Single Friendly Courses - Chicago Area

[Argonne69]

Since many of us go out as singles, I thought I would create a thread to make it easier for singles to find courses that allow singles to book online. As we uncover a course that fits the bill, I'll edit this post to add it to the list. If you see any errors, please post, and I'll correct them. Given that courses can change their policies at any time, edits will occur.

 

5 Stars - Allows a Single to Book Any Open Slot Online (i.e. 1 - 4 players):

 

- Antioch GC

- Arlington Lakes

- Balmoral Woods

- Big Run

- Blackberry Oaks GC

- Blackstone GC

- Bliss Creek GC

- Bonnie Dundee

- Boone Creek GC

- Buffalo Grove Golf Course

- Burnham Woods

- Cantigny

- Carriage Greens CC

- Crane's Landing

- Crystal Woods GC

- Deer Creek GC

- Deerfield

- Eaglewood

- Foss Park

- Fox Lake CC

- Fresh Meadow

- Gleneagles CC

- Golf Club of IL

- Harborside International

- Heritage Bluffs

- Highland Park C.C.

- Indian Lakes

- Inwood GC

- Joe Louis - The Champ

- Kankakee Elks

- Klein Creek

- Lake Bluff Golf Club

- Lincoln Oaks

- Longwood GC

- Lost Marsh

- Makray Memorial

- Marengo Ridge

- Mill Creek GC

- Mistwood

- Naperbrook

- Odyssey

- Old Oak

- Old Orchard CC

- Pinecrest GC

- Prairie Isle

- Prairie Landing

- Randall Oaks

- Ravisloe CC

- Redtail GC

- Renwood GC

- River Oaks GC

- Ruffled Feathers

- Sanctuary Golf Course

- Schaumburg GC

- Settler's Hill

- Silver Lake

- Sportsman's CC

- Springbrook

- St Andrews

- Steeple Chase

- Sunset Valley

- Tamarack GC

- The Arboretum Club

- The Glen Club

- The Links at Carillon

- The Meadows GC

- University Park GC

- Tuckaway GC

- Villa Olivia CC

- Village Greens of Woodridge

- White Deer Run

- Wicker Memorial Park

- Willow Crest

- Wilmette GC

- Winnetka GC

 

 

4 Stars - Allows a Single to Book a Slot as a 3rd or 4th (i.e. 1 to 2 players):

 

- Bolingbrook GC

- Bridges of Poplar Creek

- Broken Arrow GC

- Chalet Hills

- Coyote Run GC

- Fox Bend

- Fox Run Golf Links

- George Dunne National

- Glenview Park GC

- Highland Woods

- Highlands of Elgin

- Indian Boundary

- Maple Meadows

- Mount Prospect GC

- Oak Brook

- Oak Grove

- Orchard Valley

- Phillips Park

- Prairie Bluff

- Seven Bridges

- Stonewall Orchard

- Traditions at Chevy Chase

- Waters Edge

- Wedgewood GC

- Whisper Creek

- Whitetail Ridge

- Woodruff GC

 

 

3 Stars - Allows a Single to Book in Advance by Calling the Pro Shop or online with limitations:

 

- Bartlett Hills

- Bowes Creek

- Cog Hill #4 (Dubs - within 48 hours)

- Glencoe GC (Up to 1 week in advance)

- Glendale Lakes (Three "Sale" slots at 10:30 am, 10:38 am, and 10:46 am open for singles per day)

- Jackson Park

- Shepherds Crook

 

 

2 Stars - Allows a Single to Book Same Day Only by Calling the Pro Shop:

 

- Bonnie Brook

- Brae Loch

- Carriage Greens

- Chapel Hill

- Countryside GC

- Deerpath GC

- Foxford Hills

- Glenwoodie

- Hilldale GC

- Nettle Creek

- Palatine Hills

- Tanna Farms

- The Preserve at Oak Meadows

- Thunderhawk GC

- Village Links

- White Pines GC

- Willow Glen

 

 

0 Stars - No Singles (Show Up and Hope)

 

- Arrowhead

- Bittersweet

- Cog Hill

- Pine Meadow

[TheBear95]

Good post, here's a few to add to your 5 star category:

Buffalo Grove Golf Course
Lake Bluff Golf Club
Village Greens of Woodridge
Odyssey
Sanctuary Golf Course
Big Run
Golf Club of IL
Randall Oaks
Marengo Ridge
Sunset Valley
Highland Park C.C.

If I think of any others, I'll add.

[Brian Burns]

Great thread! I'll add Schaumburg to the 5 star list.

[cane700]

Great idea. Thanks for posting.

