Day Trip Suggestions From Chicago

Hi All - I have a few days off during the week of 4th of July and am planning on taking day trips (from Chicago) for golf on these days. I play the Brute in Lake Geneva every year on the 4^th with family, but don't have anything lined up for the other couple of days. Hoping to keep the daily greens fees under $150, so Kohler/Erin Hills are not in the cards. Every year I say that I'm going to make it up to The Bull and it never happens so I'm almost sure that a drive up to Sheboygan will be part of my plan. I’d also like to get down to TPC Deere Run, but id imagine the course may be closed that week to prepare for the John Deere. I’ve never splurged to the point of playing the Glen Club or Dubs, so those are options, but with family at work/daycare I’d like to take advantage of the days and really get away from Chicagoland.

All suggestions are welcome – thanks!

Lawsonia. Could be a bit far of a drive if you're planning to come back the same day, but the pricing and quality might make it worth it. They usually run a July 4th weekend special of $65 with a cart on either course. Usual rate is $95.

Purdue or South Bend should be on your list. I've done day trips to play both courses in Lafayette and a 36 hole day at the Warren Course and Blackthorn. Very doable from Chicago.

Don't forget that all of these courses are in the Eastern time zone and miss your tee time....

Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor.....If I were you I would head to Sand Valley and play 36 holes. Prob a $330 day but I bet it would be a crazy experience

I make a trek each Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day weekend. I generally try to stay within 4 hours of the city, but have driven up to 5 hours. Trips include: Lafayette, Bloomingdale/Peoria/Urbana, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids/Lansing, Ann Arbor, Evansville (IN), Iowa, Quad Cities/Galena, Madison/Dells/Lawsonia, Milwaukee/Sheboygan, South Bend/Benton Harbor, and Indianapolis/French Lick.

I'd recommend Indianapolis. 'Lots of excellent golf, and you can hit the Purdue courses on the way down/back.

This 4th of July I'll likely make an outer loop tour of Chicagoland, playing courses in the Rockford area before heading down I-39 to the Ottawa area. I'd stay in local hotels instead of making the 90 miles drive from/to to the city each day. Labor Day plans include Sentry World and Sand Valley.

Hi All - I have a few days off during the week of 4th of July and am planning on taking day trips (from Chicago) for golf on these days. I play the Brute in Lake Geneva every year on the 4^th with family, but don't have anything lined up for the other couple of days. Hoping to keep the daily greens fees under $150, so Kohler/Erin Hills are not in the cards. Every year I say that I'm going to make it up to The Bull and it never happens so I'm almost sure that a drive up to Sheboygan will be part of my plan. I’d also like to get down to TPC Deere Run, but id imagine the course may be closed that week to prepare for the John Deere. I’ve never splurged to the point of playing the Glen Club or Dubs, so those are options, but with family at work/daycare I’d like to take advantage of the days and really get away from Chicagoland.

 

All suggestions are welcome – thanks!

There's a pretty good chance that TPC Deere Run will still be open. Last year I played on July 2nd and the tournament began July 13th. I would just give them a call and ask when they will be closing for the tournament. If you haven't played it before it is definitely worth the trip and would be my recommendation. However, if they are open it will for sure be cart path only and the back tee boxes will be closed so that's something to keep in mind if that effects your decision.

Hi All - I have a few days off during the week of 4th of July and am planning on taking day trips (from Chicago) for golf on these days. I play the Brute in Lake Geneva every year on the 4^th with family, but don't have anything lined up for the other couple of days. Hoping to keep the daily greens fees under $150, so Kohler/Erin Hills are not in the cards. Every year I say that I'm going to make it up to The Bull and it never happens so I'm almost sure that a drive up to Sheboygan will be part of my plan. I’d also like to get down to TPC Deere Run, but id imagine the course may be closed that week to prepare for the John Deere. I’ve never splurged to the point of playing the Glen Club or Dubs, so those are options, but with family at work/daycare I’d like to take advantage of the days and really get away from Chicagoland.

 

All suggestions are welcome – thanks!

As a Wisconsin native, I can't believe I'm recommending this...

Depending on your day of play, I might do 36 holes in a day out in the northwest (past the NW burbs):

18 at Blackstone in Marengo (loved it, played it last year)

18 at Oak Grove

If you're on your own, drive out the night before, check out a local watering hole around Marengo and hit a little hotel for a snooze.

Then, go have fun at a course I really enjoy (Blackstone) and another course I've heard nothing but good things about (Oak Grove).

First thought is Warren Course at Notre Dame. Lawsonia is a touch farther. Possibly consider something lower key (and still in the Langford/Moreau world) a combo of Harrison Hills and Kankakee Elks on the way back...

First thought is Warren Course at Notre Dame. Lawsonia is a touch farther. Possibly consider something lower key (and still in the Langford/Moreau world) a combo of Harrison Hills and Kankakee Elks on the way back...

Warren and Blackthorn make a good combo.

Day trip to Grand Rapids MI from Chi City check out Pilgrims Run and Founders Brewery and then on the way back after lunch play Stotin Brae just south on ur way back make sure if you can go watch the sunset on Lake Michigan ..... if privates are in the cards you got even better tracks/options

Any one of the 3 courses at Eagle Ridge a little east of Galena IL are well worth the trip. If you only play one of them play The General. Aldeen in Rockford is a hell of a course also. Park Hills in Freeport has 36 holes and is one of the nicest muni's in the state. Eagle Ridge is probably about 2 1/2 hours from Chicago.

I really live Weaver Ridge in Peoria. One of my favorite courses in Il. Also, I believe TPC Deer Run is open almost up to the week before the tournament.

South Bend: Warren Course and Blackthorn. I do this every summer.

If your going to WI to play The Bull, add Washington Co or Brown Deer.

I haven’t played it, but hear great things about University Ridge. Not too far from Lake Geneva.

First thought is Warren Course at Notre Dame. Lawsonia is a touch farther. Possibly consider something lower key (and still in the Langford/Moreau world) a combo of Harrison Hills and Kankakee Elks on the way back...

Love Kankakee elks