
Knollwood Course
Knollwood Club

About this course
Knollwood, nestled in the verdant landscape of Lake Forest, is a testament to classic Midwestern golf, where tradition is revered and the spirit of the game endures. It is a course steeped in over a century of lore and history. Designed in the early 20th century, Knollwood is a parkland-style course characterized by mature trees, rolling fairways, and subtly contoured greens. Though not overly long by modern standards, its tree-lined corridors and strategic bunkering place a premium on accuracy and course management. Well regarded for it’s tight fairways and challenging greens. Knollwood, while never hosting a major championship, has been a frequent venue for regional and state amateur events. Knollwood's golf course bears the mark of several esteemed architects over the years. It was originally shaped by the renowned Donald Ross, and later enhanced by the touch of Robert Trent Jones Sr., ensuring a layout that stands the test of time while presenting a fair test to golfers of all abilities. The club itself has a storied membership with a strong presence in the Chicago business community as well as a vibrant social calendar for its members.
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
- Lake Forest, IL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1924
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Harry S. Colt, C. H. Alison
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,202 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.8/128
- Course Vaults score
- 8.2
Getting there
The Knollwood Club sits just thirty minutes north of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), accessible via a graceful drive through the North Shore's tree-lined corridors that signal an immediate departure from urban sprawl into one of America's most refined residential enclaves. For those arriving by private aircraft, Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in Wheeling offers a considerably more discreet touchdown, placing you mere minutes from the club's gates in Lake Forest. The final miles unfold along Sheridan Road and the quiet, manicured streets of this lakeside community, where towering oaks and the proximity to Lake Michigan's shoreline create an atmosphere of understated elegance that announces your arrival at one of the Midwest's most storied private clubs before you ever reach the clubhouse itself.

FAQ
Common questions about Knollwood
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Knollwood has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 35 logged golfers.
Knollwood was designed by Harry S. Colt and C. H. Alison.
Knollwood is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Knollwood is 72.
Knollwood plays 7,202 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Knollwood is 128.



