You’re driving up Route 41, past the sprawling estates of the North Shore, and you see it. Most people think Lake Forest is all private gates and six-figure initiation fees. That's the reputation. But tucked right into the heart of this prestigious zip code is a place that feels different. Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest Illinois is the great equalizer. It’s where the high-powered CEO from a lakefront mansion tee up right next to the high school kid trying to make the varsity team.
It’s public. It’s accessible. And honestly? It’s a lot harder than the scorecard looks.
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The thing about Deerpath is that it isn’t trying to be Conway Farms or Onwentsia. It knows exactly what it is: a community hub with a rich history and a surprisingly challenging layout. If you go in thinking it's a "muni" pushover, you're going to lose a lot of balls in the trees. The course dates back to the late 1920s, and you can feel that old-school architecture in every dogleg and every tight fairway.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Layout
People look at the total yardage and scoff. From the tips, it’s just over 6,200 yards. In the era of massive 7,500-yard championship tracks, that sounds like a pitch-and-putt. It's not.
The defense here is the trees. Thick, mature oaks and maples line almost every hole. If you spray the ball off the tee, you aren't just in the rough; you're punching out sideways. You have to be precise. You have to think. For instance, the opening hole is a short par 4, but if you're too aggressive, you’ll find yourself blocked out by the very trees that give the course its character. It's a mental game from the first swing.
The greens are another surprise. They are generally small and well-protected. Over the last few years, the maintenance crew has really stepped up. They run faster than you’d expect for a municipal course.
The back nine is where the real drama happens. It feels a bit more secluded, deeper into the woods. There’s a stretch of holes that can absolutely ruin a good round if you lose focus. You’re playing through corridors of green, and the silence is only broken by the occasional sound of a train or a distant mower. It’s peaceful, but it’s punishing.
The Recent Upgrades Change Everything
For a long time, Deerpath struggled with drainage. It’s an old course built on North Shore clay. After a heavy rain, parts of it would basically become a swamp. That was the reputation for years.
That changed with the Deerpath Golf Course renovation project. The city invested millions into a state-of-the-art drainage system and the addition of the "Deerpath Short Game Center." This isn't some tiny chipping green. We’re talking about a world-class practice facility. It covers acres and allows you to practice every imaginable shot from 60 yards and in. It was designed by the firm of Raymond Hearn, and it’s arguably the best short-game area at any public course in the Chicago suburbs.
I’ve seen people spend four hours just at the practice center. They never even set foot on the first tee. That tells you something about the quality. They also added a massive new putting green and refined the bunkers. They used Better Billy Bunker technology—if you know golf maintenance, you know that’s the gold standard for keeping sand playable after a storm.
Why the Clubhouse and The Sandwedge Matter
Golf is only half the draw. You’ve probably been to courses where the "clubhouse" is a trailer or a sad room with a vending machine. Deerpath is the opposite. The clubhouse has this classic, historic feel that matches the Lake Forest aesthetic without being stuffy.
Then there’s The Sandwedge.
Most muni food is a soggy hot dog. Here, the patio is the place to be on a Friday afternoon. They’ve got a massive outdoor deck that overlooks the course. Even if you aren't playing, locals come here for a burger and a drink. It feels like a neighborhood hangout. It’s inclusive. You’ll see families, groups of friends, and golfers arguing over their scores.
The staff deserves a mention too. There’s a guy named Rick who has been around forever. The head pro, Rick Walrath, and his team run a tight ship. They manage a massive volume of rounds—this place is busy, especially on weekends—but they keep things moving. Pace of play is a common complaint at public courses, but they work hard to keep it under four and a half hours.
Comparing Deerpath to Other North Shore Publics
If you’re a golfer in the Chicago area, you have options. You could head to Heritage Oaks in Northbrook or Sunset Valley in Highland Park. Both are great.
But Deerpath has a different "vibe." Heritage Oaks is sleek and modern after its massive redesign. Sunset Valley is wide open and links-style in many places. Deerpath is the traditionalist’s choice. It feels like the golf courses people played 80 years ago. It’s intimate.
The pricing is also incredibly fair for the area. Lake Forest residents get a discount, obviously, but even for non-residents, it’s one of the best values in the northern suburbs. You get a private-club feel for a fraction of the price.
