
Port Course
Harborside International Golf Center


About this course
Harborside International isn't steeped in golfing history; its narrative is etched into the landscape itself – a defiant reclamation of Chicago's industrial past. Carved from former brownfields on the city's South Side, Port, one of the two 18-hole championship courses, stands as testament to ambitious environmental renewal. Designed in the Modern era by Arthur Hills, Port doesn't whisper; it shouts. Wide fairways, seemingly forgiving from the tee, subtly punish the wayward with strategically placed mounds and deep, unforgiving fescue rough. Expect windy conditions and a links-style feel inland. The course rewards strategic shot placement over brute force, with undulating greens that demand a deft touch. It is a good test of golf, though not particularly notable. The ethos here isn't about hushed tones and starched collars. It’s about accessible golf, embracing the city’s diverse population, and challenging players of all skill levels. Instead of burger dogs, expect a Chicago-style hot dog at the turn. At Port, the legacy is not in championships won, but in the very ground it occupies, a green haven forged from Chicago’s industrial grit.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in IL
Quick facts
- Location
- Chicago, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1995
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Dick Nugent
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,123 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.6/137
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
Harborside International Golf Center is most readily accessed via Chicago's two major commercial hubs—O'Hare International (ORD), situated northwest of the city, or Midway International (MDW) to the southwest—each roughly 30 to 40 minutes from the property depending on traffic patterns across the Chicago metropolitan area. For those arriving by private aviation, Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in the northern suburbs offers a closer, more discreet alternative. The final leg of the journey traces a deliberate path through the industrial and waterfront character of the South Side, where the landscape shifts from urban grid to the open, wind-swept terrain of the lakefront, delivering you to Harborside's striking modern clubhouse overlooking the Chicago Harbor—a bold architectural statement that announces arrival at one of the Midwest's most distinctive golf destinations.

FAQ
Common questions about Port at Harborside International Golf Center
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Port at Harborside International Golf Center has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 126 logged golfers.
Port was designed by Dick Nugent.
Yes. Port at Harborside International Golf Center is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Port is 72.
Port plays 7,123 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Port is 137.



