Old Elm Club is a strictly private, all-male golf club located at 800 Old Elm Road in Highland Park, Illinois, featuring the only course where legendary architects Harry S. Colt and Donald Ross collaborated.
With an estimated $175,000 initiation fee, annual dues around $50,000, and just 200 members, it ranks among the most exclusive and expensive golf clubs in America.
Keep reading to learn about the club's remarkable history, its recently restored championship course, how membership works, and what makes this 110-year-old institution one of the most architecturally significant courses in the country.
What Is Old Elm Club and Where to Find It
Location and Setting
You'll find Old Elm Club at 800 Old Elm Road in Highland Park, Illinois 60035, about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago along the prestigious North Shore.
The club sits in Lake County, surrounded by one of the region's wealthiest communities. Highland Park has built its reputation on historic estates, top-tier schools, and an established country club culture that dates back generations.
If you need to reach the club, call (847) 432-6272, though you won't get far without member connections.
The website at oldelmclub.com exists primarily for member login—detailed information stays behind closed doors.
The setting reflects everything you'd expect from an elite North Shore institution.
Tree-lined streets, manicured properties, and a community where golf isn't just recreation but a way of life.
This isn't a club that needs to advertise or court public attention. Its location alone speaks volumes about the caliber of membership and the traditions it upholds.
Private, Members-Only Structure
Old Elm operates as a strictly private facility with zero public access.
You can't book a tee time, attend an open house, or walk the grounds without proper credentials.
The club maintains one of the most exclusive membership structures in American golf—it's one of fewer than two dozen all-male golf clubs still operating in the country.
Chicago hosts four such clubs:
- Old Elm (Highland Park)
- Bob O'Link (also Highland Park)
- Butler National (Oak Brook)
- Black Sheep (Sugar Grove)
Old Elm keeps its membership roster at approximately 200 people, which tells you everything about its approach to exclusivity.
This isn't about expanding membership rolls or maximizing revenue.
The small number preserves the club's character and ensures members can play without fighting for tee times.
Access works in only two ways: you become a member, or a current member invites you as a guest.
There are no corporate memberships, no reciprocal arrangements with other clubs, and no special exceptions.
The intimacy of the membership creates a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, and the golf course rarely feels crowded.
The Historical Legacy and Architectural Significance
Founding and Heritage
Old Elm Club opened in 1913, which means it's been operating continuously for over 110 years.
The name comes from a majestic elm tree that once stood on the property—a simple origin story that reflects the founders' appreciation for natural beauty.
These weren't businessmen looking to build a flashy resort.
They were passionate golf enthusiasts who wanted a distinguished sanctuary where they could celebrate the sport in a setting that matched their reverence for it.
What's remarkable is how the club has balanced preservation with progress.
The original character remains intact, yet the facilities meet contemporary standards.
This isn't a museum frozen in time, but it's not chasing every modern trend either.
The traditions established more than a century ago still guide how members experience the club today.
The Unique Colt-Ross Collaboration
Old Elm holds a distinction no other course in the world can claim—it's the only place where Harry S. Colt and Donald Ross worked together.
This collaboration happened during a brief window in 1913 when Colt made one of only two trips to America.
He never returned after that year, making this partnership even more historically significant.
Colt arrived as an established architect from Britain.
Cambridge-educated, he'd abandoned a law career to pursue golf course design, and his philosophy centered on strategy rather than punishment.
He favored bold bunkers and heathland aesthetics that challenged players to think, not just hit.
Ross, meanwhile, was 40 years old and still building his reputation beyond the Northeast and Pinehurst.
The compensation structure tells you where each stood professionally at the time:
- Colt: $100 per day for design work
- Ross: $20 per day for construction management
During an eight-day period in spring 1913, both architects worked on-site together, walking the property and confirming design details before Colt departed for England.
He stopped at Michigan and Pine Valley along the way, but Old Elm remained his primary American project.
Ross faithfully executed most of Colt's plans during construction, though he made his own decisions on some green designs.
Those original push-up style putting surfaces from 1913 are still in play today after extensive restoration work brought them back to their intended form.
The architectural pedigree here is extraordinary.
Between them, Colt and Ross are credited with 16 designs among GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Courses in the World.
This collaboration between two Golden Age titans created something architecturally singular—a course that blends British strategic sensibilities with American construction excellence in ways you won't find anywhere else.
The Course and Playing Experience
Course Specifications
Old Elm plays as an 18-hole, par 73 layout that stretches approximately 6,884 yards from the championship tees, with some measurements putting the back tees closer to 6,900 yards.
The course rating sits at 73.0 with a slope of 131. From the regular tees, you're looking at 6,465 yards with a 70.7 rating and 123 slope.
The modest length by modern standards isn't a weakness—it's intentional.
Colt designed for strategic emphasis over pure distance, which means you can't muscle your way around Old Elm.
Both fairways and greens feature bentgrass maintained to exceptionally firm and fast conditions that demand precision and creativity.
The terrain is predominantly flat, but a primary ridge runs through the property and influences numerous holes.
Colt's genius shows in how he utilized this natural landform.
