MCQS DOME in Bolingbrook is your place for winter golf, OTB horse racing and the best food and drink you will find at any indoor golf dome in the area. mcQ’s is part of Mistwood Golf, and the Mistwood golf pro’s are there to help you with your game all winter long. So stop in and see Dan Phillips, Brian Brodell, John Platt and Chris Ioratti and be ready for when the snow melts in less than 60 days. Visit Mcqsdome.com today. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Director of Content RORY SPEARS, with BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm on the Dye Course at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie Florida. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin and Facebook.

PGA Village in Port St. Lucie is one of the PGA of America golf clubs, and the winter home to PGA professionals from around the country, to get their game ready for the year ahead.

But it’s not just for the professionals, and the club should not be confused with PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens that is some 35-40 miles south of the PGA Village courses.

PGA National is the home of the Honda Classic, and the fame stretch of closing holes designed by Jack Nicklaus called the “Bear Trap”. There is nothing like that at PGA Village, but there are tournaments, mostly with PGA club professionals or some college events.The PGA Winter Championships are played there, and earlier this week, Mary Grimes of Minnesota earned herself a spot in the Women’s KPMG Championship that will be played in the Chicago area at the Kemper Lakes Golf Club this June.

Welcome to PGA Village in Port St. Lucie Florida.

What PGA Village offers are some real good golf courses, and a full size practice area that is rated among the best in the country. The 35 acre PGA learning center allows golfers to work on any part of their game.

The overall master plan on the property is changing a bit, with some parts on both sides of Interstate 95 for sale, but when it’s all said and done, PGA Village will have a solid facility with everything a golfer for could ask for.

If your from up north and want to go work on your game, with great PGA professional instruction, than PGA Village is for you. Is it your year for new clubs, wanting to your handicap into single-digits, or understanding course management a little better, you can get a good grip on those things at PGA Village. Currently if you visit PGA Village, you can see the Ryder Cup on display in the main lobby, outside the pro shop.

The first hole of the newly renovated Ryder Course, Par 4, 430 yards from the tips.

If you have not been to PGA Village in a few years, what you have missed are improvements to all three of the golf courses. All three golf courses have been renovated over the last three years and it shows.

The 54 holes are named the Ryder Course that has a Ryder Cup theme and history to it, with plaques by the tee boxes with Ryder Cup tournament  history and recaps on them. Tom Fazio is the designer of the Ryder Course, and the Wanamaker Course, with Pete Dye designing the Dye Course. PGA Village also has a short course.

Click here to her the PGA Village podcast by PGA Village resident and long time Chicago Golf writer Len Ziehm, and yours truly.

The three golf courses are all very good, and the improvements on all courses have been well received. While there are some houses on all the courses, there are not many and they really don’t come into play. You won’t be hitting over anyone’s BBQ or pool when your trying to get home in two on a par 5.

The Ryder Course was the last course to reopen from renovation, in December of 2017.

The Par 3, 12th hole on the Ryder Course

The Ryder Course is a solid challenge, for advanced golfers, but with it’s seven tee combinations and combo routing’s there is a length that can be played by any golfer of all skill levels to have a fair round of golf.

The fairways are generous, and there is not an excess of water where one needs to bring at least a dozen balls for every round.

Coming out of the renovations were several changes, but most importantly were the greens, that have now settled in and are in great condition and rolling very well.

The Par 5, 5th hole on the Pete Dye Course, with a greenside full of bunkers and mounds.

The Dye Course has some traditional Pete Dye in it, even though Pete is a little more generous off the tee than normal, because he didn’t disguise the landing area’s as much as he has done at other clubs.

The approach shot here is where the challenge lies. Dye has created some interesting green complexes, with more than his normal amount of “pot bunkers” and mounding. The “love-grass” bushes are frequent (love grass because you don’t love it when you in them) so have your short game ready.

The greens on the Dye Course rolled very well, and it won’t take much to get the ball to the hole on your putts of any length. As for the Wanamaker Course, it’s a little bit of a mix between the Dye and

The bar and grill in the main clubhouse is very good, and come complete with plenty of specials, especially around Happy Hour. Order your burger and you find that PGA of America logo stamped on top of the bun. There are several hotels right at the PGA Village exit and a Sam Snead’s restaurant that is also very good.

PGA Village might not be a full normal style resort, but there is plenty for the golfer to do if you want a winter getaway, that will help improve your game for the year ahead. For more information please visit PGAVillage.com.

  TIBURON NAPLES, a Troon Golf Experience, with 36 holes of Greg Norman designed golf courses, the Ritz Carlton and more, TiburonNaples.com. MCQS Dome is part of Mistwood Golf  and currently the Mistwood Golf Staff is teaching there all winter long, McQ’s is your home for winter golf, OTB horse racing, great food and beverage in the McQ’s bar and grill, and an official Blackhawks Bar on game day. See Mcqsdome.com    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Swinging good at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor FLA.

