COG HILL GOLF CLUB (630-257-5872)
Chicago Golf Course Review - 4/23/03 - Photos updated June, 2007
Dubsdread Course (Course # 4)
Cog Hill Dubsdread - home to the PGA Tour's Western Open
The Dubsdread Course at Cog Hill has played host to the last 9 Western Opens, which in its 100th year is the
oldest PGA Tournament in the U.S. Top PGA Tour players annually participate in this event, and Tiger Woods
is a regular, with tournament championships in 1997 and 1999. With green fees (including cart) topping out at
$127.50 for 2003, The Dubsdread Course presents one of the most viable opportunities for the golfing public to play on a PGA Tour Championship course.
The spacious clubhouse features men's and women's locker rooms (the men's has 195 lockers, 6 private
shower stalls and a shoe cleaning station) Dubs Pub Lounge (great atmosphere) and an expansive restaurant
and patio serving breakfast, lunch and some dinners. Separate, fully stocked pro shops service courses 1 and
3 plus 2 and 4 and are furnished with the latest in golf clubs, shoes, attire and accessories. Cog Hill courses # 1
, 2, and 3 are moderately priced layouts - and afford visitors an opportunity, as a guest, to experience all the Cog Hill amenities that the pros are accustomed to.
The practice facilities at Cog Hill include a secluded range and short game area for chipping and bunker
practice. Expansive putting greens are located at three separate locations on property. Sensitive to the issue of
the development of junior golfers, Cog Hill is developing a 3-hole layout and practice facility designed
specifically for use by junior aged golfers. Staff and workers at Cog Hill are unpretentious - willing to assist the
average person and provide nearly the same service that is afforded players on the tour. On my visit in mid April
there was a two hour frost delay - and staff members scrambled to help all golfers fall in line with adjusted tee
times on the various courses. Top service is one of the prime reasons Cog Hill assures a good time to as many
as 1200 golfers a day during prime season - as well as hosting a myriad of receptions, banquets, golf outings,
meetings and special events. Over 400 people are employed at the Club during peak season! The success of
Cog Hill as a major player in the golfing industry is largely related to the perseverance and dedication of its
owner, Joe Jemsek - who began his career as a caddie and worker on the original courses here in almost every capacity - truly an original American success story!
The courses at Cog Hill are sufficiently marked with small color coded flags as yardage indicators - red for 100,
white for 150 and blue for 200 yards away. Softball size whiffle balls are used on the flag sticks to suggest front,
middle and back pin placements, and the tee areas are marked with GAM's. The huge putting surfaces on the
Dubsdread Course are quick and sloped or ridged, but not overly undulating. Sufficient flat areas are present
on most greens, making long putts possible to make. These are the types of putting surface pros (and all players) love - hit a nice approach and you are rewarded with make-able putts. Fairway bunkers are
strategically located on many of the par fours and fives. In fact, at least a half dozen holes have bunkers on both sides, in prime locations designed to catch errant tee shots.
The opening hole is a fair one, but be sure to pay attention to the pin placement, as the putting surface is huge.
A crowned green with bunkers on both sides provides a challenge on two, but the third is the first really tough
hole. Distance is needed off the tee and an uphill approach must find the correct portion of a ridged putting
surface, that slopes back to front. Willow tress and strategically placed bunkers guard the fairway on four. The
green is elevated and also surrounded by sand traps. More fairway and greenside bunkers challenge on five,
and length off the tee is demanded on number six. A shot over the right edge of the fairway traps will leave the
best angle for an approach to an elevated green on seven. The eighth plays back downhill with willows
squeezing the fairway. Beware of the hidden water hazard to the right. The uphill approach plays into the
prevailing wind and requires 1 to 1 1/2 clubs extra. Number nine is the first really tight hole with trees on both sides. It also plays long due to its uphill nature.
The back side opens with what is one of the only holes not affected by fairway bunkers - but the green is
surrounded. Distance is required off the tee on 11 - you must be past the 150 yardage marker in order to have
a good look at the elevated green. Accuracy is necessary on the par three 12th, which is protected by a triad of
sand bunkers. Thirteen is one of the more interesting holes on the course. There is plenty of room along the
fairway, but the approach tightens with a grass wall fronting the green, and bunkers on both sides. The putting
surface on 14 is surrounded by sand and a deceptive ridge causes putts to break quickly from right to left. The
green looks relatively flat - until you get a closer look. Numbers 15 and 16 are unique to the layout as deep
ravines full of trouble must be navigated. Land on the fairway and 15 is very scoreable - if you land on the
correct portion of the putting surface, which slopes back to front and right to left. Sixteen doglegs left and is
tough to cut due to a fairway that slopes suddenly towards a natural area. Anything hit left is in trouble. The 17th
bends back in the opposite direction, but the left side of the fairway is the place to be for an easy approach. The
18th plays straight away with a pond left of the green affecting the approach. It is a very reasonable, and beautiful closing hole.
Located just SW of Chicago along highway 171, Cog Hill is easy to get to from any of the major freeways. Take
83 south to 171 and follow it to the clubhouse. The practice range is visible off the road and precedes the club
entrance. Come early to practice and stay around afterwards for a drink or meal. This is a great environment for golf - and one that all levels of golfers can appreciate. Highly recommended.
Click here for the Two Guys Who Golf detailed information page containing a link to the Cog Hill Dubsdread
Golf Club's website (if available).
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