I wasn't able to attend personally, but I heard amazing things about Joe Louis The Champ Golf Course. The management, hospitality, and condition of the course were all highly praised. Sounds like a wonderful experience overall! CWGC truly appreciated the warm hospitality Lolita H read more

Our tournament outing went on without a hitch. All was well. Nice carts with plugs & decent power. I look forward to when they put out the grill. CWGC-KM read more

Great course for me. Easy to get to. Grounds are maintained and carts are always clean. I have always received service with a smile. May read more

A sincere THANK YOU to Mr. Jimmy Chess, Ernie, and the entire staff for the outstanding hospitality during our 2026 Memorial Warm-Up event. The course was absolutely immaculate, and despite a very busy day, our players never felt rushed. The pace of play and on-course balance perfectly matched a beautiful Saturday of golf, fellowship, and fun. Your professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail helped make the day truly memorable for the Chicago Women's Golf Club. We are forever grateful for the warm welcome and 5-star experience. read more

Joe Louis "The Champ" Golf Course welcomed the Chicago Women's Golf Club with open arms and top tier hospitality during our tournament last week. We appreciate it, and we look forward to hosting more events in the future. read more

On May 16, 2026, I enjoyed a round of golf during our annual Warm-Up Tournament. The staff was professional and accommodating. The course was in good condition. I look forward to this golf season and getting some rounds in at Joe Louis "The Champ" Golf Course. read more

My golf club recently had an event here and it was great. The staff was very friendly, helpful and professional. The course was in very good condition and well maintained. I highly recommend this course. read more

Was looking forward to golfing here after looking at the course details, me and 3 other golfers arrived and made sure it was known there was also an additional two riders who we were more than willing to pay for. I was brought inside to make sure it was clear what was going on, where the front desk employee told me that I had bad golf etiquette and the pace of play was going to be somehow affected by an additional two riders that had absolutely zero plans to play. When I asked the employee to help me understand how either of those make sense, he proceeded to tell me we could either split up or get a refund and after a little back and forth, he proceeded to count down in my face like a child. At that time one of the other golfers came in and tried to clear the air, the employee's compromise was that the four golfers go out and play and the riders could go out ten minutes later but was not allowed to catch up to us because again it was bad golf etiquette and "was about the perception of three golf carts." I was failing to understand his point and again asked him to help me understand and said "it's not that hard to understand, if you knew about the etiquette of the game, you would know that's not allowed" I was taken aback and decided we would go somewhere else. To turn away over $300 of business is absurd and to treat your customers like they are beneath you seems odd. Just overall confrontation and I won't waste my time going somewhere that endorses employees that care more about being right than providing a good experience Go to River Oaks instead very friendly and understanding staff that was painless and in much better condition read more

Our club, Chicago Women and Golf Club (CWGC) had a well organized tournament on 5/16/26. Everything from the planning with the course management and staff was professional and pleasant leading to a great golfing experience . I plan to go back soon! read more

Had a great time playing. Not a boring course you often find at the $50 price point. Some water and bunkers. Good challenge, but not crazy. There were a few muddy tee boxes and puddles in bunkers and the greens were sandy from a recent aeration. Luckily got a hot dog at the grill the setup outside, but no cart girl, and I wouldn't rely on getting what you want anytime. Overall, good course that could be a bit better with amenity improvements. read more

Hello, I hope this message finds the right hands. My friends and I had a 5 o'clock tee time on 6/28. We finished the front 9 right around 7:20 pm. It was this time that a cart boy told us that carts had to be in by 8 o'clock. We thought this was very odd since we paid for 18 holes with a cart, and that we had over an hour of sunlight left. We called the pro shop and a nice lady picked up the phone and proceeded to say not to worry about it, just play as late as you can and to have carts in by dark. Fast forward 20 or so minutes, we're now on the 13th tee box and the same cart boy said we had to return the carts. At this time I proceeded to say the nice lady in the pro shop said we could stay til dark. The cart boy then said he didn't believe me and that I should call her again. After calling her again, and after she once again stated we could play until dark, he said that she wasn't in control of the carts and didn't know what she was talking about. I said I would be happy to return the carts if we got our money back, he said that's not his problem. He followed up by saying us playing until dark would mean he would have to say til dark. I said I'm sorry but we are playing what we paid for. He tried to make a "compromise" by suggesting we skip holes 13-17 and tee off on 18 so we could finish up and he could go home. I once again told him no, that we were playing until dark. So after about 20 minutes of going back and forth, he said that we could lock the carts up ourselves and he drove off. I'm not one to get confrontational, but I genuinely could not believe the conversation we had with the cart boy. I find it to be very disrespectful that somebody wanted us to skip 5 holes just so he could go home. Not only were we engaging in a senseless argument, but we lost 20 minutes of daylight. Thus, we were only able to finish 16 holes. Never in my life have I been approached with such an unprofessional and childish conversation. Would not recommend. read more

