Chicago golf-October, no car

[golfortennis]

My wife is running the marathon in Chicago in October, so I will be going as well. As she doesn't liek to be far from the start/finish, we are staying (tentatively at the moment) at the Doubletree Magnificent Mile location.

 

Normally I will take these opportunities to check out a course or two while we're at it, but it has also never been in a city like Chicago, in the downtown/near downtown area. And I likely will not have a car.

 

Is there anywhere decent nearby that is worth playing that would be worth bringing the clubs? Or would it be a real hassle to get to a course from this location by transit/cab?

 

Thanks.

[mflores]

Nothing real close to downtown Chicago - best place to go within your range would be Harborside International - they played a Senior Open there a few years ago

 

There is also a 9 hole muni course that is along the lake which is pretty cool for the atmosphere

[oldpalchamp]

They never played a Senior Open at Harborside. It was just a regular Champions Tour event, the Ameritech.

[golfortennis]

Harborside looks very nce, but also appears to be quite a ways away. Is the El with clubs a recommended method of transportation? Can't imagine that cab ride is too cheap.

 

If the hassles are too great I am ok with not playing golf that weekend....ouch, that hurt to say. But.....

[oldpalchamp]

Bluefan,

 

Chicago golf in October is a hit or miss situation. It could be a beautiful 75*, or it could be 35*. There really are no decent courses near downtown. Maravitz, formerly WavelandGC) is an interesting 9-holer on the lake, but it would be a cab ride. I wouldn't recommend taking clubs on the L, either. Unless you have access to a car, there really are not many options.

 

Enjoy the weekend with your wife. The marathon is great (I ran it in 1985, YIKES I'm getting old). There are plenty of great things to do on an autumn weekend in Chicago. Sadly, if you're downtown without a car, golf isn't one of them.

[chaley6077]

Sorry to say, but there's really nothing downtown or close to downtown that's worth bringing the clubs along for (obviously, there's tons of great courses in Chicagoland, but they're all in the Burb's). It's a beautiful city and I'm sure you and the Mrs. will find plenty of other things to do. I'd say see a Cubs game but I have been through enough Octobers to know that won't be an option.

 

As far taking clubs on the L - just to make sure to yell "playing through" everytime you get on a car. :rolleyes: But no...the train is pretty safe and I can guarantee you people have brought much stranger things than a set of clubs onboard. However, finding space for the clubs would be a major hassle, especially during the morning or evening rush. Plus, I can't think of any courses that would be close by to a stop, so you'd still have to take a cab anyway. So, bottom line I guess my advice is to leave 'em at home this time around.

[golfortennis]

Man, I knew I didn't want her to do this race..lol. I just didn't know why until now. Oh well, another time I guess.

 

Harborside did look nice though......

[DCIGUY]

Bluefan75,

Call the hotel and ask if there is a concierge that can assist you with transportation. I've never stayed in Chicago, but past trips to Dallas, K.C., Philly, etc. hotels had concierge service that supplied transportation to local courses. Worth a try.

[David Hillman]

   The other posters, I think, are scaring you a little too much.  I would think that if you can afford to be flying around the country running marathons, you could at least afford a 4 mile cab ride up Lake Shore Drive to Marovitz.  Unfortunately, that's a Chicago Park District course, so the condition is not great, but the setting is world-class; sandwiched between Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

 

   Estimated fare: $13.52 ( http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Chicago ) And fwiw, cab fare to Harborside estimates at $38 from the Doubletree.  I haven't played Harborside yet, but want to; from what I've heard it'd be worth that difference.  'Course, fees at Marovitz are $20, I think, and Harborside is going to run 3-5 times as much so that'll swamp the difference in cab fare.

 

   If the cab really is prohibitively expensive, you could even take a bus up Lake Shore.  You'd get a few strange looks, no doubt, but it'd get you there, and you'd be golfing, so who cares?

 

   There are some other options, too.  If you are still looking and need help, let me know, I can dig up bus schedules and what-not.  I used to work about a block from your hotel, but am now out in the suburbs.