What could have been a monotonous stretch of Illinois prairie became a varied, challenging routing where each hole presents distinct problems to solve.
Signature Features and Notable Holes
The double green shared by the par-five 6th and par-three 17th stands as Old Elm's most distinctive architectural feature.
This massive putting surface includes a Biarritz “valley” separating the two halves, while the 17th side incorporates Redan design principles.
Golf architecture experts frequently compare it to iconic features at North Berwick in Scotland—high praise in a discipline that reveres Scottish origins.
The 2nd and 5th holes showcase crowned greens that become terrifying when you factor in the firm conditions.
These elevated, turtleback-style putting surfaces actively repel anything but precisely executed approach shots.
Miss your line or distance by even a small margin, and the ball rolls off into trouble.
The 8th hole features a dramatic bunker that crashes across the fairway like a wave as the hole rises toward a diabolical green complex.
This represents quintessential Colt architecture—strategic hazards positioned to force decisions and punish poor execution.
You'll find several drivable par-4s and reachable par-5s scattered throughout the routing, but they're anything but easy.
Errant shots get severely punished. The cross-bunkers that Colt called “compulsory hazards” challenge players at every skill level, forcing you to demonstrate competence rather than just swing hard.
Playing Conditions and Philosophy
Old Elm maintains firm, fast surfaces year-round that create a links-style experience rare for the Chicago area.
Superintendent Curtis James, who's been at the club for over 22 years, and his team present conditions that get compared favorably to Peachtree Golf Club, Quaker Ridge, and Sand Hills—three of the best-conditioned courses in America.
The playing philosophy emphasizes strategic, thoughtful golf over power and length.
You need imagination, sound course management, and precision to score well here.
Colt built visual illusions and strategic deceptions into the design that test even skilled golfers, requiring careful consideration of angles both along the ground and through the air.
Plan on playing Old Elm 30 to 50 times before you truly understand its strategic nuances.
The architecture reveals new intricacies with repeated exposure, which is exactly what Colt intended.
Full shots into greens often prove more advantageous than delicate wedges—the crowned putting surfaces and firm turf make stopping shorter shots extremely difficult.
The ground game and bounce become critical to scoring, not afterthoughts.
This isn't target golf where you fly everything to pins and expect balls to stop.
You're playing chess, not checkers, and the course rewards players who think several shots ahead.
Membership Costs, Structure, and How to Join
Financial Investment
The numbers at Old Elm rank among the highest in American golf.
The initiation fee reportedly reaches approximately $175,000, with annual dues estimated around $50,000.
When you factor in assessments and miscellaneous costs, your total annual investment can climb upwards of $230,000.
These are estimates—the club doesn't publicly disclose membership costs.
But the financial barrier reflects what you're buying into: exclusivity at the highest level, a world-class golf course designed by two architectural legends, and a location in one of Chicago's wealthiest communities.
The small membership roster means your investment isn't just about golf.
You're securing access to a network and environment that simply can't be replicated at clubs with larger memberships and lower barriers to entry.
Membership Application Process
Old Elm operates through an invitation and sponsorship system, which means you can't simply fill out an application and write a check.
You need current members to introduce you and sponsor your candidacy.
The club evaluates prospects based on golf interest, cultural compatibility with existing members, and financial qualifications.
The all-male membership policy means only men are eligible to join.
This places Old Elm among a shrinking group of clubs maintaining this tradition, but as a private entity, it exercises its legal right to structure membership as it sees fit.
The process itself is confidential and extensive.
You'll need to network within Chicago's golf and business communities to establish connections with current members.
This isn't something that happens overnight. The small membership size means openings occur infrequently, and you may face waiting periods even after expressing interest.
Here's what matters most: financial means alone won't get you in.
Cultural fit and the strength of your sponsorship relationships carry equal weight.
The club looks for people who will contribute to the community, respect the traditions, and enhance the experience for existing members.
If you're not genuinely passionate about golf, architecture, and the club's character, no amount of money will change that equation.
Guest Access and Policies
If you can't join but know a member, guest access provides the only alternative route to playing Old Elm.
Guests must be accompanied by members and sign in upon arrival.
The club likely imposes limitations on how frequently the same guest can play and may restrict access to certain facilities or events.
Guest fees apply for both play and other services.
The exact guest policy details aren't publicly available—you'll learn them during the membership application process or through your member host.
This controlled approach preserves the intimate atmosphere that defines the club experience.
Dress Code Standards
Old Elm maintains traditional dress standards you'd expect at any elite private club:
On the course: Men wear collared shirts with tailored slacks or Bermuda-length shorts, plus golf shoes with soft spikes. Women wear appropriate golf attire including golf skirts, shorts, or slacks.
In the clubhouse: Smart casual attire prevails—collared shirts, sweaters, neat clothing, and appropriate footwear. The club likely prohibits denim on the course, though some clubs permit designer denim in specific clubhouse areas.
These standards aren't negotiable. They're part of maintaining the environment and traditions that members value.
Recognition, Rankings, and Restoration Journey
Current Rankings and Accolades
Old Elm has climbed steadily in national rankings as its restoration work revealed the brilliance of the original Colt-Ross design.
