I'm a big fan of our Chicago Park District courses, and South Shore is one of my favorites. It really is a gem. The course is kept in very good condition, so kudos to the management and staff on that. It's an attractive, tidy, perfectly playable course. The views of the lake from Hole 6 are magnificent. I'm a mid-high handicapper, so I consider it a reasonably challenging course. Two of the Par 4's are over 400 yards, so you need a very solid drive and a long, accurate fairway shot to get on the green in 2. The fairways can get skinny as well, so you can't just blast away off the tees (especially on Hole 3...don't slice that one!). Also, as other reviewers mentioned, South Shore usually isn't crowded, so you can usually get a walk-on, and the pace is typically good (unless you get stuck behind some old-timers, but I'll give them a break). One Saturday morning I tried to get a walk-on at Jackson Park, but it was wall-to-wall. I walk over to South Shore, and it was wide open. Sign me up. As a bonus, South Shore has a putting and chipping practice area, and it's all real grass. Personally I think practicing your short game off driving range mats is a waste of time, so take advantage while you're down here. Overall this is a great 9 hole course, at a very affordable price, so take advantage. read more

No carts allowed on an 80 degree and sunny day. Ranger had a cart though. No push carts either. Got accused of hitting up on people by the ranger. Ball didn't come within 100 yards of them. About 4 of the 9 holes are pressed up against a road on the right side. If you play a slice, might as well just stay home. Poorly maintained. Smells like horseshit on hole 5 & 8 (no stable nearby) Go literally anywhere else. read more

Good condition, especially compared to other CPD courses. Each tee box has a ball washer. No official starter, and groups were 25 min behind. Easily walkable, but a bit more back and forth green-next tee than makes sense. Errant shots easily end up on other holes/the street because of the compactness. Be careful parking as #9 green is right by the parking lot. You can get free parking when checking in by asking for a pass to put on your dash. Not a special course, other than seeing the skyline on #2, but meets expectations for value and proximity to downtown. read more

See all

Great golf on the shores of Lake Michigan in a historic setting! It's only9 holes, but you can play it twice!

9 hole course, flat terrain, backwards layout, narrow fairways, debris everywhere, push carts missing straps, bunkers filled with dirt, not sand. The course is in rough condition. I would not recommend. Also, not scenic on the course despite being right next to the shore or as Internet images may depict. Only hole 6 gives you an actual view of the lake and that's if you peer over the cement barricade. read more

Course maintained well. Not too crowded Tuesday morning. Good value and parking is reasonable. Just $1 and let the pro shop know that you parked for golf. read more

South Shore Golf Course - South Shore hole #2 - Golf Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great course. Straight & narrow. Great view of the lake especially Holes 5 & 7. Finished 9 holes in 2 hours. Super service - very efficient, helpful, and friendly. Restrooms available inside the building. I'm looking forward to playing it again read more

Greens are bad sometimes but overall a good 9 hole. Tight fairways. 2nd hole is a long par 4 but should be a short par 5.

Solid CPD course in overall good condition. There was some recent flooding on the first fairway that killed some of the grass, and the bunkers were so-so, but it was definitely in better shape than some other CPD courses like Columbus Park. We tees off early as a fast playing twosome and didn't bump into anyone until the 7th Hole. Took our time but still played 9 in under 2 hours which is good for a city course. Watch out for the 9th Hole, as it's only 110 yards with the parking lot right on the other side. Park your car close to the building to stay away from the green. Both of the staff members, Garrett and Isaiah, were awesome guys who were very helpful and professional. You could tell they genuinely love their jobs and they were super friendly. read more

See all

You can't beat the price at South Shore and they weren't busy at all (around 2:30 on a Monday). The course is narrow like the other reviews say, so try not to slice your drives or they will end up in the lake or street. Speed of play was just under 2 hours for the nine holes. Only cons I have about the place is the practice area net has huge holes in them making it impossible to practice driver and iron shots, but the two practice greens were perfect for chipping and putting. read more

