Willow Hill Golf Course

Willow Hill Golf Course Overview
Golfers may know Willow Hill offers 9 holes of Scottish links-style golf, a full driving range, and even a new golf dome in the winter. What they may not realize is that the course is a triumph of land management. Completed in 1995, Willow Hill was built on an old Waste Management Inc landfill. The landfill was covered by a layer of clay which needed to remain unbroken. As a result, there are no trees on the course, so naughty roots don’t poke through the clay. And also no water hazards. A perfect fit for links-style golf. At ~100 feet high, the course is located on the highest land in Cook County. On a clear day you’ll enjoy nice views of Chicago’s skyline.

If you’ve played links-style golf before, you’ll feel right at home here. And that includes the wind. The course is exposed due to the height, so expect your ball to get blown around. At just over 3,000 yards, the course isn’t huge, but trouble looms if you don’t keep it in the short grass. Many of the holes are straight lines, but large mounds separate the fairways. The greens are somewhat fast and can be tricky, but the course is kept in great shape.

The practice facilities here are excellent. A grass-tee driving range has about 35 stations to hit from. Two large practice greens allow putting and chipping before your round. And the Willow Hill Golf Dome was completed in February 2023, providing refuge for us addicted golfers during the winter. Though diminutive, the clubhouse is modern and sleek, and houses the Willow Hill Bar & Grill. The pro shop is on the small side, but has golf essentials and a moderate amount of gear. Play 18 holes here if you can -- replay rates are reasonable!

2025 Update
Willow Hill made some changes to the course! In addition to much nicer bunkers, the routing is different. Old holes 2, 3, 5, and 6 are now 5, 6, 2, and 3 respectively. Signage is updated on the course. The new scorecard shows Willow Hill lost 20 yards as a result. Despite this, the course rating and slope reflects a tougher test. On the blue tees, the rating went from 33.6 to 34; slope went from 113 to 122.