
Indian Hill Course
Indian Hill Golf Club




About this course
Indian Hill Golf Club sits in Winnetka on Chicago's affluent North Shore, occupying gently rolling terrain characteristic of the lakefront suburbs. Donald Ross designed the course in the 1920s during his most prolific period, bringing his signature design principles to a property that allows for strategic variety within a relatively compact routing. The layout reflects Ross's preference for elevated, contoured greens that demand precise approach play and reward players who understand how to use ground contours. The course moves through mature tree-lined corridors with modest elevation changes that create natural definition between holes. Ross's green complexes remain the central feature, with subtle breaks and false fronts that make distance control and angle of approach critical considerations. The bunkering follows his characteristic style—strategically placed rather than abundant, often greenside and positioned to penalize poor execution while offering recovery options for skilled players. The property's scale suits walking, and the routing maintains a traditional out-and-back flow. Indian Hill functions as a private club serving an established membership drawn from Winnetka and surrounding North Shore communities. The club maintains a low profile consistent with the understated character of many Chicago-area private clubs from this era. While not a tournament venue or nationally ranked course, it represents a well-preserved example of Ross's work in the Midwest, offering members a straightforward test of golf that emphasizes shot-making over length and rewards familiarity with the greens' nuances.
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.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in IL
Quick facts
- Location
- Winnetka, IL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1914
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Donald Ross
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,329 yards
- Difficulty
- 70.9/126
- Course Vaults score
- 7.3
Getting there
The journey to Indian Hill Golf Club begins at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International (MDW), followed by a swift twenty-minute drive north along the Edens Expressway into the leafy suburbs of the North Shore. For those arriving by private aircraft, Palwaukee Municipal Airport (PWK) in nearby Wheeling offers a discreet alternative just minutes from the club. The final approach winds through the manicured residential streets of Winnetka, where the landscape shifts from urban sprawl to the serene, wooded grounds that have sheltered Indian Hill's championship courses since 1906 - a quiet arrival befitting one of the Midwest's most storied and private clubs.

FAQ
Common questions about Indian Hill
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Indian Hill has a Course Vaults score of 7.3 out of 10 based on 22 logged golfers.
Indian Hill was designed by Donald Ross.
Indian Hill is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Indian Hill is 71.
Indian Hill plays 6,329 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Indian Hill is 126.



