Downers Grove Park District Golf Course is a Public 9 hole golf course located in Downers Grove, Illinois.
The course was designed by Charles Macdonald. David Gill redesigned three holes in 1976, and it was redesigned again by Steven Halberg in 1992 for its centennial celebration.
The course has a storied past. In 1892 golf legend Charles Blair MacDonald convinced 30 colleagues to contribute to the construction of a nine-hole course on the site of a farm owned by A. Haddow Smith. The course was the original home of the Chicago Golf Club. Nine more holes were added a year later, making the course the site of the first 18-hole course in the United States.
From 1895 to 1968, the site of the Downers Grove Golf Course was owned by several different individuals and was operated under the name of Belmont Country Club. In 1968, the course was purchased by the Downers Grove Park District and was renamed the Downers Grove Golf Course. The park district purchased the course in 1968 and re-established it as a nine-hole course.
Downers Grove Golf Course e features rolling terrain, a meandering creek, plus tree-lined fairways that afford generous landing areas.
Par for the course is 35. From the back tees, the course plays to 3,230 yards. From the forward tees, the course measures 2,629 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 9, a par-5 that plays to 504 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 6, a par-3 that plays to 179 yards from the back tees.
Watch out for # 3, a 445 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at Downers Grove Park District Golf Course is # 6, a 179 yard par-3.
$21 (cart not included), played on Thursday, July 2015 at 6:12 AM
Great layout, variety of holes, surprising elevation changes for the area (Chicago suburbs). Greens are fast, but true, with subtle breaks. Beautiful course, superb condition. You wont find many better nine hole courses, especially at the price.
$16 (cart not included), played on Thursday, September 2013 at 10am
A hidden treasure! One of the oldest nine hole courses in the USA. Very well kept w/ a great staff. Could play faster but that may be due to the amount of leagues.....a true public course, that plays like a private club. I believe that the #1 handicap hole is #2. At least that's how it plays for me.
$16 (cart not included), played on Saturday, September 2013 at noon
Have played it many times. One of the oldest courses in tne Midwest
$16 (cart not included), played on Friday, April 2013 at 4pm
I play this course 1-2 times a week, and it rarely disappoints. The only real con could be the pace of play if you end up there during a busy day. The price attracts the amateur but it can be a tough course if you get off the fairway.
$16 (cart not included), played on Thursday, April 2013 at noon
Above average layout and challenge with slopes and trees. Holes 2 and 7 are challenging.
Latest Golf Course Reviews
$21 (cart not included), played on Thursday, May 2017 at 7:45 AM
This is an amazing 9 hole course. So well maintained. Very challenging. I play it every week when I can.