"Deerpath" is an 18-hole golf course which opened in 1926. It is located in the city of Lake Forest, IL. Its features include 6,255 yards of golf from the longest tees giving it a par of 70. Deerpath has a course rating of 70.6 with a slope rating of 130 on Blue grass. The Deerpath Golf Course was designed by Alex Pirie.

The Deerpath Golf Course is located at 500 West Deerpath (just east of Rt. 41). You may contact the course directly at 847-615-4290.

About Course Season Starting Time Lessons Driving Range Punch Cards CDGA Ratings Course Fees Sandwedge Grill What's New Newsletter

Season Brochure

Each year Deerpath Golf Course puts together a brochure that contains all the current information. We have provided a link for your convenience which will allow you to download it directly Golf Brochure.

About Deerpath Golf Course

Deerpath Golf Course is owned and operated by The City of Lake Forest under the management and direction of the Parks and Recreation Department. The course is operated as an enterprise fund, and is currently financially self-sufficient. All revenues are used to enhance and maintain the course.

Deerpath Golf Course has been open since 1926 making it one of the oldest and finest municipal courses in the Midwest. In keeping with tradition, the course is made up of 18 holes and measuring 6,255 yards with a par 70 for men and 5,487 yards with a par 72 for women. The course layout and top turf conditions, along with quality updates and renovations, serve to maintain Deerpath’s status as a challenging and scenic course for golfers of all levels. 

Season
The Deerpath Golf Course is a spikeless course which is open to the public seven days a week. The course is open for play on or about March 20 and closing on or about December 15, with weather permitting. The staff is on hand at the course beginning March 1st throughout the season.

Fees can be paid daily or seasonally. Ample weekend starting times are available to both seasonal members and daily golfers. Weekend and holiday seasonal starting times are allotted through lottery procedures detailed on page 3 of the Golf Brochure. All other starting times can be reserved 5 days in advance.

For golfers with special needs, accommodations will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call the Pro Shop at 847-615-4290 for information on special needs or if the information in this brochure is required in an alternate format.

Course Renovations: In late August and September of 2005, contractors commenced construction on two major sets of improvements. The installation of a new double row irrigation system replaces a 37-year old system and will directly improve playing conditions by improving turf quality, expanding coverage and improving water delivery efficiency. In September of 2005, construction of two ponds commenced on the 5th and 12th holes. These ponds will provide additional storm water capacity, improve water quality, add wildlife habitat, and serve as a future irrigation source and improve the overall aesthetics of the course. Late fall of 2005 also brought the renovation of all 56 of our sand traps. Our staff worked closely with Lohmann Golf Designs to evaluate all sand trap locations ensuring the integrity of the course, maintaining our traditional course layout and consideration of newer golf technology. Incidentally, sand trap improvements were ranked at the top of the list for improvements by our golfers. We know you are going to enjoy the appearance and improved playability of our new bunkers. Also new in 2007 are our Gold Forward Tees. We have four sets of tees to satisfy all golfers.

Starting Time Lottery Drawings

Foursomes requesting starting times must enter one of the four lottery drawings to be held at       9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Pro Shop. Applications and fee payments for both seasonal memberships and lottery starting times must be received at the Pro Shop no later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2008.

Lessons

PGA Head Pro Chris Marszalek and his Assistant Larry Utley have over 60 years of combined teaching experience. They offer private lessons throughout the season for all golfers at all proficiency levels. Also group lessons for juniors, women and men are provided at Deerpath Golf Course. Semi-private lessons for two, three, four and five students have become very popular with our clientele. It is a perfect way to learn the game of golf while being in a relaxed atmosphere with your friends or family. Private lessons last for 35 minutes at a cost of $40.00 and $105 for a series of three lessons. Semi-private lessons with two students for 45 minutes are $25.00 each, three students for 45 minutes are $20.00 each, four students for 50 minutes are $17.00 each and five students for 50 minutes are $15.00 each. Call us early in the spring to schedule your lessons at847-615-4290.

