Private

Conway Farms Course

Conway Farms Golf Club

Lake Forest, IL, USA
nolan.cunniff
PM
Dhosack821
Bryan Tweed
benstepen
+68
18 holesPar 717,233 yds80.7/151

About this course

Conway Farms, a club forged from the ambition to host championship golf in the northern suburbs of Chicago, presents a challenging parkland experience. The course, routed through rolling terrain dotted with mature trees and strategic water features, asks golfers to shape shots and navigate subtly contoured greens. Accuracy from the tee is often rewarded more than raw power, especially on the inward nine where tighter corridors and well-placed bunkers guard par. Tom Fazio originally sculpted Conway Farms in the early 1990s, seeking to emulate the classic designs of the Golden Age. While subtle tweaks and improvements have been made over the years, its strategic layout remains largely unchanged. Conway Farms has proudly hosted the BMW Championship twice (2013, 2015) and the U.S. Amateur in 2017, solidifying its reputation as a venue capable of testing the world's best players. The club, while not necessarily seeking the limelight, understands the value of these events in burnishing its reputation within the broader golfing landscape. Beyond the competition, Conway Farms fosters a close-knit community known for its serious approach to the game. It’s a place where members appreciate classic golf traditions and the nuanced challenges of a well-designed course. The club is also known for their dedication to turf quality, the course is always presented in immaculate condition.

Rankings

Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.

426

Best in World

333

Best in USA

9

Best in IL

Quick facts

Location
Lake Forest, IL, USA
Access
Private
Year built
1991
Holes
18
Par
71
Length
7,233 yards
Difficulty
80.7/151
Course Vaults score
8.5

Getting there

Conway Farms Golf Club sits just north of Chicago in the verdant suburbs of Lake Forest, accessible via Chicago's two major commercial hubs - O'Hare International (ORD), roughly 35 miles southwest, or Midway International (MDW), slightly farther but equally viable - each offering a straightforward 45-minute to hour-long drive through the city's northern corridors. Private aviation clients will find Palwaukee Municipal Airport (PWK) in nearby Wheeling a far more discreet option, positioned just 15 minutes from the club's gates. The final stretch unfolds through the manicured estates and tree-lined avenues of Lake Forest's North Shore enclave, where the transition from suburban thoroughfare to the club's secluded entrance feels like crossing into a world deliberately removed from the bustle below - a fitting prelude to one of the Midwest's most guarded and architecturally distinguished private clubs.

FAQ

Common questions about Conway Farms

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Conway Farms has a Course Vaults score of 8.5 out of 10 based on 73 logged golfers.

Conway Farms was designed by Tom Fazio, Andy Banfield, and Dennis Wise.

Conway Farms is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.

Par at Conway Farms is 71.

Conway Farms plays 7,233 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Conway Farms is 151.

250,000+
Course Reviews
+ 4.8
App Store

How many courses have you played?

Download Course Vaults on iOS and begin your golf legacy.

Course Vaults on three iPhones: player passport, map discovery, and course detail