Public Play · West Suburbs
Cantigny GolfWheaton
A 27-hole public facility on the former McCormick estate in Wheaton, midway through renovation.
Par
72
Yardage
7,054
Rating · Slope
74.3 · 143
Holes
18
Green Fee
$130–$160
The Course
About Cantigny Golf
Twenty-seven public holes on nearly 300 rolling acres of Robert R. McCormick's former estate make up Cantigny Golf in Wheaton. Its three nines, Woodside, Lakeside and Hillside, are being renovated one at a time through 2027, with 18 holes kept open throughout. This card pairs Woodside and Lakeside. Green fees include a riding cart with a discount for walking, and caddies and forecaddies are available on request.
History
Cantigny Golf — History
Construction began in 1986 and play in 1989 on Roger Packard's design; Andy North played a nine-hole exhibition at the June 5, 1989 dedication, and Golf Digest named it the best new public course in America. Jacobson Golf Course Design updated it in 2003. KemperSports has managed it since 2014, and Todd Quitno's renovation began in June 2024. Cantigny hosted the 2007 U.S. Amateur Public Links.
Design
Cantigny Golf — Design
Each nine has its own identity, per the club. Woodside plays through the densest woods on the property, with two risk-reward par 5s. Lakeside has four lakes in play on six holes. Hillside is the shortest nine but holds some of the toughest holes. Quitno's work rebuilds every green and tee complex, redesigns bunkers and some fairways for playability, and replaces the irrigation.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Cantigny Golf
Golf Digest's best new public course of 1989, Cantigny has hosted the Illinois State Amateur five times and the 2007 U.S. Amateur Public Links, and it runs Youth Links, a nine-hole course just for juniors.
The Round
The Journey at Cantigny Golf
I.
The Opening
Woodside, the most wooded of the three nines, opens with a 424-yard par 4, then the 553-yard 2nd, the No. 1 handicap and the first of its two risk-reward par 5s. The 227-yard 3rd is its long par 3. The 397-yard 4th, the easiest hole on the card, and the 379-yard 5th lead to the 446-yard 6th, rated third-hardest.
II.
The Middle
The 549-yard 7th is Woodside's second risk-reward par 5, and the 171-yard 8th plays to a green completely surrounded by water, a double green shared with Hillside's 6th and rebuilt in the renovation. The 471-yard 9th, the longest par 4, closes a 3,617-yard nine. Lakeside begins with the 410-yard 10th, the 600-yard 11th, No. 2 handicap, and the 382-yard 12th.
III.
The Finish
Lakeside's four lakes come into play on six of its holes. After the 191-yard 13th, the 522-yard 14th is the downhill par 5 the club calls tempting, and the 335-yard 15th is its risk-reward par 4. The 411-yard 16th and 176-yard 17th lead to the 410-yard 18th, Lakeside's 9th, where the renovation rebuilt the bunker the club calls the Dick Tracy bunker. Lakeside reopened on June 1, 2026.
How to Play It
Cantigny Golf — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
The Champ tees on this pairing measure 7,054 yards with a 74.3 rating and 143 slope, so most players belong forward. On Woodside, take enough club at the 8th, where the green is surrounded by water, and on Lakeside keep the ball dry around its four lakes. A caddie, available on request, helps on a first visit.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
Treat Woodside's par 5s, the 2nd and 7th, as the risk-reward holes the club describes, and decide before teeing off whether to go for the green or lay up. On Lakeside the 14th and 15th are the scoring chances. Woodside asks for straight hitting with a range of clubs, so favor control over distance there.
Advanced / Low Handicap
From the Champ tees the long par 4s carry the card: the 446-yard 6th, 471-yard 9th and 411-yard 16th. The 600-yard 11th is a three-shot hole, so birdies come at the downhill 14th and the 335-yard 15th. Check which nines are open: with Woodside under renovation until about June 2027, the 18 in play pairs Hillside with Lakeside.
Signature Holes
Cantigny Golf — Signature Holes
The Card
Cantigny Golf 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 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 424 | 553 | 227 | 397 | 379 | 446 | 549 | 171 | 471 | 3,617 | 410 | 600 | 382 | 191 | 522 | 335 | 411 | 176 | 410 | 3,437 | 7,054 |
| Handicap | 11 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 7 | — | 10 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 4 | — | — |
Good to Know
Cantigny Golf — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at Cantigny Golf?
- Cantigny Golf takes tee-time bookings directly on its own website. Golf in CHI links the course's booking page on this listing.
- How much does it cost to play Cantigny Golf?
- Green fees at Cantigny Golf are typically $130 to $160, varying by season, day of week and time. 18 holes with riding cart: Mon-Thu $130, Fri-Sun and holidays $160; dynamic pricing, posted 'when available'.
- Who designed Cantigny Golf?
- Cantigny Golf was designed by Roger Packard and opened in 1989.
- What is the par and yardage at Cantigny Golf?
- Cantigny Golf plays to a par of 72 over 7,054 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 74.3 and a slope of 143.
- Is Cantigny Golf public or private?
- Cantigny Golf is open to public play. Tee times can be reserved in advance.
- Where is Cantigny Golf located?
- Cantigny Golf is located at 27W270 Mack Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189, in the West Suburbs area of Chicagoland.
More in West Suburbs
More golf courses in West Suburbs
Ralph Weimer; renovated by Ken Killian · Wheaton
Arrowhead Golf Club
A 27-hole Wheaton Park District course; this page covers the South and East nines.
C.B. Macdonald; redesigned by Seth Raynor · Wheaton
Chicago Golf Club
C.B. Macdonald's Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, rebuilt by Seth Raynor and largely unchanged since.
David Gill · Glen Ellyn
Village Links of Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn's village-owned championship 18, a David Gill course rebuilt by his son Garrett.
How to Play It
Book a Tee Time at Cantigny Golf.
Cantigny Golf takes its tee sheet directly — book your round on the club's own site.
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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