[DavePelz4]

Fox Bend allows singles as does St. Andrews and Whitetail . Neither of the Naperhell courses do.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1430963619' post='11514041']
Fox Bend allows singles as does St. Andrews and Whitetail . Neither of the Naperhell courses do.
[/quote]

It looks like Whitetail allows singles to book with a 2/3some weekdays only.

Naperbrook and Springbrook both appear to be booking 1 to 4 players (5 star).

I've noticed in doing this research that a number of courses that previously didn't allow singles to book have changed their policies, e.g. Winnetka, Lost Marsh. Perhaps our cries have been heard.

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1430964453' post='11514147']
[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1430963619' post='11514041']
Fox Bend allows singles as does St. Andrews and Whitetail . Neither of the Naperhell courses do.
[/quote]

It looks like Whitetail allows singles to book with a 2/3some weekdays only.

Naperbrook and Springbrook both appear to be booking 1 to 4 players (5 star).

I've noticed in doing this research that a number of courses that previously didn't allow singles to book have changed their policies, e.g. Winnetka, Lost Marsh. Perhaps our cries have been heard.
[/quote]
If you go through GolfNaperville.org, there are no single bookings allowed, regardless of what the site says. Try booking a single tee time and it will be apparent.

GolfNow might let you book a single time but you're paying a highly inflated fee.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1430968131' post='11514537']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1430964453' post='11514147']
[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1430963619' post='11514041']
Fox Bend allows singles as does St. Andrews and Whitetail . Neither of the Naperhell courses do.
[/quote]

It looks like Whitetail allows singles to book with a 2/3some weekdays only.

Naperbrook and Springbrook both appear to be booking 1 to 4 players (5 star).

I've noticed in doing this research that a number of courses that previously didn't allow singles to book have changed their policies, e.g. Winnetka, Lost Marsh. Perhaps our cries have been heard.
[/quote]
If you go through GolfNaperville.org, there are no single bookings allowed, regardless of what the site says. Try booking a single tee time and it will be apparent.

GolfNow might let you book a single time but you're paying a highly inflated fee.
[/quote]

I did. For Sunday, May 10th, there are 3 tee times available at Springbrook from 6 am to 10 am. Clicking on the selection shows 1 - 4 players available at 11:50 am (Hot Deal). Unfortunately, clicking on the 'Book' button navigates me to a login screen, and I don't have an account. Are you saying the 'can't book single' is displayed after logging in? Either that, or the Hot Deal is tied to GolfNow. The availability of openings for 1 to 4 players does appear rather limited. I guess they'll have to be thrown into the 1 star category.

[Argonne69]

For the 0 through 3 star courses, I'm using my past experience with the course as a initial starting point, as I'm not going to call each course at this time. If the course doesn't allow singles to book online, and I've recently played the course as a single, it'll wind up in the 2 or 3 star category. Please, if you see any discrepancies, let me know and I'll correct it.

However, as a frequent single golfer, I tend to shy away from the 0 - 3 star courses unless it's a special course worth playing, or very close to home. Frankly, if they can't figure out a way to allow singles to book online in 2015, they really don't want our business.

[preiter20]

Thanks Argonne for starting and maintaining this list, I'll make sure to frequent the single-friendly courses as well.

[jimwgt26]

I'm not sure I like this thread. Too many of my secrets are being revealed:)

[Argonne69]

I believe I've produced a good initial list of regional 18 hole (public) courses. Am I missing anything obvious?

[jimwgt26]

Very good and thorough list.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1431452854' post='11546064']
Very good and thorough list.
[/quote]

Thanks. I'm sure there are a handful of local muni's that I missed, but based on the courses mentioned in the 'Where are You Playing...' thread, I can't imagine many here visit them.

[Argonne69]

I'll be playing Winnetka GC on Sunday morning. I haven't played there since 2010, when I had to wait 2 hours for a (single) tee time after being told on the phone to "Come on out, we'll fit you in. No Problem". 'Not sure when they changed their policy allowing singles to book on-line, but I just booked, and I'll give them another chance.

[mjracer]

This is a great list. Thanks Argonne69 for compiling this, very helpful when living in the Chicagoland area.

[UCBananaboy]

TY for this list.

I need to make it a point to play some more courses. My default is just Harborside due to its proximity to the Loop, where I live.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='UCBananaboy' timestamp='1433515689' post='11694890']
TY for this list.

I need to make it a point to play some more courses. My default is just Harborside due to its proximity to the Loop, where I live.
[/quote]

I live in River North, so I try to split time between Harborside, and a handful of the North Shore courses, e.g. Wilmette, Glencoe. Wilmette is very single friendly, as one can book online in any open slot.

[UCBananaboy]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1433516365' post='11694986']
[quote name='UCBananaboy' timestamp='1433515689' post='11694890']
TY for this list.

