GOLF

Championship Golf Course in Chicago Southland

Experience the premier championship golf course in Chicago Southland at Idlewild Country Club. Designed to inspire and challenge, our 18-hole, par 72 course combines natural beauty with strategic play, creating an exceptional golf experience for players of every skill level.

A Historic Course with Timeless Appeal

Established in 1908, Idlewild Country Club’s championship parkland course showcases over a century of golfing tradition. Featuring playing distances ranging from 5,400 to 6,750 yards, the course is thoughtfully designed across gently rolling terrain and enhanced by the scenic presence of Butterfield Creek, which winds through the layout.

History of the Idlewild Golf Course

For more than a century, Idlewild Country Club’s golf course has evolved while preserving the character and traditions that make it a cherished destination for golfers. From its humble beginnings to modern enhancements, the course reflects a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

A Storied Beginning

In the club’s early years, the original membership hired Al Naylor for the sum of $60 to serve as Idlewild Country Club’s first golf professional. Situated near the Illinois Central Railroad line, the course quickly established itself as a welcoming place for golfers and a cornerstone of the local golf community.

A Legacy of Course Enhancements

During the 1920s, renowned golf course architect William Langford—known for his work at Butterfield Country Club, Ruth Lake Country Club, and Lawsonia Links—was brought in to enhance the course’s greens complexes and bunkering. His contributions helped shape the strategic and enjoyable layout golfers experience today.

Preserving the Future of the Game

As the course matured, natural changes to the landscape prompted ongoing improvements. In the early 2000s, recommendations from the USGA guided a series of enhancements, including improved drainage, healthier greens, tree management, and the creation of more scenic golf vistas. These efforts culminated in the installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system in 2021, ensuring exceptional playing conditions for generations to come.

Scorecard Front and Back

Scorecard for a golf course featuring hole details, yardage for various tees, par information, and rules from the USGA. Essential for players.

Scorecard for Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor, Illinois, detailing hole scores, par values, and totals for a round of golf.

Course Tour with Hole Descriptions

A view of a well-maintained golf course pathway leading into lush green fairways under a clear blue sky, ideal for golfing enthusiasts.

Hole 1

Your opening shot is slightly uphill to a generous fairway, leaving a mid to short iron approach to a green with more subtleties than meets the eye.

HOLE 1
Par 4
Handicap Men: 7
Women: 7

389
387
377

Lush, manicured golf course fairway lines a sunny landscape, showcasing vibrant green grass and trees, illustrating a serene outdoor recreational setting.

Hole 2

The first of Idlewild Country Club’s 5 Par 5s: a semi-blind tee shot to a fairway pinched by a bunker deep down the right side. The second shot must navigate the bunkers on the left and right. The third shot must be exacting to a well-bunkered, two-tiered green.

HOLE 2
Par 5
Handicap Men: 9
Women: 1

527
518
501

Lush green fairway of a golf course lined with trees, featuring a clear sky and manicured grass, inviting for a round of golf.

Hole 3

The first of Idlewild Country Club’s 5 Par 3s: a mid to long iron tee shot to a well-bunkered green. Watch out for trees left, and this is your first look at Butterfield Creek to your right. Keep your ball below the hole.

HOLE 3
Par 3
Handicap Men: 15
Women: 13

187
179
162

Wide view of a well-maintained golf course fairway lined with trees under a clear blue sky, showcasing a serene outdoor setting ideal for golfing.

Hole 4

An uphill tee shot on this Par 5, the second shot must navigate a bunker on the right side in the landing area, leaving a short iron/wedge slightly uphill to one of Idlewild Country Club’s flatter greens.

HOLE 4
Par 5
Handicap Men: 3
Women: 5

548
530
454

Lush green golf course fairway lined with trees under a clear blue sky, illustrating an inviting outdoor recreational space.

Hole 5

A slightly uphill and most challenging tee shot to a narrow fairway leaves a mid to short iron shot to a bowl-shaped green that presents numerous breaks.

HOLE 5
Par 4
Handicap Men: 11
Women: 9

400
381
365

Golf course view from the tee box, featuring freshly mowed grass, trees lining the fairway, and a clear blue sky, ideal for a sunny day of golf.

Hole 6

Depending on tee placement, this is either a long to mid iron or a short iron to a well-bunkered green whose slopes can present some putting dilemmas.

HOLE 6
Par 3
Handicap Men: 13
Women: 15

210
182
166

Lush golf course fairway lined with trees, showcasing a clear sky and well-maintained grass, ideal for outdoor recreation and golfing.

Hole 7

The #1 handicap hole: a slightly uphill tee shot must avoid the trees left and right, so a semi-blind second shot can be positioned for a short iron/wedge to clear Butterfield Creek to one of Idlewild Country Club’s smaller greens.

HOLE 7
Par 5
Handicap Men: 1
Women: 3

569
545
449

Lush green golf course with well-maintained fairways and trees under a clear blue sky, showcasing a serene outdoor landscape for golfers.

Hole 8

A challenging tee shot must avoid a bunker left and trees right; the approach to perhaps Idlewild Country Club’s largest green must be played strategically to avoid a ridge running diagonally through the green.

HOLE 8
Par 4
Handicap Men: 5
Women: 11

439
387
342

Lush green golf course fairway lined with trees, leading to a club building in the background under a clear blue sky.

Hole 9

A beautiful short Par 3, with our pool and patio in sight, the tee shot is to a well-bunkered green with numerous putting challenges on the slopes that often create many double- or triple-breaking putts.

