Keep your game up to par at golf domes, suburban simulators
It's winter in the suburbs. What's a golfer to do?
Actually, plenty. From golf simulators to heated outdoor hitting stations, there's a wide range of options available when the outside temperatures are less than ideal.
The owners of indoor golf facilities, for one, say it's peak season for them. “We're the option when there isn't another one, when you can't play outside,” says Marc Tintner with Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf in Huntley.
But even outdoor facilities — many of which offer amenities to keep users comfortable — are seeing an uptick in business as spring approaches.
Below is a look at some of the best options around the suburbs for keeping your swing up to par in the winter.
Indoor options
Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf
This 13,000-square-foot facility in Huntley features six state-of-the-art golf simulators, with users able to play from among 85 world-renowned courses, such as St. Andrews or Kapalua's Plantation Course.
“These are courses people would never get an opportunity to typically play,” says Tintner. “One of the primary reasons people golf is for the entertainment value; most people are out just to have a nice time. Our facility gives the casual golfer a chance to hit balls on a course without the embarrassment of losing them or playing too slow.”
Golfers also can use the simulators' swing analysis option, which evaluates path, club speed, ball spin and launch angle.
The facility includes a 5,000-square-foot practice area with eight hitting bays and a chipping and putting green with sand trap. When it's time to relax, users can head to the gallery sports lounge for games, poker machines and refreshments.
Info: 11173 Dundee Road, Huntley. (224) 650-8111 or www.t2gindoorgolf.com
White Pines Golf Dome
KemperSports' White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville is the area's largest golf dome, at 300 feet wide, 300 feet long and 100 feet high.
With five target greens surrounded by bunkers, a 45-foot-long contoured putting green, six suspended hitting targets, 48 hitting stations and a virtual golf simulator, the Bensenville facility caters to every skill level. The facility also hosts private events and lessons and offers a snack bar and lounge area.
Golfers this season are enjoying new hitting mats and balls, as well as a loyalty program that offers regular users lower rates. The facility is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through April 1. “This is the busiest time of the season for us,” said assistant golf pro Kevin Kurz.
Info: 500 W. Jefferson Ave., Bensenville. (630) 422-1060 or www.whitepinesgolfdome.com
Links & Tees Indoor Golf Dome
The heated Links & Tees dome in Addison features 45 individual hitting bases and large putting and chipping greens.
“We have the finest artificial turf for our greens, and we take a lot of pride in that,” says golf operations manager Charles Sims. “When golfers come, they really feel like they're at a nice golf course.”
The facility offers lessons and special events, like a popular ladies' night and a bags league. On Fridays, a country swing event features reduced prices for users wearing country attire.
Info: 880 W. Lake St., Addison. (630) ADD-PARK, option 4, or www.addisonparks.org/golf/golf-dome
Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports Center
Now in its 15th year, the Buffalo Grove facility is nationally recognized as one of the country's top indoor golf learning centers.
Open daily through April 4, the center focuses on golf education, says Kristy Vik, director of golf operations. The center boasts a temperature-controlled environment for users to work on all types of shots. From hanging targets that feature pictures of actual holes to sand traps that have various types of sands, “we try to create as realistic an atmosphere as possible,” Vik says.
A full-service pro shop offers custom fitting and club repair. Private and group instruction is available.
Info: 801 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 353-7575 or Bgparks.org/facilities/golf
Springbrook Golf Course Simulators
Since Naperville's Springbrook Golf Course added two simulators a few years ago, they have been well-received by golfers in the winter, says head golf pro Mike Lyzun.
“This time of year, everyone's starting to get cabin fever, so we're seeing an uptick in practice,” he says. “People are just wanting to get back into the swing of things after a few months off.”
The simulators are available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and evenings by reservation from 5 to 9 p.m. Pending availability, drop-in use is welcome until 4 p.m. daily.
Info: 2220 83rd St., Naperville. (630) 848-5060 or www.golfnaperville.org/indoorsimulators
Score 18 Indoor Golf
One of the area's newer indoor golf facilities, this Naperville option draws visitors with six ProTee simulators, allowing users a chance to play on more than 85 world-famous courses.
“We have the best graphics in the Chicago area,” says owner Larry Tykane. “We just upgraded our projectors to the highest resolution. Our graphics are stunning now; they're out of this world. People love it.”
Visitors come in to work on specific shots, play the virtual courses or just hang out, he says. “You can be a new golfer or an experienced one, and you'll have a great time,” Tykane says.
The facility also has corporate golf leagues, online leagues, lessons and private events.
Info: 1466 Chicago Ave., Naperville. (630) 848-7200 or www.score18indoorgolf.com
McQ's Sports Dome
This 60,000-square-foot heated dome in Bolingbrook provides users with 50 golf stations for hitting, a 900-square-foot putting green and a short game area with a sand trap. The facility also has lessons, club repair and a sports bar.
Info: 730 N. Bolingbrook Drive, Bolingbrook. (630) 739-7600 or www.mcqsdome.com
Outdoor facilities
TopGolf Chicago
The aim of this Wood Dale entertainment complex is to change the way users think about golf. Combining competition with entertainment, players hit microchipped balls at targets on an outfield. The high-tech balls instantly score accuracy and distance, allowing players to compete.
The facility opened in 2007, with 74 bays on three floors, a rooftop patio and 36 HDTVs. Individual and group lessons, clinics and a player development series are available, and it's a popular spot for corporate and private events.
Today, TopGolf has locations across the United States and internationally. A new location will open at 3211 Odyssey Court in Naperville this summer. Larger and more modern than the Wood Dale location, the new site will have ball dispensers in every bay, hourly pricing, and an expanded food and beverage menu.
Info: 699 W. Thorndale Ave., Wood Dale. (630) 595-4653 or Topgolf.com/us/Chicago
Golf Center Des Plaines
Consistently ranked as one of the country's top 100 golf driving ranges, this Des Plaines Park District facility is open year-round and features an award-winning driving range, a nine-hole course and short game practice area.
The three-tiered driving range has 80 lighted and heated hitting stations and a fully automated tee-up system. With the heater on, the temperature in the bay is up to 25 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.
A par-3 course — the only fully lighted course in the Chicago area — is playable in about 90 minutes, and the short game area features two large practice greens and multiple sand bunkers. In March, the driving range, short game area and course are open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Info: 353 N. River Road, Des Plaines. (847) 803-4653 or www.golfcenterdesplaines.com
Libertyville Sports Complex Driving Range
This lighted, full-flight driving range is open daily and offers heated automated tee stations and a chipping green.
“You can't just stop golfing (in the winter),” says supervisor Dylan Griffin. “We made a promise to our customers to keep the driving range open for those who want to keep their swing up. People just get that itch. With the heaters, it's actually pretty nice.”
The facility has been voted the best driving range in the area by Daily Herald readers for three years in a row. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Info: 1850 N. Hwy. 45, Libertyville. (847) 367-1506 or www.libertyville.com/index.aspx?NID=100
Cantigny Golf Academy
This Wheaton golf facility at Cantigny offers 10 heated hitting bays, video swing analysis studios, golf club fitting, golf-specific training, and fitness and mental skills training.
Info: 27W270 Mack Road, Wheaton. (630) 260-8199 or www.cantignygolf.com/academy