Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: Certainly one of the premier public access golf courses in the Chicago area. Fazio did here what he always does by offering a playable course that still challenges golfers with difficult greens, a variety of hole distances, and plenty of bunkers. Grade B-
Quick Facts
Designer: Tom Fazio in 2001
Cost: $100.00 - $198.00 ($30 for a cart) Click for current rates
Phone Number: (847) 724-7272
Course Website: Official Website - Visit The Glen Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 2901 W Lake Ave, Glenview, Illinois 60026 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of The Glen Club
What to Expect: Most of the time players are treated to a Tom Fazio experience it is at a private facility, but that is not the case at The Glen Club located 30 minutes north of downtown Chicago. This facility stands as one of the top public access courses in Illinois and is a total transformation from its former use. For 70 years the land was used as a Naval Air Base and was virtually dead flat, but Fazio managed to shape the terrain into an engaging experience with some elevation changes reaching 40 feet. The course is found within a development, fortunately though, the housing is around the perimeter of the course and never carves through it or dominates the setting. The water hazards on the property come into play on a third of the holes, including every type of par, and the land features a combination of trees and prairie land. The routing is done very well to accomplish smooth transitions from green to tee while also running holes in a variety of different directions which delivers long term enjoyment in a variety of wind and weather conditions. You’ll also find what you always do at Fazio courses; generous fairways widths, ample greens, and a solid challenge with plenty of playability. In the end, The Glen Club is an easy choice as a destination to play in Chicago if you don’t have access to the private clubs in the area.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 7170 | 74.9 | 141 |
| Gold/Blue | 72 | 6907 | 73.7 | 138 |
| Blue | 72 | 6620 | 72.4 | 134 |
| Blue/Silver | 72 | 6316 | 71.0 | 130 |
| Silver | 72 | 6062 | 69.8 | 127 |
| Red (Women) | 72 | 5324 | 71.6 | 128 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 8th Hole – 375 Yard Par 4 – Fortunately you have had plenty of time to warm up by the time you get to the 8th hole because this is perhaps the most demanding drive of the day. A creek meanders along the left side before opening up to a small lake, so anything that goes left you can kiss goodbye. Players bailing to the right will be left with an approach shot out of the rough and with trees that can come into play. The wise approach shot comes in from the right and uses the bowl effect around the green to work the ball in towards the flag.
Best Par 3: 11th Hole – 218 Yards – Playing into the prevailing wind out of the south, the 11th is more challenging than the card indicates. An ideal tee shot starts at the right edge of the green away from the trio of bunkers on the left and draws in towards the flag. Balls that go too far left with splash in the water and virtually eliminate any chance at a par. Players that miss the green to the right will be faced with a chip where the green is running away from them and can be difficult to get the distance correct on.
Best Par 4: 3rd Hole – 453 Yards – The 3rd is a demanding two-shotter that generally plays with a cross wind. The tee shot plays over a small lake to a fairway that narrows up in the landing zone where a trio of bunkers sit on the left side. The most favorable drive stays up the right side of the fairway so that the large bunker on the left side of the green is less of a factor given the angle. Regardless of where players are approaching the green from, they should favor the high right side so that they either have a look at birdie, or a straight forward chip to the day's pin location. The green can get quick though, so any chips should be spinning enough to control the distance.
Best Par 5: 18th Hole – 589 Yards – With the prevailing summer wind at your back, players will have an opportunity to decide whether to go for the green in two or not on this risk/reward finisher. The water in the distance is not reachable from the tee so busting a driver right between the fairway bunkers and down the slope will put you in an ideal position. From there you have to decide whether to hit directly over the pond that the green sits behind while also encompassing the right side of the final 100 yards, or whether to thread a shot into the narrowing fairway that has sand and water protecting it. You'll need back to back successful shots to yield a good opportunity for birdie, but proper execution can have you walking off The Glen Club with a smile on your face.
Birdie Time: 10th Hole – 333 Yard Par 4 – Tom wants players to get off on the right foot to start the back nine by delivering this short par four that players can take advantage of. Tee shots under 250 yards will stay short of the fairway bunker on the right and put a scoring club into the player's hands while long bombers can take a rip at the green with a baby fade being the ideal shape. The green is much wider than it is deep so there is forgiveness on accuracy, but your distance control needs to be spot on.
Bogey Beware: 7th Hole – 475 Yard Par 4 – The 7th runs along the western boundary of the course and is the longest par four on the course. Fazio begs players to stay away from the left side where three bunkers reside near the driving zone and o.b. exists for players that hook it wide of that. From the right side of the fairway the crescent bunker on the right edge of the green looms large while the left side of the putting surface runs away quickly and doesn't provide a great place to bail out to. Despite the large putting surface, you don't see a lot of greens in regulation here and the sloping surface makes getting up and down for par a challenge.
