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#11 in the United States

Chicago Golf Club

Wheaton, Illinois · designed by C.B. Macdonald (original 1895), Seth Raynor (renovation 1923) · opened 1895

By the topcourses.golf Editorial Team · · · How we rank →

Course card
Chicago Golf Club
Wheaton, Illinois
Par
70
Yardage
6,537yds
Holes
18
Opened
1895
Access
Private
Design
Classic
Plan of Chicago Golf Club showing its fairways, greens and bunkers, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
Course plan of Chicago Golf Club, drawn from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL). It shows what volunteer mappers have recorded, not an official plan, and the level of detail varies from course to course.

History

Chicago Golf Club, founded in 1892 and one of the five charter members of the USGA, holds a pivotal place in American golf history. C.B. Macdonald designed the permanent course in Wheaton in 1895 — the first 18-hole course built in the United States. Seth Raynor revised the routing in 1923, adding template holes that reinforced Chicago's status as a laboratory of strategic design. Its relatively short yardage belies a demanding layout where precision, wind management, and course knowledge matter far more than power. Three early U.S. Opens were played here, and its influence on American golf architecture is immeasurable.

Signature Hole

7th hole, par 3, 165 yards — a classic Raynor Short template with a wildly contoured punchbowl green

Notable Tournaments

  • 1897 U.S. Open
  • 1900 U.S. Open
  • 1911 U.S. Amateur
  • 2005 Walker Cup
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In the context of the top 100

Where this course sits against every ranked course on the list.

Opened 1895 — older than 3 of the 100 ranked courses.Opened 1895 — older than 3 of the 100 ranked courses.Opened1895189119572023
6,537 yards — longer than 6% of the ranked top 100.6,537 yards — longer than 6% of the ranked top 100.Yardage6,537 yds3,4187,876

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago Golf Club public or private?

Chicago Golf Club is a private club. Play is generally limited to members and their accompanied guests.

Who designed Chicago Golf Club?

Chicago Golf Club was designed by C.B. Macdonald (original 1895), Seth Raynor (renovation 1923) and opened in 1895.

Where does Chicago Golf Club rank among the top golf courses in America?

Chicago Golf Club ranks #11 on our consensus ranking of America's 100 greatest golf courses, synthesized from Golf Digest, Golfweek, and GOLF Magazine.

What is the signature hole at Chicago Golf Club?

The signature hole at Chicago Golf Club is the 7th hole, par 3, 165 yards — a classic Raynor Short template with a wildly contoured punchbowl green.

Wheaton, Illinois · 41.8465, -88.1162 · nearby top-100 courses shown in outline · open in Google Maps →

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