Chicago is home of the golf dome

CHICAGO -- 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.

Over the last several years, Chicago and its suburbs, have become the homes of the domes. Big ones, small ones, permanent ones, temporary ones, ones with golf simulators, ones with sand-filled bunkers, ones with putting greens, ones with golf leagues and snacks and refreshments and reserved tee times and each of them busier than a gangster-era speakeasy. In the off-season, finding a little green mat to hit from can be as tough as getting a Saturday tee time in July at one the area's top public courses.

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
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
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
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
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

October 28, 2003