Arnold Palmer Signature Designed Golf Course
When you think of legendary golfer and renowned architect Arnold Palmer, words like bold, daring, and courageous come to mind—and these qualities are embedded in the design of Hawthorn Woods Country Club. Palmer masterfully integrated streams, lakes, elevation changes, and minimal trees to craft a golf experience truly deserving of an Arnold Palmer Signature Designed course.
A Course that exceed expectations
Stretching just under 7,100 yards from the championship tees, the course features bent grass greens and fairways, offering our members exceptional playing surfaces. Much like Palmer himself, Hawthorn Woods Country Club will elevate your golfing experience and exceed your expectations.
Discover why Hawthorn Woods Country Club is considered one of the premier courses in the region, having hosted the Illinois Open Championship in 2008 and from 2011 to 2015, as well as the Illinois Senior Open in 2024, with plans to host it again in 2025.
“Hawthorn Woods turned out to be an outstanding golf course that fit quite well into the naturally rolling terrain of Lake County. Not only were we able to preserve the entire native wetland habitat on site, we successfully incorporated these wetlands into the strategy of the golf holes. I think golfers of all skill levels will enjoy the results.”
– Mr. Palmer
Course Overview & Playing Experience
Royal Melbourne features an 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf course. From an open wetland feel of the Front Nine to a wooded forest feel of the Back Nine, the course is sure to test your skills. Golfers of all ages and levels enjoy the beauty and complexity of this spectacular course.
Men’s Tees
| Category | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 72 | 7,091 | 74.5 | 140 |
| Pewter | 72 | 6,827 | 73.3 | 137 |
| Garnet | 72 | 6,549 | 72.0 | 134 |
| Navy | 72 | 6,234 | 70.7 | 131 |
| White | 72 | 6,001 | 69.5 | 128 |
| Gold | 72 | 5,201 | 68.8 | 119 |
| Forward | 72 | 4,908 | 64.5 | 116 |
Women’s Tees
| Category | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 72 | 6,001 | 74.9 | 136 |
| Gold | 72 | 5,201 | 70.5 | 127 |
| Forward | 72 | 4,908 | 68.9 | 123 |
Hole 1 – PAR 4
This opening hole is a beautiful dogleg left that is just as majestic as it is challenging. A natural marsh with towering trees runs along the entire left side of the fairway. Favoring the right side of the fairway keeps you safe but also adds length to your approach shot. The green is two-tiered and walking away with par is a good start to your round.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 410
Garnet 394
White 361
Gold 327
Hole 2 – PAR 4
This long par 4 gently bends from left to right with large mounds on the left that will redirect tee shots toward the middle of the fairway. The green is perched atop a hill with three levels – lower, middle left and upper right and is perfectly framed by bunkers on each side.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 433
Garnet 388
White 353
Gold 310
Hole 3 – PAR 4
This hole presents your first real chance at birdie. Players who can challenge the bunkers on the right will find the best approach angle into the green. With a short iron in hand, take dead aim at the pin being careful to miss the marsh area to the left of the green.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 383
Garnet 348
White 330
Gold 291
Hole 4 – PAR 3
The first par 3 on the course is a long one. You may need a fairway wood or long iron to reach this green flanked on either side by bunkers. The green is one of the largest on the course so pay attention to pin position. Club selection is at a premium. With the bailout areas just beyond the putting surface, missing long is the side to error on.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 200
Garnet 170
White 164
Gold 132
Hole 5 – PAR 3
The first par 3 on the course is a long one. You may need a fairway wood or long iron to reach this green flanked on either side by bunkers. The green is one of the largest on the course so pay attention to pin position. Club selection is at a premium. With the bailout areas just beyond the putting surface, missing long is the side to error on.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 442
Garnet 419
White 387
Gold 328
Hole 6 – PAR 5
This hole features a three-shot par 5 that plays uphill the entire way. Finding the fairway, which is guarded by large grass mounds on either side, is important for a good score on this hole. Avoid the bunkers 100 yards short of the green on your second shot and take an extra club on your partially blind third shot. Make sure to take note of the chipping areas short and left of the green.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 563
Garnet 530
White 491
Gold 425
Hole 7 – PAR 5