[golfortennis]

David, thanks for the tips. My wife is the one who is doing the marathon, I just go for support. We're also taking a train, not flying.

 

I'll be perfectly honest, while the money is a bit of a concern, the hassle is much more of one than that. I was hoping something relatively close by to the hotel, but....

 

I've never been to Chicago so if I don't play, I'm sure there will be plenty to keep me occupied...

 

But as with all things pertianing to not playing golf....never say never.....:-)

[KaBoom21]

The bad thing about the Marovitz/Lake Shore course is it's ridiculously slow play - 3 hours for 9 holes is not out of the ordinary. Might fare better in October there, but I never played a quick round there. Sure the views are great, but it's a very average, old-school course. Harbourside is a fantastic links course that would be nice. Some suburban courses might be accessible by Metra - for example, Olympia Fields is right next to a Metra stop (I think it's a private course, though) - there might be some public courses that others are aware of. You would have to take a cab to Union Station to catch the Metra trains.

 

Seriously though, if you've never been to Chicago and you're staying downtown, just forget the golf and check everything out. It's an amazing city with so much to see. Unless you play Marovitz, you'll be spending considerable time in the cab or on the train.

[David Hillman]

Olympia Fields is (very) private. There's at least one course I know of which could be played off a Metra line. If you took the Burlington Northern Santa Fe to Fairview Ave, you could walk to the Downers Grove Golf Club. It's just nine holes, but it's an interesting nine, being the oldest course West of the Alleghenies, I think ( designed by Charles MacDonald in 1892 ). There are likely several others, too.

 

The problem with that plan, though, is that the reverse-commute Metra schedules suck ( 1 train every other hour ) so the timing in unlikely to make for a quick trip out and back, at which point, he may as well just play Marovitz, which isn't likely to be crowded in October unless the weather is real nice. Another option not discussed is Jackson Park, on the south-side. It's pretty raggedy, but 18 holes, and very accessible from downtown via train or bus.

[Bomb and Gouge]

Harborside is great in October...as long as it's above 50*.

 

It's the only nice course anywhere near Downtown.

[golfortennis]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking that it is going to be a huge hassle. It will be my first time in Chicago, and I was lobbying that she not do the marathon there, that we go on a trip that has nothing to do with running, but that didn't happen.

 

Maybe the nxt quesiton is whether or not there is a good golf shop somewhere nearby the Doubletree?

[Bomb and Gouge]

No good golf shops unless you like paying above retail and 12% sales tax.

[golfortennis]

No good golf shops unless you like paying above retail and 12% sales tax.

 

 

LOL. Thanks for the reminder. I was starting to forget we were goign to Taxcago for the weekend....

[JakeBarnes]

Plus, even in that area there aren't really any good golf shops. Then you add the tax in and its even less worth it. You will be staying in a nice, albiet, touristy area. If you want any suggestions for dinner/drinks, lemme know. Although I am in WI, my girlfriend lives about 5 blocks away from where you will be staying, so I have a pretty good idea of the area.

 

Chicago is a great city to just walk around. Enjoy it!

[DavePelz4]

Blue...

 

Another suggestion is to head to Cog Hill and play the newly remodeled Dubsdread Course. They'll have played the Fed Ex Cup event there probably 3-4 weeks prior and it should be in excellent shape. It's probably a 30 minute cab ride but well worth the trip. About 20 minutes from the city is Oak Brook Golf Club. Not close to the challenge of Dubs but a nice course if you're just looking to get a round in.

[tjewell1994]

none of these are downtown, but what i've played up there and would highly recommend is conway farms, hinsdale, ruffled feathers, butler national, exmoore, westmoreland, and medinah.

[raidernut1234]

you could always go see the cubs play in the world series?!

[Bomb and Gouge]

It's Harborside or nothin'.

I'd leave the clubs at home.

[golfortennis]

[quote name='Bomb and Gouge' post='1896530' date='Aug 18 2009, 07:36 AM']It's Harborside or nothin'.

[b]I'd leave the clubs at home.[/b][/quote]


That's pretty much the decision I have come to. Since I hate slow play I always play as early as possible. It will be nice to sleep in, unlike my last trip.