Public Play · Fox Valley & McHenry
Highlands of ElginElgin
City of Elgin public golf, with nine holes reclaimed from an old stone quarry.
Par
72
Yardage
6,961
Rating · Slope
73.7 · 139
Holes
18
Green Fee
$50–$64
The Course
About Highlands of Elgin
Nine holes at this City of Elgin course were built in an old stone quarry around a 12-acre lake, four of them along a bluff 30 to 40 feet above the water, while the other nine roll over gentler ground. The course is public: online bookings include a cart, and walkers book through the pro shop. The facility adds a lighted practice area and a 9,000-square-foot putting green, and the clubhouse is prairie-style. Not to be confused with Chicago Highlands Club, a private club in Westchester.
History
Highlands of Elgin — History
The club does not publish an opening date or architect for its original nine. The newer nine, built in an old stone quarry, opened over the July 4th weekend in 2010, according to the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents. The site had so little usable soil that 130,000 cubic yards of topsoil were brought in, and the grow-in ran through the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Design
Highlands of Elgin — Design
The club says the quarry holes take full advantage of the dramatic landforms mining left behind, including the 12-acre lake. Its hole notes stress options: bunkers set in the middle of the fairway at the 3rd and 5th, a fairway that splits into tiers at the 14th, collection areas and false fronts around many greens, and carries along the quarry edge that are longer than they look. The prevailing wind plays a part, into the golfer on the uphill 6th and 14th.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Highlands of Elgin
The club calls the par-3 7th its signature hole: it plays from an elevated tee with a panoramic view over the quarry and clubhouse, at 250 yards from the back tees on the card.
The Round
The Journey at Highlands of Elgin
I.
The Opening
A generous landing area and a two-tiered green make the 414-yard 1st a fair start. A ridge bisects the fairway of the 561-yard 2nd, the No. 2 handicap. The 378-yard 3rd begins the trip around the quarry, with three bunkers mid-fairway and a creek squeezing the right side. The 153-yard 4th is the shortest par 3, the 432-yard 5th aims at smokestacks on the horizon, and the 577-yard 6th plays entirely uphill into the prevailing wind.
II.
The Middle
From an elevated tee, the 250-yard 7th drops toward a green fronted by a cavernous bunker, though a banked fairway on the right lets a ball run up. The 359-yard 8th tempts a carry on the left that is longer than it looks, and the uphill 414-yard 9th has out of bounds tight on the right. After the downhill 10th comes the 466-yard 11th, the No. 1 handicap, framed by the quarry on the left. The 527-yard 12th crosses a wetland.
III.
The Finish
At 306 yards, the 13th is a risk-reward par 4 with two deep bunkers at the green. The 511-yard 14th climbs into the wind to a fairway that splits into upper and lower tiers inside 200 yards. Water guards three sides of the 166-yard 15th, and the 440-yard 16th bends right along a creek to a green with a pond beside it. The 198-yard 17th needs a well-struck shot, and the 414-yard 18th plays uphill all the way to the clubhouse.
How to Play It
Highlands of Elgin — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
Choose a tee that keeps the quarry carries comfortable: beyond the Black tees, which rate 73.7 with a 139 slope, the club offers Gold, Silver and White. Take the wide side at the 3rd and 5th, play the 11th well right to clear the quarry's corner, and use the banked right side to run a ball onto the 7th green.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
Distance control decides the two-tiered greens at the 1st and 6th, so club for the tier the pin is on. Shorter hitters can play up the left on the 2nd to avoid the collection area on the right, and the upper fairway at the 14th gives the better angle. On the 16th, aim at the smokestacks and keep the drive left of the creek.
Advanced / Low Handicap
At 306 yards the 13th invites a driver for long hitters, with two deep bunkers as the price of a miss. The 8th and 11th reward a bold line over the quarry, but the club warns both carries are longer than they look. The 2nd and the shorter 12th are the better par-5 chances, since the 6th and 14th play uphill into the wind.
Signature Holes
Highlands of Elgin — Signature Holes
The Card
Highlands of Elgin 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 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 414 | 561 | 378 | 153 | 432 | 577 | 250 | 359 | 414 | 3,538 | 395 | 466 | 527 | 306 | 511 | 166 | 440 | 198 | 414 | 3,423 | 6,961 |
| Handicap | 12 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 6 | — | 11 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 13 | 9 | — | — |
Good to Know
Highlands of Elgin — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at Highlands of Elgin?
- Highlands of Elgin 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 Highlands of Elgin?
- Green fees at Highlands of Elgin are typically $50 to $64, varying by season, day of week and time. 2026 standard 18-hole walking rate: $50 weekdays, $64 weekend/holiday mornings; cart $25 per golfer.
- What is the par and yardage at Highlands of Elgin?
- Highlands of Elgin plays to a par of 72 over 6,961 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 73.7 and a slope of 139.
- Is Highlands of Elgin public or private?
- Highlands of Elgin is open to public play. Tee times can be reserved in advance.
- Where is Highlands of Elgin located?
- Highlands of Elgin is located at 875 Sports Way, Elgin, IL 60123, in the Fox Valley & McHenry area of Chicagoland.
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Bob Lohmann · Marengo
Blackstone Golf Club
Bob Lohmann's wetland-and-woodland public course in Marengo, with 54 bold bunkers.
Tom Fazio · Aurora
Stonebridge Country Club
Tom Fazio's 1989 private course in Aurora, routed through oaks, creeks and ponds.
How to Play It
Book a Tee Time at Highlands of Elgin.
Highlands of Elgin takes its tee sheet directly — book your round on the club's own site.
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