COG HILL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
🇺🇸 Lemont, IL, USA
Designed by Dick Wilson, Joe Lee
Cog Hill's Dubsdread, a brute carved from the Illinois prairie outside Chicago, stands as a demanding test of golfing prowess rather than a celebration of subtle nuance. The 4th, playing as the number one handicap hole, epitomizes that challenge.
Designed in the Golden Age spirit by Dick Wilson, with later enhancements by Rees Jones, the course presents a classic parkland layout. This particular hole is more narrow than wide, and is flanked by thick rough. It favors those who can launch tee shots high and long. The hole is defined by its length and penal bunkering around the green.
Dubsdread has hosted numerous iterations of the Western Open, a tournament with a lineage tracing back to the early days of professional golf. Tiger Woods famously secured multiple victories here during his dominant stretch. The golf course itself is not ranked as one of the best, but it certainly challenges all players who attempt it and respect it for its demanding nature.
Reviews
Elements of history, great shape. Accessible to public but price point keeps distasteful players out. Course certainly feels big when you’re out there. Worth playing it as much as you can. Ignore the noise of those who say it’s overhyped!
Dubsdread is about as classic as Chicago public golf gets. A true championship test with a rich PGA Tour history, this Dick Wilson and Joe Lee design still lives up to its “hard but fair” reputation. I played in spring 2025, right after the course reopened from its bunker renovation, and you can tell the work paid off. The bunkers are crisp, well-placed, and absolutely part of the strategy on nearly every hole. Turf conditions were excellent for early season play—firm, fast, and consistent tee to green. This is a course that demands accuracy off the tee and commitment on approach shots. The greens are well-protected, and if you miss your spots, you’ll be playing from sand all day. While I didn’t feel there was one iconic “signature hole,” the par-3 14th stood out as a really fun challenge—beautifully framed with bunkers that force a precise shot. I also loved the green complex on the par-5 9th and thought the 18th has all the bones to be an elite finisher. The clubhouse is simple but classic—a no-frills setup that feels authentic to the course’s history. The Tiger Woods mural when you walk in sets the tone, and the pro shop is loaded with solid gear and logo options (a must-buy stop). At around $150, Dubsdread is priced right for the quality and pedigree. Between the tour-level design, conditioning, and historic feel, it’s easily one of the best public golf experiences in Illinois. Bring your A-game and your bunker swing—this one’s going to test you. Verdict: A demanding, well-conditioned, and historic course that every serious Chicago golfer should check off their list.
Want another crack at this one. Will be back.
So much aura on this golf course. So many notable professionals have played and won. Played in mid October and it was the most pure I’ve ever seen a course. Chefs kiss
Dubsdread is a staple of prestigious Chicago golf. The sense of history hits you as soon as you step into the clubhouse, where a mural of Tiger Woods’ record-low 62 from the 2009 BMW Championship sets the tone. Beyond the legacy, the course layout gives you the chance to hit heroic shots and feel like a tour player—while also humbling you enough to question your game along the way. The par threes stand out in particular, demanding precision off the tee and guarded by well-placed bunkers that reward accuracy. The property itself is expansive and understated at first glance, but several holes—especially around the 11th and 12th—show off the course’s true character and charm. The value is outstanding, with green fees around $150 (including range balls). In the mid-fall season, our twosome had the course nearly to ourselves—an incredible experience for a venue with this pedigree. If you’re in the Chicago area and don’t have access to a private club, Dubsdread is the play. It’s challenging, historic, and one of the best public golf experiences you’ll find in the region.
It’s fine. It’s a good layout, but not sure it deserves all the hype. Good tournament course
Not worth all the hype but still cool to play.
Nice place. Took a large pack of customers out and they were great to us. The course isn’t *that* hard, nor is it that memorable.
The bunker renovation in 2024 has re-elevated this to a top public course in the Chicagoland area. Highly recommend for good golfers who want a challenge
Really hard. But fun.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
#4 Dubsdread at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club has a Course Vaults score of 8.1 out of 10 based on 94 explicit golfer ratings.
#4 Dubsdread was designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee.
Yes. #4 Dubsdread at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at #4 Dubsdread is 72.
#4 Dubsdread plays 7,554 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at #4 Dubsdread is 153.
