Pine Meadow Golf Club, Mundelein, Illinois - One of the Best Public Golf Courses in Illinois with a 5-Star Rating

Pine Meadow Golf Club is a picturesque course set on 225 acres of land on the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. The course features oak trees as old as 250 years and pine trees that can reach as tall as 60 feet, as well as shagbark and hickory trees bordering the fairways.

The course plays to a hefty 7,238 yards from the longest tees, with a USGA rating of 74.8 and a slope rating of 138. The course features 35 acres of fairways, 86 sand bunkers, as well as 3 grass bunkers, along with 220,000 square feet of tees and greens.

The course opened in August 1985 to rave reviews, being named the Best New Golf Course in America by Golf Digest magazine. Since then, it has received a number of honors and accolades, including being ranked as the 51st-best public course in America by Golf Digest, the 6th-best public course in Illinois by Golfweek Magazine, while also receiving a 5-star rating from Chicagoland Golf Magazine.

Some of the more noteworthy holes included No. 2, a par-5 that plays as the most difficult on the course at 556 yards from the tips. This holes snakes, turning right and then left, and features trees on both sides of the fairway off the tee. The hole plays uphill on the approach, and trees give way to rows of bunkers on the right near the green.

No. 8 is a picturesque par-3 that plays to 196 yards from the back tees, but only 131 from the Whites. Even so, it has some unique features that may give golfers some trouble. The green is fairly long and tiered, guarded by a large bunker in front and along the entire right side. Fly the green and golfers may find themselves in one of Pine Meadow's deep grass bunkers.

The back nine features holes that are generally shorter in length than those on the front nine. Hole No. 10 is a mere 355 yards from the White tees, but the green is guarded by a large water hazard on the left and surrounded by three bunkers.

Holes 12-18 are considered some of the best on the course and provide a memorable finishing stretch. Hole No. 13 is another challenging par-5, and the #2 handicap hole. It plays to 541 yards from the back tees, and features a water hazard that cuts through the fairway within reach of tee shots at about 270 yards away. The approach plays to a fairly sizable green guarded by five bunkers.

Hole No. 14 is one of the more visually appealing on the course, and also presents a number of challenges. The par-4 only plays to 321 yards from the White tees, but another water hazard cuts across the fairway and also follows it on the right all the way to the green.

Pine Meadow also features practice and learning facilities that are considered some of the best in Northern Illinois. The facility features both grass tees and mats, target greens, as well as bunkers, and pitching and chipping greens. The course also offers instruction as well as a master club fitter.

For relaxing and dining, Pine Meadow provides several options. The Half-Way House is located on the course and can be accessed at the 4th, 13th and 16th greens. The featured attraction is the Pine Meadow Hot Dog, along with snacks, soft drinks, beer and some mixed drinks.

The Pine Meadow Grill located in the clubhouse features breakfast, lunch and late-afternoon fare, while Joe's Place offers a variety of adult beverages.