Surviving the "Amen Corner" of Lake Forest
There isn't an official name for the toughest stretch at Deerpath, but most regulars agree it hits you around holes 13 through 15.
The 13th is a par 3 that can play quite long depending on the wind. The green is deceptive. The 14th is a par 4 that requires a perfectly placed drive just to have a look at the green. If you're long and left, you're dead. Long and right? You're in the woods.
Then you get to 15. This hole breaks people. It’s a par 5, but it’s narrow. The trees feel like they’re leaning in on you. You have to navigate a series of turns, and the green is perched up with significant slope. Walking away with a par here feels like a birdie.
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I once saw a guy take a 12 on this hole. He started the back nine even par and finished the round nearly breaking his putter. That’s the "Deerpath Special." It lulls you into a sense of security because it’s short, then it jumps out and grabs you when you get lazy with your swing.
Lessons from the Pros at Deerpath
If you really want to score well at Deerpath Golf Course Lake Forest Illinois, listen to what the teaching pros there say. They’ll tell you to leave the driver in the bag more often than you think.
Since the fairways are tight, a 3-wood or even a long iron off the tee is often the smarter play. Being 150 yards out in the middle of the fairway is 100% better than being 80 yards out but stuck behind a massive oak tree.
Also, pay attention to the grain on the greens. Because of the local topography and the way the course was built on old farmland and wooded areas, some putts break toward the Skokie River (which runs nearby) more than you'd think.
The Community Impact and Junior Golf
Lake Forest High School has a legendary golf program. They win state titles like it’s a hobby. A huge reason for that success is Deerpath.
The course is the home base for the Scouts. You see these kids out there every single day, grinding away on the short game area or playing nine holes after school. The City of Lake Forest has done an incredible job of making sure the next generation has a place to play.
They host tons of junior camps and clinics. It isn't just about elite players, though. It’s about getting kids outside. On any given Tuesday morning, you’ll see dozens of kids in oversized polos learning how to grip a club. It’s refreshing. In a sport that is often criticized for being "old and gray," Deerpath feels vibrant and young.
Planning Your Visit: What You Need to Know
If you're planning to head out there, here are some practicalities that actually matter.
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- Tee Times: They use an online booking system. If you want a weekend morning, you better be online the second the window opens. It fills up fast.
- The Walking Question: Deerpath is a great walking course. It’s relatively flat, and the distances between greens and tees are short. If you’re physically able, walk it. You’ll appreciate the details of the architecture more.
- The Range: Note that they don't have a full-length driving range where you can bomb drivers. They have a hitting net for warming up. However, the Short Game Center more than makes up for this. If you need to hit 300-yard drives before your round, go to a nearby range first.
- Dress Code: It’s Lake Forest, but it’s relaxed. Standard golf attire—collared shirt, no denim. You don't need to look like you're playing the Masters, but don't show up in gym shorts.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Drive?
If you live in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, yes.
Deerpath is a reminder of what municipal golf should be. It’s well-maintained, historically significant, and challenging without being unfair. It doesn't have the lake views of Sydney Marovitz or the "status" of the private clubs next door, but it has heart.
The investment the city made into the drainage and the practice facility has paid off. It’s now a year-round destination (well, as much as Chicago weather allows) with the clubhouse and the bar staying active.
When you finish your round, sit on that patio. Order the burger. Look out over the 18th green as the sun starts to dip behind the trees. You'll realize that you don't need a $50,000 membership to enjoy world-class golf on the North Shore. You just need a tee time at Deerpath.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Round
- Book early. Set a reminder for the 7-day booking window if you aren't a resident.
- Arrive 45 minutes prior. Do not skip the Short Game Center. Spend at least 20 minutes chipping and putting to get a feel for the green speed.
- Check the weather. Even with the new drainage, the course plays differently when it's damp. Bring extra towels.
- Strategy over power. Keep the driver in the bag on holes 1, 10, and 15. Trust the shorter clubs to keep you in the fairway.
- Stay for lunch. The Sandwedge is genuinely better than most "golf course food." It’s part of the experience.
Go play it. Even if you shoot ten strokes over your handicap because of those trees, you’ll likely find yourself checking the calendar to see when you can come back. That's the pull of Deerpath. It’s a local treasure that finally has the infrastructure to match its history.