Illinois · Chicago

Jackson Park Golf Course

Tom Bendelow laid it out in 1899 on the old World's Fair grounds, the first muni west of the Alleghenies. Flat, tree-lined, and renovated in 2026.

Get tee time alertsCourse websiteMore Chicago courses

About Jackson Park Golf Course

Jackson Park is where public golf in Chicago began. It opened on May 11, 1899 as a free nine-hole course on land that had held the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, and it's recognized as the first municipal course west of the Allegheny Mountains. Tom Bendelow gets the design credit; some accounts say the Olmsted Brothers guided the jump to 18 holes in 1900. By the 1920s it was reportedly the busiest course in the world.

It winds through the 500-acre park near the lake, and the old hardwoods are what you play against: fairways are protected by trees, so accuracy counts more than length. It's a par 70 of about 5,500 yards, but the par 5s reach 560 and the par 3s 200. The par-5 5th runs alongside Jackson Park Harbor. The map survey has trees along all 18 holes, water on just two, and almost no elevation change. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.

It has hosted the Chicago City Amateur more than 100 times, with Chick Evans among the early champions, and it's home to one of the oldest Black women's golf clubs, founded in 1921. The clubhouse was renovated in 1997 and renamed for Cecil A. Partee. A 2016 plan by Tiger Woods's TGR Design to merge it with South Shore into one $70 million course is on hold. Meanwhile all 18 holes reopened, fully renovated, on June 26, 2026.

It's one of 188 courses Yoink watches in the Chicago area, and the closest alternative is South Shore Golf Course, about 1 mile away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

What it's like to play Jackson Park Golf Course

A creek or river runs through the property and comes into play on 2 holes. It's about as flat as golf gets, an easy walk if you like to carry.

Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).

Booking a tee time at Jackson Park Golf Course

Book online through the Park District's Jackson Park site, where the rates are lowest; walk-ups and phone bookings (reservation center 312.245.0909) pay more. Posted rates are $39 weekdays and $42 weekends for 18, or $34 and $37 with a Player's Advantage Card, tax included. Kids 17 and under play free with a paying adult any time. Singles can only join a time that already has a player in it, and cancel at least 24 hours out or you can be charged.

How to get a tee time at Jackson Park Golf Course

Yoink

If Jackson Park Golf Course looks full for the day you want, it usually isn't for long: groups drop, rounds get moved and times reopen at all hours.

Yoink checks the sheet for you. Set a watch for the date, window and group size you want, and you'll get a push notification as soon as a spot opens — then book it directly with Jackson Park Golf Course.

  1. Pick Jackson Park Golf Course in Yoink.
  2. Choose your day, time window and number of players.
  3. Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Get tee time alertsFree during the beta · You always book direct with the course

Golf courses near Jackson Park Golf Course

All 173 Chicago courses in Illinois · Illinois golf courses

Jackson Park Golf Course FAQ

Where is Jackson Park Golf Course?

Jackson Park Golf Course is in Illinois, in the Chicago area — about 1 miles from South Shore Golf Course.

Who designed Jackson Park Golf Course?

Jackson Park Golf Course was designed by Tom Bendelow.

Is Jackson Park Golf Course open to the public?

Jackson Park Golf Course is municipal (Chicago Park District).

How many holes is Jackson Park Golf Course, and what's par?

Jackson Park Golf Course is a shorter 18-hole course: 18 holes, par 70, 5,508 yards.

How do I get a tee time at Jackson Park Golf Course when it's booked up?

Set a watch for Jackson Park Golf Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.

What golf courses are near Jackson Park Golf Course?

Nearby options include South Shore Golf Course, Harborside International - Port and Harborside International - Starboard. Yoink watches 188 courses in the Chicago area.

Sources

Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.

Never miss a tee time at Jackson Park Golf Course

Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.

Get tee time alerts