While there are a ton of courses in the Chicago suburbs, the city itself has lacked an 18 hole course since Edgebrook pulled baskets years ago. Jackson park is located in the near south side of the city; about 7 miles south of the loop. Finally, city dwellers have a real course to call their own.

The course provides surprisingly good variety with nearly half of the holes playing in scruffy woods with tight fairways and the rest playing through mostly open parkland. The wooded holes are generally on the short side (roughly 180-250') while the open holes range from roughly 200' to 450'+. Probably half of the park style holes have enough trees to force you to shape a shot. There are a few legitimately fun drives in the wooded section.

The course is not really a permanent installation (yet?). Tees are either natural or use existing asphalt walking paths. Baskets are portables and tee signs are temporary. I remember at least 4 different types of baskets. Most had a single layer of chains, a couple were 90s vintage, and maybe two were top end. One basket (18) was tipped over and another (12) was completely disassembled. Many signs were illegible.

Routing/navigation is less than ideal. I usually have no problem finding my way around a new course, but udisc was essential here. Holes 1-3 are on the north side of Hayes Drive, as is the parking lot. After 3, you cross Hayes (fairly busy and no marked crosswalk) to play the remaining 15 holes. 18 finishes close to where you crossed the street, so you are left with a 1000'+ walk back to your car. There is likely a way to add an 18th hole on the north side of Hayes and remove/reroute 2 or 3. I think that would be a big improvement over the current death march. There are plenty of non-obvious transitions and 6-8 and 15-17 are in the same general area, resulting in opportunities to play from the wrong tee or to the wrong basket. I saw a few bricks with arrows and arrows hanging under cages to point you to the next tee, but it would still be very difficult to get around without udisc or a guide.

At about 4800' for 18 holes, this course won't challenge most players. Hole 18 is a 425'ish, wide open tweener for the red/white skill level the rest of the course plays to. The rest of the holes are par 3s averaging just over 250'. The course is almost entirely flat. There are only one or two holes with enough elevation change for it to affect your drive and every green is flat as can be.

Storms have taken down a few mature trees in the wooded section. When those are cleaned up, the few affected holes will lose some character and challenge.

Jackson park has a lot going on. There are three beaches on the east side of Lake Shore Drive, the Museum of Science and Industry at the north end, a ball golf course at the south end that 7-9 are adjacent to, and all the usual park activities. I expect the empty parking lot I found on a Saturday afternoon in March is packed on beach days. The World's Fair of 1893 used the area that is now Jackson Park and there are a few remnants left (although not by the course).

Although the course isn't pay to play, it cost me $7 to park for 2 hours in the lot. I didn't see any opportunities to park for free adjacent to the course. The nearest El train stop is probably 3/4 mile away at 63rd street. The Woodlawn neighborhood, east of the park isn't the roughest neighborhood, but it isn't the safest either. The wooded portion is a couple blocks from the center of the El Rukn/Black P. Stone Nation's old turf. I didn't feel unsafe at any time, but don't go wandering around like a tourist.


This course has existed for a few years now as a work in progress. Hopefully the city eventually approves a permanent installation.

Short. Demanding, and fun course. Holes 5 through 13 are wooded, and there's some slight elevation to factor in on these, and many of the holes will have a particular line, and/or gap to hit. As a righthanded player. The tee leans more on anhyzer and forehand oriented drives. In their present state. Footing is everything in tee-off.
For open up and bomb it throwers. 16 - 18 are where it happens. The wind will play a big factor.

Beautiful short course, in a city park with a diamond in the rough feeling that will require a lot of clean up, patience, and dedication. In its present 18 hole track. It's a demanding course for all levels of players.

Short technical holes that are fun for skilled players and great for people learning the game.
Variety of different shots
Accessible via Metra, Divvy Stations, and CTA Buses
Bathrooms, food, and drinks at the golf course club house.
Quick fast rounds

Work in progress, stumps, weeds, and trash.
No cement pads and temporary baskets.
Public park and is in a mixed use area.
Road Construction

The course is being developed by volunteers and funded through private donations. Hyde Park Disc Golf organizes regular workdays and are working with the Chicago Park District to expand the footprint of disc golf in public parks.