Indoor Golf, Simulators and Lessons in Chicago, Illinois
With the technology surrounding indoor golf improving so rapidly, there has inevitably been a surge in its popularity. As a result, there are locations at which you can either get lessons or simply try your hand at it yourself popping up all over the place. Here are some of the best of those locations that you can find in Chicago.
1- My Chicago Golf
What is offered?
My Chicago Golf offers customers the opportunity to use their indoor golf simulators, either with the aid of a teacher or on your own. If you fancy a hit on the simulators without a lesson then that is available. Either bring your own clubs, or use those provided free of charge. Otherwise, you can start off with a 90 minute initial evaluation, which includes a goal setting session, practice plan and game analysis, after which you can get a one hour golf lesson with a PGA professional, which includes video analysis.
Aside from the golf, there are also video games, darts and a roof top. It is also BYO, making it a great place for birthdays and other events.
How much is it?
- One hour simulator session: $50
- 90 minute initial evaluation: $149
- One hour PGA golf lesson: $125
- There are also various other packages, including the Basic Package (3 lessons and 3 sim sessions for $499)
How to get there?
707 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60657
+1 (773) 683-1816
info@mychicagogolf.com
http://www.mychicagogolflesson.com
2- Topgolf
What is offered?
Topgolf is a unique venue, offering a driving range with climate-controlled hitting bays, a mini golf course, as well as a restaurant, bar, and rooftop patio. While many people prefer to bring their own clubs, they can be rented for free at the venue. Unlike regular driving range, the one at Topgolf has a number of targets, and you can compete in different ‘games’, including the signature game in which you earn points for hitting targets, and ‘Quick 9’ in which you get three shots at three different targets.
Once you’ve finished with the golf component of the day, the restaurant and bar are there to keep you occupied well into the night: the venue is open until midnight most days and 2am on Friday and Saturday.
How much is it?
Each ‘game’ you play costs $4 early in the day, and $8 later on in the day. You can also bulk buy games to make it cheaper; for example, $30 will get you $40 worth of game credits, and $100 will get you $150 worth of game credits.
3- White Pines Golf Dome
What is offered?
As the name suggests, the White Pines Golf Dome is an indoor golf dome. At 300 feet wide, 300 feet long and 100 feet high, it is the largest golf dome in Chicago and one of the largest in North America. This venue gives you the opportunity to practice your golf throughout the year, without having to freeze through the coldest months. There is also an indoor golf simulator located at the facility.
How much is it?
- Weekdays: $13 for 30 minutes, $5 for each additional 15 minutes
- Weekends: $16 for 30 minutes, $6 for each additional 15 minutes
4- Play18
What is offered?
Play18 is an indoor golf facility primarily based around its golf simulators. The location is home to a number of PGA Tour simulators, each of which allows you to play over 50 of the world’s best courses. These simulators are located within personal driving bays, while outside of the golf you can also access their lounge and bar. Make sure you big before heading there to avoid disappointment, but once you’re inside the facilities are second to none. If you need clubs, they are available to rent.
How much is it?
- $50 per hour to use a simulator
5- GolfTec
What is offered?
In effect, GolfTec is a facility which aims to improve the skills of golfers using innovative technological methods. Equipped with state of the art technology which enables them to immediately capture and analyze your swing, this is an ideal place to go if you’re looking to wipe a few strokes off of your score.
If you’re looking for somewhere to simply go and practice, then it’s best to look elsewhere. GolfTec is predominantly a teaching facility, and so essentially just offer golf lessons using simulators and other forms of advanced technology. They also sell clubs and can provide club fitting sessions, so if you’re after a new set then this is certainly an option.
How much is it?
- $100 for a swing evaluation
- Exact price for a lesson varies based on individual needs and coach
- $100 for driver or iron fitting
- $200 for full set fitting
6- Golf Dome at the Buffalo Grove
What is offered?
Within this golf dome, you’ll find a driving range, a putting green, a chipping green and a couple of bunkers. The driving range isn’t as long as some other golf domes, and at just 70 yards long some players might not feel like they get enough of a look at their shot to determine how it would have ended up. Regardless, being able to have a hit in a temperature controlled environment in the middle of the winter is certainly convenient, and the putting and chipping greens allow you to practice all elements of your game.
The Golf Dome at the Buffalo Grove also offers professional lessons, so if you’re looking to really improve your game then they can help you out.
How much is it?
- Weekdays: $11 for 30 minutes before 6pm, $12 after 6pm
- Weekends: $12 for 30 minutes all day
- 5 hour pass: $95
- Season membership pass: $600
7- Tourbound Golf Academy
What is offered?
The Tourbound Golf Academy offers indoor golf lessons, but they are a little different to most other similar facilities. They use a revolutionary robotic swing trainer. What on earth is that, you might ask? Essentially, it’s a large machine which latches onto your club and helps you through your swing. Using this is intended to allow the user to feel their ideal swing, chip, and putt, making it easier to then replicate out on the course.
Use of the ‘Robo Golf Pro’ comes with the aid of a professional instructor, who will help you to understand exactly what you need to correct in your swing. Five different instructors are available, and though it is a little more expensive than some other places on this list, it does appear capable of having a tangible impact.
How much is it?
The cost depends on the coach you get, but all of them offer a two hour initial lesson/evaluation for between $300 and $600 – most of them, however, are on the lower end of this scale.
8- Gabe Rios Golf
What is offered?
Game Rios is a professional golf instructor, who has developed his own indoor golf facility in the middle of Chicago. At the facility, he has installed a Trackman 4, a Foresight Gc2, The Only Green and a Wilson Golf Fitting System to enable his students to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their swing. He has over 10 years of experience as a professional golfer, and is lauded for his personal approach to teaching.
This facility doesn’t offer the option of using the technology outside of a lesson. Instead, it is a great place to go if you are looking for some direct instruction.
How much is it?
- $129 for a single lesson
- There are also packages offered, including the $625 ‘become a passable player’ – which includes initial evaluation, 5 lessons, 3 practice sessions and a club fitting – and the comprehensive $5,900 ‘become a golfing legend’ – which includes initial evaluation and golf set analysis, 36 lessons, 36 practice sessions, 5 on course training sessions, club repair service for a year and a new set of irons.
So, where should I go?
Clearly there are plenty of options available for those wishing to play indoor golf in Chicago. The best option is the one which best suits the individual player – some may be after some high level instruction, in which case somewhere like GolfTec would be suitable. Others might just want a hit in the winter time, in which case the golf domes come in handy, while others still might be after a more holistic experience, something which places like TopGolf and My Chicago Golf offer.
Regardless, all of these locations provide something unique, and allow you to experience golf in a way you might not have experienced before. All of them come into their own during the colder months, where opportunities to have a hit don’t come along as often, and it can be difficult to maintain – let alone improve – your game. Indoor golf is continually growing in popularity, something the diversity in this list is testament to, and it’s becoming increasingly likely that every golf lover will be able to find something appealing to them under its umbrella.