THE WIZARD OF WEDGES is back with even more upgrades to his Titleist Bob Vokey line of wedges. The man who calls the PGA Tour his lab, has for 2018 come out with his new line of SM7 wedges, that are in the bags of some of the worlds top professional players, and can be in your bag starting on March 9th.

Titleist says the new SM7 wedges will give golfers a more confident golf game through craftsmanship, technology and performance.

The new SM7’s with their advancements have seen four of them enter the bag of this weeks defending champion at Pebble Beach Jordan Spieth.

The SM7’s bring an increased shot versatility, improved distance and trajectory control with more spin.

Vokey now has six proven sole grinds, F, S, M, K, L and the new D grind. All of which can be put in your bag after a recommended wedge fitting, fitters can be found at www.vokey.com. The S-Grind was developed on input from Steve Stricker.

 THE VOKEY SM7 WEDGES, Vokey PGA Tour rep Aaron Dill shows off the new line of wedges, the wizard (working hard in the background) has created.

Click here to hear our interview with Vokey Wedges PGA Tour Representative Aaron Dill, on the new SM7’s and more.

While Vokey is the face of wedge design, his “right-hand man” for over 10 years Aaron Dill is the Titleist Vokey PGA Tour rep, who attends 40 tournaments per year. When it’s Spieth a Justin Thomas or Stricker who need a new wedge at tour event, it’s Dill who does the building and grinding.

The new grind the D-Grind is a high-bounce wedge, which offers a high measured bounce with the crescent shape of the M-grind for shot making versatility. The SM7’s have 23 combinations of loft, bounces and grinds.

The SM&’s have a Spin Milled groove pattern cut at a tighter tolerance than previous models, the SM7’s will deliver up to a 100 rpm on the average shot. In the first two weeks on tour, more players are using the SM7 wedges than any other brand played on tour.

SM7’s come in three finishes, Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black. The Tour Chrome is the bright finish, with the brushed Steel being the darker color, with Jet Black has had black paint fill added to eliminate any reflection.

“one thing I know about working with tour players the last 20-years is that they won’t put a new wedge in play unless it’s better,” says Master Craftsman Bob Vokey. “Every time we come out with a new one we have to prove it. I can’t tell you how many times in the last couple of years, players have asked me how can we make anything better than the SM6. Based on how quickly guys are switching to the SM7, we know we have done it.”

You can have your wedges personalized or with custom options, including shafts, grips, ferrules or stamping and paint fill. Vokey SM7 wedges will be $149.00 MAP. For more information visit Vokey.com.  Release date in pro shops is March 9th.

  PGA VILLAGE in Port St. Lucie Florida, three courses including the recently renovated and reopened Ryder Course and full practice area’s, get your game ready for 2018, see PGAVillage.com. MCQ’s DOME, in Bolingbrook, the Mistwood Golf Staff is there teaching all winter, and currently running a special on Callaway Golf Balls, buy three dozen get one dozen free. McQ’s Dome, work on your game, play the horses in the OTB, enjoy food and drink in the bar and grill. MCQsdome.com. Part of Mistwood Golf.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content. Follow Rory on Twitter@GogBlogGuy and on Linkedin and Facebook. With Len Ziehm of Lenziehmongolf.com on the Pete Dye Course at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie.

TWO PEA’S IN A POD IS BACK, Award winning writer Len Ziehm, joins your’s truly in breaking down what’s big in golf, and what isn’t.

What is big and is the starting point for golf in 2018, is the annual PGA Merchandise show in Orlando Florida that just took place two weeks ago.

Len and I have recorded our annual podcast report on the PGA show, what we found, what we saw, and what we enjoyed the most is part of our report.

Who were the big winners on demo day at the range, and then back at the convention center. What’s new that caught our eye, we lay it out for you on the tee, so you can hit it down the fairway, or use it or wear it on the golf course. Two Pea’s in a Pod, Cast that is, is here.

Click here to hear Len and Rory’s review of the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

The next Two Pea’s in a Pod-Cast that is, will run later this week, as Len and Rory discuss PGA Village in Port St. Lucie Florida.

  THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is gearing up for the another season of golf, the Donald Ross Course, the Pete Dye Course and the Valley Links Course, visit the casino and spa, Frenchlick.com. MCQ’s Dome your home for winter golf, OTB horse racing and great food and beverage in the grill. A Blackhawks bar, Mcqsdome.com #Mistwood         _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy Linkedin and Facebook. At demo day 2018 with the new Callaway Rogue Driver.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN, yes I’m finally home from warm and sunny Florida and there is some catching up to do.

I was on the road for 19 days, and on  too many days there was too much driving to do, between stops, to have a proper amount of time to punch out all the stories I have. That being said do stay with us because over the next month there will be plenty of stories to tell about the trip.

