Extra Day in Chicago - where to go?

[Bandy1080]

In Chicago on business the second week of June. Find myself with a wednesday void of any work activity. Considering bringing my sticks out and trying to play somewhere.

 

I am staying in the loop and could rent a car if need be.

 

Anything worthwhile within reasonable taxi range? Or should I rent a car and drive somewhere.

 

Even looked into a day trip up to Whistling Straits but that seems like quite the day trip. What about Harbor Shores?

 

Also keep in mind I would be driving out of the city in the morning and coming back in the evening, so consider traffic as well.

 

Open to all suggestions!

 

 

[VNutz]

Harbor Shores is probably a 2 hour drive each way, not counting if you're stuck in rush hour traffic.

[stasek]

There's always Dubsfread, if you want to play a course that held a regular PGA tour event. Should be under an hour drive in the morning. If you're up for 36, right up the road there's Ruffled Feathers (Pete/P B Dye design) or Big Run (sub par conditions, but very challenging layout). Heck, even Cog Hill #2 is decent, if you get twilight rate. Regular rate is ~$70 with cart, which is little steep.

[atn86]

Traffic will be your biggest issue. The only decent course that I'd advise taking a cab from the loop to is Harborside. Any other decent courses (mostly north or west) you'll need to rent a car. Zip car is a decent option for a day trip.

[Bandy1080]

This is why I love this place. #1 totally forgot about zip car. My sister in law works there and gets a discounted rate. #2 totally forgot about Cog Hill. Want to play 36 there. Any recommendations on which courses to play. Early morning round, early lunch, and then early afternoon round.

[stasek]

Cog Hill - #2 (Ravines) and #4 (Dubs) are the only 2 worthwhile. If it were me, I would rather play Ruffled Feathers in the morning (deals can be had on golf now) and Dubs in the afternoon. RF has an island green ala #17 at Sawgrass. From tips, it can play 170+ which can be quite an adventure especially if it's windy.

[DavePelz4]

So a few questions. How much are you willing to spend, how far will you drive, basic golf or bucket list.

[Bandy1080]

As long as a round is in the $100 range I have no problem. If I were to play #4 I would be willing to pay it. Wasn't on the bucket list until today but i have no problem shelling out the coin if it is worth it.

Kind of liking the RF/Cog hill combo. Though I wound't mind spending a day at Cog hill either if it was worth it.

Basically now that I have a car I would be open to anything. I just don't want to leave the city at 6am and be back at 8pm.

Thanks again guys, this is a huge help.

[stasek]

Another possibility - Bowes Creek and Highlands of Elgin. Check out a thread right below... Probably best 1-2 punch in the sub $100 category. Both made the top 10 public courses in IL.

[apprenti23]

I like the rf then dubs combo idea the best. If you like links style spend the day at Harborside

[hogans71]

[quote name='stasek' timestamp='1400722899' post='9343767']
Another possibility - Bowes Creek and Highlands of Elgin. Check out a thread right below... Probably best 1-2 punch in the sub $100 category. Both made the top 10 public courses in IL.
[/quote]

Highlands of Elgin is a very solid track.

The bottom line is be prepared to spend a butt load of time in the car. Traffic in this city is a nightmare. EVERYWHERE. You could be going to dinner, leaving your hotel, and jumping in a cab to the restaurant and it's twenty mins.

We finally have decent weather so everyone is out and about...

[homemade]

[sub]Consider Cantigny as well. 27 holes on a nice piece of property. I believe school will be out so you could get a caddy; it's a great walking course. An added bonus is that there is as close to a proper locker room as you're going to get at a public course, so you can change shoes when you get there, shower, etc before heading back to town. [/sub]

[sub]If you change your mind about driving or your price threshold, do consider a day up at Erin Hills. Great day, absolutely worth it.[/sub]

[kmbean]

Erin Hills is fun in a kinda I enjoy getting kicked in the balls spittin out blood kinda way.

[DavePelz4]

Considering the time element and proximity to the city, Cog Hill has two outstanding courses. #2 which is called the Ravines, has hosted a US Am.

Not a fan of Bowes Creek but The Highlands could be combined with Prairie Landing.

Dubs could also be paired with Mistwood or George Dunne.

[Go_Blue!]

I met my buddy in Chicago a day early of his bachelor party last summer and we did 36 at HarborSide...well worth it. What a great facility. Definitely a must.

[jimwgt26]

Harborside is your best bet. It's 20 minutes from the loop. If you want to play Dubs, I would agree with playing Ruffled Feathers over The Ravines (#2) at Cog Hill. The Elgin courses are very nice, but over an hour without traffic, and there's always traffic.

[Bandy1080]

Been reading previous posts about Cog Hill #4. Is it really that overrated and not worth it?

[Argonne69]

Harborside is the closest top course, and has the advantage of a reverse commute. The traffic outbound in the morning, and inbound in the evening will not be horrendous.

