THE HALFWAY HOUSE is the Chicagoland area’s place to go for indoor simulator golf, enjoy lessons, leagues and playing against your friends on over 90 courses from around the world. Daily specials include half-priced beer on Thursdays. So book your tee time today at (331)-642-8050 or visit Halfwayhousegolf.com. LINKS & TEE’S on Lake Street in Addison is your year round golf facility and just received yet another GRAA award for being one of the top facilities in the country. As the snow falls this week get to Links & Tee’s and get your game ready for summer, call (630)-233-7275 or online see Addisonparks.org. MCQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook is ready for your golf game, ready for you to play the ponies, or enjoy the Blackhawks in the sports bar. Warm weather is just around the corner so get your golf game in shape at McQ’s, then watch the Kentucky Derby preview races. Visit MCQsdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 today. ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the 11th hole at Calusa Pines in Naples Florida.

All it takes is a golf show, even and indoor one to get the golf juices flowing in people who love the game.

This past weekend was no different with the annual Chicago Golf Show in Rosemont at the Donald Stephens Convention Center.

When the doors opened on Friday, there was a long line waiting to get in. The first three and half hours it was hard to even get around the show because there was so many patrons lining the fairways or walkways between the booths.

I was temped a few times about asking some stragglers if I could “play through” but by 4 o’clock things had thinned out. I returned on Saturday from Noon until 5 PM to find show crowed again. By the time time I walked from the parking garage to the floor of the show, I passed some 60 people who had bought new club or more. Then there was a dozen more who had new golf bags over their shoulder. Hope for another great golf season is was in the air on Saturday.

Bob Stevens from Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, show off the new “Lighthouse putter”. Look closely golfers, that is not just two lighthouses in picture. Our look at Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island South Carolina coming in the days ahead.

Temperatures on Saturday jumped into the mid-50’s and had show goers ready to hit the course or the range right then and there.

Then on Sunday while some people were glued to the TV’s early to see the Blackhawks and the Captials play, many others hit the golf show after seeing it was 64 outside.

That craving for outdoor golf was really running high from the golfers.

Several of the local courses were there, especially the good ones like Mistwood, Shepherd’s Crook, Cog Hill, and the newly renovated by architect Mike Benkusky Arlington Lakes Golf Club that will reopen on July 1st of this summer.

The resorts were out in force like the French Lick Resort in Indiana, and many more from Michigan and Wisconsin. They are ready for your spring golf trip right now to get you going for the summer ahead.

Tomorrow, I’ll recap more of the show, stay tuned for part 2 of the Chicago Golf Show. While the snow is falling again now, next week the 60’s are back are so will some outdoor golf. RS

  THE HALFWAY HOUSE located at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst next to HB Jones, is your place for Indoor Simulator Golf, play over 90 courses from around the world. Daily specials for you to pick from, lessons, leagues and more. Call and make your tee time at (331)-642-8050. LINKS & TEE’S Golf Dome on Lake Street in Addison is one of the area’s few year round award winning golf facilities. Right now as the snow falls again this week, it’s time to get to Links & Tee’s and get you game ready, March is just hours away. So visit Links and Tee’s and see Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 Ext 4.   ______________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the island Course at the Innisbrook Resort in Tarpon Springs Florida.

Gil Patrick is the President of Development for Kentwool Socks.

No he is not a cadie but Gil Patrick the President of Development for Kentwool socks made in South Carolina by one of the oldest mills in the country, is part of the team that has made life easier for caddies and golfers alike.

You may or may not recognize some of the best socks on the market, and maybe the best socks in golf, but you won’t forget them once you put them on.

Who knows, maybe Kentwool socks will be your lucky charm, even if they don’t win you a green jacket in Augusta at the Masters come April.

The Masters, yes the Masters. A few years back when the company was creating socks for Bubba Watson, he called Patrick and said I need a special sock that I can wear for Masters week.

Patrick had his doubts about the investment but gambled on making up several thousand pairs of sock he wasn’t sure he could ever sell.

The Bubba Watson Masters sock.

Well as fate would have it, Watson won his first major that year at the Masters.

After taking off his golf spikes, he took a picture of his Kentwool designed “lucky” Masters socks and put it on Twitter. Can you say viral.