I need to make it a point to play some more courses. My default is just Harborside due to its proximity to the Loop, where I live.
[/quote]

I live in River North, so I try to split time between Harborside, and a handful of the North Shore courses, e.g. Wilmette, Glencoe. Wilmette is very single friendly, as one can book online in any open slot.
[/quote]

Oh - I'll have to check those out.

What are those courses like condition / difficulty-wise?

[Argonne69]

[quote name='UCBananaboy' timestamp='1433522742' post='11695706']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1433516365' post='11694986']
[quote name='UCBananaboy' timestamp='1433515689' post='11694890']
TY for this list.

I need to make it a point to play some more courses. My default is just Harborside due to its proximity to the Loop, where I live.
[/quote]

I live in River North, so I try to split time between Harborside, and a handful of the North Shore courses, e.g. Wilmette, Glencoe. Wilmette is very single friendly, as one can book online in any open slot.
[/quote]

Oh - I'll have to check those out.

What are those courses like condition / difficulty-wise?
[/quote]

Not too difficult. Tee to green conditioning is generally good, but not great. Greens are very good. Wilmette and Glencoe are old country clubs that were converted to munis ages ago. Very walkable, with friendly staff. 'Enough trees to get you in trouble if you're not hitting it straight. Small greens. Wilmette reopened late last year after a renovation, and the new greens are much more challenging than the old course.

They're never going to make a "best in state" list, but they're the closest thing to real 18 hole golf for those of us living downtown.

[UCBananaboy]

Awesome. TY.

Doing a quick Google search, it seems like they aren't much further than Harbor, with the only variable being whether traffic North is better or worse than South. My hunch is worse though

[Argonne69]

[quote name='UCBananaboy' timestamp='1433525044' post='11695956']
Awesome. TY.

Doing a quick Google search, it seems like they aren't much further than Harbor, with the only variable being whether traffic North is better or worse than South. My hunch is worse though
[/quote]

Yes, traffic coming back from the north can get bad, especially later in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. The drive to Wilmette from downtown is only 20 minutes in the AM, but it can be an easy 40 minutes to 1 hour on a bad day getting back. The reversible lanes on the Kennedy play a big role. If they're aligned inbound, then it's usually not too bad.

Getting back from Harborside is generally smooth until 35th St, and then it can be 10 to 20 minutes to get through the Loop.

[UCBananaboy]

Thanks.

I'd likely be playing ~7a on weekdays so hopefully traffic is np.

[Argonne69]

I just updated the list, moving Whisper Creek from 5 stars to 4 stars. Apparently their website is not configured correctly. It shows that 1 to 4 golfers are available, but then throws an error after you've gone through the entire booking process. I talked to their reservation desk, and they do not accept a single in an open slot. I mentioned to them that their software is a commonly used package, and can be configured to display 2 to 4 golfers if they don't allow single to book an open slot.

[ReinyDays]

arrowhead won't let you book a tee time as a single.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='ReinyDays' timestamp='1435757284' post='11868288']
arrowhead won't let you book a tee time as a single.
[/quote]

I have them listed in the 2 star category. I believe you can call the Pro shop the same day and get a firm commitment. 'Not very friendly, though. Have you experienced otherwise?

[ReinyDays]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1435763374' post='11868992']
[quote name='ReinyDays' timestamp='1435757284' post='11868288']
arrowhead won't let you book a tee time as a single.
[/quote]

I have them listed in the 2 star category. I believe you can call the Pro shop the same day and get a firm commitment. 'Not very friendly, though. Have you experienced otherwise?
[/quote]

when i called on the same day the lady told me to show up to maybe get on and most likely they could only let me play 9 holes

[Argonne69]

[quote name='ReinyDays' timestamp='1436371964' post='11910324']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1435763374' post='11868992']
[quote name='ReinyDays' timestamp='1435757284' post='11868288']
arrowhead won't let you book a tee time as a single.
[/quote]

I have them listed in the 2 star category. I believe you can call the Pro shop the same day and get a firm commitment. 'Not very friendly, though. Have you experienced otherwise?
[/quote]

when i called on the same day the lady told me to show up to maybe get on and most likely they could only let me play 9 holes
[/quote]

OK, thanks for the update. I'll drop them to the bottom category.

[chrisf60526]

Give Springbrook a zero. yes, they'll let you play as a single but not after being harassed by the starter Don.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='chrisf60526' timestamp='1436465606' post='11917838']
Give Springbrook a zero. yes, they'll let you play as a single but not after being harassed by the starter Don.
[/quote]

Lol. Springbrook is already in the zero star category. Should I create a special -1 star category for them "-1 Stars: Openly Hostile to Single Players"?