A view of a green with water coming into play at Makray Memorial Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
574 Reviews (574)
5 Stars
288
4 Stars
187
3 Stars
59
2 Stars
23
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.4
84.2%
Recommend this course
481 out of 574 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.3
3 Reviews (3)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.3
Layout
3.3
Pace
2.7
Amenities
3.0
StaffFriendliness
2.0
66.7%
Recommend this course
2 out of 3 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
79 Reviews (79)
5 Stars
45
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.2
82.3%
Recommend this course
65 out of 79 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 71
Length 6903 yards
Slope 139
Rating 74.5

Makray Memorial Golf Club (formerly known as Thunderbird Country Club) is a public course that has been open since 1962. To commemorate 40 years of great golf, the course was remodeled and revamped in 2002. The renovations improved its playability and also made it more challenging. The championship-caliber layout features strategically placed bunkers, including some Scottish-style sod-faced ones, and tricky water hazards on several holes. The hilly terrain offers both challenging elevation changes and scenic views. The golf course finishes with a long par 5 that plays across a canyon of berms to a narrow fairway. Further accuracy is needed to reach the well guarded green surrounded by high berms, a pot bunker to the left, and a deep, steep bunker to the right. In addition to the course, Makray Memorial G.C. boasts an extensive practice facility with 1 1/2 acres of grass teeing ground, two putting greens, and a short-game area.

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Course Details

Year Built 1962
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Architect ILT Vignocchi (2002) Bob Lohmann

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $20 - $30
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies No
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code No blue jeans. Collared shirts for men, although mock turtlenecks are acceptable. Shorts no shorter then 3 inches above the knee.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Illinois (2016 #22)

Reviews

4.3
574 Reviews (574)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 25
Patio Dining 17
19th Hole Scenic Views 14
Course Challenges Include:
Undulating Greens 35
Elevation Changes 26
Bunkers 25
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 34
A Weekend Splurge 13
Entertaining Clients 13
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 31
Worth the Drive 22

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 184
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 184
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Abhorrent Staff and Subpar Golf

Our foursome went out there today expecting a challenging, well kept course and nice amenities. We were severely disappointed. We were greeted by the most disrespectful, sour pro shop staff. Not sure if the gentleman behind the register was hungover or angry but there was zero courtesy when checking in. I purchased two sleeves of balls and he threw them at the counter. Bad start.

The greens and placement need to be redone. Understand Makray wants a challenging experience for golfers, but the greens were horrible. Bunch of sand, divots and pin placements were ridiculous, certainly not PGA approved.

Lastly, it generally seems like the club is trying to attract a bunch of boomer, country club rejects with zero manners. Group behind us had zero etiquette and kept hitting balls into our group, despite our foursome playing at standard pace.

Will never be back.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

really enjoyed playing , nice layout , better than good conditions

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Overall a decent spot

The course conditions were good. The fairways were cut well, but the soil was a bit on the hard side, though not as bad as some that I've played. The greens were super fast and well kept, which I liked, but also made it challenging for someone who's not used to it. Overall the experience was okay, but the pace of place was definitely on the slower side, which sort of threw off my rhythm.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Ice Rink Greens

Greens were so hard/fast/full of sand it made the course less enjoyable to play.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

Pricier course, but definitely “get what you pay for”. Course is in great shape, greens are quick, course is challenging, pace of play was good. Overall good experience.

If I had to ding one thing about this place, it’s that the halfway house kind of sucks from a golf perspective, it’s real nice but when your golfing and want a couple beers and hot dogs to go… you really don’t have the time to sit and wait for them to help you or make them. Nothing is quick there.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

A fluke

I honestly skipped more holes than I actually played--no fooling. The pace of play was a nightmare. It seemed as if every slow-placed foursome showed up this day, and their etiquette only added to the delays. Having said this, I believe this was a fluke. My previous rounds here were incredible memories. My stepdaughter had her wedding and dress rehearsal dinner here and it they were wonderful experience. I will always come back to Makray; I love the course and the staff is amazing.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Tough, fun course

The main talking point of the course is the tabletop fast greens. Fastest I have played for a public course, almost unfair if the pins are in sketchy spots. I still enjoy it though, worth playing especially if you get a deal time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fun course, good condition, AWFUL pace of play

One of the most challenge greens I’ve played. Fun course and makes you think. However the pace of play was so bad I might never come back. At least two rangers patrolling and still unacceptable pace of play. 5 hour round got a two-some.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 88
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 184
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Remembering fast greens

Great venue. Get ready these greens we’re probably as fast now as in late summer. A real reminder of how and why not to always go for the flag.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Not for average golfers

Makray is a very challenging course. The course is kept up nicely but mid to high handicappers will struggle. The rough was thick and lush. The greens were very fast, maybe 11 or 12 on the stimpmeter. Not a good combo if you want to keep pace of play moving. I could see the group in front of us struggling, especially on and around campus he greens. This really slowed down our round. It took over 4 1/2 hours to play. That said, this is a nice course and would play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
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