ILLINOIS DESTINATION GUIDE

Central Illinois
offers value

Chicago sets the tone for the golf scene in Illinois. Central state courses, such as those in the triangle of Bloomington, Peoria and Springfield, separated by 30 to 45 minutes, easily get lost in the shuffle.

At least that is the way Chicagoans see it. For residents of the Windy City, there is no reason to venture from the golfing stronghold that is Chicagoland. On the flipside, downstaters emphasize the price difference, pace of play and limited travel and traffic involved with hitting the links in the central and southern parts of the state.

Sure, it would be easier to call a verbal truce and accept the best of both worlds. But Chicago golf enthusiasts can't get past it, comparing the contrast between downstate golf and city links to being a fan of the White Sox or Cubs -- you can't be a fan of both.

However, there are courses able to tempt even the sternest of Chicago residents to hop on Interstate 55 south to central Illinois. Weaver Ridge Golf Club in Peoria is regarded as one of the top 10 courses in the state. Piper Glen Golf Club in the State Capital of Springfield is regarded as not only one of the best values in the state, but one of the best layouts as well.

The city of Bloomington is heralded as the place to get the most bang for your buck in the central Illinois triangle. Prairie Vista is at the head of the class in value, offering four-star play under $30 daily. Prairie Vista's sister course, Arnold Palmer's The Den at Fox Creek, is a links-style course in the heart of Illinois.

Chicago residents can scoff at the triangle all they wish, but in the end it's these cities getting the last laugh. Paying more than $40 a round anywhere in Central Illinois is not only unnecessary, but also downright hard to find.

Central Illinois Golf Courses

• Piper Glen Golf Club located in Springfield, Ill., deserves critical praise
• Springfield: A 'capitol idea' for a family golf trip
• For $30 you can golf where the pros play: The Rail in Springfield
• Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield: Better than a night at the theater
• Decatur's Hickory Point Golf Course is home to Futures Tour event
• Decatur's Scovill Golf Club a shot-maker's muni
• RailSide Golf Club in Gibson City: Golf oasis in a corn field desert
• Lake of the Woods offers best value and hills in central Illinois
• WeaverRidge's owners love golfers more than golf
• Northern Bay to offer Midwest golfers newest 'replica' course
• Lake of the Woods Golf Club offers a player-friendly track
• Suburban style golfing in the country
• The Den at Fox Creek: Walking in Arnie's Footsteps
• The Rail Golf Club: Bunkers Tell the Story
• Best Value Golf Courses in Illinois
• The Illinois Triangle: Well Worth the Trip