Harborside International Golf Center

Imagine teeing off on windswept dunes with Lake Calumet shimmering on one side and Chicago's iconic skyline rising on the other. That's the magic of Harborside International, a 36-hole public facility that transformed a former landfill into one of the Midwest's most compelling golf destinations. Opened in 1995 and designed by Dick Nugent, this is authentic links golf—treeless, raw, and relentlessly challenging—right in the heart of America's third-largest city.

Both the Port and Starboard courses deliver the full Scottish seaside experience: towering fescue rough, deep pot bunkers, windswept fairways with wild undulations, and greens that roll fast and break hard. The Port Course is home to the famous "Anchor Hole" (the par-3 15th), where the bunker complex is literally shaped like a ship's anchor, followed by three dramatic finishing holes along Lake Calumet's harbor waters. The Starboard Course counters with "Buccaneers Cove," a heart-stopping par-3 17th that demands a carry over open water to a devilishly angled green. Ben Crenshaw himself compared Harborside to Muirfield during the 2002 Champions Tour event here—high praise for a Chicago muni.

What makes Harborside exceptional for groups is the full championship experience at public-course prices. Both courses have hosted professional events, consistently rank among Golfweek's Best Municipal Courses in America, and offer the kind of shot-making challenge that will have your group debating club selection and risk-reward decisions for hours afterward. The 20,000-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired clubhouse, expansive practice facility (ranked Top 50 by the GRAA), and on-site restaurant make this a true golf destination, not just a round.

This is golf with grit, character, and unforgettable views—where you'll feel the wind, test every club in the bag, and leave with stories worth telling. For groups seeking a big-city golf adventure that plays like the Scottish coast, Harborside is an absolute must.