WOW is my first reaction to this impressive 9 hole course. From the time you step onto the raised up, meticulously built first tee you realize this is NOT your typical Chicago area nine hole. First and foremost this course is heavily wooded and will make you think on every hole. Lots of low ceiling and tunnel shots that force you pick your line carefully. There are multiple tees and multiple pin placements on all but two holes which allow you to play two rounds of 9 and have 16 different looks with an even mix of straight, right to left and left to right shots required. The long tee boxes (with distances from 200 to 460 feet) are beautifully constructed, perfectly level and plenty large. The long tees are made of raised, timber framed stone pavers and will challenge any intermediate or even advanced player. The shorter tees are also raised, timber framed, AstroTurf and will again force the beginner/ intermediate player to pick a line and place shots accurately. There is not one single gimmy hole even from the short tees. There is a wonderful mix of rolling elevation changes and distances with five holes in the 200 to 275 range and four in the 330' to 460' range. At least 5 or 6 of the holes here would be signature holes anywhere else.

I'm kind of nit picking because there is not much to criticize and all of the below concerns should be corrected over time. There should be at least a few trash cans which have yet to be placed. The old course had small trash cans at each tee so I'm thinking that they will reappear soon. All the sign posts are in but no signs yet. Even so the natural flow of the course is very easy to follow. Finally the course still has a raw feel from the recent construction but by the spring of 2014 mother nature will have solved this minor concern herself.

After looking at the layout carefully it's clear that the long walk between 2nd hole and 3rd tee was unavoidable and ultimately the best use of the limited space in this remote corner of the park. I only mention it because I'm sure others will point this out. I personally play to get fresh air and exercise so an extra couple hundred feet of walking is of little consequence. All in all the designers and the Oak Brook Park district should be congratulated on a fantastic job. They made what was a great 9 hole course even better. I'm confident that this is now the best 9 hole course in the Chicago area and will only get better over time. As always please pick up your trash and leave the course nicer than you found it. (Even if there are no trash cans) May all your drives be true & all your putts (and the occasional drive) end with a satisfying clink of chain.