NICKOL KNOLL GOLF CLUB

The elevated tees and rolling fairways carved through mature oak and maple groves create dramatic elevation changes that most Chicago-area daily fees can only dream of. What sets this layout apart is how architect William Langford used the natural ravines and ridgelines to force strategic decisions on every approach shot, particularly the downhill par-3 16th that plays two clubs shorter than the yardage suggests. The conditioning consistently punches above its weight class, with bent grass greens that hold approach shots and reward aggressive pin-hunting.