
Ruth Lake Course
Ruth Lake Country Club



About this course
Ruth Lake Country Club, a stalwart of the Chicago suburbs, bears the indelible mark of William Langford and Theodore Moreau, a partnership renowned for their bold, visually striking designs. Located in Hinsdale, Illinois, the course exists firmly in parkland style. Wide fairways are the norm, yet strategic bunkering and subtly contoured greens challenge golfers to manage their approaches with precision. It wonβt favor one side of the ball, but if you play it a lot, you'll learn where to aim. Langford and Moreau's original routing has seen strategic refinements over the decades, but the bones of their Golden Age philosophy remain. The course, while not on the national stage, inspires devoted loyalty among its membership. Many a heated match has unfolded on its gently rolling terrain. The atmosphere at Ruth Lake is distinctly Midwestern β unpretentious and welcoming. While no major championships have graced its fairways, the club fosters a vibrant competitive spirit within its membership. The clubhouse itself, a traditional brick structure, often buzzes with activity, the air thick with the scent of grilling from the patio.
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
- Hinsdale, IL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1915
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- William Langford, Theodore J. Moreau
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,469 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.5/132
- Course Vaults score
- 8.1
Getting there
Ruth Lake Country Club sits in the heart of Chicagoland's western suburbs, accessible most directly via Chicago's two major commercial hubs - O'Hare International (ORD), roughly 25 miles northeast, or Midway International (MDW), approximately 20 miles southeast - each offering a 35- to 50-minute drive depending on traffic patterns and routing through the metropolitan corridor. For those arriving by private aircraft, Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in nearby Wheeling provides a considerably more intimate alternative, positioning you just 15 minutes from the club's gates. The final leg of the journey carries you through the leafy, established neighborhoods of Hinsdale's tree-lined streets, where the transition from suburban thoroughfare to the serene, manicured grounds of Ruth Lake Country Club marks an elegant arrival into one of the region's most storied private enclaves.

FAQ
Common questions about Ruth Lake
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Ruth Lake has a Course Vaults score of 8.1 out of 10 based on 19 logged golfers.
Ruth Lake was designed by William Langford and Theodore J. Moreau.
Ruth Lake is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Ruth Lake is 71.
Ruth Lake plays 6,469 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Ruth Lake is 132.