The seventh is a fun par 5, reachable in two for most players with a well-struck drive. Your tee shot should hug the right half of the fairway and watch out for the bunker that is centered 100 yards from the green. A small, two-tiered green demands attention to pin position to avoid a difficult two-putt.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 501
Garnet 471
White 441
Gold 374
Hole 8 – PAR 4
This visually intimidating, yet scenic, par 4 has out of bounds left and a creek that runs up the right side. Players who utilize the fairway bunker on the left as their target will have the best position for their approach shot. The narrow green slopes away from front left to back right and is protected by bunkers short right and just beyond the putting surface.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 416
Garnet 361
White 296
Gold 269
Hole 9 – PAR 3
This par 3 is another beautiful hole cut along the marshlands. For the best possible outcome, favor the right side of the putting surface. This large putting green is divided in two sections. The lower section is large and inviting while the back left section will challenge even the most skilled of golfers.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 195
Garnet 168
White 139
Gold 116
Hole 10 – PAR 4
This picturesque par 4 is a great start to the back nine. Your tee shot should settle at the top of the plateau landing area. From atop the plateau, you are left with a short to middle iron to a green sitting well below you and protected by a bunker right and a water hazard left. Don’t get mesmerized by the view on your approach shot; accuracy is at a premium.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 417
Garnet 396
White 363
Gold 295
Hole 11 – PAR 4
The first par 3 on the back side is situated on marshlands that force a carry to a green with multiple pin positions. Tee shots short and left are to be avoided while just beyond and to the right of the putting surface gives you a bailout area. Select an extra club from the tee for your best opportunity at a good score.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 190
Garnet 179
White 164
Gold 75
Hole 12 – PAR 4
This great par 4 is long and straight. Players who can challenge the bunkers on the left will have the best angle of approach into the green. Your approach shot is to a narrow, three tiered green that is guarded by very deep bunkers short and right. Club selection is vital for your approach as shots that miss the green make for a very difficult up-and-down.The first par 3 on the back side is situated on marshlands that force a carry to a green with multiple pin positions. Tee shots short and left are to be avoided while just beyond and to the right of the putting surface gives you a bailout area. Select an extra club from the tee for your best opportunity at a good score.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 442
Garnet 425
White 390
Gold 356
Hole 13 – PAR 5
This scenic par 5 could be labeled as one of the many signature holes. The fairway is wide but flanked on the right with several bunkers and on the left by a water hazard. From a well-placed tee shot, the golfer must decide whether to lay up or carry the marshland that cuts through the fairway. The green is tiered with grass collection areas short and right. What a great hole!
Tee Yardage
Palmer 520
Garnet 477
White 461
Gold 435
Hole 14 – PAR 4
This par 4 gives the golfer a chance to catch their breath. A fairway wood or hybrid from the tee will still afford the golfer to use a short iron into the green. The key to this hole is to take an extra club and to position your ball on the same side of the kidney-shaped green as the hole location.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 356
Garnet 335
White 306
Gold 265
Hole 15 – PAR 3
The fifteenth hole offers a classic, long par 3 defended only by deep grass swales mowed to fairway height short, right and left of the green. The large green slopes gently from back to front and will hold shots hit with a long iron or fairway wood.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 236
Garnet 200
White 169
Gold 141
Hole 16 – PAR 4
This medium-length par 4 may be the most scenic hole on the course. Native fescue grasses line the left side of the fairway. The green sits atop a hill at an odd angle and is guarded in front by several deep bunkers. You may need to add as much as two clubs for your approach shot to get close to the pin. Once you’ve holed out, take in the great view looking back to the fairway!
Tee Yardage
Palmer 417
Garnet 394
White 367
Gold 324
Hole 17 – PAR 5
The last par five on the course presents a potential birdie opportunity. Although reachable for the big hitters, many players will have to choose their lay-up shot wisely. Approach shots will face a cavernous bunker to the smallest green on the course. Note that this is a very shallow green and will be best received by a high-lofted shot.
