Chicago Highlands - Illinois - USA

Chicago Highlands enjoys one of the largest properties for an 18-hole golf course in the Chicago area, part of which comes thanks to its willingness to convert a former landfill site to suit its needs. Another benefit of that decision was the ability to mold the terrain into a links-like aesthetic, which Arthur Hills has done nicely.

Despite the nods to Scotland in the fescue-covered hills, this property also sits on one of the highest points in the area, and Hills would have been a fool not to take advantage of the views toward downtown Chicago. This feature of the course is exemplified by No. 9, a drivable par four that sits on the property’s highest point. The putting surface is an alluring one, an infinity green backed by one of America’s largest skylines. Don’t get too distracted!

Heading back to the club's linksland intentions, Hills built blind approaches into several holes, such as the par four No. 3 and the par three No. 13, where players must trust their distance (and the punchbowl) to find a potential birdie putt.