Public Play · Lake County
Shepherd's Crook Golf CourseZion
A Zion Park District links-style course by Keith Foster, drawn from golden-age design.
Par
71
Yardage
6,741
Rating · Slope
72.3 · 133
Holes
18
Green Fee
$49–$79
The Course
About Shepherd's Crook Golf Course
Keith Foster designed this Zion Park District course in a links style, with bentgrass tees, fairways and greens, and the public can play it, with walking encouraged. There is no driving range, only a 23,000-square-foot short-game area, and no memberships. Tee times open 14 days ahead, and the clubhouse veranda overlooks the 9th and 18th. It suits golfers who would rather weigh options than overpower a course.
History
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course — History
The course opened in August 1999, designed by Keith Foster for the Zion Park District, which still owns and operates it. Foster said he routed it with classic and strategic principles, cutting features naturally into the terrain to return golfers to the game's past. Early press was warm: Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel praised its generous landing areas and bunkering.
Design
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course — Design
The club likens the course to Ireland's Ballybunion and Waterville and says it reflects the golden era of the 1920s and 30s. Its hole notes describe choices rather than forced carries: a split fairway at the 7th chosen by pin position, a blind drive or a clear view at the 12th depending on the line, a punchbowl green at the 6th, and ditches that set up go-or-lay-up decisions on the par-5 14th and 18th.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Shepherd's Crook Golf Course
A municipal course with a Keith Foster links-style design, named holes from Short Fuse at the 1st to Devil's Ditch at the 18th, and a 23,000-square-foot short-game area in place of a driving range.
The Round
The Journey at Shepherd's Crook Golf Course
I.
The Opening
Three short par 4s open the round. The 343-yard 1st, Short Fuse, asks only for a tee shot in play; the 375-yard 2nd plays from about the highest point on the course into a fairway pinched by bunkers; the 347-yard 3rd threads water left and bunkers right. Then come the 246-yard 4th, the longest par 3, and the 427-yard 5th, the No. 1 handicap, framed by hardwoods. The 412-yard 6th carries a wetland to a punchbowl green.
II.
The Middle
Pin position picks the line at the 341-yard 7th, where the high left side of a split fairway suits a right pin and the lower right a left one. The 165-yard 8th is cut into a grove of trees with a two-tiered green, and the 572-yard 9th, Snake Bite, offers three routes around a center fairway bunker to a green with false fronts. The 422-yard 10th climbs to its landing area, the 190-yard 11th has a long ridged green that feeds right, and the 380-yard 12th plays uphill.
III.
The Finish
Turning right off a fairway bunker, the 412-yard 13th leaves a downhill approach. The 615-yard 14th, Brute, is the longest hole, with a ditch to carry or lay up short of on the second shot. The 414-yard 15th climbs to a green that falls away on every side, and the 149-yard 16th is short but dangerous. The 365-yard 17th doglegs left around a corner tree, and the 566-yard 18th, Devil's Ditch, is a double dogleg to a perched green.
How to Play It
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
Walking is encouraged and the club aims for rounds of four hours or less, so keep moving. The first three par 4s are short: put the tee ball in play and take a short iron in. On the 14th and 18th, play to the landing area short of the ditch rather than forcing the carry, and check the wind on the 16th.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
Think in angles. At the 7th, choose the fairway level by the pin, and at the 12th, the upper right fairway gives a clear view of the green. On the 9th, playing left of the center bunker makes the second shot harder but opens the green for the third. Wind decides the club on the 2nd and the 246-yard 4th.
Advanced / Low Handicap
A drive over the center bunker on the 9th sets up a chance to reach in two, and on the 18th a drive over the left of the two right fairway bunkers can run down the slope and bring the perched green into range, false fronts and all. The 5th and 15th, both over 410 yards from the Silver tees, are where par needs protecting.
Signature Holes
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course — Signature Holes
The Card
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course 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 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 71 |
| Yards | 343 | 375 | 347 | 246 | 427 | 412 | 341 | 165 | 572 | 3,228 | 422 | 190 | 380 | 412 | 615 | 414 | 149 | 365 | 566 | 3,513 | 6,741 |
| Handicap | 17 | 11 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 9 | 5 | — | 6 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 16 | 10 | — | — |
Good to Know
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at Shepherd's Crook Golf Course?
- Find and book live tee times at Shepherd's Crook Golf Course through GolfNow — Golf in CHI links straight to its tee sheet on this listing.
- How much does it cost to play Shepherd's Crook Golf Course?
- Green fees at Shepherd's Crook Golf Course are typically $49 to $79, varying by season, day of week and time. Non-resident 18 holes walking; riding adds $10–$20. Zion Park District residents pay less.
- Who designed Shepherd's Crook Golf Course?
- Shepherd's Crook Golf Course was designed by Keith Foster and opened in 1999.
- What is the par and yardage at Shepherd's Crook Golf Course?
- Shepherd's Crook Golf Course plays to a par of 71 over 6,741 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 72.3 and a slope of 133.
- Is Shepherd's Crook Golf Course public or private?
- Shepherd's Crook Golf Course is open to public play. Tee times can be reserved in advance.
- Where is Shepherd's Crook Golf Course located?
- Shepherd's Crook Golf Course is located at 351 N Green Bay Rd, Zion, IL 60099, in the Lake County area of Chicagoland.
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How to Play It
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