You know that feeling when you pull into a gravel-ish parking lot and realize you've accidentally found a gem? That is the Long Run Golf Course experience. It isn't Cog Hill. It isn't Medinah. Honestly, it doesn't want to be. Located in Lemont, Illinois, this spot is a staple for local sticks who want a challenge without paying a mortgage payment for a tee time. It’s rugged. It’s real. And if you aren't careful, it’ll absolutely wreck your scorecard before you even hit the turn.
Most people around Chicago think they have to head to the big-name resorts to get a "real" golf experience, but Long Run Golf Course proves that theory wrong every single weekend. It’s a par 70. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. You’ve got tight fairways, elevations that make club selection a nightmare, and greens that—if the grounds crew is feeling spicy—will have you three-putting from five feet. It's the kind of place where you see guys in stained hoodies and guys in $200 Polos both struggling with the same forced carry over water.
The Layout That Most People Underestimate
Let’s talk about the actual bones of the place. Long Run Golf Course is built on some of the most interesting terrain in the southwest suburbs. We're talking rolling hills that you don't typically see in the flat-as-a-pancake Midwest. Because of this, you rarely have a flat lie. You’re always playing the ball above your feet or below your feet. It’s annoying. It’s great.
The front nine starts off relatively friendly, but don't let that fool you into a sense of security. By the time you hit the middle stretch, the trees start encroaching. The forest at Long Run is dense. If you slice it, don't bother looking. Just drop and take your medicine. There are several holes where the visual off the tee is just a narrow corridor of green surrounded by a wall of oak and hickory. It’s claustrophobic. It makes your hands get all sweaty on the grip.
One thing that really stands out is the par 3s. Usually, on these types of "value" courses, the par 3s are throwaway holes—maybe 140 yards into a flat green. Not here. At Long Run, the short holes require actual thought. You might be looking at a significant downhill drop where the wind is swirling in the treetops but completely still at the tee box. If you don't account for the verticality, you're long. If you're long, you're dead.
The Gritty Reality of the Greens
The greens at Long Run Golf Course are sort of legendary among the regulars. They aren't the lightning-fast glass surfaces you’d find at a private club, but they are incredibly true. They hold a line. However, they are often small and multi-tiered. If you find yourself on the wrong level, you are basically playing defensive golf.
I’ve seen better players than me lose their minds on these putting surfaces. They try to get cute with a birdie putt and end up with a double bogey because the ball caught a slope and didn't stop until it was in the fringe. It's humbling. It’s also why the course has such a loyal following; you can’t just bomb and gouge your way to a 72 here. You have to actually putt.
Why the "Long Run" Name Matters
History is a funny thing in the Chicago golf scene. This area was once dominated by quarries and industrial sites. Long Run Golf Course, which is part of the Cook County Forest Preserve system (managed by GolfVisions), sits on land that feels a bit wilder than your average manicured parkland course.
The name isn't just a marketing gimmick. It refers to the Long Run Creek that meanders through the property. This creek isn't just for show. It is a ball magnet. It comes into play on several holes, sometimes as a lateral hazard and sometimes as a direct cross-hazard that forces you to lay up. There is nothing more frustrating than hitting a "decent" drive only to realize the creek has swallowed it because you didn't check the yardage book.
- The Creek Factor: It forces strategic play.
- The Forest Preserve Vibe: You’ll likely see deer, hawks, and the occasional coyote. It feels isolated from the suburban sprawl.
- The Value Play: It remains one of the most affordable 18-hole rounds in the greater Chicago area.
Managing Your Expectations
Look, let’s be real for a second. This is a public course. It gets a lot of play. If you go out on a Saturday morning in July, the pace of play might make you want to scream. It’s the nature of the beast. You might see a fivesome of guys who have clearly had a few too many "swing oils" by the 6th hole.
The conditions can also be weather-dependent. Because it sits in a low-lying area near the creek, it can get a bit soggy after a heavy rain. If the region has seen a week of storms, maybe give it a day or two to dry out unless you enjoy hitting "fat" shots because the ground is like a sponge. But when it’s dry? The fairways get firm and you get that extra 20 yards of roll that makes you feel like a pro.
The Clubhouse and Atmosphere
The clubhouse at Long Run Golf Course is "no-frills" defined. It’s a place to pay your greens fee, grab a sleeve of balls, and maybe a lukewarm hot dog at the turn. And honestly? That’s exactly what it should be. There’s no valet. No locker room attendant. No one is going to clean your clubs for a tip when you finish your round. It’s pure, unadulterated golf.
