Golf trip near Chicago- 2017

[WindyCitySPN]

I'm looking to take a trip with my brother this weekend. We are hoping to leave first thing Saturday morning play 36, stay somewhere Saturday night, play 18 Sunday morning and head back to the city.

 

For background I have played Lawsonia, Harbor Shores, TPC Deere Run. Hoping to stay within 3 hours of the city. Budget isn't a huge concern but don't think we want to do Kohler right now.

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Sconnie Hacker]

Check lake Geneva area. Lots of good options such as Geneva national, hawks view, abbey springs and grand Geneva. That's 7 options I believe.

 

I have not played the Player course at GN but have heard good things. I always enjoy Abbey Springs when we go that way. I'd personally go GN, Abbey, Hawks View then Grand Geneva (A lot overpriced,

 

Farther away URidge is solid. A little further is Wild Rock in the dells but that's pushing more than 3 hours most likely.

 

Not sure any of that'll help?

[UCBananaboy]

Purdue golf complex is awesome and is inside the 3h window you gave. They have a nice all day play rate too.

 

Cantigny is a must in the Chicago-area IMO. Highlands of Elgin is fun as well as Harborside.

[CMCSGolf]

I think the best quality golf that is not Lawsonia, would be in Indiana. If I were making the trip, I would head to Lafayette. There are 36 great holes at Purdue then head over to play Coyote Crossings the next morning. On my way home I'd play Kankakee Elks for something old. Doesn't take you too far from Chicago and minimizes the driving.

[Dr.Frankenputz]

Completely agree with sconnie above.

[rtraudt]

Any consideration to maybe playing in the Stevens Point, WI area? Play 36 at Sand Valley on Day one, then 18 and SentryWorld day two. Can stay onsite at Sand Valley or somewhere cheap in Point.

[rslewis13]

Around Chicago area, I've liked:

 

Cantigny and Harborside, mentioned above.

Glen Club

Thunderhawk GC

Cog Hill

Ruffled Feathers

[WindyCitySPN]

Thanks everyone, to be more clear I live in Chicago and have played most public courses. Sand valley would be top choice w sentry but don't want to do 5 hours each way for a short trip. Anyone know what fees are there though?

[rtraudt]

Sand Valley would be $155 then 50% off for replay if it's a weekend. SentryWorld is $105.

[rtraudt]

That being said, I'd drive 5 hours to play Sand Valley instead of 2.5 to play somewhere else any day. Was such a stunning setting for golf, and the course itself is fantastic as well. In great shape for such a young course too.

[WindyCitySPN]

Strong endorsement. How far from sentry is it? Have you played streamsong.

[WindyCitySPN]

That being said, I'd drive 5 hours to play Sand Valley instead of 2.5 to play somewhere else any day. Was such a stunning setting for golf, and the course itself is fantastic as well. In great shape for such a young course too.

 

Are all holes complete? How were the greens?

[rtraudt]

That being said, I'd drive 5 hours to play Sand Valley instead of 2.5 to play somewhere else any day. Was such a stunning setting for golf, and the course itself is fantastic as well. In great shape for such a young course too.

 

Are all holes complete? How were the greens?

 

Yep, all 18 are open! The greens are actually in good shape, rolling very true but perhaps not as fast as the eventually intend them to be. Some preview holes will be open on the second course, Mammoth Dunes, at some point this season, but none were open when I played there about 10 days ago.

[Argonne69]

I'm holding off on Sand Hills until Mammoth is open. Seems premature to drive 5 hours for one course when a 2nd will be open next year.

 

I'd vote for Eagle Ridge in Galena, Lafayette, or Geneva National.

[WindyCitySPN]

Thinking about Arcadia bluffs now any experiences there or courses near by?

[Dr.Frankenputz]

Sand valley is right next to lake arrowhead (36 holes?) and not far from Wisconsin Dells. I'd think the drive would be worth 18 at sand valley & 18 at wildrock. Plenty of golf nearby.

[rslewis13]

Thinking about Arcadia bluffs now any experiences there or courses near by?

 

I've taken a few golf trips around Chicago and really wanted to include Arcadia Bluffs last time out there. Chose Erin Hills instead. With Erin Hills closed for US Open, Arcadia Bluffs would be a cool choice. There's another thread on good courses around there you may want to look up.

 

If you're going after US Open, I'd also suggest looking into Erin Hills. It was awesome. Definitely need a caddy though.

[rtraudt]

Strong endorsement. How far from sentry is it? Have you played streamsong.

 

Sadly, haven't played Streamsong yet, but it's definitely on the list. About 45 minutes from SentryWorld. Was an easy drive, I actually played Sand Valley in the AM and SentryWorld in the PM on the same day last week and wasn't an issue. Was part of an exceptional golf week that included both Lawsonia courses on Monday and even a Bethpage Black round on Friday (and even a round at Sheperd's Crook tossed in). Hard to pick a true favorite out of the week, but it would definitely be Bethpage and SV fighting for first with Lawsonia Links a close 3rd. Tough to beat the history and aura of Bethpage, but the setting of Sand Valley almost gives you chills when you get there and look out over the course. I'm a lifelong Wisconsinite, and I still can't believe that I was somewhere in Wisconsin for that round of golf...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimwgt26]

South Bend IN has Warren Course and Blackthorn. That's a great day trip. Then you can add Harbor Shores, or go to Southwest MI and play Hawksview and Whittaker Woods.

[WindyCitySPN]

Thanks everyone for input. Based on weather we ended up driving to Madison on Friday afternoon and playing University Ridge. Saturday we got out early to Sand Valley, Saturday we played Lawsonia Links. Unfortunately we got rained out at The Bull on Sunday.