Invitation & Access · Fox Valley & McHenry
Black Sheep Golf ClubSugar Grove
A 27-hole, golf-only private club on open, windswept prairie in Sugar Grove, west of Chicago.
Par
72
Yardage
7,111
Rating · Slope
75.2 · 142
Holes
18
Green Fee
Members only
The Course
About Black Sheep Golf Club
Golf and little else: Black Sheep has no homes, pool or tennis, just 27 holes, an intimate clubhouse and a large practice ground, for members and their guests only. The three par-36 nines cross rolling native prairie with water, wetlands and very few trees, so the Chicago wind shapes most rounds. The card here covers holes 1 through 18, the first two nines. There is no dress code, walking and caddies are strongly encouraged, and carts stay on paths and fairways.
History
Black Sheep Golf Club — History
A small group of golfers conceived Black Sheep in the fall of 1999. Construction began in 2000 on a 285-acre Kane County property, and the club opened for play in 2002. Golf Course News reported in 2001 that it was the debut design of David Esler, who laid out all 27 holes plus the range, short-game area and two-acre putting green. The practice facility was renovated over the winter of 2019-20.
Design
Black Sheep Golf Club — Design
The club says Black Sheep was modeled on classic inland links such as Shinnecock Hills, Prairie Dunes and Sand Hills. Unusually wide fairways set up risk and reward: the closer a tee shot flirts with prairie, water, fescue or sand, the better the angle into the green. There are more than 300 bunkers, greens of varied size and contour, and no tree cover from the wind. Esler said the natural contours meant little dirt had to be moved.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Black Sheep Golf Club
A club built purely for golf on open prairie west of Chicago, with 27 links-style holes, more than 300 bunkers, almost no trees and no housing or other sports on the property.
The Round
The Journey at Black Sheep Golf Club
I.
The Opening
Leaning greens at the 405-yard 1st and the 535-yard par-5 2nd, Planet Golf notes, punish anyone out of position in the fairway. The par-3 3rd, 204 yards, has a green angled off its bunkers. The 447-yard 4th and the 305-yard 5th, the shortest par 4, lead to the 618-yard 6th, the longest hole on the card. The front nine runs in a large loop around the back nine, so the holes keep changing direction against the wind.
II.
The Middle
On paper the mildest stretch comes next, the 369-yard 7th and the 165-yard 8th, the shortest par 3, before the 419-yard 9th closes an outward nine of 3,467 yards. Planet Golf describes the second nine zigzagging through the interior of the property. It opens with the 408-yard 10th and the 544-yard par-5 11th, and the 437-yard 12th completes the stretch.
III.
The Finish
At 241 yards the 13th is the longest par 3, and the 464-yard 14th the longest par 4. The 415-yard 15th and the 191-yard 16th lead to the 447-yard 17th, and the round ends on a 497-yard par 5, the shortest of the four. The inward nine measures 3,644 yards, 177 more than the front, and both nines play to par 36.
How to Play It
Black Sheep Golf Club — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
From the Black tees the course is rated 75.2 with a 142 slope, so most guests belong on the Gray or White tees, which play 6,690 and 6,463 yards over holes 1-18. Take the generous line away from prairie and bunkers rather than the aggressive one, and on a windy day play the 618-yard 6th as three comfortable shots.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
The fairways are wide, but the reward goes to the side nearest the hazards. Pick a few holes to take the tight line and otherwise favor the open side. Keep approaches below the hole on the leaning greens at the 1st and 2nd, and allow for the wind on the long par-3 13th, 241 yards from the back.
Advanced / Low Handicap
At 7,111 yards and 75.2/142, the birdie holes are the par 5s at the 2nd, 11th and 18th, all under 545 yards, while the 618-yard 6th is the longest hole on the card. The 305-yard 5th is the shortest par 4. Angle matters more than distance here, so work tee shots toward the hazard side when the wind allows a better look at the green.
Signature Holes
Black Sheep Golf Club — Signature Holes
The Card
Black Sheep Golf Club Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 405 | 535 | 204 | 447 | 305 | 618 | 369 | 165 | 419 | 3,467 | 408 | 544 | 437 | 241 | 464 | 415 | 191 | 447 | 497 | 3,644 | 7,111 |
| Handicap | 6 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 3 | — | 8 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 6 | — | — |
Good to Know
Black Sheep Golf Club — questions answered
- How do I get on Black Sheep Golf Club?
- Black Sheep Golf Club is a private club — play is reserved for members and their guests. The only way on is a membership or a member's invitation; there is no public tee sheet.
- Who designed Black Sheep Golf Club?
- Black Sheep Golf Club was designed by David Esler and opened in 2002.
- What is the par and yardage at Black Sheep Golf Club?
- Black Sheep Golf Club plays to a par of 72 over 7,111 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 75.2 and a slope of 142.
- Is Black Sheep Golf Club public or private?
- Black Sheep Golf Club is a private member club — not open to public play. Access is by membership or a member's invitation; there is no public tee sheet.
- Where is Black Sheep Golf Club located?
- Black Sheep Golf Club is located at 2S610 Seavey Rd, Sugar Grove, IL 60554, in the Fox Valley & McHenry area of Chicagoland.
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How to Play It
How to Play Black Sheep Golf Club.
Black Sheep Golf Club is a private club — play is reserved for members and their guests, with no public tee sheet. The only way on is a membership or a member's invitation.
Golf in CHI is an independent guide — we don’t sell tee times or mark them up. We map the exact way on.
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