Tee Yardage
Palmer 506
Garnet 485
White 461
Gold 403
Hole 18 – PAR 4
Your pleasant journey at Hawthorn Woods Country Club ends with the longest par 4 on the course and it is just as majestic as it is challenging. A winding creek with guards the left side of the entire hole. Players who can work the ball from right to left and avoid the creek will have the best approach angle into this well-guarded green. Take an extra club to avoid bunkers behind and right, and a water hazard short and left of the large putting surface. The 19th hole will taste much better with a par here!
Tee Yardage
Palmer 453
Garnet 409
White 358
Gold 332
Golf FAQs
Who designed the golf course?
The 18-hole championship course is an Arnold Palmer Signature Design. It features strategic bunkering, natural wetlands, and elevation changes that showcase the landscape.
How do I book a tee time?
Members can reserve tee times through the online portal or by contacting the Golf Shop directly. Members may book 2 weeks in advance.
What is the dress code for the course?
Proper golf attire including collared golf shirts, golf shorts or pants, and golf shoes are required. Denim, t-shirts, and athletic wear are not permitted on the course or practice areas. Hats must be worn bill forward.
Are guests allowed to play the course?
Yes, guests may play when accompanied by a member. Guest fees apply, and unaccompanied guests require approval from the Golf Professional Staff.
Golf Events
Programming & Instruction
The club hosts a variety of events throughout the season, which includes the following:
- Ladies Leagues & Clinics
- Men’s Leagues & Clinics
- Indoor Golf Simulator
- Couples Events
- Member/Member
- Member/Guest
- Junior Golf
- And more
- Practice Facility Highlights:
Our practice facility is second to none in the area. The one-acre driving range allows members to refine their golf swing with four green targets. Just beyond the clubhouse, the facility also features spacious chipping and putting greens. Members can practice wedge shots and bunker shots up to 45 yards at the chipping green and perfect their putting on the expansive 100+ foot putting green. - Golf Lessons – Individual or Group:
At Hawthorn Woods Country Club, members can enhance their game with individual or group lessons led by our experienced team of three golf professionals, including PGA Head Professional Greg Roberts. Choose from one-off lessons or flexible lesson packages, with options for weekly lessons throughout the season (May to October) or a more budget-friendly monthly lesson.
Golf Outing FAQ
Private golf outings are bookable on Mondays only. Please include contact information for booking inquries.
Are practice facilities available?
Yes. Behind the main clubhouse are the driving range, chipping green with bunker, and putting green. Range balls are provided.
What is proper attire for the clubhouse and course?
Clubhouse: Soft spike shoes allowed, no metal spikes. Jeans are not allowed. Hats removed inside. No swimwear, workout clothes, halter tops, or short-shorts.
Golf course: Collared shirts or sleeves with turtleneck/mocks, slacks or golf shorts (min. 6” inseam). No tee shirts, tank tops, jeans, or athletic shorts. Soft spike or spike less shoes only.
What is included in the standard outing fee?
Bag drop service, powered cart, event & online scoring, course map, locker room service, driving range & putting green access, on-course games, beverage service, and more.
Are food and beverage options available?
- Yes, choose from lunch packages & Dinner packages.
- Beverage packages include soft drinks, tea, coffee, domestic & imported beer, and optional liquor upgrades.
Can extras be added to the outing?
Yes. Optional upgrades include:
- Pro Shop gift certificates or host-logo sportswear/golf balls
- Hole-in-one insurance
- Beat the Pro Par 3 challenge
- Additional on-course table & chair setup
-
Practice Facilities FAQs
What type of golf memberships does the club offer?
We offer several membership categories, including Full Golf, Junior Golf, and Social memberships, designed to fit your lifestyle and interests.
Are golf lessons available for adults and juniors?
Yes, our golf professionals provide private lessons, clinics, and junior programs to help players of all ages improve their game.
Does the club have a driving range or short game area?
Yes, members enjoy access to a full driving range, putting green, and short game practice facility perfect for warm-ups and skill development.