
Pottawatomie Course
Pottawatomie Golf Club




About this course
Pottawatomie Golf Club sits in St. Charles, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago along the Fox River valley. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1963, the course represents the architect's characteristic mid-century approach to championship golf design. Jones, known for strategic bunkering, elevated greens, and demanding length, brought these principles to the relatively flat terrain of the upper Illinois prairie, creating a layout that emphasizes precision and course management over raw distance. The routing works across gently rolling land with mature tree-lined corridors that define individual holes. Jones incorporated water hazards and substantial greenside bunkering to test approach shots, a hallmark of his design philosophy during this period. The greens themselves feature the subtle contours and strategic pin positions typical of his work, rewarding players who understand angles and avoid trouble rather than those who simply overpower the course. The layout requires thoughtful club selection and disciplined shot-making throughout the round. Pottawatomie operates as a private club serving the St. Charles community and surrounding western suburbs. The club maintains a family-oriented membership culture typical of established Midwestern country clubs, with golf as the central amenity complemented by social and dining facilities. The course has hosted regional amateur competitions over the decades, providing a respected test of golf within the Chicago metropolitan area's competitive landscape.
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
- St. Charles, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1939
- Holes
- 9
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr.
- Par
- 35
- Length
- 3,005 yards
- Difficulty
- 34.1/116
- Course Vaults score
- 6.5
Getting there
Pottawatomie Golf Club sits just west of Chicago in the Fox River Valley, accessible via Chicago's two major commercial hubs - O'Hare International (ORD) or Midway International (MDW) - each roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the club depending on traffic patterns across the sprawling metropolitan area. For those arriving by private aviation, Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in nearby Wheeling offers a considerably more discreet alternative, positioning you just 20 minutes from the clubhouse. The drive itself traces a gentle westward arc through the suburbs and into the rolling terrain of Kane County, where the landscape begins to open into the verdant corridor of the Fox River, a transition that signals your approach to this storied venue nestled among the region's most prized golfing grounds.

FAQ
Common questions about Pottawatomie
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Pottawatomie has a Course Vaults score of 6.5 out of 10 based on 9 logged golfers.
Pottawatomie was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr..
Yes. Pottawatomie is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Pottawatomie is 35.
Pottawatomie plays 3,005 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Pottawatomie is 116.



