The Rail Golf Club

The Rail Golf Club occupies land in Springfield, Illinois that once served as a railroad corridor, giving the course its name and defining much of its character. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed the layout, bringing his signature style to central Illinois terrain. Jones, known for strategic bunkering and emphasis on shot values, created a course that reflects his mid-to-late career design principles with substantial green complexes and hazards positioned to challenge golfers at multiple skill levels. The routing takes advantage of the property's linear railroad heritage, with holes that move through corridors of mature trees and open spaces. The relatively flat topography typical of this part of Illinois is punctuated by Jones's constructed mounding and strategic use of water features. Bunkers are positioned to force decision-making from the tee and on approach shots, consistent with Jones's philosophy of rewarding precision over distance alone. The course serves as a daily-fee facility, making championship-caliber design accessible to the public in the Springfield area. Its location in the state capital provides a notable golf option in a region where Robert Trent Jones Sr. designs are less common than in coastal markets. The layout offers a test that reflects Jones's architectural legacy while fitting into the Midwestern landscape and serving both local players and visitors to Springfield.