The best golf course layouts in Lake Forest, Illinois
The golf courses within about 25 miles of Lake Forest, Illinois that Course Vaults golfers rate highest for layout: routing, hole variety, and design. Each course needs layout ratings from at least 5 different golfers who played it; 15 courses qualify.
Also covers Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Glenview, Winnetka, Glencoe and 28 more nearby towns.
Shoreacres Golf Club
Lake Bluff, IL, USALayout 4.8 out of 5 from 20 golfers
PrivateSeth Raynor
- 4.9Conditions
- 4.8Layout
- 4.4Scenery
- 4.2Facilities
Seth Raynor did his magic laying out this course while not placing a single hole on Lake Michigan. Holes 10-15 is one of the best stretches of holes you’ll find anywhere and the greens are lightning with much undulation. Any day at Shoreacres is a magical day.
Written by
@bdunc418
- Must play
- Pristine
- Views
Conway Farms Golf Club
Lake Forest, IL, USALayout 4.5 out of 5 from 9 golfers
PrivateTom Fazio & Andy Banfield
- 4.5Conditions
- 4.5Layout
- 4.2Scenery
- 4.7Facilities
Conway Farms definitely gives off that big time feel the second you pull up to bag drop. The staff was awesome — super friendly and welcoming right from the start.
Written by
@TGUN312
- Caddies
- Driving range
- Halfway house
The Club at Strawberry Creek
Kenosha, WI, USALayout 4.5 out of 5 from 8 golfers
PrivateRick Jacobson
- 4.6Conditions
- 4.5Layout
- 4.0Scenery
- 3.8Facilities
It's open off the tee, but the green complexes are challenging and provide a defense for the course. Conditioning is always fantastic and the greens are generally the star of the show. Different winds provide different challenges. Back is harder than the front, especially the par 3s.
Written by
@brett.derousse
- Driving range
- Pristine
- Underrated
.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1573225587666.jpeg)
Skokie Country Club
Glencoe, IL, USALayout 4.5 out of 5 from 6 golfers
PrivateDonald Ross
- 4.8Conditions
- 4.5Layout
- 3.9Scenery
- 4.4Facilities
Skokie is a fantastic set of challenging, interesting holes. The routing is superb, with great bunkering and fantastic green complexes.
Written by
@CarsonBaugher
- Walkable
- Caddies
- Halfway house
Old Elm Club
Highland Park, IL, USALayout 4.4 out of 5 from 7 golfers
PrivateDonald Ross & Harry S. Colt
- 4.5Conditions
- 4.4Layout
- 3.9Scenery
- 4.0Facilities
The course is short but offers many risk reward opportunities from drivable par 4s and reachable par 5s.
Written by
@CTR12
- Pristine
- Must play
- Fast greens
Shepherds Crook Golf Course
Zion, IL, USA
Layout 4.3 out of 5 from 6 golfers
(#3) Medinah Country Club
Medinah, IL, USA
Layout 4.2 out of 5 from 5 golfers
Exmoor Country Club
Highland Park, IL, USA
Layout 4.0 out of 5 from 5 golfers
ThunderHawk Golf Club
Beach Park, IL, USA
Layout 3.9 out of 5 from 7 golfers
(Tournament/Baer) Schaumburg Golf Club
Schaumburg, IL, USA
Layout 3.8 out of 5 from 6 golfers
The Glen Club
Glenview, IL, USA
Layout 3.7 out of 5 from 5 golfers
Wilmette Golf Course
Wilmette, IL, USA
Layout 3.6 out of 5 from 5 golfers
Sunset Valley Golf Course
Highland Park, IL, USA
Layout 3.5 out of 5 from 6 golfers
North Shore Country Club
Glenview, IL, USA
Layout 3.5 out of 5 from 5 golfers
Hilldale Golf Club
Hoffman Estates, IL, USA
Layout 3.2 out of 5 from 5 golfers
How we rank
This ranking uses each golfer’s layout rating, on a 0.5–5 scale. Layout is the layout score golfers give when they log a round. Every golfer counts once per course: repeat rounds are averaged first, then the course score is the average across golfers. A course needs layout ratings from at least 5 different golfers. Ties go to the course with more golfers, then the higher Course Vaults score. Only open courses with a published Course Vaults score (at least 5 explicit ratings) are eligible, and a page is published only when at least 5 courses qualify. City pages include courses within about 25 miles of Lake Forest, so nearby suburbs can appear. Rankings refresh about hourly.
FAQ
Shoreacres Golf Club is #1 on Course Vaults in and around Lake Forest, Illinois at Layout 4.8/5 (20 golfers). 15 courses qualify for this list.
This ranking uses each golfer’s layout rating, on a 0.5–5 scale. Layout is the layout score golfers give when they log a round. Every golfer counts once per course: repeat rounds are averaged first, then the course score is the average across golfers. A course needs layout ratings from at least 5 different golfers. Ties go to the course with more golfers, then the higher Course Vaults score. Only open courses with a published Course Vaults score (at least 5 explicit ratings) are eligible, and a page is published only when at least 5 courses qualify. City pages include courses within about 25 miles of Lake Forest, so nearby suburbs can appear. Rankings refresh about hourly.
A course appears once at least 5 different golfers have rated its layout on Course Vaults. Log your round and rate it in the app to help it qualify.
Yes. It includes qualifying courses within about 25 miles of Lake Forest, not only courses whose address is in the city.
This page was last generated Nov 12, 2026, 3:53 AM EST. Scores and eligibility are recomputed about every hour.
