
Wilmette Course
Wilmette Golf Course

About this course
Wilmette Golf Course is a nine-hole municipal facility located in the North Shore suburb of Wilmette, Illinois, approximately fifteen miles north of downtown Chicago. Designed by Joseph A. Roseman and opened in the 1920s, the course occupies a compact parcel of land characteristic of early public golf developments in established residential communities. Roseman, a Chicago-area architect active in the early twentieth century, created layouts throughout the region that balanced playability with efficient use of limited municipal acreage. The course features relatively flat terrain typical of the Chicago lakefront plain, with mature trees lining many fairways and defining the routing. At just over 3,000 yards for eighteen holes when played twice from different tees, Wilmette serves primarily as an accessible venue for local residents, beginners, and golfers seeking a quick round. The layout emphasizes short-game skills and accuracy over length, with several par threes and short par fours that reward precise iron play. As a village-owned facility, Wilmette Golf Course functions as a community recreational asset rather than a destination for traveling golfers. The course has served generations of North Shore families and provides an affordable introduction to the game in an area otherwise known for its private clubs. Its walkable scale and straightforward design reflect the practical municipal golf model that emerged in the Chicago suburbs during the early decades of American public golf.
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
- Wilmette, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1923
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Joseph A. Roseman
- Par
- 70
- Length
- 6,400 yards
- Difficulty
- 70.9/130
- Course Vaults score
- 6.5
Getting there
Wilmette Golf Course sits just north of Chicago, accessible via Chicago's two major commercial hubs - O'Hare International (ORD) or Midway International (MDW) - with O'Hare offering the more direct routing for those arriving from the coasts. From O'Hare, the drive north along the Edens Expressway unfolds in roughly thirty minutes, transitioning from the urban sprawl of the city into the leafy, residential character of Chicago's North Shore suburbs. The final miles wind through Wilmette's tree-lined streets and gracious neighborhoods, where the course emerges as a quiet sanctuary set back from the lakeside community - a serene counterpoint to the metropolitan energy left behind. For those with access to private aviation, Palwaukee Municipal Airport (PWK) in nearby Wheeling offers a considerably more discreet arrival, placing you within minutes of the club's gates.

FAQ
Common questions about Wilmette
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Wilmette has a Course Vaults score of 6.5 out of 10 based on 60 logged golfers.
Wilmette was designed by Joseph A. Roseman.
Yes. Wilmette is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Wilmette is 70.
Wilmette plays 6,400 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Wilmette is 130.



