
ThunderHawk Course
ThunderHawk Golf Club

About this course
ThunderHawk Golf Club, carved into the landscape near the shores of Lake Michigan, is a testament to Chicago's enduring love affair with the game. This public course, while not steeped in championship lore, offers a robust test that reflects the rugged character of the area. Designed by a less renowned but clearly capable team, ThunderHawk presents a modern links-style layout. Undulating fescue grasses frame the fairways, demanding strategic ball placement for favorable approaches. The course favors a calculated player, as errant drives can quickly find themselves swallowed by the unforgiving native areas. Don't expect perfectly flat lies; this course mirrors the natural contours of the land. While ThunderHawk may not host televised tournaments, it holds a strong regional reputation as a challenging and fair venue. Post-round, the clubhouse offers a convivial atmosphere, where local golfers debate the merits of each hole and the best approach to tackling its subtle nuances.
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
- Beach Park, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1999
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,031 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.8/136
- Course Vaults score
- 7.6
Getting there
ThunderHawk Golf Club lies in the northern reaches of Chicago's suburban corridor, roughly an hour's drive from O'Hare International (ORD) and just under ninety minutes from Midway (MDW). The route north traces the Lake Michigan shoreline before turning inland through quiet residential stretches of Lake County, where the urban density gradually yields to open prairie and wetland. For those arriving by private aircraft, Waukegan National Airport sits less than ten minutes away, offering a discreet gateway to this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design tucked into the Illinois landscape.

FAQ
Common questions about ThunderHawk
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
ThunderHawk has a Course Vaults score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 91 logged golfers.
ThunderHawk was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr..
Yes. ThunderHawk is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at ThunderHawk is 72.
ThunderHawk plays 7,031 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at ThunderHawk is 136.





