Indian Hill Golf Club

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.