You’re driving through a standard-looking Midwestern suburb, past the same brick houses and leafy parks you see everywhere else in DuPage County, and then you hit Winchell Way. Suddenly, the vibe changes. You aren't just at some local muni with patchy fairways and slow greens. You are at Village Links of Glen Ellyn, a place that looks like a public course on paper but behaves like a high-end private club.
Honestly, it's a bit of a flex.
Most people in the area know it’s "good," but they don't always realize how good. We are talking about a venue that has hosted 48 USGA and PGA Tour Qualifying events. That’s not a typo. While most public tracks are happy to host the local high school invitational, this Glen Ellyn golf course has spent decades testing the nerves of guys trying to make it to the U.S. Open or the Western Open.
It’s a serious place for serious golf.
The Architecture of a Heavyweight
When the course opened back in 1967, it wasn't supposed to be this intense. The original plan involved solving a boring problem: storm water. The village needed a place to dump water during heavy rains so the south side wouldn't flood. George Winchell and Bill Galligan basically looked at a 170-acre swampy area and said, "Let's put a golf course on it."
Architect David Gill didn't just build a "water basin" course, though. He built a monster.
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The Village Links of Glen Ellyn currently boasts 27 holes, split between a championship 18 and a regulation 9. The 18-hole course stretches out to a punishing 7,208 yards from the tips. If you aren't hitting it 280 off the tee, those back boxes will eat you alive. The fairways are L-93 bentgrass, which is the kind of stuff you usually find at places where you need a six-figure initiation fee to get past the gate.
It’s fast. It’s firm. It’s frustratingly well-manicured.
Why the 9-Hole Course Isn't a "Junior" Track
A lot of people hear "9-hole course" and think it’s a par-3 executive loop for kids. Wrong. The 9-hole course at Village Links is a regulation-length, par-36 beast that used to be part of the original 18. It’s over 3,300 yards.
You still have to deal with 30 bunkers and water on nearly half the holes. It’s basically the "shorter" version of a championship test, and it's perfect for when you only have two hours but still want to lose a sleeve of Pro V1s.
The Wild Success of "KEEP PACE"
If you’ve ever been stuck behind a four-some of guys in cargo shorts taking six practice swings per shot, you know the pain of a six-hour round. Well, Glen Ellyn actually fixed that. In 1979, they started a program called KEEP PACE.
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It was revolutionary.
They weren't just nagging people to play faster; they were systematically timing groups. The Links became known as the fastest playing course in the country for a while. That DNA is still there. If you’re a slow player, the marshals will find you. They do it politely, but they do it. It’s a culture thing. People come here because they know they won’t be home three hours later than they promised their spouse.
Beyond the Fairway: Reserve 22 and Wildlife
One of the weirder, cooler things about this property is that it was the first public course in the United States to be named a "Certified Wildlife Sanctuary" by Audubon International. You’ll see red-tailed hawks, Great Blue Herons, and more turtles than you can count.
And then there's the food.
Reserve 22 is the clubhouse restaurant, and it’s actually a destination for people who don't even play golf. They have a 66-seat dining room with a massive fireplace and a patio that looks over the greens. They even grow organic produce on-site. Getting a burger after a round is standard, but here, the menu actually has things like fresh fish and steak that don't taste like they came out of a freezer.
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What it Costs (The 2025 Reality)
Golf has gotten expensive. There’s no way around it. But for a course of this caliber, the rates at Village Links of Glen Ellyn are still somewhat reasonable if you’re a resident, though non-residents pay a bit of a "visitor tax."
- 18-Hole Weekends: You’re looking at about $78 to walk or $99 to ride.
- 18-Hole Weekdays: Closer to $66 for a regular walking rate.
- The 9-Hole Course: Usually sits around $35 on weekends.
If you’re local, the VIP card is basically a requirement. It knocks 20% off the green fees. If you play more than five times a year, the card pays for itself.
The Ed Posh Legacy
You can't talk about this place without mentioning Ed Posh. He was the first Head Professional here in '67 and stayed until 1995. He’s the reason the junior program is so massive. Today, there’s a whole scholarship fund in his name that has given out over $1 million to local kids. When you walk through the clubhouse, you feel that history. It doesn't feel like a corporate-owned, soul-less municipal course. It feels like a community hub.
Is it Worth the Hype?
If you want a relaxing, easy-going day where you can spray the ball everywhere and still make par, go somewhere else. This course is a grind. The greens are huge but they are undulating. If you're on the wrong tier, a three-putt is a statistical certainty.
But if you want to see where you stand against a "pro" setup? This is the spot.
Actionable Tips for Your First Round:
- Book early: Tee times for the 18-hole course disappear days in advance, especially for morning slots.
- Practice the short game: Their practice facility is elite. They have 40 grass tee stations on the range and a dedicated short-game area with bunkers. Use it.
- Watch the wind: The course is relatively open, and the wind coming across those DuPage fields can move your ball two clubs over if you aren't careful.
- Try the 9-hole if the 18 is full: It is not a "lesser" experience; it's just shorter.
- Check the calendar: Since they host so many qualifiers, the course can be closed for tournaments on random Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Always check the website before you drive over.
The Village Links of Glen Ellyn is a reminder that public golf doesn't have to be mediocre. It’s a championship-grade test tucked into a neighborhood, and as long as you keep up with the pace of play, it’s one of the best rounds you can find in the Chicago suburbs.