Medinah County Club is one of the most-friendly private country clubs around Chicago. The suburb of Medinah is about 25 miles west of Chicago, and about 24 miles from Skokie Country Club, host not the 1922 U. S. Open. Medinah Country Club offers casual dining, a community of wellness and health, appealing social activities plus legendary golf. The clubhouse, over the years, has become of the most recognizable golf sites.
Medinah Country Club Membership Cost
There are currently about 600 regular members of the Medinah Country Club. In other categories, not specified, there are about 400 members. To become a member is strictly by invitation only. There are currently five levels of memberships to meet the needs of different groups.
You will not find the current cost for a membership listed on their website but in a report from 2019, the initial fee to become a member was $85,000 with monthly fees of $600-$1,000 a month, depending on the type of membership. For younger members, the initiation fee is around $65,000 but at sign-up, there is only a $10,000 deposit required with the remaining payments split over a few years.
Types Of Memberships :
| Type of Membership | Description **Note—Clubhouse is Dining, Pool, Golf Learning Center, Lodge, Racquet Center. There are 3 golf courses. |
|---|---|
| Regular | It provides full access to the clubhouse. There is unlimited access to all golf courses. |
| Associate | There are four age groups in this membership, Ages 21-25, 26-29, 30-34, and 35-39. It provides access to the Clubhouse and unlimited access to all golf courses but is subject to periodic reviews by the board. |
| Social | There are three age groups in this membership. Ages 40 and over, 30-39, and Under 30. They also have full access to the Clubhouse. They are welcomed as a guest on any of the golf courses four times per year and green fees are applicable. This is a good membership for those that want to meet new people. |
| National | This membership is offered to those that have a principal place of residence 125 miles or more from Medinah Country Club. It gives you full access to the Clubhouse. They have access to the golf courses 12 times a year |
| International | This membership is offered to those who have their principal place of residence outside of the United States. They have full access to the Clubhouse. They have access to the golf courses 12 times a year. |
History Of Medinah Country Club
Medinah Country Club was formed by the Medinah Shriners in 1924, named after an Arabian city. There were approximately 1,500 social and golfing members by the late 1920s. While the courses were being constructed, Shriner and charter member, Richard G. Schmid, designed the clubhouse.
During the Great Depression, many members left and there was a severe financial hardship. To help with these issues, they waived initiation fees, held fundraising events, lowered dues, and hosted professional golf tournaments. Non-Shriners were eventually allowed to apply for membership in the country club.
During World War II, Medinah Country Club was hit again with financial woes with membership falling below capacity. They had to close Course 2 and the upkeep on the other two courses was done by members. The country club slowly recovered and had membership growth during the post-war era.
The clubhouse was designed in the 1920s by Richard G. Schmid. He had a flair for blending the classic line of Oriental, Italian, Byzantine, and Louis XIV along with the characteristics of Masonic structures. A club member, Gustav A. Brand did the murals and the rotunda. Golf Digest ranked it 6th of the 18 Most Iconic Clubhouses in Golf.
Golf Course History
The famed history and challenging golf course have drawn the likes of professional athletes, golf legends, celebrities, and politicians. There are three golf courses. The first course was opened in September 1925, the second course in 1926, and in 1928, they opened the third course. The three golf courses are in a 54-hole complex.
The courses were designed originally by Tom Bendelow. The Medinah Board redesigned Course 3 if the funds were available and the adjacent lands to the club were returned by Medinah’s four founders. In 1986 it was redesigned by Roger Packard in preparation for the U. S. Open. In 2006. Rees Jones’s design work was done in preparation for the 2006 PGA Championship. It extended Course 3 to 7.561 yards, which may it the longest golf course in the history of major championships.
Medinah Country Club offers an 18-hole course plus a 9-hole family-friendly course. They also have two organized women’s golf groups, which include a 9-hole and 18-hole association.