See all

I am not a golf snob, I am not Tiger Woods, I am not the guy who needs to drop $100 to enjoy a round of golf. That said, I have played at this course quite a few times and will keep going back. I can assure you that most 2-star locations immediately drop off my radar, but South Shore is right on par for what I am looking for. Twilight golf is next to free, you can almost always walk on, and the greens are in fair enough condition that you can legitimately try to make some putts. No- the fairways do not feel like velvet, the sand traps arent groomed like a Hawaiian beach, and the rough is certainly riddled with dandelions and not rough cut sawgrass, but who cares. I paid $10 for golf in the city and get to enjoy a bevvie on the course with my buddies. It works, its 2 stars, and I will be back. read more

Big fan of this course. It's not long but there are some tight holes which make for a great challenge off the tee. You might want to utilize your hybrid on a few of the tight driving holes, you know, for extra accuracy. Not me though because I'm still going to hit the driver and smash it down the middle like an absolute savage. Also, greens are not to bad here. I'm regularly knocking down putts from literally any spot on the green. read more

I am new to the game of golf, so imagine my surprise when I was offered not only drugs sold in small zip lock baggies, AND sex, all before the 3rd hole. This course on it's BEST day would be considered tragically dicey. The course itself is horribly maintained. There were needles, trash, empty beer bottles, and various other city excrements on the fairways. The bunkers were more so mud than sand, and the "water hazard" was an old, empty, partially deconstructed fountain with a giant, stone golf ball in the middle of it. I wouldn't be at all surprise to find that some of this fine city's homeless inhabitants actually live IN this water hazard. Unfortunately, you can't even find peace and quite on this course. The heckling from passers by is constant, and annoying. This course IS in the middle of the city, so I did expect it to be a bit noisier and a little weathered, but I was absolutely stunned by what I saw/experienced. The price is right I suppose. Twilight was $14, and the cart was $8. You get what you pay for. If you're a serious golfer, or if you're a horrible golfer trying to become a serious golfer... avoid this place like the plague. If you have a drug habit, or are into paying for sex, by all means... make a tee time. Larry was super nice and helpful. I'm sure he can assist. read more

Great location. Awesome views of Lake Michigan. Friendly staff. Great price for a quick nine holes. One major problem, maintenance of greens are poor. Too muddy. Put a bit more money in this course. It could be a gem. read more

My Friend's Bachelor Party Yelp Review Part 1: Let us all remember this is a Muni, or in layman's terms "the questionably kept golf course you play because it's cheap and convenient". Any expectations beyond having an actual hole in to hit the golf ball into are foolish pipe dreams. Larry, the guy in the pro shop (i.e. miniscule, bullet proof place with a few balls and tees) is very cheerful considering what he does all day. However, I could stand to have him ask a little less information and let us play. On other golf courses your driver's license info isn't required, but whatever, its South Shore, I guess they need to know where to look if someone steals the pins. The play is beyond slow, but the course is decently maintained, again considering its city course status. It is challenging at some points, and laughably easy at others, a balance which was good for the players and no-talent hacks in our group alike. The lakeside location is great, and the grounds are where they filmed the outside scenes of the concert in the Blues Brothers, so you get a little Chicago nostalgia. One knock is the "water hazard" which has been drained and has a giant fake golf ball in the middle. Come on guys, if you are going to be tacky, at least complete the structure. On an entertaining note, we did manage to supply the neighborhood with a few more golf balls (my slice was heinous that day) to be resold to us later on the 9th hole by a cheerful local man whose pitch was "Golf Balls, Real Cheap. Experience balls, they know how to get in the hole". Very entertaining, I had to buy at least a few. It ain't Cog Hill, but for $14 I'll take it read more

Great little CPD course on the water towards the south side of town. The holes can play a bit long but nothing to crazy. Considering I just played yesterday, I heard the course fairways were more wide open because of the foliage not growing back yet. If your one to slice the ball though, be careful as many of the holes parallel the main street and you don't want to put your ball through someones windshield. This course is 10x better then Columbus Park, the only other CPD course I have played so far. Looking forward to trying the others this summer. read more

I would not recommend this course. The staff is friendly, however, the rules are ridiculous. Each person needs to bring a full set of clubs and a bag, if not, you have to rent (pay for loaner clubs) in order to be allowed to play. Sorry, but I am not going to drag my bag 9 holes when I know I only want to play with 3-5 clubs. It is definitely over priced for a poorly maintained course where every hole looks the same. There are random people walking on the course and people selling water/drinks. If you do decide to go, do not pay the parking meter because if you pay at the golf course it is only a dollar (they don't tell you this until you have paid the meter). read more

