Well a lot of things have changed since I last reviewed 11 years ago. I now have way more time to golf and I love golfing here. It's reasonably priced. Its never busy but I don't golf in the afternoon or on the weekends. Plus the place is 20 miles past where Jesus lost his sandals, so it works for me . 18 holes, decently maintained, priced well, not overly crowded. Clubhouse people are nice. Cons: yardages are not marked, they have signs which should get you to the next hall but sometimes they're extremely confusing. Like I'm still confused on which green I'm hitting to when I'm going to the 9th and the 18th. You think after playing enough rounds I would figure it out , but it's just not marked, so dumbass Me can't figure that out. read more

I love locally and for a little out of the way place I absolutely love this course. Definitely challenging but cost is great and never crowded. read more

It's a nice course. The facilities aren't very good but it's inexpensive to play way too long from green to Teebox.

After playing golf for over a half century in the greater Chicago area, I thought that there was not a course not played or at least not known to me...but I was wrong. I was made aware of the Bourne Golf Course about an hour's drive southwest of Chicago by my brother, who had played it for the first time this summer and highly recommended we try it together this fall, as it is definitely worth the drive. This is a very reasonably priced golf course with spectacular views from about half of the elevated back tees (there are only front and back tee choices). As we played in the fall on this highly wooded course, finding wayward shots was a challenge with the fallen leaves, so certainly bring extra golf balls. I normally walk courses, but took a cart at the Bourne, as it is a long way between green to the next tee, not to mention the drastic elevation changes. It would be a really tough course to walk and not back up riding golfers behind you. The Bourne Golf Course is now one of my must play courses during the season and highly recommend it to anyone who loves the game in the greater Chicago area. read more

I've played here 3 times now and I always have a hard time explaining what it's like to play the Bourne. The best way I can describe it is Diabolical and the best way to understand it is to play it. It's not always fair and a few holes just don't make sense but somehow it all works. Not fancy, but the staff are super friendly and leave plenty of time to play because this place is a journey. read more

Played yesterday, it was a hard course, but very fun and pretty. Not like some courses who put so many players on you can't enjoy the game. Lots of rough and wooded areas so plan to lose balls. Will go back in the fall. read more

A lot of reviews you will find about this course around the web are old and do not reflect this courses current state. ITS AMAZING! I've played all over Chicagoland and truly feel that The Bourne is one of the best courses around. It does not have the "golf" feel of say Cog Hill or Mistwood but the uniqueness of the course makes me almost want to keep it to myself! But this course needs some recent reviews to show it has changed over the years. I played there this morning and would have to rate overall quality of fairways,greens,tees, etc. a 9/10. Very well taken care of and a nice driving range to get you started. Walking is not an option as there's lots of distance between some holes, but the rates cannot be beaten. $30 during the week and $40 on weekends with a cart. Huge elevated tee boxes make you feel like your not in Illinois anymore, let alone the middle of farm country. Very fun and challenging course with lots of doglegs require precise shot making. This course will have you coming back to conquer it again and again! read more

The Bourne Golf Course - View from 10th tee box. 135 ft above the fairway! - Golf Near Me - Marseilles, Illinois

I have played this course many times in the last 30 years from it's beginning as a nine hole layout to the current 18. Like most people, I was initially enamored with the sloping woodland setting. The course is built around a creek valley with elevated perimeters thus providing opportunity for several elevated T boxes. But it is purely target golf. There is very little room for error on both line and distance on most shots, e.g. after what might seem like a great drive in the middle of a fairway, one may find an approach to the green blocked by a large tree with no bail-out area available. The layout is fun but not fair and will frustrate a low handicapper trying to shoot a good score. But the worst part of this course was the surly staff they had working the last several times I played there, both at the check-in register (to call it a pro shop or a club house would be overly generous), and on the course with rangers acting like officious vice principals eager to scold and brow beat. The ownership, I'm assuming, does not particularly need or value a customer base. read more

Worst golf course I have played in 25 years. There is absolutely no signage on most of the holes, so plan on getting lost from 1 hole to the next. Took 10 minutes to find out how to get to the 6th hole. Garbage cans are completely full, laying on their side. Grass was completely unkempt and most greens were deceased. The par 5 18th had a driving range mat next to the Garbage can, oh, it was a par 3 that day. If you enter goat ranch in your navigation, it'll take you here. Complete waste of $$. read more

This course is a gem. It may not be the best kept course, but it is always an adventure. As a college golfer, I play a wide array of courses from eh to awesome. I've played some of the best courses in Chicagoland and other parts of the country, and the Bourne is such a fun time. Just don't show up here trying to focus and shoot a great score. Forget about your score for once and just enjoy it. Always a great time. Very memorable, and a great weekend trip. read more

I love the course but the lady and guy don't know anything about golf would not give us range balls said she didn't want to give them out it was 1:30 in the afternoon and we had to wait for a group to get done she didn't want to get the new carts dirty ????. Their was 8 so its was owner lost some money today and in the future will not be back read more

I give the 1 start because the course was fun and challenging but the people that were working were just plain rude and acted like we had never played golf before. When we arrived at the course the lady working was very unpleasant to deal with. We had even called ahead and asked if we needed a tee time since there were 8 of us. We drove an hour to play this course in it entirety and only got to play 9 holes because it was supposed to rain. We had to wait for people to finish so we could get a cart because she said "I don't want to get out the new carts". Cmon lady there's 8 in our group here, that is a lot of money for your course that you just lost out on today and the future since we will not be returning. Clowns. read more

I agree with the other reviewers. It is absolutely a hidden gem. I get the feeling they do not want to be praised in order to keep this place a secret. Make sure to bring a lot of balls because there are enough trees and tall grass to make even great shots disappear. The greens were in fantastic shape when I was there in August. Bring your own beer and food because there is no guarantee they will have any to sell! read more

I've golfed here several times in the last year. The course is always well maintained. Very secluded and a hidden gem....

The bourne is a great course. As stated by the previous review, dont expect pristine conditions or amenities you wont find them here. What you will find is a course to yourself, elevated tees and greens, huge trees and a creek that runs the length of the course. The greens are postage stamps (small) and there are no sand traps, bring plenty of balls, there are very few holes parallelling each other so if your a little off the fairway you might be lost. The most unique course in the area. read more

Disappointed. Used to go to the Bourne a lot. Played over the holiday weekend for the first time in awhile. The 18th tee box is currently an astroturf mat with the rubber tee like one would find at a low end driving range. I get the" working on it" part, but they can't create a 10 X 10 patch of grass to finish out the round? The guy behind us and his son took one look at that, shook their heads and left. The young workers were very cordial, but not so much with the old guard. In my opinion, the place now needs a lot of attention. Always loved the natural beauty there, but played my last round over the weekend. Not worth the drive. Too many nice courses properly managed elsewhere. read more

The course was fun and challenging. But the staff treated you as you weren't welcome! I have never been treated so rudely! We called a head to say we had 8 people coming and to see if we needed a tee time. She said no that it was all open. When we showed up she acted like we didn't call ahead. We then had to wait for a cart from another group because she didn't want to get a new cart dirty... I will have to say I will never be back read more