LAKE BARRINGTON SHORES GOLF CLUB

The rolling prairie terrain northwest of Chicago creates natural amphitheaters for several holes, where elevated tees offer commanding views before dropping down to generous fairways carved through mature oak groves. Water comes into play on eight holes, but it's the strategic bunkering around the large, undulating greens that demands your attention—particularly on the par-4 14th where a well-placed drive leaves a delicate approach over wetlands to a two-tiered putting surface. This daily-fee layout rewards course management over brute force, making it a thinking player's test that improves with familiarity.