The next day the phone at Kentwool started ringing early and often. patrick and the Kentwool team needed to make up even more pairs than they had in stock. Demand was through the roof. Then when Watson won the Masters again a couple of years later, demand was even higher than the first time.

Maybe Kentwool can create a lucky Ryder Cup sock for Team USA for use at Hazeltine this fall.

Click here to hear the interview with Gil Patrick at Kentwool Socks, the most comfortable socks in golf.

Kentwool.com

You need your socks longer like in crew style, or you want them shorter, no problem.

The Kentwool Tour profile sock has found it’s way onto the feet of many tour players on several tours.

Kentwool has socks for golfers and caddies that are all reinforced in all the right places. So they don’t  quickly wear out in the usual places like the balls of your feet or in the heel.

So if your on your feet all day, for work, for golf, or if you are caddie. Consider Kentwool socks, you feet will be glad you did. See Kentwool.com for more information.

   CHARLES SIMS Director of the Links & Tee’s Golf Facility holds the latest GRAA award that Links & Tee’s has earned. In the meantime check out the Links & Tee’s Golf Dome open daily until the real warm weather gets here. See Addisonparks.org or call the dome at (630)-233-7275. THE HALFWAY HOUSE at 555 S. York is the best place for indoor simulator golf from over 90 courses. Play as a single, bring a group or join a league, daily specials and more. Book your tee time at (331)-642-8050. or visit online HalfwayHouseGolf.com. MCQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook is your triple play stop, hit the golf ball, bet the ponies in the OTB, enjoy great food and beverage in the sports bar. MCQ’s is an official Blackhawks Bar, enjoy the Blackhawks at 11:30 AM tomorrow morning. Located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, visit Mcqsdome.com for more information and hours.  _____________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content of Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source.Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the Open Belt and Jug at Travel Scotland.

When you ask David Connor about Scotland, or golf in Scotland and tell him you have never been there, the first thing he does ask you is,”well why haven’t you been there”.

Connor is the Golf PR manager for Visit Scotland and he makes a great point, if you have not been to Scotland and you like golf or love golf, the real question is why have you not been there.

DID YOU KNOW.. the Open Championship in it’s first years did not give the winner a Claret Jug. In fact a belt like the one in the picture above, was given to the winner. But after “Old” Tom Morris won the “Challenge Belt” three times it was retired and 1 year later the Claret Jug made it’s debut at the “Open Championship”.

David Connor the PR manager of Visit Scotland with the Challenge Belt and Claret Jug.

This year the jug and the open make it’s way home to Scotland when the championship is played at the Royal Troon Golf Club from July 14-17.

Zach Johnson the Iowa native that won the title last year at St. Andrews will be back to defend his title.

The week before the Open Championship tee’s off, the Scottish Open will be contested at the Castle Stuart Golf Links from July 7-10.

While many golfers know about St. Andrews the birth place of golf, what they don’t know is how many more places there are to golf in Scotland. In fact Scotland has just over 550 golf courses to pick from. Even Donald Trump now has a course in Scotland, named of course after him, Trump International Golf Links of Scotland.

The use of the name links is tossed around quite a bit when you talk about golf in Scotland, but the truth is that only 1 in every 5 courses in Scotland are considered to be true links courses.

How to approach golf in Scotland. One must consider that weather can always change and even in summer months, not feel exactly like summer. But the best golf season is much like it is some of the northern states in America. However wind or rain can always be a factor. Golf can played differently as well, fast and firm fairways can have golfers hitting the ball much further that they are used to. But when the wind blows you might need a lot more than club than normal.

The Chicago Golf Show going on right now and tomorrow at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Admission is $10 for adults, junior golfers 12 and under are free.

How to visit Scotland and deciding where to play can be easier than you think.

Connor suggests you break it down by area and stick to it, long travel back and forth across Scotland can be slow. So it’s wise to pick and area and play all the courses in that area.

If there are other area’s that you wish to visit, or courses on the other side of the country you want to play, save it for the next trip. Odd’s are you will be glad you did.

The area around St. Andrews is loaded with several great courses and it will take you at least full week to enjoy them all. If you wish to visit Scotland this year, start planning and booking right now. Many of the world’s over 60 million serious golfers love to travel to Scotland. Tee times at several courses can be very hard to get unless plan early enough.

