If you’ve lived in the western suburbs of Chicago for more than a minute, you’ve heard the name. St Andrews Golf and Country Club West Chicago is basically an institution. It’s not one of those ultra-exclusive, nose-in-the-air private clubs where you need a bloodline and a six-figure initiation fee just to see the locker room. It’s public. It’s accessible. And honestly, it’s a bit of a time capsule in the best way possible.
Located right off Route 59, it’s the kind of place where you’ll see a scratch golfer trying to shave a stroke off their handicap standing right next to a guy in a stained polo who just wants to drink a beer and hit something. It’s been family-owned by the Jemsek family since the 1920s. Think about that. Joe Jemsek, the "Patriarch of Public Golf," basically built his legacy here. He wanted to give the "average Joe" a place to play that felt like a private club. Did he succeed? Mostly.
The place is massive. Two 18-hole courses. A massive practice facility. A clubhouse that looks like it has seen a thousand weddings—because it probably has. But don't let the old-school vibe fool you. The golf here is legitimate.
The Tale of Two Courses: St Andrews vs. Joe Jemsek
Most people don't realize that St Andrews Golf and Country Club West Chicago isn't just one track. You have the St Andrews Course and the Joe Jemsek Course. They are siblings, but they aren't twins. Not even close.
The St Andrews Course is the big brother. It’s longer. It’s tougher. It’s the one that hosted the Illinois Open for years. If you want to test your mettle, this is where you go. It’s a par-71 layout that stretches out over 6,900 yards from the back tees. The greens are notoriously large, which sounds great until you realize you’re facing a 60-foot birdie putt with more breaks than a soap opera.
Then there’s the Joe Jemsek Course. It’s shorter, sure, but it’s quirky. It’s a par-72, but it plays tighter in spots. It’s perfect for a weekend morning when you don’t want to be beat up by the course but still want to feel like you’re playing "real" golf. A lot of locals prefer it because the pace of play can—sometimes—be a little more forgiving.
The terrain here is classic Illinois. Flat? Mostly. But the Jemseks were smart. They used the natural woodlands and strategically placed bunkers to make sure you can't just "spray and pray." If you’re off the fairway, you’re in the trees. Simple as that. The rough can be thick, especially in mid-summer when the humidity makes everything grow like crazy.
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Why the Practice Facility is Actually the Star
Look, the courses are good. They’re solid. But the practice range at St Andrews Golf and Country Club West Chicago is arguably the best in the area. It’s huge. It’s lighted. You can hit balls until 10:00 PM during the peak season.
There are over 80 hitting stations. Some are grass, some are mats. They have top-tier instructors on-site. If your slice is killing you, this is the hospital where you go for surgery. There’s something peaceful about being out there on a Tuesday night under the floodlights, the air smelling like fresh-cut grass and range balls. It’s a vibe you just don't get at the smaller municipal lots.
The Learning Center
They call it the St Andrews Golf Practice Center. It’s not just a bucket-of-balls operation. They’ve got:
- Private and group lessons for kids and adults.
- A dedicated short-game area that actually mimics course conditions.
- PGA professionals who have been there for decades.
It's a community hub. You see high school teams practicing alongside retirees. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s unpretentious.
The Reality of Playing Here: What Nobody Tells You
Let's be real for a second. St Andrews is popular. Like, really popular. If you try to walk on at 9:00 AM on a Saturday without a tee time, you’re going to be waiting a while. Probably a long while.
The pace of play can be a point of contention. Because it’s a public course that attracts all skill levels, rounds can occasionally stretch into the five-hour mark. It happens. The marshals try, they really do, but when you have 36 holes of high-volume public golf, bottlenecks are inevitable.
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Also, the clubhouse. It’s classic. Some might call it dated; others call it "vintage." It has that heavy wood, gold-trim, banquet-hall aesthetic. But the food? The 19th Hole? It’s exactly what you want after 18 holes. A burger that’s probably not good for your cholesterol but tastes like heaven, and a cold domestic draft. They don't try to be a gastropub. They just provide what golfers want.
The Jemsek Legacy and Why It Matters
You can't talk about St Andrews Golf and Country Club West Chicago without talking about Joe Jemsek. The man was a legend in the golf world. He bought St Andrews in 1939. He eventually bought Cog Hill too, but St Andrews was the starting point.
His philosophy was revolutionary at the time: treat the public golfer like a king. He wanted green grass, professional service, and a course that looked like a million bucks but cost twenty. While prices have obviously gone up since the 40s, that "public-private" feel still lingers. The staff is generally great. They know the regulars by name. There’s a sense of history in the hallways—photos of past champions and old-school golf gear that reminds you this place has stood the test of time while other courses were sold off for housing developments.
Weddings, Banquets, and Beyond
It’s not just about the birdies. St Andrews is a massive player in the Chicago wedding scene. They have these huge ballrooms—the Great Hall and the St Andrews Room.
If you’re looking for a modern, industrial-chic wedding venue, this isn't it. But if you want a classic, grand staircase, white tablecloth, 300-person bash with a view of the 18th green? They do it better than almost anyone in DuPage County. The grounds are kept immaculate, mainly for the golfers, but the brides definitely reap the benefits for their photos.
Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out to West Chicago to play, keep a few things in mind to make the day actually enjoyable.
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- Book early. Use their online portal. Don't call and hope.
- Check the wind. Being out in West Chicago, the wind can whip across the open parts of the Joe Jemsek course. It can turn a 7-iron into a 5-iron real quick.
- Warm up at the range. Since the range is so good, show up 45 minutes early. It’s worth the extra five bucks for a small bucket.
- Respect the history. Take a minute to look at the trophies in the lobby. It’s a cool slice of Illinois sports history.
Is It Worth the Drive?
In a word: Yes.
Is it the fanciest course in the state? No. But St Andrews Golf and Country Club West Chicago offers a level of consistency that’s hard to find. You know the greens will be true. You know the fairways will be mowed. You know you’re going to get a "big" golf experience.
It’s a place where memories are made. Whether it’s your kid hitting their first real drive on the range or you finally breaking 90 on a course that has tested pros, it feels significant. It’s part of the fabric of West Chicago.
Actionable Next Steps for Golfers
If you're ready to tackle St Andrews, here is your game plan for a successful outing:
- Download a GPS App: The yardage markers are there, but with those massive greens, knowing the distance to the front vs. the back is the difference between a birdie putt and a chip from the fringe.
- Check the Event Calendar: Since they do so many weddings and outings, certain holes or even an entire course might be closed for a private event. Always check their website before you drive out.
- Join the Loyalty Program: If you're going to play more than three times a year, the Jemsek courses usually have "Frequent Players" programs that pay for themselves almost immediately.
- Walk if You Can: Both courses are actually quite walkable if you're in decent shape. It’s a great way to see the layout and actually enjoy the scenery without the hum of a cart motor.
St Andrews isn't just a business; it's a landmark. It survives because it does the basics perfectly. It provides a challenging, beautiful place to play the game, regardless of whether you're a CEO or a college kid on summer break. It’s the quintessential Chicago golf experience.