Public Play · Lake County
ThunderHawk Golf ClubBeach Park
Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s 1999 public course for the Lake County Forest Preserves in Beach Park.
Par
72
Yardage
7,031
Rating · Slope
74.6 · 143
Holes
18
Green Fee
$67–$85
The Course
About ThunderHawk Golf Club
ThunderHawk sits in Beach Park, between Chicago and Milwaukee, as the Lake County Forest Preserves' public course, laid on 243 acres of former farmland with remnant oak and hickory groves, restored wetlands and native prairie. It is an Audubon Signature Sanctuary. From the Black tees it plays 7,031 yards at par 72, rated 74.6 with a 143 slope. Walking is allowed, tee times open 30 days ahead, and the course closes for the winter.
History
ThunderHawk Golf Club — History
In the spring of 1999 ThunderHawk completed a trio of Robert Trent Jones II courses in the Chicago area, after Prairie Landing in West Chicago and Crystal Tree in Orland Park. It was built as the flagship course of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, and its plan called for more than 1,000 new trees, 15 acres of wetlands on once-drained farmland and 57 acres of native prairie.
Design
ThunderHawk Golf Club — Design
Jones worked the holes through existing groves and newly built wetlands, and the club stresses generous fairways that reward keeping the tee ball in play. A golf writer quoted by the architect's firm said no two holes resemble each other and the design favors no single type of player. The defense moves to the greens, described in a KEY Milwaukee column as large, fast and often severely undulating, and to water and marsh late in the round.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play ThunderHawk Golf Club
Five par 5s, five par 3s and only eight par 4s make up its par 72, and it is the Lake County Forest Preserves' flagship golf course, set in restored prairie and wetland.
The Round
The Journey at ThunderHawk Golf Club
I.
The Opening
ThunderHawk eases in with a 414-yard par 4, then sets out its pattern quickly: the 573-yard 2nd is a par 5 and the 212-yard 3rd a par 3. The 446-yard 4th, rated third-hardest, and the 416-yard 5th are the front's strongest par 4s before the 178-yard 6th, the shorter of the front-nine par 3s.
II.
The Middle
A second par 5 arrives at the 522-yard 7th, followed by the 338-yard 8th, the shortest par 4 on the course. The 481-yard 9th is both the longest par 4 and the No. 1 handicap, a hard end to a 3,580-yard nine. The 429-yard 10th, the 517-yard 11th and the 385-yard 12th, rated fourth-hardest, open the back.
III.
The Finish
Three par 3s fall in the last six holes: the 225-yard 13th, the 172-yard 15th and the 182-yard 17th, which plays to a long, uphill green with water right and sand left. Between them, the 578-yard 16th doglegs twice around marsh and water to a green fronted by water and sand. The 600-yard 18th also doglegs twice before a downhill approach to a raised green among trees, with a marshy ravine and bunkers in front.
How to Play It
ThunderHawk Golf Club — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
A 74.6 rating and 143 slope from the Black tees make a forward set the right start. The fairways are generous; keep the ball in play and accept bogey on the 481-yard 9th. On the 16th and 18th, plan three or four shots around the marsh and water rather than chasing distance.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
With five par 3s, iron play decides the score: the 13th at 225 yards and the 3rd at 212 are long, and the 15th at 172 is the shortest. Treat the 338-yard 8th and the 517-yard 11th as scoring holes. On the 17th, water right and sand left leave little room, so take enough club for the long, uphill green.
Advanced / Low Handicap
The par 5s carry the birdies at 7,031 yards (74.6/143): the 522-yard 7th and 517-yard 11th are the shortest of them, while the 16th, rated No. 2, and the 600-yard 18th are positional holes around water and marsh. The 481-yard 9th, rated No. 1, rewards a long, straight drive more than any other hole.
Signature Holes
ThunderHawk Golf Club — Signature Holes
The Card
ThunderHawk 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 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 414 | 573 | 212 | 446 | 416 | 178 | 522 | 338 | 481 | 3,580 | 429 | 517 | 385 | 225 | 363 | 172 | 578 | 182 | 600 | 3,451 | 7,031 |
| Handicap | 17 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 1 | — | 14 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 6 | — | — |
Good to Know
ThunderHawk Golf Club — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at ThunderHawk Golf Club?
- ThunderHawk Golf Club 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 ThunderHawk Golf Club?
- Green fees at ThunderHawk Golf Club are typically $67 to $85, varying by season, day of week and time. 18-hole walking rate: weekdays before 2:50 pm, weekends/holidays before 12:50 pm; cart extra.
- Who designed ThunderHawk Golf Club?
- ThunderHawk Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1999.
- What is the par and yardage at ThunderHawk Golf Club?
- ThunderHawk Golf Club plays to a par of 72 over 7,031 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 74.6 and a slope of 143.
- Is ThunderHawk Golf Club public or private?
- ThunderHawk Golf Club is open to public play. Tee times can be reserved in advance.
- Where is ThunderHawk Golf Club located?
- ThunderHawk Golf Club is located at 39700 N Lewis Ave, Beach Park, IL 60099, in the Lake County area of Chicagoland.
More in Lake County
More golf courses in Lake County
Keith Foster · Zion
Shepherd's Crook Golf Course
A Zion Park District links-style course by Keith Foster, drawn from golden-age design.
Bob Lohmann · Libertyville
The Merit Club
A golf-only private club in Libertyville that hosted the 2000 U.S. Women's Open.
Arthur Hills · Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe Club
Three Arthur Hills nines, Forest, Prairie and Marsh, at a private Lake County club.
How to Play It
Book a Tee Time at ThunderHawk Golf Club.
ThunderHawk Golf Club 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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