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From our Directory of the most recommended golf courses
Harborside International Golf
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One of the closest golf courses to downtown Chicago, maybe 20-30 minutes south depending on traffic. A 36 hole complex here, built in the mid-1990's with an entirely open links style design by Dick Nugent. It's a muni, but far from a muni's normal conditions, quality or service. The two courses, the Port and the Starboard, were built on industrial landfill and inorganic sludge near Lake Calumet on Chicago's South Side. The entire course land was reclaimed and capped with clay, dirt, and sand, and provides great playing conditions, similar to what you'd find in classic links courses, windy conditions, tall fescue bordering the fairways, rolling and tumbling fairways and greens. and extremely fun to play, and the price is right. The two courses are nearly identical in terms of quality and experience. One interesting note,President Bill Clinton made his first and only hole-in-one on the par-three sixth hole at the Port Course. On a clear day, you can see the Chicago skyline in the distance. The Starboard course is 7,166 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72, and slope rating of 137, and is one of the finest conditioned courses around. Great value and pleasant staff. The Port course is 7,164 yards and 136 slope from the back tees. Both courses are bent grass tee to green. Great golf courses, whether you're a single digit or mid handicapper this one will challenge your game.
Posted by: Phillip
May 29th, 2010
Fairways and traps in good condition. Roughs in good condition except for a few bare spots. Greens were fast and very undulating, but would not hold a shot from any distance including from inside 100 yards. Staff was friendly, but pace of play was slow
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Posted by: EvanH
Apr 15th, 2010
One big 36 holes course in my opinion. Great conditions and you will love it if you like Links style layouts. Plenty of water and no houses. A view of the City from a distance, but also some not so nice views of some industrial property. . . no housing development though, either course is excellent.
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Posted by: dannyp
Jun 18th, 2009
Harborside golf course review by Dan Perry We played the Port (or Portside) Course. There’s also a Starboard course, and by what I’ve read, the Starboard is the preferred of the two. That being said, I thought the Port was a great track, with some interesting holes and great view of the city. The opening hole is a pretty straight-forward par 4 (I’m a fan of opening “practice” holes) but it doesn’t last long. Number two is a reasonably long par 5, with an elevated green, surrounded by bunkers. The third is a reasonably short par 4, at 374 yards. Do everything you can to stay out of the bunkers; you’ll thank me later. If you do avoid them, this is a potential birdie hole. The fourth is plenty of a par 3, at 207 yards. The green is thin and long, and there are lots of “deeper-than-they-look” bunkers in the front. Playing 5, you can see some of the taller buildings in the city. Harborside is considered a Links-style course, and that means few trees, and lots of trouble. The ninth is a par 5 with lots of trouble. Playing ten gives you one of the best views of the city. The twelfth is a strong par 4, with trouble left, bunkers right, and a smallish green. Starting with the fifteenth, the final four holes are really something to behold. This is a downhill par 3, with wind at your back, and depending on pin position, could be a very difficult hole. The green is shaped like half of a bagel, which can also make for dramatic changes to the distance, and the club selection.The 16th is a downhill par 4 with a green surrounded by water, sand and junk. The seventeenth is a wonderful hole, and even though only a par four, offers you a risk/reward option. The eighteenth is a 502 yard par 5, which seems short, until you factor in the wind. I hit my best tee shot of the day, and a mediocre hybrid, and was still left with a full 7-iron. There’s water to the left all the way up, and strategically placed bunkers around the green. This is one of the most demanding finishing holes I’ve ever played. You’ll really need to gather yourself mentally to par this one; it’s brutal. Even though I shot a very large number at the Harborside International Port Golf course, it wasn’t so brutal that I wouldn’t come back again. In fact, I’m excited about playing the Starboard, as it’s been rated a little better than the Port. For me, either one is a challenge, and a welcome addition to my roster of local courses.
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