If you wish to visit Scotland to golf, go to the Open Championship, or just enjoy sightseeing. See Visitscotland.com or to see the corporate website visitscotland.org.

 THE HALFWAY HOUSE is your home for Indoor Simulator Golf, play over 90 courses from around the world, as you enjoy great food and beverage. Located at 555 S. York Rd. in Elmhurst, the Halfway House offers daily specials including half price beer all day on Thursday’s. Lessons, leagues, play as a single or with a foursome, (331)-642-8050 or go online to HaflwayHouseGolf.com. HalfwayHouseGolf, is located next to HB Jones. OWNER JIM MCWETHY shows the menu and his family’s coat of arms at McWethy’s Tavern inside of Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Road in Romeoville. Even when the Mistwood Golf Club is closed for the season, McWethy’s Tavern is open year-round. Enjoy fine and casual dining with great views or during the winter month snuggle up next to the fireplace. The bar has TV’s so you won’t miss the big game. So as the snow falls, come on out and eat at McWethy’s. Call (815)-254-7001 or McwethysTavern.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content for the Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Wearing the Sunice Typhoon outdoor jacket.

Golf can be played in all sorts of weather, so every time you head out on the course you need to be prepared for what Mother Nature might do in the course of your round.

These days outerwear manufacturers are more challenged in the designs and material they create to give a golfer everything he or she might need.

First off if your jacket is too tight it will be hard to swing the club, second if pants are too tight it will be hard to walk, or bend over to pick up your ball, or put a tee in the ground.

Rain can come on warm days, so it’s important that you can stay dry while not getting to hot in rain wear or outerwear designed to keep you dry. When a cold front moves in you want something thin enough to swing, and something that can keep you warm.

Before you tee off, or after your done, you might want something you can wear around the clubhouse or practice area. Some golfers ask more than that, they want style that can be worn on and off the course, and away from the course. Colors are important too, and for both men and women.

  THE SNOW IS BACK, take your game inside to the best domes in town. MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, open 8 Am daily. Get a lesson from the Mistwood Golf Staff that teachers there all winter. Play the horses in the OTB, watch the Blackhawks in the Official Blackhawk Bar, MCQ’s Dome (630)-739-7600 for the golf dome. (630)-739-1592 for the Bar and Grill. THE GRAA AWARD WINNING Links & Tee’s Golf Dome on Lake Street in Addison, get a lesson from the staff of seven teachers, or chip and putt in the expansive short game area’s. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 today.         ______________________________________________________________________

Stepping up to meet all those challenges and more is the Sunice Company based in Canada. Even though Sunice is in Canada, they are making headway with golfers in America. Sunice does not pay players to wear their clothes on tour, but they have more players wearing their clothes on tour than any other brand (Per the Darrell Survey).

Derek Faith VP of Sales Sunice Outwear. Sunice.com

Vice President of Sales Derek Faith says that the company takes pride in putting out the best possible product it can.

“The fact that tour players are wearing our outerwear without us paying them tells you something,” says Faith. “More players are inquiring about our products all the time.”

Faith showed off a big a supply of the product line at the show, saying that much of it would be released later in the year, and be in the pro-shops and golf stores in the fall.

Click here to hear the interview with Derek Faith VP of Sales for Sunice.

So if you need outerwear for on or off the golf course, visit your pro shop or golf retail store and ask for or ask to order Sunice. Sunice has not yet created a line for the junior golfers.

  WITH SNOW ON THE WAY, take it inside to all the great Chicago indoor golf facilities. For the best in simulator golf visit the Halfway House at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst next to HB Jones. The Halfway House welcomes you as a single or a group, needs lessons, want to play in a winter golf league. Yes it all happens at the Halfway House where you can enjoy the daily specials. Book your tee time now at (331)-642-8050 or online visit Halfwayhousegolf.com to see that days hours. MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook has golf, great food and beverage, and an OTB to play the horses. Whether it’s golf, enjoying a Blackhawks game at an official Blackhawks Bar, or betting some Kentucky Derby tune-up races. McQ’s is the place for you. Get golf lessons from the Mistwood Golf Staff, or get fitted for those new clubs. Go to Mcqsdome.com today.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content for the #1 Online news source in Chicago. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At demo day during the PGA Merchandise Show with a Fujikura Speeder Shaft.