Driving Range

The Deerpath Golf Course driving range features a beautifully kept grass tee hitting area with recently renovated target greens to simulate on-course shot making. The driving range is open every day from dawn to dusk with the exception of Wednesday evening, when it closes early for maintenance. All weather mats are used when unfavorable conditions would otherwise close the range. Small buckets (20 balls), large buckets (50 balls) and double buckets (110 balls) are available at the Pro Shop for $4.00, $6.00 and $11.00. Deerpath Golf Course also features a chipping green area with sand trap for those wanting to improve their short game. Deerpath Golf Course is one of the few public courses that offer a complete facility where golfers can work on their entire golf game.

Punch Cards*

Driving Range
(Adult)
12 Double Buckets for $110.00 = $22.00 Savings
12 Large Buckets for $60.00 = $12.00 Savings

(Junior 10 - 18 yrs old)
13 Double Buckets for $110.00 = $33.00 Savings
13 Large Buckets for $60.00 = $18.00  Savings
*Punch cards can not be carried over to the next year.

Electric Cart Punch Card
(Prepay for 10 rides, 11th ride is Free)
9 Holes - $220.00 = $22 Savings
18 Holes - $320.00 = $32 Savings

Chicago District Golf Association Ratings

Deerpath Golf Course Fees for 2008  

Fees can be paid daily or seasonally. Ample weekend starting times are available to both seasonal members and daily golfers. Weekend and holiday seasonal starting times are allotted through lottery procedures. All other starting times are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

SandWedge Grill

The Grill is open seven days a week, with space for 50 diners and more on the Kennedy Patio. Luncheon specials are featured daily along with hamburgers, bratwursts, hot dogs, french fries, homemade soups, chili, hot and cold sandwiches, and low-fat entrees. Beverages include soft drinks, fruit juices, Michelob and Miller Lite beers on tap. Canned beer is available for on-course thirst. Golfers and non-golfers can call ahead for carry-out service or stop by to order.

What's New for 2008

Deerpath could not be the outstanding facility that it is without the leadership of our experienced and dedicated staff. Our staff continues to focus on their education and professional development and we would like to congratulate Craig Joscelyn, our Golf Course Grounds Supervisor, on his third renewal of Certified Golf Course Superintendent. This certification demonstrates Craig’s commitment to providing our golfers with the best playing conditions possible.

Focusing on playing conditions, Craig and his crew will not core aerate the greens in 2008 and instead a less invasive system will be used. This will result in no major disruption to the putting surface during the golf season. Maintenance staff will continue the enhanced slicing and top dressing program in order to provide even truer and faster putting quality. We are purchasing new greens rollers to help us reach these goals. The course continues to be in excellent shape and will be even better with these maintenance techniques.

Many of you have already noticed the “The Giving Tree” located in the clubhouse and have inquired about its purpose. This is an avenue that will provide all golfers the opportunity to make donations that will be allocated for future improvements to the course. The Deerpath Golf Course is operated as an enterprise fund and therefore is not supported by tax dollars, making it unique in this respect to the surrounding courses. As a result, we are challenged with sufficient funding to accomplish the many capital needs. Brochures for the giving tree will be available before the start of the 2008 golf season and upon receiving it we hope you will consider making a donation. With your support and other available funding we anticipate enhancing the golf course with the following 2008 projects:

• Replace the two wooden bridges on holes four and five. These bridges are very old and we hope to replace them with a design that free spans the creek, blends in with our natural environment and provides additional safety features. Approximate cost $50,000.
  
• Enhance our tree community with upgraded trimming, planting, and removal programs. This will improve the playability while maintaining the natural beauty of our historical course. Approximate cost $15,000.
  
• Update the clubhouse by making some minor but necessary improvements. The women’s locker room will be completely remodeled and all lockers throughout the clubhouse will be painted. The patio and entrances will see new plantings, a flagstone walkway and seating benches. Approximate cost $15,000.

**Memberships: In 2008, Deerpath Golf Course will be limiting the total sale for all memberships to 540 total memberships. Anyone who had a membership in 2007 will have the opportunity to purchase one for the 2008 season. Our goal at Deerpath Golf Course is to make certain we maintain a nice balance of daily fee rounds and membership rounds needed to sustain approximately 40,000 rounds per year. This will ensure four hour rounds or as near as possible; and our continued commitment to maintain the course at a high level.

For further information or any questions regarding the Deerpath Golf Course, please call the Pro Shop at 847-615-4290.

For golfers with special needs, accommodations will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call 847-615-4290 for information.