Golf Course #1
This course is 6,895 yards. Not much is said about this course as Course 3 is the main one. This course has the Tom Doak Design
Golf Course #2
This course was restored to an original classic 1925 look and strategy, reopening in 2017. It was fitted with seven tee boxes. They are suited for every golf level. This one is 6,412 yards with a Tom Bendelow Design
Golf Course #3
Their famed Course #3 has played host to many prestigious international golf events and major championships throughout the history of the club. This includes:
- U. S. Open—1949, 1975, 1990
- BMW Championship—2019
- U. S. Senior Open—1988
- Ryder Cup—2012
- PGA Championship—1999, 2006
This golf course is 7,657 yards and is a Rees Jones Redesign of the design of Tom Bendelow.
Dining
There are many choices for dining at the Medinah Country Club that is delectable and diverse.
Meacham’s Garden: This restaurant offers farm-to-table meals with produce that was farmed in the organic garden on the property. Some of the maple trees are tapped for the syrup to use in the restaurant along with 34 different vegetables and fruits.
Food truck: Offered here are homemade burgers, smoothies, homemade grab-and-go snacks, and seasonal street food. It makes key stops on its three golf courses and other on-property events.
Fireside restaurant: This recently renovated family dining room offers limited menus all year with a menu of seasonal ingredients.
East & West Verandas: Here you can dine while watching the sunset, overlooking the 1st tee of Course #3 and the putting green. The West Veranda is open for lunch and dinner and on Fridays, June through August, you can listen to live music.
Casbah Bar: This defines the comfort, beauty, and elegance of Medinah Country Club. The large fireplaces and arched ceilings to the intimate scale of the room make it warm and inviting.
Backyard Patio and Grill: This is the place to kick back and relax. It offers views of the backyard putting green, pool, and the cabana bar at the pool.
Oasis: At this dining venue, you can enjoy something to drink, a snack, or a place for the family to eat for a breakfast and lunch buffet. It becomes a casual, denim-friendly environment during the winter.
Viewing Deck: This is a favorite place to be during the spring and summer. It is on the second floor adjacent to the Fireside Restaurant and Casbah Bar. Here you can get some of the best views of Courses #1 and #2, Cabana Bar at the pool, and the backyard putting green.
Facilities Of Medinah Country Club
1. Swimming :
The pool offers two diving boards, a deck for seating, and five competitive swim lanes for team practice. It is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. There is also a full snack bar, a kids’ pool with zero-depth water, and a sandlot. There are bathhouses for men and women with lockers, changing facilities, and showers. They offer swim lessons for beginners to advance.
2. The Lodge :
This is a casual gathering spot for members to shoot trap or skeet, take part in a game of cards, enjoy theme night and great dinners, and watch the game. This facility is open during the winter and fall months and is the hub for their Skeet and Trap shooting fields. While in the club, casual attire is permitted, which includes denim and jeans.
It is located on Course 3 near the 5th tee, overlooking the serene Lake Kadijah. It is fully equipped to serve beverages and food. The Lodge plays host to a variety of activities.
- Father and son/daughter tournaments
- Turkey/ham shoots
- Skeet and trap leagues
- Club Championship
- Late summer shootouts
There are instructional classes to introduce new shooters of any age. At the beginning of each season, they provide gun safety classes.
3. The Practice Facility :
This is a place for the members to work on their game with a short game practice range plus two practice putting greens. The Practice facility has two acres of teeing ground with seven expansive target greens.
4. Golf Learning Center :
This center provides the members of Medinah Country Club with a year-round cutting-edge training and practice facility. It offers two instruction bays with three practice bays, each with a golf simulator. There is also a putting center and golf fitness area. The Golf Learning Center is 5,000 square foot
There is parking for cars and golf carts plus storage for training aids and club fitting. The center offers a bar and social gathering area with activities. The Golf Learning Center opened in 2017.
5. Racquet Center :
Here you will find eight tennis courses with four of these being platform courts. You will also find an indoor seating area with a fire pit.
6. Golf Shop :
The Golf Shop is 3,000 square feet and is the hub of all activities. This is where you can shop for your equipment and clothing needs. Golf Digest Magazine and the Association of Golf Merchandisers for the past twelve years have ranked the golf shop as one of the Top 100 Golf Shops in America.