Golfers if you are going to get the shaft, why not get the best shafts you can buy.

Hit your shots around the course knowing you can get the most out of every shot.

The Fujikura line of Speeder shafts are the best shafts in golf. They are the number one shaft not only on the PGA Tour, but on several other professional golf tours as well.

When you want the right shaft in your clubs, get the shafts that the pro’s who making their living playing golf play, the shafts made by Fujikura.

“What makes our shafts so good,” said Chad Embrey, project manager for Fujikura. “It’s the time and effort to get them right, it’s using the best process to manufacture them and using the best materials that are available in making them.”

Fujikuragolf.com

Most recently at the AT&T Pebble Beach Tournament on the PGA Tour, the Darrell survey again had Fujikura as the no.1 driver shaft at the tournament. Just over 20% of the field was using Fujikura. The same was true last week at the Northern Trust Open, and Fujikura was the shaft used by winner Bubba Watson.

While the Speeder line of shafts has been most popular for years, at the recent PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fujikura launched a new state-of-the-art shaft the XLR8.

XLR8 shaft technology creates a stiffer handle and tip by moving weight into the butt end, which in turn generates more reactive mid-section which increases kick speed. The results according to Fujikura produce a more effcient energy to the club head with greater acceleration for maximum club head speed, power and distance. This technology will be available on three Fujikura golf shafts, the PRO, the SIX, and the Speeder PRO series.

“We are thrilled to introduce the extraordinary XLR8 technology. Once golfers see the pure power and distance they generate, they will go directly to a Fujikura Fitter to get one for themselves,” said Fujikura Marketing Manager Stephanie Hartgraves.

Click here to hear the interview with Chad Embrey, Project manager at Fujikura Golf Shafts.

Custom fit shafts are used by 100% of touring professionals, but amateur and public golfers can now get the same shafts for their clubs, and 99% of golfers who get fit with Fujikura shafts, gain on the average of 13.5 yards.

For more information on Fujikura shafts and getting for a Fujikura shaft, please visit Fujikuragolf.com, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter or Instagram.

   MCWETHY’S TAVERN AT MISTWOOD is open year-round even if the golf course and performance center are closed. Come out now and try McWethy’s, a full sized menu awaits you. The Great Hall in the clubhouse is now booking events and this summers dates are filling quickly, so visit McWethysTavern.com or call (815)-254-7001. The award winning Links & Tee’s Golf Facility will host it’s final ladies night of the season tonight from 7-9 PM. $25 gets you 2 hours of hitting time, along with some appetizers, and drinks (water-soda-wine). Limited to 24 and you must be 18 or older to participate. The dome is open at 8 AM daily and 7 AM on Sunday’s and it’s closes at 10 PM from Sunday-Thursday and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday nights. Addisonparks.org for more information or call the dome at (630)-233-7275. 2015 GRAA award winner.            _____________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content of Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy on the floor of Sand Valley in Wisconsin.

Each year golfers are looking for more and more from the golf ball they play. If there is one company that lives up the demand and expectations of their customers, it’s Titleist the #1 ball in golf.

2016 will be no exception as Titleist at the recent PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando did announce improvements to their golf ball line.

The golf balls getting some new 2016 upgrades include the NXT Tour, the NXT Tour S, and the Velocity golf ball.

Michael Mahoney, Director of Golf Ball Product Management for Titleist-Acushnet

“At Titleist, our goal is always to deliver the best performing product we possibly can, and what the new NXT Tour, NXT Tour S and Velocity represent are the best performing golf balls in their respective categories,” said Michael Mahoney, Director, Golf Ball Product Management. ” When we look at the results of our extensive robot and player testing, we are exceedingly confident that golfers will experience new Titleist golf ball models that out perform their competition and deliver on their meaningful performance improvements relative to distance, short-game performance and soft feel.”

The New and improved Titleist Velocity golf ball. See Titleist.com for more details.

The new Velocity has been re-engineered with it’s largest and fastest core yet, this produces a more explosive initial velocity for even longer distance.

The Velocity LSX core technology will deliver faster ball speeds, which produces more distance on all full swing shots.

