Public Play · West Suburbs
Village Links of Glen EllynGlen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn's village-owned championship 18, a David Gill course rebuilt by his son Garrett.
Par
72
Yardage
7,208
Rating · Slope
74.8 · 138
Holes
18
Green Fee
$67–$80
The Course
About Village Links of Glen Ellyn
The Village Links is a village-owned public facility in Glen Ellyn with an 18-hole course and a separate nine. The 18 measures 7,208 yards from the back, with 118 bunkers, 22 lakes and water in play on 15 holes, and its large, rolling greens are typically three clubs deep. The property was built partly as a stormwater detention system, and both walking and riding are allowed.
History
Village Links of Glen Ellyn — History
David Gill designed the original course, which opened on July 16, 1967, as a combined golf and stormwater project for the village. His Link-Up Nine opened in 1975 and was joined to the original back nine in 1977 to form today's 18. Garrett Gill, David's son, rebuilt every green, tee, fairway and bunker in a renovation the club dates to 2003-04. The course was the regular site of Western Open qualifying from 1980 to 2006.
Design
Village Links of Glen Ellyn — Design
Garrett Gill kept much of the original routing but, in his words, took the course apart and recreated it. He repositioned 16 water hazards, removed 400 trees to add length, regraded flattish fairways for more movement and built larger, faster greens with intricate contours, then renumbered holes 7 through 12 to balance the nines. The club says about 30 percent of Glen Ellyn's rain drains through the property.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Village Links of Glen Ellyn
The club says it was the first public course in the world to be fully certified as an Audubon Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary, and its Keep Pace program, begun in 1979, shaped pace-of-play efforts nationwide.
The Round
The Journey at Village Links of Glen Ellyn
I.
The Opening
The 380-yard 1st leads to the 572-yard 2nd, one of four par 5s and the No. 3 handicap. The 206-yard 3rd precedes the 465-yard 4th, the No. 1 handicap. After the 400-yard 5th, the 552-yard 6th surrounds its green with eight bunkers, the club's own example of how heavily the greens are guarded on a course with 118 bunkers.
II.
The Middle
Holes 7 through 12 were renumbered in Gill's renovation. The 436-yard 7th and the 159-yard 8th, the shortest hole, lead to the 445-yard 9th, which closes a 3,615-yard front nine. The 384-yard 10th and 197-yard 11th, the easiest hole by handicap, precede the 346-yard 12th, the shortest par 4, closely guarded by bunkers near the green.
III.
The Finish
The 483-yard 13th is the longest par 4 and No. 2 handicap. On the 429-yard 14th, Gill removed willows to bring a water hazard into play and added a beach bunker along it. The 574-yard 15th, the longest hole, also had its water opened up, and the 554-yard 16th was stretched from a par 4 into a par 5. The 204-yard 17th and 422-yard 18th close.
How to Play It
Village Links of Glen Ellyn — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
With water in play on 15 holes and the Black tees at 7,208 yards, rated 74.8 with a 138 slope, a first visit belongs on a forward set. Play away from the water. On greens typically three clubs deep, check the day's hole location before choosing a club for the approach.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
Club selection into the large, tiered greens decides most scores here, and the club notes they call for more thoughtful approaches. The 346-yard 12th rewards a precise wedge past its bunkers. On the 14th and 15th, where water now sits in the line of play, pick the side that keeps it out of the approach, and use the 554-yard 16th as a scoring hole.
Advanced / Low Handicap
With four par 5s of 552 yards or more, scoring depends on precise layups and wedge distance control. The 465-yard 4th and 483-yard 13th are the top two handicap holes and set the long-iron standard. On greens with intricate contours and several pin zones, the side of the green matters as much as the distance.
Signature Holes
Village Links of Glen Ellyn — Signature Holes
The Card
Village Links of Glen Ellyn 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 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 380 | 572 | 206 | 465 | 400 | 552 | 436 | 159 | 445 | 3,615 | 384 | 197 | 346 | 483 | 429 | 574 | 554 | 204 | 422 | 3,593 | 7,208 |
| Handicap | 13 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 9 | — | 12 | 18 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 10 | — | — |
Good to Know
Village Links of Glen Ellyn — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at Village Links of Glen Ellyn?
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn 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 Village Links of Glen Ellyn?
- Green fees at Village Links of Glen Ellyn are typically $67 to $80, varying by season, day of week and time. General public 18 holes walking: $67 weekdays, $80 weekends/holidays; riding $90/$103. Off-season 25% off.
- Who designed Village Links of Glen Ellyn?
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn was designed by David Gill and opened in 1967.
- What is the par and yardage at Village Links of Glen Ellyn?
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn plays to a par of 72 over 7,208 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 74.8 and a slope of 138.
- Is Village Links of Glen Ellyn public or private?
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn is open to public play. Tee times can be reserved in advance.
- Where is Village Links of Glen Ellyn located?
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn is located at 485 Winchell Way, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, in the West Suburbs area of Chicagoland.
More in West Suburbs
More golf courses in West Suburbs
Tom Bendelow; rebuilt by William Langford and Theodore Moreau · Glen Ellyn
Glen Oak Country Club
Glen Ellyn's private Bendelow course, rebuilt by Langford and Moreau in 1922.
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.
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.
How to Play It
Book a Tee Time at Village Links of Glen Ellyn.
Village Links of Glen Ellyn 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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