HOLE 9
Par 3
Handicap Men: 17
Women: 17

144
136
122

Lush golf course landscape featuring manicured greens, colorful flowers, and tree-lined fairways under an overcast sky. Ideal for golfing enthusiasts.

Hole 10

A beautiful, sweeping view of one of our most challenging holes: your tee shot must navigate bunkers left and right, leaving a mid to short iron second shot to a green protected by a seven-foot green wall. The green slopes diagonally from right to left.

HOLE 10
Par 4
Handicap Men: 10
Women: 10

384
368
318

A well-maintained golf course with a clear view of the fairway and greens, surrounded by lush trees and a bright blue sky.

Hole 11

Your tee shot is right in front of you on this Par 5; the trees to the right are navigable, but those to the left are difficult. Your second shot is uphill, leaving a wedge to a green severely sloped from back to front and guarded by bunkers. Big hitters can catch the slope at 75 yards out and reach the green in two.

HOLE 11
Par 5
Handicap Men: 6
Women: 4

546
530
464

Lush green golf course landscape featuring well-manicured fairways and trees under a clear sky, ideal for outdoor sports and recreation.

Hole 12

A most challenging Par 3: your long to mid-iron approach must avoid a bunker short and left and a grass bunker on the right edge of the green. The green challenges you with a ridge running down the middle.

HOLE 12
Par 3
Handicap Men: 14
Women: 16

185
175
160

Lush green golf course fairway framed by trees, showcasing a manicured landscape ideal for golfing. Perfect for showcasing course design.

Hole 13

A short Par 4 that’s drivable for the longest hitters, most have to decide between a driver needing to thread bunkers left and right with a sloping fairway presenting an awkward stance, or laying up short over a mid-iron approach to a mostly flat and narrow green guarded by bunkers.

HOLE 13
Par 4
Handicap Men: 16
Women: 14

352
331
301

Lush golf course fairway lined with trees under a clear blue sky, featuring a sand trap on the right, emphasizing a serene outdoor setting.

Hole 14

A challenging tee shot must avoid bunkers and trees on both sides; a mid- to short-iron approach must be played left of the pin to leave an uphill putt on a green that slopes severely downward diagonally from right to left.

HOLE 14
Par 4
Handicap Men: 12
Women: 8

391
365
349

Lush green golf course with well-maintained fairways and trees lining the landscape, ideal for recreational sports and outdoor activities.

Hole 15

Possibly Idlewild Country Club’s toughest hole, the tee shot must be placed center right so trees do not block your angle on this dogleg left. The second shot on this severely sloped, narrow, and well-bunkered green must be below the hole to make par or birdie.

HOLE 15
Par 4
Handicap Men: 4
Women: 12

388
375
308

Lush green golf course with manicured fairways and trees lining the sides, set against a clear blue sky. Ideal for outdoor leisure and sports.

Hole 16

This tee shot to Idlewild Country Club’s smallest and well-bunkered green must be accurately judged and placed. The 16th can play from 100 to 150 yards from the long tee box.

HOLE 16
Par 3
Handicap Men: 18
Women: 18  

170
143
111

Lush green golf course fairway viewed on a clear day, showcasing well-maintained grass and trees lining the edges. Ideal for golfing enthusiasts.

Hole 17

Length can be an issue on one of Idlewild Country Club’s hardest holes: the tee shot must navigate a new bunker on the right and trees left; the second shot must carry a pond and the false front; take a half club more. The green has more breaks than it appears.

HOLE 17
Par 4
Handicap Men: 2
Women: 2

399
395
329

Lush green golf course fairway stretches into the distance, with a mower in operation, showcasing the course's maintenance and care.

Hole 18

Idlewild Country Club’s finishing hole is a Par 5 reachable in two by long hitters, a trap right, and Dixie Highway causes many to stray left in some trees. The second shot must stay in the narrowing fairway pinched by bunkers, leaving a wedge approach to a two-tiered green.

HOLE 18
Par 5
Handicap Men: 8
Women: 6

513
508
454

Golfers practice their swings at an outdoor driving range, surrounded by lush greenery under a clear blue sky.

Pro Shop

Our fully stocked Pro Shop offers everything golfers need to elevate their game. Led by Head Pro Adam Turney, we provide personalized individual instruction, engaging group lessons for men and women, and a growing youth golf development program. Members and guests can also take advantage of sponsored demo days to test the latest equipment, professional tournament planning and management services, and ongoing support for our established caddie program.

Caddie Program

Tournament Information

Idlewild Country Club offers a dynamic tournament program that fosters friendly competition, strengthens member connections, and enhances the overall golf experience.

Signature events include Men’s and Women’s Flighted Club Championships, the spirited Sox vs. Cubs Ryder Cup-style competition known as The Davis Cup, a 2-Man Member-Member Tournament, a 2-Man Member-Guest Tournament, the prestigious Gold Putter Calcutta Tournament, and a variety of 4-Man events that promote camaraderie both on and off the course.

The club also hosts a Men’s Invitational, providing opportunities to build business relationships while introducing prospective members to the exceptional Idlewild Country Club experience.

Beyond club events, Idlewild Country Club proudly competes alongside member clubs of the Chicago District Golf Association’s (CDGA) Southern District. Men, women, and senior men participate in competitive interclub matches hosted on a rotating basis, creating opportunities to represent the club, enjoy regional competition, and connect with golfers from across the district.

Golfers gather in the parking area, preparing for play amid numerous golf carts. A sunny day enhances the lively atmosphere of the tournament.