Cardinal Golf Course
About Cardinal Golf Course
Cardinal Golf Course sits on the shores of Lake Sara just outside Effingham, Illinois, and draws both area residents and visitors looking for a relaxed, community-minded place to play.
The course runs eighteen holes alongside the lake in a forgiving layout, with wide fairways, smooth greens and terrain that is easy to walk. It suits newer golfers, league play and casual rounds alike, and welcomes players across a range of skill levels.
The clubhouse houses The Nest Tavern, a gathering spot where golfers can linger after finishing their round.
At a glance
- Access
- Public
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,000 yards
- Tees
- 3 tee boxes
- Course rating
- 67.6 / 110 slope
- Opened
- 1967
- Difficulty
- Easier than most
Scorecard
| Tee | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Out | In | Total | Par | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 36 | 72 | ||
| Handicap | 13 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 18 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 6 | |||||
| White | 460 | 200 | 125 | 305 | 270 | 170 | 525 | 450 | 400 | 470 | 360 | 155 | 195 | 380 | 310 | 310 | 400 | 515 | 2905 | 3095 | 6,000 | 72 | 67.6/110 |
| Gold | 388 | 200 | 125 | 250 | 250 | 170 | 525 | 372 | 337 | 388 | 360 | 155 | 195 | 380 | 310 | 250 | 335 | 435 | 2617 | 2808 | 5,425 | 72 | 64.6/102 |
| Red | 388 | 165 | 120 | 250 | 250 | 165 | 435 | 372 | 337 | 388 | 300 | 120 | 150 | 305 | 240 | 250 | 335 | 435 | 2482 | 2523 | 5,005 | 72 | 62.8/97 |
Tee and scorecard data retrieved from the USGA GHIN course database
Course handicap at Cardinal Golf Course
How many strokes you get from each tee, by handicap index.
| Tee | Rating | Slope | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 67.6 | 110 | -4 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 31 |
| Gold | 64.6 | 102 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Red | 62.8 | 97 | -9 | -5 | -1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 22 |
Work out your exact course handicap here, or calculate your handicap index.
Golf courses near Cardinal Golf Course
- Effingham Country ClubEffingham · Private · 18 holes · 3.6 mi9.3
- Eagle Creek Golf CourseFindlay · Public · 18 holes · 24 mi7.7
- Meadowview Golf CourseMattoon · Public · 18 holes · 24 mi9.6
- Oak Terrace ResortPana · Public · 18 holes · 26 mi8.3
- Mattoon Golf & Country ClubMattoon · Private · 18 holes · 28 mi9.1
- Vandalia Country & Golf ClubVandalia · Public · 9 holes · 28 mi8.2
- Pana Country ClubPana · Private · 9 holes · 28 mi7.5
- Sullivan Country ClubSullivan · Private · 9 holes · 30 mi9.5
Updated October 2026 · Best golf courses in Illinois ›
All golf courses in Effingham ›