Foxford Hills Golf Club Review located in Cary, Illinois

Foxford Hills Golf Club is a great course that is a little tough to get to, but easily worth it. It’s located in Cary, Illinois, north of Barrington. It’s very close to Chalet Hills, for those that have played there.

We arrived with about 45 minutes to spare, so I bought a small bucket, and headed to the driving range. The range wasn’t your usual, flat football field with flags at different distances. It was actually very wide, with elevation drops to different flags. Luckily, I had my new toy (a Callaway range-finder) to help me figure out the distances.

The one defining feature of this course would have to be the bunkers. I was continually impressed throughout the course on the shape, size and placement of the bunkers. As you view some of the images, take special note of them; they really are impressive.

The carts didn’t have GPS, but luckily the scorecard is a multiple-page card, which includes a quasi-yardage book right in it. It is a nice touch that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Here’s a view of the inside, showing distances for the front 9:

The opening hole starts out simple enough, with a shortish par 4. If your driver is on, go ahead and carry the bunkers on the left. It shouldn’t be too much of a carry (200 yards or so), and it will leave you with a very short approach to a large, receptive green. (For reference, I played the Golds at 6,590 yards.) A possible birdie to start; great stuff!

The second is a par 5 that is probably impossible to reach in two. By distance alone it is reachable, but the green has water in front, and is thin and not very receptive. I didn’t take any chances. Kate hit the ball very close to the water, and a new friend popped his head up to see what was causing all the noise. Hi Kermit!

Also, the bunkering in front of the green is worthy of an image. Although difficult to see, the bunkers divide the green from the water.

The fifth hole is a short downhill par 4, with water to the right of the green. I’d suggest a hybrid or long-iron; I flushed a 4-hybrid, and had 110-120 to the flag. Here’s a shot looking from the green back up to the tee.

There are restrooms available between the 5th green and 6th tee. They look like they were built into the back of a city building, but they were fine for what they were meant to be used for, and Kate was glad to see them, and not a porta-pottie.

The 6th is a monster par 5 (and the number one handicap hole). There’s a sign that asks you not to cut the corner because of children playing. I originally thought this was a negative, until I finished playing the hole. There is no way to reach this thing in two. It’s 595 yards from the Gold tees with an uphill tee shot. There really isn’t a need to cut any corners here. Here are a couple shots, first the tee shot and then the third. Again, note the bunkers.

The ninth is a great downhill par 4. I’ve always liked the shots where it feels like a well-struck drive could go for miles, and this is that type of hole. It also is a great view, which is rare among courses surrounded by homes. Again, here’s the tee shot and the approach. Note the greenside bunkers.

Since we were only a twosome, and had foursomes in front and behind us, we decided to head to the clubhouse at the turn. Under normal conditions, this is not really an option at Foxford Hills, so be prepared for it. At most golf courses, you can plan on stopping at the clubhouse after 9 for a soda, sandwich or a restroom break, but not here. We decided to split a ham sandwich. Now I’m accustomed to the inflated prices at golf courses for food and beverage, and kind of expect it. $3 Gatorades, $4 beers; it is what it is. I do have to say that I was surprised that a ham sandwich and a small bag of chips was $7.50. Luckily, the sandwich was pretty thick with ham, but still. I don’t think I’ll be having a sandwich here again any time soon. Here’s my half:

The 10th is a 530 yard par five that turns towards the right. Plan on hitting your tee shot up the left side; everything slopes to the right. Again, the bunkering around the green was phenomenal; take a look.

The 11th (called Slice of Heaven) is another of those holes where you feel like you can drive it a mile. The wind blows left to right (if not directly in your face), so aim up the left side to keep it out of the bunker collection on the right. The approach is uphill, so plan on an extra club.

The 12th is a fairly straight-forward short par 4 (only 301 from the Gold tees.) With water up the right, and unbelievable bunkering, I laid up with my trusty hybrid, and hit a 90 yarder to the green.

Starting with the 13th hole, there are very few homes bordering the rest of the golf course. In fact, there are a few holes without any homes. It was so noticeable that Kate mentioned to me that it reminded her of Michigan (and for those that don’t know, we love Michigan golf.) There is no higher compliment from us!
The 14th green is actually surrounded by tall trees, making you feel like nobody else is around. The same goes for the 15th and 16th, but I don’t want to jump too far ahead. Let’s look at the ridiculous bunkering on the par three thirteenth:

The fourteenth is much tougher than it looks like from the tee. There’s water on the right of the fairway, and strategic bunkers on both sides, making accuracy of your tee shot very important. The approach is uphill, and don’t be afraid to hit it. Although there are trees behind the green, there’s lots of room to play.

Fifteen is the signature hole; a downhill, potentially reachable par 5. If you hammer your drive down the left-side, or hit a deep draw, the green is receptive enough to go for it in two. There’s water in front of the green, but there’s room behind it, and a bunker (surprise, surprise.) Here’s a view of the second shot (left-side of the fairway), and then a shot from the green back up the hill towards the tee.

The 16th is probably my personal favorite hole on the course. Downhill tee shot, and severely uphill approach. There’s some water at the bottom, but it’s basically out of play. Here’s the tee shot:

The sixteenth is called “Babbling Brook” but we couldn’t figure out why. The water at the bottom is stagnant. Then we found it, on the left side of the fairway. There is an actual brook, although not visible unless you’re really looking for it. Keep this in mind, because a hook off the tee will probably put you in it. This picture was taken from about 100 yards short of the green, looking back to the tee.

The course finishes on a hole called Oak Alley, and it’s pretty obvious why it’s so named.

The approach is one of the more interesting ones on the course. Big bunker left, and water to the right. On the scorecard/yardage book, the green looks smaller than it is, so don’t be too afraid. Just make sure it’s straight.

When we originally started the round, it was raining, and slow play (mainly because we were only two, so not the courses fault), and it seemed like an average round of golf. Then I started noticing the unbelievably impressive bunkering, and by the time we hit the last 5-6 holes, was in love with the course. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, even the seasoned player. There’s enough challenge here for everyone.

Visit my Flickr page for more Foxford Hills Golf Club pictures and photos.

Other Illinois Golf Course Reviews:

Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
North Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
The General Golf Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton, Illinois
Big Run Golf Club, Lockport, Illinois
Makray Memorial Golf Club, Barrington, Illinois
Harborside International Golf, Port Course, Chicago, Illinois
Highland Woods Golf Course, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Whisper Creek Golf Club, Huntley, Illinois