Medinah, Illinois
Medinah No. 1 is a high-caliber members' course with a memorable Tom Doak redesign, blending generous fairways with demanding, imaginative greens. While it’s not the club’s global calling card, Course No. 1 is a regional gem offering a superb, strategic test and pristine presentation.
Medinah No. 1’s 2014 Tom Doak transformation is a modern marvel set upon classic club ground. Doak’s two-year project overhauled corridors, introduced new contours, created six entirely new holes, and produced green complexes that are strategic puzzles—by turns bold, subtle, and fiercely diabolical. Generous landing areas, striking bunkering, and sculpted surfaces blend in a layout that rewards thoughtful golf and lays down memorable tests at every turn. The course no longer lives in the shadow of its sibling: it is a model of intelligent, engaging design and a showcase for contemporary private club golf.
Tom Doak’s 2014 redesign is lauded for blending historic club character with high-level strategic intrigue, setting a new standard for member-focused championship play.
Hole 8 is a lengthy, exacting par 4, where a bold, accurate tee shot is mandatory to leave any hope of a manageable approach. This is where course strategy and raw execution intersect: the fairway asks for both shape and distance, and the green fiercely defends par.
Favor the right center from the tee—a clean angle in is crucial, with traps and rough ready to swallow offline drives.
A misjudged approach, especially from the rough, leaves brutal up-and-downs.
Impeccably maintained fairways and fast, undulating greens year-round.
Expect a deliberate but fluid round; member play and caddies help keep things moving, but challenging stretches can slow groups.
Classic, reserved private club feel, focused on tradition, architecture, and serious golf.
The greens defend the course; practice chipping and lag putting on undulating surfaces before your round.
Four par 5s and several strong par 4s demand long-iron or fairway wood precision.
While walkable, be ready for some length between holes and bring comfortable shoes or a lightweight carry bag.
Course No. 1 opens at Medinah Country Club
Course supports infrastructure for Ryder Cup on No. 3
Course No. 1 reopens after two-year Doak renovation
Ranked No. 18 in Illinois by Golf Digest
Course No. 1 served as the staging ground for the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah No. 3, but the real story came after: months later, bulldozers arrived and began Tom Doak’s transformative reimagination, breathing new strategic life into the course. What emerged was not simply restored turf, but a modern members’ classic.
Tom Doak’s 2014 overhaul wasn’t cosmetic—a swath of nearly 800 trees was cleared to open up airy landing zones and create wider angles, a stark contrast to the old, claustrophobic corridors. The result is bolder golf and more light and movement across the property.
For decades, Course No. 1 was Medinah’s overlooked sibling, but Doak’s strategic renovation earned rave reviews, elevating it to the top 20 in the state and sparking new pride among members. The experience now stands proudly on its own, no longer overshadowed by Medinah No. 3.
The 2014 redesign featured six entirely new holes and a rerouted track, blending signature Doak strategy with Bendelow’s historical foundation. The contemporary layout offers surprises, challenge, and a new narrative on almost every hole.
2014 Doak redesign included the creation of six entirely new holes.
Nearly 800 trees were removed to open up sightlines and strategic options.
No. 1 served as infrastructure/parking headquarters during the 2012 Ryder Cup before its renovation.
The original 1925 Tom Bendelow course had an entirely different look and tree count.
Medinah’s beautiful domed clubhouse is a Chicago golf landmark visible from several holes.
Top public-access test, excellent conditioning and variety
Classic Seth Raynor, architectural pilgrimage
Major championship pedigree and challenge
America’s oldest 18-holer, historic
Strong private club, impressive reputation
Oak Brook, Lombard, Schaumburg, or Itasca for optimal access
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: The Heritage Club is a natural next stop after Medinah Country Club (Course No. 1): it makes the greens a central strategic puzzle.
Why it matches: Mountain Ridge Country Club is a natural next stop after Medinah Country Club (Course No. 1): it makes the greens a central strategic puzzle.
Why it matches: What links these two? Demands the same precision once you reach the putting surface — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Dye Course at White Oak's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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