Seven Bridges Golf Club

Courtesy, quality and challenge – that’s the recipe for success at Seven Bridges Golf Club. A recipe enjoyed by golfers seeking a great test of golf in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere.

To be sure, Seven Bridges provides a stern test from the get-go, testing accuracy off the tee box from the very first swing. The par-5 first, encompassed by a large, U-shaped body of water, is reachable in two shots only by the most accurate drivers. Water guards both the left and right sides of the fairway leading to a green with a narrow entrance and bunkers to the left and right.

A good start on the first at Seven Bridges can serve as an omen for a good round. If the accuracy isn’t there from the start, however, an abundance of water hazards throughout the rest of the front nine will take its toll in a hurry.

From the moment golfers pull up to the clubhouse at this Woodridge, Il. public course, they are greeted with a smile and a helping hand. The club’s friendly staff is quick to remove bags from the trunk and often return clubs to the golfer in better shape than they found them.

Everyone, from the clubhouse manager to the starter to the bag drop staff, makes it a point to ensure the day’s round starts and ends with comfort and ease. It’s the challenges that lie in between on this beautiful bentgrass course, however, that are a little tougher to conquer.

Thirteen of the course’s 18 holes feature at least one water hazard, while 52 bunkers provide plenty of chances to find the beach. And with four sets of tees and a total yardage varying from 5,262 to 7,103 yards, Seven Bridges offers a variety of challenges for every skill level.

The second hole offers some breathing room to the right off the tee, but is lined with water on the left. This scenic hole features a green backed by a pond that punishes any golfer with an overzealous approach shot. The 554-yard par-5 third features a beautiful, narrow green that can turn longer approach shots into a headache. This hole also offers a massive water hazard to the left of the fairway, but unlike the previous hole features a large bunker to the right that will hassle those who aren’t long ball hitters and can’t carry it from the tee.

Following a pair of challenging par-3s sandwiched around another tight par-4, Seven Bridges offers its toughest test on the outward nine in the long par-4 seventh.

The 441-yard seventh is lined with massive bodies of water on both sides of the fairway. The only safe shot off the tee is a straight and long one, leaving a long-iron approach into a peninsula green.

The eighth begins what is perhaps the most scenic stretch at Seven Bridges, highlighted by a turn through a grove of gorgeous old oak trees. It’s during this stretch of Seven Bridges where golfers fully appreciate the beauty and majestic nature of Illinois’ thick, meandering woodlands.

Like the front, the inward nine opens with a difficult 531-yard par-5, which features a slight dogleg left. A well-struck tee shot favoring the right edge of the fairway provides the best position to attack the reachable, yet narrow green in two shots. With a short drive, this hole can be difficult to reach in two as a meandering creek lurks dangerously close to the front of the green.

After the ninth, golfers are faced with the long, challenging tenth, which boasts one of the course’s most scenic backdrops. Besides the length, the most notable feature of this hole is its three-tier green, which can wreak havoc depending on how challenging the day’s pin placement is.

While the 11th is one of the shorter par-4s on the course, it, too, will challenge a golfer’s accuracy. A miss to the left on this hole will undoubtedly result in a sand shot as much of the fairway’s left side is lined with massive bunkers. An attempt to avoid these bunkers by driving down the right side of the fairway may be the best approach. But beware! There’s little room for error as the OB stakes closely line the fairway’s right side. This green’s hourglass shape can also make for some interesting putting opportunities.

The par-3 12th features one of the more challenging greens on the course, making for a difficult par, even for golfers who lands their tee shot on the dance floor. If the first shot has to be a miss, miss right. Large pot bunkers guard the left side of the green.

Just in case the tough water hazards of the front nine were already fading to the back of the mind, Seven Bridges makes a comeback on the par-4 13th. The green guarded by a large pond and bunkers in front ensuring another solid approach shot will be critical for a good score. But accuracy off the tee is important as well, as a tight out-of-bounds line hugs the right side of the fairway.

The dogleg left 14th is another course favorite. This scenic fairway curves its way around towering Willow trees and Seven Bridges’ Lilly Lake. While water waits on the fairway’s right side, bunkers lurk on the left. Perhaps only more scenic than the gorgeous 14th is the hole that follows.

The challenging par-3 15th is incredible. Lined by a pond on the right, this hole requires an extremely accurate shot for a birdie chance. With a thick forest in the background and a flowerbed between the trees and the green, this hole offers a great view from the tee box. Sand bunkers lining both sides of the green make this hole a headache for anyone who struggles to land the tee shot on the green.

Despite all the difficult water hazards on the front nine and the scenic stretch of woods through the back side, Seven Bridges’ final three holes may be its greatest signature of all. These long, challenging holes test the golfer’s endurance left after a long day on the links. The 16th and 17th holes are both long par-4s, combining for 918 yards from the longest tee.

If the golfer makes it through those two with anything left, no sweat. All that’s left is the monstrous 579-yard par-5 to finish the day. This great finishing hole challenges the longest of hitters to break par. Leave an approach shot short, and there’s that same small brook to deal with before the final challenging green of the day.

All in all, Seven Bridges offers a gorgeous course and a fair challenge for golfers of various skill levels. Combine that with great service, good food (including a Sunday buffet) and even a 230-seat banquet room. Seven Bridges has everything to offer its visitors.

Remember, their staff’s day isn’t done until those freshly cleaned clubs are returned to the trunk of the car ready for another return to what has become one of Illinois’ greatest golf courses.