By Dawn McKenna Group
North Shore golf courses are woven into everyday life along Lake Michigan, where a quick round fits easily between a morning coffee run and an afternoon at the beach. The options range from a century-old layout beside the train tracks to freshly renovated park district courses and private clubs with major championship history. We’ve gathered the courses our clients and neighbors love most, so you can find the one that suits your game and the town that suits your life.
Key Takeaways
- Public park district courses keep a tee time close to home, and many of our North Shore neighborhoods sit near more than one.
- Recent renovations at The Evans at Canal Shores, Winnetka Golf Club, and Heritage Oaks have given several local favorites a fresh look.
- Private clubs such as Skokie Country Club bring national championship history to the area’s golf scene.
The Evans at Canal Shores
The Evans at Canal Shores dates to 1919, when Tom Bendelow designed it, and a renovation led by architect Todd Quitno has given it fresh energy since 2022. The route winds through a 100-year-old oak forest beside the “L” and Metra tracks, with views of the Bahá’í House of Worship that make even a casual round feel memorable.
What to Know
- The course sits at 1030 Central Street in Evanston, right where Evanston meets Wilmette along the North Shore Channel.
- Its par-60 layout keeps rounds moving, which makes it a favorite for families, newer golfers, and anyone squeezing in nine holes before dinner.
- A not-for-profit runs the course, and its youth golf and caddie programs with First Tee and the Evans Scholars Foundation help local kids grow in the game.
Winnetka Golf Club
Winnetka Golf Club has welcomed golfers since 1917, and today it’s a public course run by the Winnetka Park District with day-to-day management from KemperSports. The club reopened in August 2024 after a renovation tied to the village’s stormwater project, giving golfers a refreshed course with plenty of history.
What to Know
- You’ll find the club at 540 Hibbard Road in Winnetka, surrounded by the village’s quiet residential streets west of Green Bay Road.
- Along with the 18-hole course, a par-3 nine-hole course works well for lessons, junior golfers, and short evening rounds.
- A driving range, practice greens and a clubhouse pro shop make it easy to warm up before a round or linger after one.
Glencoe Golf Club
Glencoe Golf Club is a public 18-hole course where tree-lined fairways and a relaxed pace set the tone from the first tee. Its spot near the village center means golfers can finish a morning round and be at lunch downtown shortly after.
What to Know
- The course is at 621 Westley Road in Glencoe, and its full scorecard shows a layout of roughly 6,500 yards.
- Mature trees frame many of the holes, giving every round a peaceful, park-like feel.
Heritage Oaks Golf Club
Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook reopened after a major renovation by the Northbrook Park District. It’s now one of the most complete golf destinations in the area, and the Acorn Grill + Terrace serves guests year-round, so a round can easily turn into dinner on the patio.
What to Know
- Heritage Oaks sits at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook, on the site of the former Sportsman’s Country Club.
- Golfers can choose between the Classic 18 and the Legacy 9, and multiple tee boxes on each let players of every level find a comfortable setup.
- The lighted practice range with TrackMan technology, golf academy, and indoor simulators keep golfers sharp well into the colder months.
Glenview Park Golf Club and Glenview Prairie Club
Glenview offers two public courses through its park district: Glenview Park Golf Club, the classic 18-hole option, and the nearby Glenview Prairie Club, a nine-hole course designed by Rick Jacobson.
What to Know
- Glenview Park Golf Club sits at 2901 West Lake Avenue, an easy drive from downtown Glenview and The Glen Town Center.
- Its par-70 layout rewards accuracy over power, which makes for an enjoyable round whether you’re a seasoned golfer or still building your game.
- The Prairie Club’s nine holes fit neatly into an hour or two, so it’s an easy pick for a weeknight round or short-game practice.
Wilmette Golf Club
Wilmette Golf Club is a public course with a manageable length that keeps the round enjoyable from start to finish. It’s a natural choice for anyone living near Wilmette’s lakefront, downtown, or Gillson Park.
What to Know
- The course sits at 3900 Fairway Drive in Wilmette, a short drive from the village’s downtown shops and Metra station.
- Back tees under 6,400 yards keep the course approachable, so it’s popular with golfers who like to walk their round.
Additional North Shore Golf Courses: Private Clubs
Private clubs add another layer to the area’s golf scene, and several carry a proud history. Membership typically comes through invitation or application.
What to Know
- Skokie Country Club in Glencoe hosted the 1922 U.S. Open, where a young Gene Sarazen won his first major championship.
- Exmoor Country Club has been part of Highland Park’s golf community for more than a century and remains a familiar name among local golfers.
- Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette and Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest are also well-known names across the North Shore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to reach the North Shore from downtown Chicago?
Getting there is easy, since most North Shore towns sit within about an hour’s drive of the Loop. The Metra Union Pacific North line also stops in Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, and Lake Forest.
When does golf season start on the North Shore?
Courses usually open in spring once the ground firms up and stay open well into fall, when the changing leaves make for some of the prettiest rounds of the year.
Can you buy a home near a golf course on the North Shore?
Yes, and plenty of buyers make it a priority. Many North Shore suburbs have a public course within a few minutes of home, so it’s easy to find a neighborhood that keeps a tee time close by.
Reach Out to Dawn McKenna Group Today
When you choose the right town, a morning round before work or a sunset nine after dinner becomes part of everyday life. At Dawn McKenna Group, we know how each North Shore community feels on the ground, from Wilmette’s lakefront blocks to the tree-lined streets near Northbrook’s courses. We’d love to help you find a home that keeps your favorite fairway close by.
Start with our current North Shore listings or a free home valuation, and our team will guide you every step from there. We’re experts on living in Chicago’s North Shore, and we’re here to help you find the home that feels like yours.
