GOLF recently released its latest ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. (2024-25), a list that includes 11 newcomers. Some of them you might know. Others you might not. Here, in our newcomer spotlights, we’ll introduce you to these rookie Top 100 gems.
Newcomer spotlight: Medinah (#3) / Rank: 74th
Location: Medinah, Ill.
Type: Private
Year: 1928/2024
Architect: Tom Bendelow/Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead
What you need to know about Medinah (#3)
One of the most recognizable courses in American golf returns to our Top 100 rank after an eight-year absence. The driving force was a home run restoration by the Australian design firm of Ogilvy Cocking and Mead. Originally completed in 1932, No. 3 was arguably Tom Bendelow’s boldest and finest design, but playing host to major events took a toll as the narrow, heavily treelined course strayed far from its Golden Age roots. OCM removed poorly positioned trees and reverted to Bendelow’s bold bunkering as a unifying theme. The rolling property is once again both striking and spacious, and it’s laced with great holes throughout. The use of a split rail fence (which demarks out of bounds) at holes 5-7 provides excellent strategic tension, and holes 15 and 16 (the Cape 16th is one of five new holes created by OCM) are a blockbuster one-two punch.
What our raters say
“Medinah has benefited greatly from a cleanse. The OCM renovation delivers a championship venue configurable to provide for an enjoyable member-guest experience. The player must absolutely still play excellent golf to score. It was profoundly much better than the previous iteration with a hint of an Australian ethos. Had played previously with not much intent to return. This time, the entire group left with a sense of looking forward to the possibility of playing again — sooner than later.”
“Medinah had a well-earned reputation of being a long and difficult championship venue and OCM transformed it from being dull to being thoughtful, interesting and in spots downright quirky. The six brand new holes at the conclusion of the course bring the kind of exciting finish that a championship deserves with much flexibility in how the holes can be set up. The redesigned routing has a much better flow to it and the greens are interesting while not being so severe that you have to be concerned about them at championship green speeds. These changes should make Medinah #3 the Midwest anchor venue that the USGA is seeking.”
“Medinah’s renovation is revolutionary and has converted a difficult but disjointed course into a more aesthetically pleasing one that sits more naturally on the terrain (actually one of the best sites in Chicago). The course is replete with strategy and variety with appropriately scaled bunkers. More than anything it now exudes a little charm — something I never thought about at Medinah #3.”
