | Medinah | Multi-course membership and championship history |
| Olympia Fields Country Club | Olympia Fields | A comparison of Park and Bendelow architecture |
| The Beverly Country Club | Chicago | Donald Ross influence and tournament heritage |
Plan around the actual location
The shortlist includes Chicago city courses and separate suburban destinations including Lemont, Glenview, Westchester, Wheaton, Medinah and Olympia Fields. Choose a part of the region first; directory hub names in URLs are not verified physical locations.
This guide contains 4 selections supported by this source review, not a census of local golf. We have not filled the remaining places with courses whose identity, access or selection case we could not establish well enough. A shorter list does not mean the area has no other worthwhile courses. Use the locations in the table and the operator's address, not a directory URL's nearby-hub name, to plan your trip.
Chicago Highlands Club
Chicago Highlands Club — Westchester, IL. Arthur Hills’ course uses substantial elevation changes, broad views toward the Chicago skyline and numerous tee choices. It suits golfers comparing a modern, open-terrain private course with the region’s older, tree-lined clubs.
Our selection focus: elevated ninth hole design features. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Private club in Westchester; confirm golf membership or authorized guest arrangements and tee choices with the club.
Medinah Country Club
Medinah Country Club — Medinah. Medinah offers three championship courses and extensive practice facilities. It suits golfers interested in variety within a private club rather than assuming every round uses its best-known No. 3 course.
Our selection focus: multi-course membership and championship history. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Membership is invitation-only with current-member sponsors. Guest play needs club approval; tournament admission is not playing access.
Olympia Fields Country Club
Olympia Fields Country Club — Olympia Fields. Olympia Fields pairs Willie Park Jr.’s North course with Tom Bendelow’s South course. Its documented championship history and two-layout offering make it relevant to golfers considering architectural variety.
Our selection focus: a comparison of park and bendelow architecture. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Private club; confirm hosted access and the named course. The historic four-course inventory is not today’s two-course offering.
The Beverly Country Club
The Beverly Country Club — Chicago. Beverly documents the adoption of Donald Ross’ renovation plan and a history of major amateur and professional events. It adds a Chicago-city choice for golfers drawn to established course architecture.
Our selection focus: donald ross influence and tournament heritage. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Private-club arrangements must be confirmed with the club or a member host; no public daily-fee access is promised.
How we chose these courses
We compared published course descriptions from golf publications and, where linked, official club, municipal and golf-association sources. Selection emphasizes a documented architectural feature, tournament connection, historical interest or a distinctive local option. This is desk research, not a first-person playing review or an exhaustive regional ranking. Directory completeness, paid placement and an invented scoring formula do not determine this shortlist. Course names distinguish individual layouts where relevant; a club's founding date is not automatically its current course's opening date.
What should you ask before visiting?
- Have the club or your host confirm your invitation and the procedure for registering guests.
- Ask about dress, arrival, walking or cart rules, guest charges and cancellation expectations.
- Do not assume a reciprocal arrangement, membership opening or hotel stay provides access.
Looking for indoor golf near Chicago?
If weather changes your plans or you want an indoor practice session, explore indoor golf simulators in Chicago. Compare the listed venues and their simulator equipment, then confirm current hours, pricing and availability with the operator. These are directory listings, not an extension of our outdoor-course rankings.