Lake Forest is fancy. There’s no point in pretending otherwise. Driving down Deerpath Road, you see the massive estates, the perfectly manicured hedges, and that unmistakable North Shore quiet. But tucked right into the middle of this affluent zip code is a place that feels surprisingly accessible: Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest IL. It isn't a stuffy private club where you need a six-figure initiation fee to get a tee time. It’s a municipal track. A muni. But it’s a muni with an identity crisis in the best way possible.
I’ve walked this course more times than I can count. Honestly, if you’re looking for a "hidden gem" in the Chicago suburbs, this is usually the first name that pops up in conversation at the 19th hole. But is it actually as good as the locals say? Or is it just the benefit of a wealthy tax base keeping the grass greener than the public courses in neighboring towns?
Let’s get into it.
The Reality of Playing Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest IL
First thing you’ll notice? The drainage. Or, more accurately, the lack of the old drainage issues. For years, if it drizzled for five minutes, Deerpath turned into a swamp. You’d hit a beautiful drive right down the middle and your ball would just disappear into the earth, never to be seen again. It was frustrating.
Thankfully, the city poured serious money into a massive renovation project a few years back. They installed a sophisticated drainage system and built "The Lawn," a world-class practice facility. Now, even after a heavy Midwestern downpour, the course holds up. It’s playable.
The layout itself is a par-70. It’s not incredibly long, topping out around 6,200 yards from the back tees. Don't let that fool you into thinking it's a pushover, though. The fairways are tight. Like, "I should have left the driver in the bag" tight. Oak trees line almost every hole, and they’ve been there for a century. They reach out and swat your ball into the rough if you’re even five yards off-line.
Why the Front Nine and Back Nine Feel Like Different Worlds
The front nine is a bit of a warmup. You’ve got some room to breathe on the first couple of holes, but things get interesting around the 4th. It’s a short par 4, but the green is tucked away and protected. You have to be precise.
Then you hit the back nine.
💡 You might also like: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
This is where Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest IL really shows its teeth. The back nine feels more secluded. You’re deeper into the woods. The 14th hole is a beast of a par 3 over water that can absolutely wreck a good scorecard. The wind coming off Lake Michigan—even though you’re a couple of miles inland—starts to swirl through the corridors of trees. It's tricky.
The "The Lawn" is a Game Changer
You can’t talk about Deerpath without mentioning The Lawn. Most public courses have a beat-up driving range with sandy mats and a putting green that’s rolling at a 4. Deerpath went in the opposite direction.
They built a 30,000-square-foot bentgrass practice area. It’s gorgeous. It’s got a world-class putting clock, chipping areas that actually mimic the conditions on the course, and a vibe that feels more like a private club in Scotland than a municipal park in Illinois. It’s free to use for residents (mostly), and even for non-residents, it’s a steal.
I’ve seen people spend three hours on The Lawn and never even touch the actual course. It’s that good. If you're trying to fix a slice or figure out your short game, this is arguably the best spot in the Chicago area to do it without paying for a membership at Onwentsia or Knollwood.
What It Costs and Who It’s For
Let’s talk money. Because this is Lake Forest, people assume it’s expensive. It’s not.
If you’re a resident, the rates are some of the best values in the state. If you’re a non-resident, you’ll pay a bit more, but it’s still competitive with other high-end public courses like Cantigny or The Glen Club.
- Weekdays: Usually somewhere in the $50-$70 range depending on the time of day.
- Weekends: You’re looking at $80-$100 with a cart.
Is it worth a $100? On a Saturday morning in June when the fescue is tall and the greens are rolling true? Absolutely. On a Tuesday in November when the leaves are covering every square inch of the fairway? Maybe not.
📖 Related: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
One thing to keep in mind: it gets crowded. Because it’s one of the few high-quality public options in the area, tee times fly off the board. You need to be on the website the second they open up, or you’ll be stuck with a 4:30 PM slot, praying you finish before the sun goes down.
The Maintenance Standard (The "Lake Forest" Factor)
People expect perfection in this town. The superintendent at Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest IL clearly feels that pressure. The greens are almost always in fantastic shape. They are fast—not "PGA Tour" fast, but certainly faster than your average suburban muni.
The bunkers are hit or miss. To be fair, that’s the case with almost every public course in the Midwest. After a storm, they can get a bit "crusty," but generally, they are well-maintained with actual sand, not just dirt and rocks.
The rough is thick. If you miss the fairway, you aren't just hitting off some thin grass. You're hacking it out of deep, lush North Shore turf. It rewards accuracy over distance every single time.
What Most People Get Wrong About Deerpath
The biggest misconception is that it's a "short, easy course."
Sure, on paper, a 6,200-yard par 70 looks like a birdie fest. But the slope rating is higher than you’d expect. The narrowness of the fairways and the complexity of the greens make it a "positional" course. If you try to overpower it, Deerpath will embarrass you. You have to play smart. You have to know when to hit a 4-iron off the tee just to keep it in play.
The Clubhouse and the Vibe
The clubhouse is classic. It’s got that Tudor-style architecture that defines Lake Forest. It’s not massive, but it’s functional. The Sandwedge Grill is the place to be after a round. The burgers are surprisingly solid, and the patio overlooks the course, which is a great spot to watch your friends chunk their approach shots on the 18th.
👉 See also: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
The vibe is "casual but respectful." You'll see high school kids from Lake Forest High (who have a legendary golf program, by the way) practicing alongside retirees who have played the course for forty years. It’s a true community hub.
Planning Your Trip to Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest IL
If you're coming from the city, it's about a 45-minute drive up I-94. It's worth the trip, especially if you pair it with a visit to the downtown Lake Forest area for dinner afterward.
Pro Tips for Your Round:
- Arrive early for The Lawn. Seriously. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to just mess around on the practice green. It will save you three strokes on the course once you get a feel for the speed.
- Club down on the tee. You don't need driver on 14 holes here. Take a hybrid or a long iron and stay in the short grass.
- Watch the 14th. It’s the hardest hole on the course for a reason. Don't be a hero. Aim for the center of the green and move on.
- Check the events calendar. Because it's a muni, they host a lot of local tournaments and high school matches. Make sure you aren't booking a time right behind a 40-person outing.
The Final Verdict
Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest IL is a rarity. It’s a public course that behaves like a private one. It’s challenging without being punishingly long, and it’s maintained with a level of care that you usually only see at places with five-figure dues.
Is it the best course in Illinois? No. But is it one of the best municipal courses in the Midwest? Yeah, it’s definitely in the conversation. It has character. It has history. And most importantly, it has a soul.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Book 7 days out: If you aren't a resident, that’s your window. Set a reminder for the morning to snag a prime morning slot.
- Download a GPS app: The course doesn't have GPS on the carts, and because of the trees, yardage markers can be hard to spot. Use an app like 18Birdies or Grint to navigate the blind spots.
- Walk, don't ride: If you’re physically able, Deerpath is a great walking course. It’s relatively flat, and you’ll appreciate the scenery (and the massive houses lining the perimeter) much more on foot.
- Fix your divots: Since this is a high-traffic course, the fairways can take a beating. Be a good golfer and help keep the conditions pristine for the next person.