As a newb to Chicago I've started exploring the golf this city has to offer. South Shore was my first round, and I was very impressed with the course, especially considering it's a public course. The challenge the course brings is perfect for a bogey golfer like myself, as I was able to sink some medium putts for pars. The course is well kept with a medium dose of trees and sand. The only water is the lake and is WAY out of play, yet offers fantastic beauty to add eye pleasure to your round. I look forward to returning here after I do more exploring! read more

Big fan of South Shore GC. It's a perfect city course - unpretentious and full of character. If you need complete silence and upscale environment, stay in the burbs - this ain't the course for you. If you like a beautiful 9 holes (two of which offer incredible Lake views), in the heart of the city, then you'll love this. You'll get to work on your irons and even open up on a few holes with a driver. Great course for bogey golfers to work on their game. Some of the roughs were pretty thick, but it just offers more incentive to stay in the fairway. Early morning played a lot quicker than mid-morning, especially on the weekend. Great Value. read more

I played South Shore a few years ago visiting the Chicago area. I lived there in my youth but I did not play golf at the time. If I still lived there this would be a place I would frequent. Good price for 9 hole executive course. Being I am a relatively new to golf I could play and practice here on a daily basis and hone my skills. I can't give you my hole by hole description because it has been awhile but in general, I had a good feeling after my round. There is a free short game practice area pitching and putting but no real range. The range is a big net off Lake Michigan using your own balls if you need to warm up. I wrote this review because I heard Tiger Woods would be revamping the course. I think there is a lot of potential because of the location. If the price stays low this could be a gem of a 9 hole. read more

Friendly staff, unbeatable views, beautiful and historic clubhouse... all for less than $15. It's usually not too crowded, either, which makes it more attractive than Marovitz on the north side, at least to me. Despite what other reviews say, the course is actually in pretty good shape for a municipal, city-run facility 10 minutes from downtown. And don't let the shortness of the course fool you- it can be very tricky, and extremely narrow! Can't beat the views on #2, 6, 7, or behind the cultural center. It's also nice to see The First Tee of Greater Chicago hosting programs at South Shore... that's a great organization! read more

This spot is for the mediocre or beginning golfer. You might even get hit by the occasional ball. Beautiful old country club and grounds. Reasonable and a great way to spend a spring afternoon. No one seems to mind if you bring your own libations either. There are beautiful lake views on the first and second I think as well as 6&7. Love it. read more

this is a nice 9-hole golf course on the far SE side. as per public courses, it is not well-maintained, but I thought the terrain was fairly interesting and the price is right. a few of the holes have a nice view of the lake. beware the people trying to sell you water, found golf balls, etc. I'll go again, but keep in mind i am a very mediocre golfer not a connoisseur. read more

Any ball that doesn't stay in the fairway, good luck finding it. & hope you like to play with bad rap music from some kid's party out back. $20 to walk 9 holes, no bargain. At least the greens are decent. They're lucky they've got the view of Lake Michigan, on all of 2 holes. No wonder my friends said they have been there once, not going out of their way to return. Don't know if I would pass up ANYWHERE ELSE to come back here. read more

This is not a well-run or well-maintained course. The "management" let's people who don't know a golf club from a hockey stick tie up a single fairway for 30 minutes, while they bat their ball from the rough on one side of the fairway to the other. They also let players who are walking slow down the play of players in carts, to a crawl. The course is strewn with leaves (in the fall), making it difficult to spot your ball, and the area surrounding the course is strewn with litter. The parking lot is usually under construction. Checking in and paying is a long laborious, manual process. This is nowhere you'd want to take a guest that you're trying to get interested in the game of golf. read more

I worked at a very busy golf course for 11 summers! It amazes me how CPD and Billy Casper golf mismanage South Shore and Sydney Marovitz, and Jackson Park golf courses! They don't understand you have to hire people who care about the guests experience! At SS today, in addition to the dozen minutes it took to check in(POS is a horrible system) the starter was no where to be found, there were twosomes, singles teeing off at will, and a man teaching his two sons (under12) on the course. After 1hour and 10 minutes my wife and I could only complete three holes and thus left the course! This is typical at SS and was not a result of the tournament taking place on the back holes! You get what you pay for! And CPD golf pays people that can't execute and don't seem to mind! read more