Highland Woods Golf Course

Highland Woods Golf Course occupies a suburban setting in Hoffman Estates, a northwest Chicago suburb in Cook County. Designed by William J. Spear and opened in the mid-1980s, the course serves as a municipal facility operated by the Hoffman Estates Park District. The property reflects the residential development patterns typical of the region during that era, with the layout woven through and around housing that defines much of the corridor northwest of O'Hare International Airport. The course plays across relatively gentle terrain characteristic of the glacially flattened landscape of northeastern Illinois. Spear's routing incorporates mature tree corridors, several ponds and wetland areas, and modest elevation changes that provide visual interest without dramatic topographical features. The design emphasizes strategic placement over length, with water hazards factoring into play on multiple holes and tree-lined fairways rewarding accuracy from the tee. As a public facility, Highland Woods serves a broad cross-section of Chicago-area golfers, from beginners to experienced players seeking an accessible option close to home. The course maintains a straightforward character focused on playability and pace, typical of well-maintained municipal golf in the region. Its location within the park district system means it functions as both a recreational amenity for Hoffman Estates residents and a destination for golfers throughout the northwest suburbs seeking affordable public golf within reasonable driving distance of the city.