The low-spin Velocity gives your shot a higher trajectory for more carry and roll. A thinner NAZ2 cover will give the golfer more feel for short game shots.

Click here to hear our interview with Michael Mahoney of Titleist, Director of Golf Ball Product Management.

The new and improved Titleist NXT and NXT Tour S Golf Balls.

The new NXT Tour has a larger center dual core that produces a lower spin, but a faster ball speed, that should improve both driver and iron distance. A Fusablend cover adds excellent shot stopping control to hold the greens you hit.

The NXT Tour S golf ball is the NXT Tour with a softer feel. The ball is made with a softer compression core and a softer cover, and it makes the new NXT Tour S, the softest model yet. This while continuing great distance and better short game performance.

These three new models the NXT Tour, NXT Tour S and Velocity became available in golf stores and pro shops as of late January.

the halfway House 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst, come play over 90 courses on the house simulators. Halfwayhousegolf.com call today and book your tee time.

Pricing is NXT TOUR and NXT TOUR S is $ MAP 34.99 Dozen and MSRP $45/ per dozen. Velocity is also MAP $34.99 and MSRP $45 per dozen.

NXT Tour S is available in white and in High Optic Yellow. Velocity is available in single numbers #1-2-3-4 or some double number combinations #00-22-77-99.

For more information on Titleist and the Titleist golf ball line and what’s new in 2016, please visit Titleist.com. Golfers are also encouraged to join TeamTitleist via the Titleist website for more updates as they happen.

  THIS IS IT… GO HIT IT GOLFERS. With snow reportedly on the way, take your game inside this week, and go to the best three locations in town for indoor golf. McQ’s Dome on Rt.53 in Bolingbrook allows you to work on your golf game, play the ponies in the OTB, and watch the Blackhawks in an official Blackhawks bar, that’s loaded with great food and a wide variety in choice of beverages. Visit Mcqsdome.com for more details. If you would like to play over 90 courses around the world, try the Halfway House at 555S. York Rd in Elmhurst call (331)-642-8050 and book your tee time today, lessons, leagues, singles play and more. Links & Tee’s Golf the award winning facility on Lake Street in Addison. Links & Tee’s is a Double-Decker golf dome, with full sized chipping and putting area’s. Call (630)-233-7275 for more information. Hit it inside all week long.   ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the Illinois Open Trophy at the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

What’s new is old, and the Illinois Open will be on the move for the third time in three years, as moves back to an old home at the Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles. Royal Hawk also located in St. Charles will serve as the second course for the championship.

“We are thrilled to announce the return of the Illinois Open to Royal Fox, and it’s companion course, Royal Hawk, for the 2016 championship,” said Illinois PGA executive director Carrie Williams. “We are confident these two courses facilities are going to help us continue to host an exceptional championship experience for top amateur and professional competitors in the state of Illinois.”

“We are so excited and proud that the Illinois Open Championship is returning to the Royal Fox C.C. for the eighth time,” said John Weiss, CEO of the Royal Group, which owns and operates both facilities. “This years Championship also marks the 25th anniversary of the first Illinois Open hosted at the Royal Fox C.C.”

Carrie Williams is the Executive Director of the Illinois PGA.

The starting field for this years Illinois Open will be 258 players, that are made up of players who qualified from one of the seven qualifying events that will be held in June, and players are who are exempt from qualifying.

The first two rounds will be held July 25 and 26, and following the 36 hole cut, the final 18 holes will be contested at Royal Fox on July 27th.

“It’s exciting to be returning to a long-time host with so much history in just the second year of a new format,” said Williams. “Every decision we make in the planning and administration of the championship is made to provide the best tournament experience for the competitors. having Royal Fox and Royal Hawk as hosts in 2016, continues to achieve our long-term vision and goals for the Illinois Open.”

The 67th Illinois Open returns to Royal Fox for the 8th time and for the first time since 2001. Only the Glen Club has hosted the Open Championship more times (9) in the history of the championship.

“The golf courses were uniquely built to be true tests of championship golf,” said Weiss. “The participants will love the look, layout and feel of both Royal Fox and Royal Hawk, as well as enjoy their experience at the Royal Country Clubs. It’s a great opportunity for the St. Charles Area. The community has a great young fan base and the Illinois PGA’s marquee championship will provide great exposure to our many young fans of golf.”

