Photo: “Fairway (golf)” by Dan Perry, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
If golf is part of how you picture home, the Barrington area has five very different options: Wynstone and Lake Barrington Shores (both gated), Biltmore Country Club on Honey Lake, Barrington Hills Country Club, and Makray Memorial, a public course right in the village of Barrington.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate, a Certified Luxury Home agent and BHHS Luxury Collection Specialist. I covered these clubs in my video, and this post goes a little deeper. Watch the golf section of Don’t Move to Barrington, IL Until You Watch This starting at 4:18.
Wynstone (North Barrington)
Wynstone is a gated community of about 750 acres in the Village of North Barrington, built around a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course that opened in 1989. It’s the name most people think of first when they say “gated golf community” near Barrington.
What to ask before you buy here:
- What the association covers and what the club membership costs, since those are separate questions.
- Any rules on exterior changes, additions or landscaping.
- Recent sales inside the gates, not just Barrington-wide numbers.
Lake Barrington Shores (Lake Barrington)
Lake Barrington Shores is a gated condominium association community in Lake Barrington with its own 18-hole golf course, and residents come and go through gates like the one on Miller Road. Because it’s a condominium association, you’ll want the declaration, rules, budget and reserve information early in the process. I request those for my buyers before they’re too far down the road.
Biltmore Country Club (North Barrington)
Biltmore Country Club is a private club in North Barrington, and its golf course, designed by Leonard Macomber, was completed in 1926 on Honey Lake. Homes near Biltmore aren’t inside a single gated community the way Wynstone is, so each street and lot can be very different. Membership is its own process, separate from buying a house.
Barrington Hills Country Club (Barrington Hills)
Barrington Hills Country Club was founded in 1921 and sits on about 200 acres off West County Line Road in Barrington Hills. Barrington Hills is known for its large lots and horse country, so homes near the club often come with acreage. If you’re weighing that lifestyle, my Barrington vs. Barrington Hills comparison walks through the differences.
Makray Memorial Golf Club (Barrington)
Not ready to join a club? Makray Memorial Golf Club calls itself an 18-hole championship public course, at 1010 S. Northwest Highway in the village of Barrington. The land around it, then the Thunderbird Golf Club, was annexed to Barrington in 1987, according to the Barrington Area Library. Living near a public course gives you the golf without dues tied to your address.
What Golf-Community Homes Cost Around Barrington
For context, Realtor.com showed a median sold price of about $805,000 for the 60010 zip code. Homes inside gated golf communities or on acreage can land far from those medians in either direction, so I always pull recent sales from the same community before you make an offer.
My full Barrington moving guide covers the Metra commute, the Cook and Lake County tax split, and District 220.
My Checklist for Buying in a Golf or Gated Community
- Separate the HOA from the club. Association dues and club membership are usually different bills with different rules.
- Read the documents early. Rules, budgets, reserves and any special assessments.
- Check the taxes for the exact parcel. Around Barrington, the county matters. Cook assesses homes at 10% of market value and Lake County at 33⅓%.
- Get pre-approved first. Here’s why you need a pre-approval before you buy, and where mortgage rates are this fall.
- Tour with someone who knows the gates. Some communities limit access, so showings need to be set up properly.
Already own a golf-community or luxury home and thinking about what it’s worth? Start with my free home value report. I prepare it myself from real local sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there gated golf communities near Barrington, IL?
Yes. Wynstone in North Barrington is a gated community built around a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course, and Lake Barrington Shores in Lake Barrington is a gated condominium community with its own 18-hole course.
How big is Wynstone?
Wynstone covers about 750 acres in the Village of North Barrington. Its golf course opened in 1989.
Is there a public golf course in Barrington, IL?
Yes. Makray Memorial Golf Club on Northwest Highway in Barrington is an 18-hole public course.
When was Barrington Hills Country Club founded?
Barrington Hills Country Club was founded in 1921 and sits on about 200 acres in Barrington Hills.
Do I have to join the club if I buy a home in a golf community?
It depends on the community. Club membership and association dues are often separate, so ask for both sets of rules before you write an offer.
Let’s Find Your Spot on the Course
Tell me how you like to play and how much house you want, and I’ll send you current homes near the clubs that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, or contact me here. You can also search homes for sale.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR, ABR®, SRS®, Certified Luxury Home agent, BHHS Luxury Collection Specialist) | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.