FEATURE
STORY
Chicago is home
of the golf dome
By Dave Berner,
Senior Writer
CHICAGO (Oct. 28, 2003) -- Legend has it, Chicago's Al Capone loved the game of golf so much he'd play it even when Chi-town's wicked wind would howl its way through a bitter early winter's day. If big Al was around today, he likely would be spending his leisure off-season moments safely indoors, but still playing an outside game, at one of more than a dozen golf domes in the Chicago area.
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Of course, Capone wouldn't have had that problem. His name, his reputation, his violin-case-carrying entourage would be sure Al got to play -- inside or out. For those of us not so notorious, it's not that easy. But knowing where to find the best of the domes and the best times to visit them does help when even a brutal Chicago winter simply can't put the chill on the hottest of itches to crush a bucket of red-striped range balls.
White Pines Golf Dome
"You
hit that one. Keep doing that," said the man sitting in on
the plastic lawn chair about five yards behind the hitting bay.
"Oh, that was sweet," he added with encouragement after his buddy knocked out another shot.
You hear this a lot at the White Pines Golf Dome. Groups of guys, young and old, get together at regular times to bang some balls, cheer each other on, wager on a few shots, and fill in the holes left by the courses closed for the season. It's not quite real golf, but it's pretty darn close, and the camaraderie comes outdoors or in.
White
Pines is one of the biggest domes in the Chicago area. It's 300-feet
wide, 300-feet long, and 100-feet high. There are three large
target greens, a 50-foot long putting green, six suspended hitting
targets (one with a bullseye) and 50 tees on two levels. There's
also a virtual golf simulator where you can play some of the world's
coolest courses. This place is also super clean, super comfortable
(a constant 64-degrees) and super busy. You'll find the best time
to get the bay you want with little waiting is weekday mornings.
Weekends are packed.
White Pines Golf Dome
500 West Jefferson (White Pines Golf Course)
Bensenville, Illinois.
(630) 766-0304
Fees: Range balls - $6-$10/30 minutes, Simulators - $24-$32
whitepinesgolfdome.com
Indoor Golf Links of America
Some
times golf domes take on the feel and look of an amusement arcade,
a putt-putt place, or a playland. The Indoor Golf Links of America
in the southwest Chicago suburb of Orland Park doesn't want any
part of that reputation.
IGLA prides itself on being a place for "real" golfers. People who come to practice, learn, take lessons, hone their games, and have fun -- serious golf fun. And that's one of the reasons why reservations are frequently required at the Indoor Golf Links.
Virtual golf simulators are a big part of IGLA. They boast some of the best in the area and their software contains dozens of the world's most beautiful golf courses. There is a large putting green, and a tremendous short game practice area where you can hit pitches, chips and sand shots.
Indoor also has a top-notch club fitting center staffed by certified master fitters. They do what good clubfitters do -- measure your height, check your grip, calculate your swing speed and observe your swing style to put together a set of clubs, IGLA insists, will be better and less expensive than any off-the-shelf set.
Indoor Golf Links of America
16536 S. 104th Ave.
Orland Park, Illinois
(708) 403-4040
Fees - $25-$31/hour
http://www.indoorgolflinks.com
World Golf Dome
The
World Golf Dome is one of the newest in the Chicago area with
46 tees on two levels, a putting green, and chipping area. Although
it's not exclusively a golf dome, (soccer, softball and football
are also played there at times), it is the home to a large number
of golf fans and that means the WGD can get more than a bit crowded
on weekends and on the coldest winter days.
The dome is as big, or bigger, than many others measuring out to 100 yards from the tees to the back of the dome. It's also roomy at the bays. In some domes the golfer can feel cramped, but not here.
Good time to visit? Monday and Tuesday mornings.
World Golf Dome
8900 South 77th Avenue
Bridgeview, Illinois
(708) 599-7733
Fees - $10/30-minutes
worldgolfdome.com
The Golf Dome at Green Garden
Frankfort, Illinois is a quiet community, but not when it comes to golf. Over the last few years, Green Garden Country Club has been the center of sports attention in this far south suburb. Major renovations to the two courses and planned renovations to the clubhouse have transformed Green Garden from a middle-of-the-road neighborhood golf facility to one of Chicgaoland's top 20 places to play.
And now, add on the Golf Dome and a world-renowned golf instructor.
The dome has two tiers of 28 stations, a putting green and sand bunkers. It's a great place for practice and lessons. And who better to teach those lessons than Dr. Jim Suttie, a PGA Teacher of the Year and one of Golf Magazine's top 100 instructors. Suttie came to Green Garden from Cog Hill Golf and Country Club because of Green Garden's commitment to the dome and to the new renovations.
"This is one of the best facilities in Chicago, " said Suttie. "My staff and I have a new opportunity here at one of the finest of its kind around."
The Golf Dome at Green Garden
9511 West Manhattan-Monee Road
Frankfort, Illinois
(815) 469-3350
Fees - $10-$11/30-minutes
greengardencc.com
Other domes and off-season ranges
Chicagoland Indoor Golf
859 West End Court
Vernon Hills, Illinois
(847) 816-7272
Indoor Golf Club of Naperville
1665 Quincy Avenue
Naperville, Illinois
(708) 778-1818
Nordome
3443 Dundee Road
Northbrook, Illinois
(847) 562-1235
Golf Dome at Salt Creek
701 West Thorndale
Wood Dale, Illinois
(630) 285-9900
Ultimate Sports Dome
100 Route 30
Aurora, Illinois
(630) 820-8624
Des Plaines Golf Center
853 North River Road
Des Plaines, Illinois
(847) 803-4653
Hoffman Estates Golf Dome
1450 Poplar Creek Drive
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
(847) 882-2538
Midlane's Green to Tee Golf Dome
2205 Skokie Valley Road
Highland Park, Illinois
(847) 432-8201
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