I've never written a Yelp review before. It seems like a smug realm that I may not be ready for. After reading an elitist and unfair review of Joe Louis the Champ, I decided it was time. Joe Louis was arguably the greatest boxer of all time. The man was a hero both in the ring and on the streets. He fought in 69 career matches (nice) and won 66 of them (nice). He was also a symbol for the west leading into the 2nd world war. In 1936 he fought against Max Schmeling, who was basically the Joe Louis counterpart for the Nazis. Schmeling got the better of The Champ that day. Did Joe Louis the Champ give up? Of course not. Two years later he beat the shit out of Schmeling in an epic rematch, sending a clear message to Nazi Getmanu. The two eventually became good friends. Basically he was Captain America and Rocky (in Rocky IV) combined. He fought in charity events to raise money for the war effort. Somehow the funds he raised for the troops were considered taxable by the IRS and they came after him. He raised money for the troops, and they taxed HIM. You'd think a man of his caliber would be treated with a higher degree of respect. Never trust the government (just my opinion). He was also a passionate golfer. There were a lot of sports reserved for whites only (golf probably being the whitest sport of all time and still to this day). He was the first black man to play in a PGA tour event. The PGA initially said no. The public stood up for the champ, and the PGA reluctantly gave in. A lesser man could have rightfully lived his life in bitterness towards the bullshit treatment he and other black men suffered (in this case from the IRS and the PGA). The Champ was not like other men. The Champ understood how kickass golf was and how its joy and misery should be shared by men of all races. He paved the way for the first generation of African American golfers. He supported many of them financially. A man of this caliber does not come around in history very often, so they named this golf course after him. Joe Louis The Champ (the golf course) has the greatest value of any golf course in Chicago. Sensibly priced, well kept, and challenging. The first hole is shorter than most. It could make an outsider think "this is going to be easy, maybe I'll play from the blue gloves (the Tee boxes are marked with boxing gloves, which is creative)". Well buckle up, that first hole false confidence was a trap laid by Joe Louis himself. Holes 6 and 7 combine for a total of 1050 yards (par 4 and 5, respectively). I have never scored better than a double bogey on 18. I have a message to the the elitist who left a 1-star review complaining about "being charged extra for bringing a caddie". Nobody brings a caddie to the Champ. The Champ does not need or require your respect. You earn the Champ's respect, if it's deserved. In the meantime, pay the $40 for the round and cart, get the hotdog at the turn (the lady makes a damn fine dog and is super nice) and enjoy the day. Joe Louis the Champ doesn't answer to you. read more

Poorly maintained course with rude, 'can't be bothered' staff. Played a full course here, and they charged extra for me to bring a caddy. Ridiculous. We have membership for all the public courses, but this one by far is the worst. Regret renewing our dues for discounted green fees, but may this serve as a warning for the rest of you. read more

Have played the course for many years. A fun, great golf course. Interesting and challenging holes. Usually get some great deals.

Joe Lewis my group LOVES to play the course, despite the fact that we always get cheated out of whatever "discount" you pretend to have. There is such GOOD EATING in that community we still tolerate your club. BUT I learned that I cannot visit on a Saturday because you DO NOT have enough Golf Carts to go around only about 50. So the rest of your players have to stand and wait for someone to finish the 18th hole so they can have a cart. On Saturday 9/14/19 about 24 people stood for 30min or more until the carts flowed in. Still had a terrific time, but no mo Saturday's for you and me. Shout out to Kenny's on 127th, your FOOD is Awesomeness read more

One of my favorite of the Forrest Preserve courses to play. It's quiet during the week, fairly well maintained and you can get some rock bottom deals online, especially early in the day during the week. Water comes into play on a few holes and there is one long par-5 toping out at 580+ yards. Golf carts are gas powered which are always more fun and the staff are all relatively nice and enjoyable. read more

Joe Louis "The Champ" Golf Course - Self explanatory - Golf Near Me - Riverdale, Illinois

This course is long, and earns 4-stars for not only the quality staff I encountered at this place, but also for the price. You are going to a FPG course, so set your sights off of Pebble and all the sudden you will love this place. Sure there are some minor repairs that need to take place, and yes there are a few areas where the grass is not the perfect velvet carpet you expect... but for shy of $50 on a weekend with a cart, this place is 100% worth the money. The drive is an honest 25 minutes from the loop, and VERY easy to get to. This course is relatively wide in addition to its length, so as long as you persistently find the fairway you will have a solid round on your hands. I will come back, and I very much enjoy the proximity to the city and the price. read more

one of the courses i put on a weekly schedule the staff treated me well, and the course is in good condition.tThe track rated fair, put it on youjr schedule.I like playing early during the week. R Simmons. read more

This course is always busy because of its low cost. Conditions are tolerable for the price but wish there was a cart girl like George Dunne. Lots of bunkers and a great course for beginners. The greens are massive so even if you're on, it could still be a long way to the hole!! They seem to overbook so if pace of play really bothers you, don't play here. read more

Aside from Dunne, this is the nicest FPG course. Not too expensive and never too crowded. The course is long and you will use every club in the bag. I love THE CHAMP. read more

Pretty nice course considering its a Forest Preserve course. Very long, so it'll be a longer round. Fairways and Greens are in solid shape. Staff and clubhouse was nice. Carts much faster than the other FPG courses. For the price you really can't go wrong... read more

Nice public course some challenging holes. Good pace of play. Fiat $$ and they run a lot of special deals

Excellent course for the price. Has some difficult holes and the course is in great shape. My only critique is that the girl that works the register also has to man the snack bar (two different areas). On a busy morning it is difficult to get something to drink there. I would be willing to kick in a few extra bucks to have another kid work the snack bar on the weekends. Come on Joe! read more

I had been told by several friends that this was a pretty nice course for a really good price, so decided to check it out last Saturday and made an 11:30 am tee time. We arrived early and paid our fees only to find several groups waiting at the first tee box for carts. We waited 45 minutes for a cart, and during that time not one of the FOUR other groups (4 somes) ahead of us received a cart either. The group at the front of the line had been waiting an hour and 15 minutes. I can understand if the course is busy, but how does a golf course run out of golf carts? And to top it off when I asked for a refund after waiting for an hour the manager gave us a total attitude. With all of the other relatively cheap courses in the area, I'll never return here. read more