
Spencer T Olin Community Course
Spencer T Olin Community Golf Course


About this course
Spencer T. Olin Community Golf Course, carved into the rolling landscape of Alton, Illinois, offers a compelling counterpoint to the region's more manicured layouts, favoring strategic play over brute force. This approachable, player-friendly golf course isn't just a place to hit golf balls; itβs the pulse of the local golfing community, a place where the gameβs traditions are honored without pretense. Designed in the early 1990s, the course eschews the dramatic earthmoving of modern architecture, instead embracing the natural undulations of the terrain. The result is a parkland-style layout that subtly tests golfers of all skill levels. While not overly long, Olin demands thoughtful club selection and precise approaches to its well-guarded greens. The course is a local favorite for those seeking an enjoyable round without the pressure of a championship-caliber venue. The spirit of Spencer T. Olin extends beyond the course itself. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the club fosters a strong sense of camaraderie among its regulars. Many local players grew up learning the game here, and it continues to be a popular spot for junior golf programs. Olin may not host televised tournaments or claim a place in national rankings, but its importance to the local golfing ecosystem is undeniable.
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
- Alton, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1989
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Arnold Palmer
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,941 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.5/135
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
The journey to Spencer T Olin Community Golf Course begins at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), just thirty minutes southwest across the Mississippi River. The drive north along the Great River Road traces the bluffs above the confluence zone where the Missouri meets the Mississippi, a landscape of limestone outcrops and broad floodplain vistas that has drawn travelers for centuries. As you cross into Alton - a river town steeped in Civil War and abolitionist history - the route climbs gently into wooded residential hills, where the course emerges as an unexpected municipal treasure, its rolling fairways carved into the high ground overlooking the water below.

FAQ
Common questions about Spencer T Olin Community
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Spencer T Olin Community has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 27 logged golfers.
Spencer T Olin Community was designed by Arnold Palmer.
Yes. Spencer T Olin Community is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Spencer T Olin Community is 72.
Spencer T Olin Community plays 6,941 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Spencer T Olin Community is 135.