Next bet would be the Dubs/RF combo. The reverse commute on I-55 is not bad. There will probably be some congestion coming back in the evening, but not horrible.

Going west, northwest, or north are going to be bad. Outbound traffic in the AM can be as bad if not worse than inbound traffic.

Another option would be to play The Glen Club, and take the train out there. The Metra stop is only blocks from the course, and you can rent a set of clubs.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400770869' post='9346757']
Been reading previous posts about Cog Hill #4. Is it really that overrated and not worth it?
[/quote]

No, it's not overrated. It's the only PGA-caliber course in the area open to the public. The bunkering and greens are a real challenge, and it's nicely isolated from the surrounding area. It would be my first choice.

[jimwgt26]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400770869' post='9346757']
Been reading previous posts about Cog Hill #4. Is it really that overrated and not worth it?
[/quote]

It's a very nice course, worth playing if your into playing courses that have hosted PGA Tour events. They think it's a potential U.S. Open site, but, I don't. I also feel $150 is a little steep. I play there once every year or two when a friend from out of town visits and wants to play there.

If you have one day, and don't want to spend too much time in a car, Harborside is your best option. They have two 18's (granted they are similar) that are always in great shape.

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400770869' post='9346757']
Been reading previous posts about Cog Hill #4. Is it really that overrated and not worth it?
[/quote]

I'm a fan of Dubs. It's always in great conditions. The pros, especially Mickelson, aren't fans because of the green complexes. They're tough but fair IMHO.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1400771955' post='9346923']
[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400770869' post='9346757']
Been reading previous posts about Cog Hill #4. Is it really that overrated and not worth it?
[/quote]

I'm a fan of Dubs. It's always in great conditions. The pros, especially Mickelson, aren't fans because of the green complexes. They're tough but fair IMHO.
[/quote]

IMHO, the pros griping about Dubs had an agenda to get the tournament moved to a north shore location, and the kvetching about the greens was simply an excuse.

[Bandy1080]

I am intrigued by Cantigny. How bad would the traffic be with a like a 7am tee time followed by another one at noon. And then trying to get back into the city at 5pm? I am guessing pretty bad?

[TheBear95]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400781978' post='9348119']
I am intrigued by Cantigny. How bad would the traffic be with a like a 7am tee time followed by another one at noon. And then trying to get back into the city at 5pm? I am guessing pretty bad?
[/quote]

Typically, I find the traffic is worse in the afternoon. If you're out the door by 6 am, it shouldn't be too bad to Wheaton. If you want to be back in the city by 5 p.m., I would make sure to finish by 3:30. Traffic really starts to get bad by 4 p.m.

Also, I would recommend the Dubs/RF combo as well. Stay away from Cog Hill, #2. Played it Saturday and the greens are in very rough shape from our brutal winter. The greens on Dubs are fine.

[atn86]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400781978' post='9348119']
I am intrigued by Cantigny. How bad would the traffic be with a like a 7am tee time followed by another one at noon. And then trying to get back into the city at 5pm? I am guessing pretty bad?
[/quote]
Traffic usually starts piling up around 6:30am. So if you leave before 6am for a 7am tee time, you [i]should [/i]be fine.

[mjtoal]

[quote name='atn86' timestamp='1400713928' post='9342587']
The only decent course that I'd advise taking a cab from the loop to is Harborside.
[/quote]

I did this by cab from a hotel on N Michigan and it is a fine facility, where you can play 36 good holes and get some nice food all at reasonable cost.

[businessclass]

Uber would be an even cheaper option to get to Harborside or Dubs.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400781978' post='9348119']
I am intrigued by Cantigny. How bad would the traffic be with a like a 7am tee time followed by another one at noon. And then trying to get back into the city at 5pm? I am guessing pretty bad?
[/quote]

That's not going to work. You'll miss traffic driving out for an early AM tee time, but with the PM round starting at noon, you won't be leaving the course until after 4 pm, which will put you on the Eisenhower (I-290) at the peak of rush hour. 'No way to make it back downtown by 5 pm. If you leave Dubs/RF at 4 pm, you'll make it back by 5 pm.

[Bandy1080]

Damn. And I thought traffic was bad here in Boston.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1400789662' post='9348981']
Damn. And I thought traffic was bad here in Boston.
[/quote]

Chicago traffic blows, but it's not as bad as Boston. The reverse commutes southwest on I-55 (Dubs/RF) and south on I-94 (Harborside) are not bad. Reverse commuting west on I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway), northwest on I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway, and north on I-94 (Edens Expressway) can be a nightmare, often worse than the normal commute. Some days it may be an hour back into the city in the afternoon, but it can also be 90+ plus on a bad day.

Your safest option is Harborside if you absolutely need to be back by 5 pm. Dubs/RF is your 2nd safest option. Anything else is a crap shoot.