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The staff is usually made up of people who have been there forever. They’ve seen it all. They know who the regulars are. There is a sense of community at Long Run that you just don't get at the high-end daily fee courses where everyone is a stranger. Here, people recognize the guy who always wears the neon orange hat and the lady who hits a 150-yard drive straight down the middle every single time.
Strategy: How to Actually Score Here
If you want to break 80 or 90 at Long Run Golf Course, you have to leave the driver in the bag on several holes. It’s tempting to try and overpower the course because it isn't "long" by modern standards (it tops out around 6,000 yards from the back tees). But the angles are everything.
On the shorter par 4s, a 200-yard club off the tee is often the smarter play. Why? Because the fairways neck down right where your driver would land. If you’re in the rough here, you’re hitting out of thick, gnarly grass that will grab your hosel and twist the face shut.
- Check the wind: The trees create a bit of a wind tunnel effect. What you feel on the tee isn't always what's happening 150 yards out.
- Aim for the center: Don't hunt pins. The greens are small enough that a center-green shot is usually a 15-footer for birdie anyway.
- Stay below the hole: I cannot stress this enough. Putting downhill at Long Run is a recipe for disaster.
The Broader Context of Chicago Golf
Chicago has one of the most saturated golf markets in the world. You have the heavy hitters like Cog Hill Dubsdread just down the road. You have the fancy private clubs of the North Shore. Then you have the Forest Preserve courses. For a long time, the FP courses had a reputation for being "shaggy" and poorly maintained.
That has changed. Investments in irrigation and turf management have brought places like Long Run Golf Course up to a very respectable standard. It’s part of a network that includes courses like George Dunne and Highland Woods. While Dunne is the "crown jewel" of the system, Long Run is the gritty, tactical cousin that offers a completely different kind of test.
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Common Misconceptions About Long Run
People see the "Par 70" and the "6,000 yards" and they think it’s a goat track. It’s not. It’s a shot-maker’s course. If you can’t shape the ball even a little bit, or at least control your misses, this place will eat you alive.
Another misconception is that it’s "too easy" for low handicappers. I’ve seen scratch golfers struggle to break 75 here because they didn't respect the slopes. The lack of length is balanced out by the demand for precision. It’s a great place to practice your "target golf."
Is It Worth the Drive?
If you’re coming from the city, it’s a bit of a haul down I-55. But if you pair it with a visit to the breweries in Lemont (Pollyanna is right there) or a hike at nearby Waterfall Glen, it makes for a perfect Saturday. It feels like a getaway. You're only 30-40 minutes from the skyline, but it feels like you're deep in the Illinois wilderness.
Making the Most of Your Round
To get the best experience at Long Run Golf Course, try to book your tee time for mid-week if possible. The rates are even lower, and you’ll have the place to yourself. If you have to go on the weekend, try to be the first group off. Watching the sun come up over the creek on the back nine is actually pretty spiritual, even if you just topped your tee shot into the weeds.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Book Online: Use the Forest Preserve golf website or the GolfVisions portal. It’s easier than calling and you can often find "hot deals."
- Bring Extra Balls: Seriously. The woods are hungry. Even if you're a straight hitter, the narrowness can be deceptive.
- Walk if You Can: It’s a hilly course, so it’s a great workout. Walking allows you to really appreciate the elevation changes and the natural layout, though most people opt for carts due to the steepness of a few transitions.
- Study the Scorecard: Look at the handicap holes. The "hardest" holes on the card are legitimately difficult, usually involving long carries or extremely tight landing zones.
- Watch the Weather: If it’s been raining for three days straight, call the pro shop to ask if it’s "cart path only." If it is, prepare for a lot of walking across fairways.
Long Run Golf Course isn't trying to be something it’s not. It’s a blue-collar, high-value, challenging-as-hell golf course that rewards patience and punishes ego. It’s a place where the game feels pure and the stakes are just you against the terrain. Whether you’re a local or just passing through the Chicago suburbs, it’s a loop that deserves a spot in your rotation. Just don't blame me when that creek on the back nine ruins your best round of the summer.
Next Steps for Your Game:
Before heading out, check your yardage gaps. Since Long Run requires so many "less than driver" tee shots, knowing exactly how far your 3-wood or hybrid carries is the difference between a birdie look and a lost ball in the Long Run Creek. Also, grab a physical scorecard at the desk; the local knowledge printed on some of those older cards is worth more than any GPS app.