Shepherds Crook Course
Zion, IL, USA
Shepherds Crook, a public course carved from the rolling landscape of northern Illinois, offers a surprisingly demanding test within its unassuming setting. Designed by William J. Spear in 1989, the course presents a modern parkland aesthetic, characterized by mature trees lining generous fairways, strategic bunkering, and subtly undulating greens. While the fairways appear forgiving at first glance, thoughtful placement is crucial to navigating the well-guarded green complexes and scoring well. Shepherds Crook, while not nationally renowned, has been a consistent host for local and regional amateur events, providing a stern but fair challenge to aspiring golfers. This is very much a community course: one where local golfers and their families flock in droves. Beyond the course itself, Shepherds Crook is appreciated by many for its approachable atmosphere. It's the kind of place where, after your round, you might find members swapping stories over hotdogs, reflecting on the day's triumphs and tribulations, and of course, discussing their latest golf theories. It's a public course where the spirit of the game is truly alive.
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
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in IL
Public: #13
Golfers say this course delivers exceptional value, with several reviewers highlighting it as one of the best bang-for-buck options in the area. Most praise the consistently strong conditioning, noting fast greens and well-maintained fairways that elevate the challenge. Reviewers appreciate the thoughtful routing, which balances scoreable early holes with a varied mix of difficulty throughout, creating an exciting and unique layout. The lack of a driving range is a common complaint, though some note the new putting green and attractive patio overlooking finishing holes as nice amenities, while the clubhouse itself is described as outdated.
7.6
65 players
Really a hidden gem up near the border of Wisconsin. Clubhouse is outdated but they do a fantastic job with conditions on the course. Bonus points for classy name and logo.
2mo
Great track, especially for the price point. No range is a bummer, but it starts with a soft handshake...2 short scoreable par 4s. Really good variety of scoreable and difficult holes.
Very windy cold round which made a though course even more challenging. Greens are rolling great and very fast which adds to the complexity of scoring.
Great value for the area.
Possibly best bang for buck option if playing off hours. Great conditions with a truly unique and exciting layout. No range but new putting green is right next to beautiful patio that overlooks the course with easy sight lines to the ninth and 18th greens.
Public courses closest to Shepherds Crook.
Shepherds Crook Golf Course lies just beyond the northern edge of Chicago's suburban sprawl, most easily accessed via O'Hare International Airport (ORD) roughly fifty minutes to the south. The drive north along Interstate 94 traces the Lake Michigan shoreline before peeling inland through Waukegan, where the landscape gradually softens into the rolling farmland and wooded corridors of Lake County. Zion itself unfolds as a quiet, grid-planned community near the Wisconsin border, and Shepherds Crook emerges from this pastoral setting with an understated elegance befitting its secluded, members-focused character.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Shepherds Crook has a Course Vaults score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 29 explicit golfer ratings.
Shepherds Crook was designed by Keith Foster.
Yes. Shepherds Crook is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Shepherds Crook is 71.
Shepherds Crook plays 6,827 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Shepherds Crook is 120.
