What are the best golf course communities in DuPage County? DuPage County offers several established golf course communities, including Cress Creek and White Eagle in Naperville, Seven Bridges in Woodridge, and the neighborhoods around the Village Links of Glen Ellyn and Cantigny Golf in Wheaton. Each pairs golf access with strong amenities and a range of home styles.
For buyers who want more than a house, a golf course community offers a lifestyle. Mature landscaping, open green space, an active social calendar, and the course itself out the back window. DuPage County has a handful of well-established options across a range of price points and styles. Here is a look at the communities worth knowing if golf course living is on your list.
Cress Creek, Naperville
Cress Creek holds a distinction no other community in the area can claim. Developed by builder Harold Moser in 1962, it was the Chicago area's first residential golf course community. More than six decades later, it remains one of the most established and sought-after golf course neighborhoods in DuPage County.
Located just north of downtown Naperville, the community wraps around the Cress Creek Country Club and its championship 18-hole course. One of Cress Creek's defining traits is variety. You will find everything from original mid-century floor plans to homes with extensive additions to fully rebuilt luxury properties, which gives the neighborhood a character that planned communities built for uniformity simply do not have. Housing options span single-family homes, townhomes, and condos across a wide range of price points.
The Country Club anchors the lifestyle with two pools, clay tennis courts, competitive swim teams, and dining, along with several levels of membership. Add in Naperville School District 203, proximity to downtown Naperville, and quick Metra access, and Cress Creek offers a complete package for buyers who want golf course living with deep roots.
White Eagle, Naperville
White Eagle is one of the most recognizable golf course communities in the western suburbs. Built largely between the late 1980s and mid-1990s, the community is arranged around an Arnold Palmer designed 27-hole course spanning three nine-hole layouts at the White Eagle Golf Club.
Homes range from townhouses to large single-family residences, with traditional Georgian, Victorian cottage, and brick-and-stone designs throughout. The community clubhouse anchors a strong amenity package that includes a resort-style pool, tennis courts, parks, and a full social calendar. Golf club membership is optional, so buyers who want the setting without the course commitment still have a place here. White Eagle straddles the DuPage and Will county line, so buyers should confirm which county a specific home falls in for tax purposes.
Seven Bridges, Woodridge
Located between Lisle and Woodridge and about four miles from downtown Naperville, Seven Bridges blends golf course living with extensive natural surroundings. The neighborhood sits near both the River Bend and Seven Bridges golf clubs, with the latter home to a popular bar and grill.
Seven Bridges offers a wide mix of housing, from single-family homes to The Residences at Seven Bridges, a 12-story condominium building completed in 2008 with floor plans ranging from one to three bedrooms. The area is surrounded by greenspace and nature preserves, including Greene Valley and Egermann Woods, which makes it a strong fit for buyers who want recreation beyond the fairway. Access to I-355 and I-55 is a practical bonus for commuters.
Village Links of Glen Ellyn
The Village Links of Glen Ellyn is a different model. Founded in 1967, it was the first publicly owned 18-hole golf course in DuPage County and has long been recognized as one of the top courses in the Chicago area. It served as a host course for PGA Tour Western Open qualifying for decades.
The neighborhoods surrounding the Village Links appeal to buyers who want proximity to a respected public course without the cost structure of a private club community. Glen Ellyn itself offers a walkable downtown, Metra access, and the kind of established suburban character that holds value well over time.
Cantigny, Wheaton
The Cantigny area in Wheaton centers on Cantigny Golf, a highly regarded public facility set within the broader Cantigny Park, which also includes formal gardens and a museum. Homes in the surrounding area feature diverse styles on spacious lots.
Cantigny is my local favorite, and it is hard to beat the combination of a quality public course, the park and gardens, and the open space that surrounds it. For buyers who value that kind of setting, the Cantigny area offers a distinctive mix of golf, parkland, and Wheaton's strong residential reputation. It is a good fit for those who want recreation and green space without committing to a private club.
Also Worth Knowing: Tamarack, Naperville
The Tamarack neighborhood in south Naperville is built around the Tamarack Golf Club, an 18-hole public championship course, with some homes sitting directly on the fairways. It is a newer, sophisticated community with refined home styles. One important note: the southern Naperville area where Tamarack sits often falls within Will County rather than DuPage, so confirm the county for any specific home before you factor in taxes and services.
What to Consider Before Buying in a Golf Course Community
Golf course living carries specific considerations that a standard home search does not. Understanding them upfront protects both your budget and your long-term satisfaction.
- Membership structure: Some communities require club membership, others make it optional. Confirm what is mandatory and what it costs annually.
- Association dues and rules: Golf course communities often have HOAs that govern dues, exterior maintenance, and modifications. Review the governing documents carefully.
- Lot position: A home directly on the course commands a premium and offers views, but it can also mean stray golf balls and less privacy. Weigh the tradeoff.
- County lines: Some communities, like White Eagle and Tamarack, sit near or across county boundaries that affect property taxes and services. Verify which county a specific home sits in.
- Resale appeal: Course-facing lots and well-maintained communities tend to hold value, but niche amenities can narrow your future buyer pool. Buy with resale in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What golf course communities are in DuPage County? Notable golf course communities in DuPage County include Cress Creek in Naperville, which was the Chicago area's first residential golf course community, along with White Eagle in Naperville, Seven Bridges in Woodridge, and the neighborhoods surrounding the Village Links of Glen Ellyn and Cantigny Golf in Wheaton.
Do you have to be a golfer to live in a golf course community? No. In most DuPage County golf course communities, club membership is optional. Many residents choose these neighborhoods for the open space, amenities, and setting rather than the golf itself.
Are golf course community homes a good investment? Golf course communities in established areas tend to hold value well, particularly homes on well-maintained courses with strong amenities. Lot position, association health, and the specific community's reputation all factor into long-term resale value.
If you are considering a move into a golf course community in DuPage County or anywhere in the western suburbs, call or text Rob Brannigan at 847.609.0570. Rob is a REALTOR® with @properties | Christie's International Real Estate and a lifelong Downers Grove resident who knows these communities and what drives their value.
Written by Rob Brannigan (IL License #475.164040), RENE + SRS. Lifelong Downers Grove resident. Data-driven guidance for buyers and sellers in Downers Grove and surrounding communities.