Royal Fox was originally designed by Dick Nugent, but the par 71 course that plays to 6,816 yards has gone through several changes since new ownership came on board in 1999. Golf holes, practice facilities and the clubhouse have all had improvements. Royal Hawk sits on 180 acres and is a par 72 course that plays at over 6,700 yards.

The Illinois Open Championship is open to professionals an amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside in the state of Illinois.

Qualifiers for the open are at.

#1 June 8th at Maple Meadows in Wood Dale. #2 June 14th at Bartlett Hills in Bartlett. #3 June 16th at Effingham CC in Effingham. #4 June 20th at Bloomington CC, in Bloomington. #5 June 22nd at Deerfield GC in Deerfield. #6 June 27th at Inverness G.C. in Inverness. #7 June 30th at Bolingbrook GC in Bolingbrook.

Registration begins on March 1st at IPGA.com.

  THE HALFWAY HOUSE is your place for indoor simulator golf, come play over 90 courses from around the world.Enjoy daily specials like Wednesday wine, and half price beer day on Thursdays and more. Lessons, leagues, group outings or just come hit it as a single. Located next to HB Jones at 555 S. York Rd. in Elmhurst. Call (331)-642-8050 or online at HalfwayHousegolf.com to book your tee time today. Golf season is here.      _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 Online golf news source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Wearning the Sunice Half Sleeve golf outerwear jacket at the Glenview Park Golf Club. Photo by David Schuster.

Yes, things might be a little wet outside but we are inching closer to full-time outdoor golf season.

The windy but warm temps over the last few days have wiped out 98% of the snow piles, and on a few courses over the past weekend I spotted pins back in the greens. Always a good sight.

I traded emails this past weekend with Cog Hill’s Director of Golf David Impastato who passed along good news. Courses 1 & 3 were open and being used at Cog Hill on Saturday. But in addition to that the driving range was full. I also heard some golf domes were pretty busy as well for those who still wanted to stay inside.

The Long-Putt Contest is back for another year at the Chicago Golf Show.

This weekend starting on Friday, the Chicago Golf Show returns for yet another year in Rosemont, at the Donald Stephens Convention Center.

The doors open at Noon on Friday and Friday admission is only $5. So get on out there early, and check out over 300 booths and get some free instruction from the Illinois PGA Professionals.

Free lessons, free golf courtesy of GolfVisions, and with contests going on all weekend long, you could win some free equipment or maybe a new golf bag, shoes, gloves or more. Plenty of top resorts on hand to help you plan that next golf getaway, Maybe to French Lick Resort in Indiana, Kohler in Wisconsin, How about Forest Dunes in Michigan, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, Pinehurst in North Carolina, or Inninsbrook, or Bay Hill in Florida, both are homes of PGA Tour courses played by the professionals.

There will be plenty to see, and I’m looking forward to being out there on Friday and Saturday myself.

ILLINI FANS you should be really proud of Senior Charlie Danielson who not on played his way into the Northern Trust Open on the PGA Tour this past week, but he made the cut when players like Jordan Speith did not. Nice playing Charlie, now keep in going in the upcoming Illinois matches ahead.

Danielson was not the low Illini in the event, congrats to Steve Stricker with his 11th place finish. His best in a while. Maybe Steve can play his way into a few more PGA Tour events.

BUBBA WATSON was the winner in LA and seems to be peaking just in time for the Masters as he goes for his third green jacket. The battle seems to be on for Ryder Cup points too, guys are playing early in the year for maybe just one last shot at being on the team.

The Gog Blog returns this week with more stories from the PGA Show in Orlando. RS

 MCWETHY’S TAVERN now open year round in the new Mistwood Golf Club clubhouse even if the golf course is closed. Mistwood GC is located on Renwick Road in the town of Romeoville. McWethy’s Tavern is complete with a full menu that ensures everyone can find something to eat, and a beverage to enjoy. You can sit over-looking the golf course, next to the fireplace, near or in the bar where you watch the big game of the golf tournament on the new HD-TV’s. When your ready to dine in style year round, call McWethy’s and make that reservation today at (815)-254-7001 or Mcwethystavern.com. MCQ’s Dome also part of McWethy Golf has something all winter long for every one, work on your golf game, get lessons from the Mistwood Staff, stop and play the ponies in the OTB, and then enjoy the Blackhawks at an official Blackhawks Bar that offers great food and drink. So call McQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook at (630)-739-7600 for the golf dome or (630)-739-1592 for the bar and grill. Visit McqsDome.com for more information ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At the bar in McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood.

