Steeple Chase No. 18: that's the way to finish
When rating golf courses, there are many factors to consider, including how you were treated by the staff, the condition of the course and the layout.
For some, a great course can be determined by its last impression:
The 18th hole.
And it's fitting to end our favorite golf hole series with a great finisher that was suggested by our readers.
No. 18 from Steeple Chase is a perfect blend of scenery and skill-testing that will send you on your way from this tough Ken Killian design.
Playing at 543 yards from the tips, this double-dogleg par 5 will get you into a lot of trouble if you don't use good course management. It requires 3 good shots to have a chance at par.
The hole plays 526 yards from the blue tees, 487 from the whites, and 417 yards from the forward tees.
You start from an elevated tee. Looking down to the fairway, you see sizable mounds on the right, and playing from them would be your worst-case scenario.
The left side of the fairway is completely tree-lined and will likely require a punch out.
Placing your tee shot in the fairway here will determine how you play the rest of the hole.
From the fairway, the first dogleg bends to the left and leads toward a lot of water. Since most players will have over 250 yards to the green, it is in your best interest to lay up.
"Your lay-up needs to be a straight shot," said Bill Brolley, golf operations manager at Steeple Chase. "Anything too long will be in the water, and anything left will be in some trees."
Should you find the trees near the water on the right, it will all but eliminate getting home in 3.
The most intimidating shot on this hole is the approach, which completes the second dogleg.
If you have used that course management, you should have a short iron to the green. You will have a narrow carry over water the entire way to the green. A pin position on the left side will take some of the water out of play.
"The short iron shot is the most important," Brolley said. "The wind is usually against you, and the green is very well guarded."
On the left side and deep of the green are two large bunkers. With the green sloping toward the water in front, a sand shot will need to land short and trickle down to the hole.
This green also makes for some slippery putts no matter where the pin is.
"People come into the pro shop and say: 'Hey I pared No. 18!' " Brolley said. If you are one of the lucky ones, it's worth letting someone know.
If you go
What: Steeple Chase Golf Club, 200 N. La Vista Dr., Mundelein
The course: 18-hole public course; 6,827 yards from the tips; four sets of tees; rolling hills; natural wetlands; well bunkered; Ken Killian design
Head PGA pro: Bill Brolley
Greens fees (with cart): weekdays: $64; $42 after 3 p.m.; weekends: $73 6 a.m.-1 p.m.; $64 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; $50 after 3 p.m.; resident, senior and ladies fees also available
Directions: 5 miles west of I-294, just south of Route 176 on Hawley Road
Contact: (847) 949-8900 or visit Mundeleinparks.org
Slideshow: Favorite Golf Holes -- Part I
Slideshow: Favorite Golf Holes -- Part II