It also offers club storage for your golf bag and equipment with the clubs being cleaned and stored after each round. Your equipment is inspected after every season to see if they need any repairs, which they will do if requested. There are men’s and women’s locker rooms with steam and shower facilities and shoe service.
7. The Clubhouse :
The clubhouse is 120,000 square feet and is one of the most recognized clubhouses in golf. It has a sixty-foot rotunda and the ceiling is hand-painted mosaic. There is also a grand ballroom. The members can enjoy the area for socializing, dining, and taking part in family activities all year.
Programs Offered
Gold For Life :
This program was developed by the Director of Golf Marty DeAngelo of Medinah Country Club. It enhances your playing pleasure and benefits your game, no matter what type of golfer you are, from low-handicap to novice.
Juniors Programs :
It does not matter if they are perfecting ground strokes or picking up their first club, the juniors have the opportunity to develop skills and play sports that will stay with them their entire life. The Junior program is for tennis, golf, and swim & dive. This program provides family members the opportunity to:
- Master strategy
- Respect the sport/game
- Learn fundamentals
- Hone skills
- Make a lot of memories and new friends
Tennis: Junior tennis is for those ages four and older and give the players basic orientation to the game. The program is in June and July. They have three groups, beginners ages 4 to 7, intermediate ages 8 to 10, and advanced from ages 11 and up. There are four Har-Tru courts, and individual tennis lessons are offered.
Swim/Dive: The Swim and Dive team emphasizes the enjoyment of swimming, focusing on work ethic, physical conditioning, and sportsmanship during the season. The program is done during June and July and is open to family members under eighteen.
Golf: This program has over 160 members a year. It is designed as a progressive program where they have the opportunity to improve and advance through the different levels of the program. They have a PGA Teaching Professional Staff to incorporate instructional techniques from two reputable golf associations in the country. They are the US Kids Golf and PGA of America (Tee it Forward Program).
They Offer:
- Little Chippers ages 6 and under
- Junior Golf Mondays
- Junior Golf Academy ages 7 and up
- Junior League & Championship Play
Amenities
Medinah Country Club offers its members and their families a host of amenities from learning centers to wonderful dining experiences in the Meacham’s Garden to their unique food truck, pool area, and golf. They also offer their grand ballroom for weddings but you have to be a member or sponsored by a member to use the ballroom. The Country Club offers six dining options, including the Club Dining Room and Oasis.
General Amenities
- Locker room facilities
- Trap and skeet shooting area
- Short game area, two practice putting greens, driving range
- Four platform tennis courts and four Har-Tru tennis courts
- Caddies
Rules & Dress Code
The dress code of the Medinah Country Club is for everyone, even children with or without their parents and guests. When they invite guests to the country club, it is their responsibility to inform them of the proper attire for any area in the club. On the Medinah Country Club premise, no denim material or jeans, no matter what the color is, are permitted.
The only exception to this is when it has been approved specifically for an event. It may be worn if it is approved in certain parts of the Country Club as seasonal attire. Also, not allowed are cargo shorts while on the grounds of the club. On the main level or above a man cannot wear a hat in the clubhouse. If a hat is worn on the premises, it must be worn beak forward.
On the practice range, golf courses, and putting greens, you will have to conform this dress code:
- Mock turtleneck that are tucked in or collared golf shirt
- Medinah Golf Shop-style pullovers
- Golf shorts like Bermuda and/or walking shorts, appropriate length
- Golf footwear
- Jackets or sweaters
- Slacks
You Are Not Allowed To Wear In These Areas:
- Undershirts, sweat/athletic shirts, tee shirts
- Cargo shorts or pants
- Cutoffs, real short or running shorts
- Tennis or swimwear
- Fishnet or halter tops
- Sweat suits
- Denim material or jeans no matter what the color
In the Golf center during the summer you have to wear proper golf attire but from November through April, you can wear denim. The dress code for the clubhouse is the same as on the golf course with some exceptions.
Clubhouse lower level including Golf Lobby, Oasis, Men’s and Women’s Lounges, and lockers.
- You are not permitted to wear shirts without a collar
- Men have to have their golf shirts tucked in except for shorts worn casually. If they are like Tommy Bahama shirts, you do not have to tuck them in.