There is much to tell about the PGA merchandise show, and what I found and learned. Beyond that, there is what’s new at Innisbrook Resort home of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course (which I played), and the newly renovated North Course. Word is now that Innisbrook will close it’s South Course this June, and begin renovation work, with the course reopening late in 2018 or early 2019. I am hoping that the resort owner by Salamander resort will then redo it’s Island Course that could use some upgrades. See Innisbrookgolfresort.com for details on a stay and play. I will add a story on Innisbrook in the days ahead. For this years Valspar, Rory is coming, it’s a big story, sure beats Tiger.

SPEAKING OF WHICH, there was some talk about Tiger moving the needle at the Farmers, CBS says it’s ratings took a big jump. The numbers maybe a bit exaggerated but maybe there is some truth to it. You see this week when rock icon Elton John’s tickets went on sale for his concerts later this summer at the United Center, they sold out reportedly in less than 1 minute. I guess there is market for former stars on a farewell tour, the same could be said about Woods, who is likely one more injury away from calling it quits for good.

NEXT STOP NAPLES, I played two properties there, first up Tiburo`n where the accent is on great golf and more at this Greg Norman property. I had heard things about these Norman courses being too tight, to this, to that. Forget it, not true, this private but public venue is a winner and worth your visit when you want to do it the right way. For those if you who enjoy great accommodations off the golf course there is the Ritz Carlton, and better yet for those who want a great tasting beer, forget the Dilly-Dilly, Go Tiburon Red you will be glad you did. A special thanks to Ricky Potts in marketing for pointing us in the right direction here. Available on property on tap only. Our story and pictures will be another highlight in the posts ahead.

QUAIL WEST-NAPLES former Illinois PGA Pro and former section president Casey Brozek has really landed on his feet at the Quail West Country Club, where over 32 million in improvements taking place. This country club should be a model for doing it right and a having a a solid plan for bringing members. The new Wellness Center and other improvements, include health club space, spa and salon. The 36 holes are two solid courses named the Preserve and the Lakes Courses, both winners originally done by Art Hills with Hills disciple J. Drew Rogers now on board for progress going forward. My interview with Brozek plays in the days to come.

STREAMSONG BLACK, my third visit to Streamsong allowed me to play the new Gil Hanse Black Course that has been opened for just over 4 months. Black is a great addition to the resort, it fits well and compliments the Red by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and the Blue by Tom Doak. Some of the work around the sand dunes Hanse had to work with is simply amazing. Not many architects can make an under 100 yard par hole 3 hole from most tees, as challenging and fun as Hanse. Streamsong.com book your tee times today, my feature is still to come.

PGA VILLAGE, Port St. Lucie, played with BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm. For my last of 11 rounds on the trip (9 of 18 holes, 2 of 9 holes) Ziehm and I played the (Pete) Dye Course at PGA Village, where the Ryder Cup was on display in the lobby of the clubhouse. I also played the recently renovated Ryder Course while in PSL. Ziehm and I will add our podcasts of the PGA Show and PGA Village and it’s courses coming up soon. Do stay tuned and clicked in.

ZIEHM has posted a story recap on the PGA Merchandise Show on his website lenziehmongolf.com and Len has all the latest on Florida area golf if your headed that way yet this winter. Len also won three awards at the merchandise show from the International Network of Golf (ING). One from a story in the Arlington Heights Daily Herald on 2017 U.S. Open Champion Brooks Koepka, another on the Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin in the travel writing category, the final award came from a piece done on Illinois Open and Illinois Amateur Champion Patrick Flavin. “I was caught by surprise,” said Ziehm on winning three awards.

Then there was the drive home, where the temperature dropped from 81 to 16 in Arlington Heights, at least the snow waited until I was less than two miles from home.

ON THE HOME FRONT, BIG 3 partner Tim Cronin was the lone golf media member in attendance at the recent City of Chicago hearing on a proposed new lakefront Jackson Park golf course. His story is at Illinoisgolfer.net. This project originally proposed as a $30 million dollar project, is now being billed as a $60 million dollar project. The question is where that money comes from, and as of now there is now no money to make the project happen.

Golfers on Golf has learned that architect Ben Crenshaw did tour the proposed routing with project director Mark Rolfing, and decided the project was not a good fit for he and partner Bill Coore. Apparently BC and BC have their style of land they like to work on, and this was not the right fit aka “horses for courses”. Coore and Crenshaw are hoping before too long that Pinehurst Resort will give the go-ahead for a redo of the course formerly known as “The Pit”, and use that land with new land the resort has purchased around the area where the former Pit routing ran. C&C wish the Tiger Woods design group nothing but the best with the Chicago Lakefront project should it come to fruition.

The Chicago area winter golf shows start this week in Tinley Park on Friday. More on that to come. RS