New indoor facility in Mundelein lets golfers hone their skills 24 hours a day
Just as the season winds down, a new spot opened in Mundelein over the weekend to help golfers keep sharp and work on their game — anytime they feel the urge.
That's possible because Golf Haus is accessible to members 24 hours, seven days a week. Unlike many indoor golf facilities, the storefront business in the Butterfield Plaza shopping center at Butterfield and Allanson roads for the most part is unmanned.
From players with busy schedules who want to focus before their days get hectic to those who prefer a golf nightcap, the doors, so to speak, are always open.
“They're starting to pop up all around the country,” explained owner Nate Groenendal, a Long Grove resident and a longtime avid golfer “We have people who are here every day at 4 a.m.”
The facility features three top-of-the-line Trackman golf simulators that can measure ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and dozens of other data points. Trackman offers hundreds of virtual courses as well as minigolf and other games to keep kids interested.
Golf Haus also has three bays for steel dart leagues or individual play.
There is no kitchen, bar or snack machine. Instead, patrons can self-pour from eight beverages on tap — five beers from Mundelein-based Tighthead Brewing Co., cold brew from Tala Coffee Roastery in Libertyville or craft cream or root beer soda from Sprecher Brewing Co., in Milwaukee.
An accompanying GoTab Enhanced Pour allows patrons to scan a QR code displayed at the tap and access the self-pour from their phones. Customers seeking an adult beverage are given a wrist band that is scanned and charges by the ounce. Beer is limited to 32 ounces per person.
“I was trying to go with simple and I found out about these kiosks,” Groenendal said. “That’s another safeguard we have in place so people can't be overserved.”
Food is available for delivery from Hitz Pub and Eatery and Mambo Italiano restaurant in Butterfield Plaza.
Groenendal grew up in Oak Forest and caddied at Midlothian Country Club for 11 years. He has been a “big golfer” from a young age.
A draftsman for a national specialty construction firm, Groenendal said opening this type of business has been a dream the past for five years, but with young kids at home it never seemed to be the right time.
“Which is where the idea of unmanned facilities came from,” he said of the concept. “It’s gone surprisingly smoothly.”
Four levels of membership range from $115 to $300 per month with discounts for longer periods. All offer 24-hour access with varying hours of golf and unlimited darts.
For now, membership is being limited to 100, Groenendal said, to avoid overbooking.
“It’s kind of a work in progress,” he said.
mzawislak@dailyherald.com