The course now appears on multiple prestigious lists:
- Golf Digest Second 100 Greatest Courses: Ranked 149th (2025-26), improved from 164th
- Golf Digest Best in State (Illinois): Consistently ranked 8th since 2023
- GOLF Magazine Top 100 Courses in U.S.: Newcomer to the 2024-25 list
- Golfweek Top 100 Classic Courses: Entered in 2017 at #66
Architecture experts and ranking panelists describe Old Elm as the most underrated course in Illinois and place it among the top three golf courses in the Chicago metropolitan area.
The rankings trajectory directly correlates with the completion of restoration phases—as the club removed what had obscured Colt's strategic brilliance, the golf world took notice.
Comprehensive Restoration (2010-2025)
Old Elm embarked on an extensive, multi-phase restoration beginning in 2010 to return the course to its original Colt-Ross vision.
Superintendent Curtis James and General Manager Kevin Marion initiated the project in collaboration with architect J. Drew Rogers.
The initial phase tackled tree removal.
Hundreds of trees that had encroached over decades were cleared to widen playing corridors and restore original sight lines.
Fairways were subsequently expanded to match Colt's intended generosity—not the narrow, tree-lined corridors that had evolved over time, but the wide playing areas that gave golfers strategic options.
The original Ross putting surfaces had evolved to become smaller and more circular through years of maintenance adjustments.
The restoration returned them to their oblong shapes, recovering dozens of strategic pin positions that had been lost.
This wasn't cosmetic work—it fundamentally changed how the greens played and restored the variety Colt and Ross had designed.
In 2013, the focus shifted to comprehensive bunker restoration.
While Ross had largely followed Colt's plans during original construction, some bunkers had been missed or altered through successive renovations over the decades.
David Zinkand of Zinkand Golf Design undertook meticulous work using Colt's elaborate original sketches and detailed notes.
The goal was recreating the rough, rugged bunker edging characteristic of Colt's best British designs—bold forms with dramatic “ripped” and “torn” edges that complement the rolling terrain rather than looking manufactured.
The restoration included installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system and occurred alongside complete course re-grassing.
Zinkand's team modified six greens, including the celebrated Redan 17th, incorporating subtle contour adjustments to preserve Ross's strategic intentions while ensuring modern playability.
The final phase wrapped up in February 2025, completing 15 years of carefully considered improvements.
Golf Course Architecture editor Adam Lawrence compared the result to legendary British courses Swinley Forest and Morfontaine—perhaps the highest praise an American course can receive from architecture purists.
Facilities, Amenities, and Future Plans
The historic clubhouse features Marshall and Fox architectural styling, providing elegant spaces for the full country club experience.
Formal dining rooms, casual areas, lounges, and bar facilities offer members fine dining and refreshments in an upscale environment that matches the course's pedigree.
Practice facilities include a driving range with multiple practice tees plus dedicated short game areas—putting greens, chipping areas, and practice bunkers.
Professional caddies provide service and course knowledge that enhance the playing experience.
Long-tenured staff like Bret Leon (Co-Manager/Co-Golf Professional) and Ivan (22+ years in maintenance) bring institutional knowledge that preserves the club's standards.
The club hosts typical private club programming throughout the year: tournaments at different skill levels, member-exclusive social gatherings, themed dinners, holiday celebrations, and family-friendly activities.
The intimate membership size ensures these events maintain an exclusive, close-knit atmosphere.
Plans for a six-hole short course and enhanced driving range facilities demonstrate the club's commitment to member experience, though completion timelines haven't been publicly disclosed.
These additions balance tradition with selective modernization—preserving original architecture while providing contemporary amenities.
Comparisons and Context
Architecture experts consistently compare Old Elm's character to British heathland courses, particularly Swinley Forest and Sunningdale in England, and Morfontaine in France.
These comparisons reference the strategic subtlety, firm playing conditions, craggy bunkers, and emphasis on ground game.
Unlike most American courses that play soft and reward aerial-focused golf, Old Elm's bounce-and-roll characteristics create an authentic links-adjacent experience rare in the United States.
The course appeals to architecture enthusiasts and traditionalists who appreciate Golden Age design principles over modern target-golf aesthetics.
Old Elm exists within one of America's richest golf regions—the Chicago metropolitan area includes nationally-ranked courses like Chicago Golf Club, Shoreacres, Medinah Country Club, and Butler National.
Its North Shore location places it among an elite cluster serving Chicago's wealthiest communities.
The club balances tradition with selective modernization, preserving original architecture and membership culture while providing contemporary conditioning standards.
This includes maintaining its all-male membership policy despite broader industry trends toward inclusion, exercising its rights as a private entity to structure membership as it sees fit.
Conclusion
Old Elm Club represents American golf at its most exclusive and architecturally significant—a 110-year-old institution where access requires both substantial wealth and the right connections.
The only Colt-Ross collaboration in existence, combined with meticulous restoration work, has produced a course that ranks among the finest in the country.
For those fortunate enough to gain entry, you're experiencing golf history that very few will ever have the privilege to play.
