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3.8
168 Reviews (168)
5 Stars
43
4 Stars
44
3 Stars
34
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
32
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.5
80.3%
Recommend this course
114 out of 168 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.5
Value
4.5
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.5
76.9%
Recommend this course
10 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
49 Reviews (49)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
6
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.1
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
79.6%
Recommend this course
39 out of 49 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 72
Length 5952 yards
Slope 119
Rating 69.3
Book a Tee Time at
River Oaks Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1968
Golf Season Open: 3/01 Closed: 11/01
Architect Dick Nugent (1968)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Snacks

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2022 #5)

Reviews

3.8
168 Reviews (168)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

River oaks

The manager pompous and arrogant
Five and a half hour round totally could have been
avoided if he didn't start everyone
on number 10 which was a par three
Should have staggered start times on 1 and 10

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

No maintenance in bunkers

The rate charged was worthy of having raked maintained bunkers. I can live with the standings rain water, but unraked bunkers is just SUBPAR.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Course with potential

Could be a really nice course with a few inexpensive improvements. 1) No room for a range, but a hitting net could be put up next to what is a pretty good putting area. 2) Greens could be a little faster. 3) A number of areas are subject to flooding. Many forest preserve courses are built on wetland areas. So the land is just performing as its supposed to. However, installation of some drainage structures would keep the fairways green instead of dead and muddy. PCB, or earthen tiles ow whatever excess inventory the district has on hand can be used since building codes probably do not apply. A backhoe, a little gravel and off they go. Money would be recovered in lower maintenance costs, more rounds payed for and less soil erosion.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A little wet

The course is by the river and it recently rained which made is very wet.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Above average public course

I play about three times a week and this time of year the leaves.on many courses make it difficult to locate your golf ball. I was plesently surprised to see that the staff at River Oaks did a great job of keeping the leaves off the fairway compared to other courses I've visited recently. Bravo!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor course avoid at all cost

The bunkers were hard clay from no raking, there was no ranger. We were a twosome and there was a foursome ahead of us but once did they offer to let us play through. Numerous holes had ground under repair.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
7b43acf0-4b3d-5c62-9802-067f134fc496
Commented on 07/20/2015

Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry to hear certain aspects of your round did not meet your expectations. We aim to provide each guest with an fun and enjoyable round and would be happy to have an opportunity to offer you a better experience. We hope to see you back again soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course

Heavy rains from previous night did not affect fairways or greens.

Easy access from expressway.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice greens

Overall it's a nice course for the money spent on a weekend.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
7b43acf0-4b3d-5c62-9802-067f134fc496
Commented on 07/13/2015

We are happy to hear you enjoyed your round at River Oaks, we look forward to having you play again soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

Horrific

The rough had not been cut.About 4 or 5 inches in a lot of spots.I wish I could get a refund or credit for a future round.Lost several balls....several golfers were looking for balls in untreated rough.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
7b43acf0-4b3d-5c62-9802-067f134fc496
Commented on 06/01/2015

Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry to hear the rough length impacted your round at River Oaks. We experience challenges with rain and other environmental factors that can lead to holding back on our routine mowing patterns. We hope you will come back to play another round as the rough has recently been cut. We look forward to having the chance to provide you with a fun and enjoyable golf experience!

Played On
Reviews 77
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Needs a little time

For this early in the season, the course was in OK condition. It needs a little time to grow in after the winter. Greens were very receptive to good shots.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Nice Course!!!!

River Oaks Golf Course has a little of everything to challenge you. It has water, dog legs, moderate greens and some of the best par 3's around. I love this course based on price!!!!!!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Average

This is what one should expect for $25. Not bad not great

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good cheap round of golf

For 24 bucks, not bad, course is in the best shape I've seen it in years.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

flooded holes on course

Course should had been closed due to heavy rain the day before. Staff didn't inform us that several holes was flooded and unplayable.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

River oaks

Course was still wet from rain a few days prior. Traps were rock hard and in need of more sand. Rough was kind of high and it was hard to find your ball. Tees, greens, and most of the fairways were in pretty good shape. The man in pro shop was very nice and welcoming. I am on a golf budget so this was what I consider a good value.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Short on staff

NOT ENOUGH STAFF! I couldn't get on the course on time. No one there to take care of confession.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Real Dog Track

I worked at River Oaks as a teen, when the course was privately owned. It was short, but nice. Now that the park district has taken it over, it's still short but and absolute piece of garbage, a real dog track.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

The Course was too crowded, not enough carts. The carts are in bad shape. Fairways were not manicured. Had to search numerous times for balls in fairway under the tall grass.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Would not recommend

Although the staff was very friendly and a beautiful day for golfing, the course itself, organization of personnel and amenities are to be desired. Tee'd off 20 min past scheduled time and after first hole requested to wait for a 4-some to pass us as they were coming through and complained. The carts were extremely slow and could barely make any small inclines. Saw the beer cart once throughout entire 18 holes. Conditions of course were fair, at best and not clean. Overall experience was one of which we would not go back, regardless of the staff being nice and engaging.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

great course to play

the fairways always kept in good condition...a few greens had spike marks but all in all a great 18 holes

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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