Visit Cantignygolf.com

The Cantigny Golf Academy in partnership with Callaway Golf Fitness, is now offering a six-week Golf Fitness Training Program.

The program runs under the direction of Dr. Paul Callaway, the Cantigny director of golf fitness at the Cantigny Golf Academy.

The sessions are for golfers of all skill levels, that are over the age of 18.

There are three series of weekly classes this spring.

Series 1, is on Thursday Nights from March 3 through April 7 (7:00-8;30 PM).

Series 2, is on Wednesday Nights, from March 16 to April 20 (7:00-8:30 PM).

Series 3, is on Thursday Nights, from May 12 to June 16 (7:00-8:30 PM).

The program will provide basic introduction to physical conditioning for improved golf-specific postures, balance, flexibility and strength. Dr. Callaway will lead each class that has a limit of 6 students per class through a training progression.

This program will increase full-swing mobility for faster swing-speed power and distance. It will improve your ability to have solid-shot making on a more consistent basis. Learn mind-body-swing performance secrets of the PGA Tour professionals. Build a stress-free swing the reduces injury potential.

The cost of the six-week program is $300. To register or request more information, golfers should contact Callaway Golf Fitness at (630)-567-7572 or you can email Paul@CallawayGolfFitness.com. You need to register at least 5 days before thestart of the class.

Your fee includes weekly training materials and copies of the three ebooks by Dr. Callaway, The Secret to Achieving, Your Ideal Golf Swing, and the Winners Image.

Classes are held at the Callway Fitness Center inside the Cantigny Performance Center on Mack Road in Wheaton.

The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 online golf news source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At the Payne Stewart Statue in Pinehurst.

 HALFWAYHOUSE GOLF Owner Susan Phillips (L) with your favorite Caddyshack Characters invites everyone to come enjoy the Halfway House located at 555 S. York Rd. in Elmhurst next to HB Jones. The Halfway House has over 90 courses on it’s simulators that you can play from around the world. Daily specials include on Wednesdays the Ladies Lunch, half price bottles of wines from Noon- 3PM served right to your hitting bay. HalfwayHousegolf.com or (331)-642-8050 to book your tee time.       _____________________________________________________________________

The historic Carolina Hotel at the center of the Pinehurst Resort

If your looking to improve your game by adding some new equipment, why not spend some time in March at the Pinehurst Resort, where Titleist and Pinehurst have hooked up on a fitting package.

Getting new sticks and having the courses of Pinehurst to test them out on is an outstanding way to break them in.

The package includes 2 nights at Pinehurst. Two rounds of golf that includes 1 round on the famous U.S. Open Course Pinehurst No.2.

The main dining room in the Carolina Hotel

Each day you will receive the the best breakfast in golf and perhaps all of America, the Pinehurst Breakfast Buffet, and at night a three course dinner.

A complimentary Titleist fitting session, that includes golf ball fitting, and your choice of club fitting from one of the following area’s. Drivers, long game, iron or wedge fitting.

You do receive a $200 dollar credit towards any Titleist golf ball, club or gear purchase in the Pinehurst Golf Shop.       The 18th green on Pinehurst No.2 in front of the remodeled Pinehurst members clubhouse (L), the new Titleist Ap-1 and Ap-2 Irons (R).

The package price is $995.00 per person, double occapancy and a $1,245 single occupancy, valid March 1-31 in 2016.

Titleist on the move, see Titleist.com

Call (866)-495-9492 or visit pinehurst.com/get-fit-in-march-at-pinehurst/ to book a package that gets your game ready for 2016.

Rates are subject to taxes and availability. In addition if your not in need of an equipment getaway, and just need a Pinehurst escape, try the Pinehurst March Escape package that starts at just $399.00. For more information see Pinehurst.com.

Titleist has just released new additions to their line at the recent PGA show in Orlando, stay clicked in right here to see what they are.