- Men can wear hats on the lower level.
- You can wear sandals
Any area where you do not eat and the dining areas of the Clubhouse.
- You cannot wear a shirt without a collar.
- Can wear dress shorts
- Only ladies may wear hats
- Same rule for golf shirts as on the lower level of the Clubhouse
- Sandals are permitted but not golf shoes
During club events, the a different dress code may be required for that particular function from black tie to casual. Around the pool, proper swimwear will be required, and also in the Cabana Bar and Mecca/Halfway House #2. When a woman is exiting the Cabana Bar or pool area, they have to wear a cover up you cannot see through or robe at all times.
When going to/from the pool parking lot and when exiting the Cabana Bar or pool area, men have to be in the right Club clothes in order to go to the locker room or Clubhouse. They cannot wear tee-shirts and swim trunks in the Oasis Patio or Oasis but can when going to or leaving the locker room in the Clubhouse. No cover-ups are needed in the Cabana Bar during pool season as it is section of the experience of the pool.
In the Racquet Center, the correct seasonal tennis wear has to be worn. When playing on the courts, it is recommended that you wear layers of athletic attire and warm clothing. The only shoes you can wear on the Platform courts are court/racquet footwear, but you cannot wear running shoes, training shoes, or tennis shoes. If you are not playing you have to wear what is required by the lower level of the Clubhouse dress code.
During tennis season when the courts are playable at the Warning Hut, the dress code is as follows:
- For women, you must wear tennis skirts, shorts, tank and regular tops. You can also wear athletic apparel like Athleta.
- For the men, you must wear athletic or polo shirts, but no cutoffs or tank tops and tennis shorts.
- Everyone has to wear tennis shoes that have flat bottoms.
- You do not have to wear collared shirts to play but you do have to wear a collared shirt in other areas.
- No baggy/long shorts, lacrosse, or basketball shorts.
At the Lodge, you have to wear golf or casual attire but no denim clothing or blue jeans unless you are participating in winter sports.
Cell Phone And Other Devices Usage
They want their members to enjoy themselves in a club that is free from being interrupted by cellular technology. Cellphones are allowed on the premises and in the clubhouse,
- Listening to outgoing calls and voice messages should be made in remote areas and discretely so it does not bother anyone else.
- They should be in silent or vibrate mode while on any club property.
- Throughout the club, internet surfing and texting are permitted as long as it does not affect anyone else.
- If you accept a call while in member areas, you cannot use the speakerphone and take the call discretely so you are not disturbing anyone else.
During operating hours in the Veranda, Fireside, Casbah Deck, and Casbah, the use of cell phones is not permitted.
Smoking Policy
Since the Smoke-free Illinois Act in 2008, smoking is prohibited in public places, including clubs that are private. At Medinah Country Club, smoking cigarettes and cigars is not allowed inside 15 feet of windows that can be opened, entrances, ventilation intakes, and exits to make sure that the smoke does come into the building. Smoking is permitted on the backyard, Oasis patio, Lodge patio, golf courses, certain outdoor areas, and shooting fields. You cannot smoke in any interior space of the Fireside or Fireside Veranda, clubhouse, Casbah or their veranda, Lodge, Mecca, Halfway houses, The shop, Pool, or Cabana BAR. The same goes for vaping and E-cigarettes
Trivia Facts
- Medinah Country Club was originally founded by and for Shriners but in the 1930s, that requirement was dropped.
- The first professional to play Course 3 was “Lighthorse” Harry Cooper in 1930 at the Medinah Open.
- The country club is noted for three waterfront par three holes, which are 17, 13, and 2.
- It has a Platinum Club designation means that Medinah Country Club ranks among the best in America with no less than four stars for every category. These categories include service, dining, facilities, and accommodations.
- The town of Medinah was named after the country club.
Conclusion
Although Medinah Country Club is a member-only club, they do welcome guests who have been invited by members. They do have to check in with the security staff. As you can see, Medinah Country Club offers a lot of amenities for all ages, from dining to enjoying the pool in the summer to Skeet and Trap shooting in the winter. There is something for all seasons.