THE SHACK at 1717 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview is expanding later this month. The new part of the clubhouse includes four new simulators with expanded comfortable seating. But there is also a new putting green being added. So book your hitting bays and plan your special group events now. NFL Playoffs or Superbowl Sunday or Masters Week. Learn more at The ShackGolfClub.com or call The Shack at (847)-904-2905.

THE ESKIMO OPEN is this Sunday Jan. 7th at Cog Hill-Sign up today before sign ups close. Visit CogHillgolf.com. or call (866)-COG-HILL.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf.

THE NEW VOKEY SM 10 Wedges-now in use on the PGA Tour.

VOKEY SM 10 Wedges are in the golf bags of PGA Tour Players this week at Kapalua Maui-for the Sentry Golf Championship.

Titleist Vokey claims that Vokey Wedges have been the top choice of players on the PGA Tour since 2004.

So in 2023-50% of the wedges in play were Vokey Design, with seven of the world’s top 10 players by years end, having at least one Vokey wedge in their bag. Which includes both open champions Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman.

“I have always said since the day I arrived at Titleist. That I have the best R&D facility in the world-the professional golf tours,” said Vokey.

The Vokey SM 10 evolves from the process of development between tour players and Vokey PGA Tour representative Aaron Dill.

Willow Hill Lights and the Willow Hill Golf Dome expanded golf hours 8-8p through tomorrow Jan. 6th. WillowHilllights.com WillowHilldome.com

“Both Bob and Aaron have been incredible,” said PGA Tour player and major champion Jordan Spieth. “They have been so much fun to work with. Great guys-and guys who know so much about what they’re doing and they’re so passionate about what they are doing. They stay out of the way and just kind of watch. So if you want to bring them in,, they already know what your going to ask and they know what the response is. Here and there they ask for feedback, just to find out what kind of improvements they can make.”

NEXT WEEK DILL will be back at the grinding wheel in his trailer at the American Express tournament, as the Vokey SM10 Wedges rollout continues. But for more information visit Titleist.com or Vokey.com.

THE WILLOW HILL GOLF DOME at 1350 Willow Road in Northbrook is open for golf this week from 8a to 8p. The Willow Hill Light Show runs through this Saturday night. So come out and enjoy the golf and the lights all week. Learn more at WillowHillDome.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect at LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram

The 18th green at Talamore, complete with new sod-wall bunkers.

TALAMORE STILL GETTING BETTER

So if you have been to the Southern Pines-Pinehurst area, you probably know many of the golf courses in the area.

But if you have not played Talamore Golf Club, or haven’t been there in recent years. You are missing out.

The Rees Jones design was always a good golf course. But ownership investments several years ago, has brought constant improvements to the property.

At Talamore the work has been both inside (the clubhouse) and outside on the golf course, but most recently in the practice areas.

The newly updated range, adds a roof, Toptracer golf, and places to eat, drink and more. The new putting green offers a place to putt, and have fun contests.

SO BEFORE the practice area’s Talamore starting knocking off a to-do list around the golf course.

Because groups of trees were taken out, areas that repeatedly held water, had better drainage installed. Broken cart path’s were fixed or repaired.

There was bunker changes added, especially on the par 3-s saw the Scottish styled pot bunkers.

But then you toss in little touches, like yardage markers painted, new pin flags, and new washrooms. Gone were the porta-pottys.

The new patio and new furniture around the upper deck of the clubhouse. Over looks the 18th green.

So while the golf course has gotten better, and the practice area’s have been improved.

The Clubhouse and the half-way house have also been upgraded.

When golfers make the turn, they no-longer have to go all the way back to the clubhouse for beverages and snacks. The new halfway house sits not far from the tenth thee.

But for before or after the round, the clubhouse grill and bar have been redone. The upper level deck was rebuilt and new furniture has been added So the new view of the 18th hole is outstanding.

The living room in a Talamore villa.

Talamore is a Rees Jones design, that’s a solid straight forward golf course, through the sandhills and the pine trees of central North Carolina.

Elevation change figures into play, and the course will test players of all skill levels.

But one other great feature of Talamore, is that if your looking for a place to stay, it has great villas. Talamore’s sister-club Mid South designed by Arnold Palmer is just down the street, it too has outstanding villas. The villas at both courses are great for couples or groups.

THE SHACK INDOOR GOLF CLUB 1717 Chestnut Ave in Glenview is expanding this month. FOUR NEW simulators and a NEW PUTTING GREEN, will also the Shack to host more golfers than ever before. Stay tuned for details on reopening day. Keep it right here or visit TheShackGolfClub.com great dates for special group events like SuperBowl Sunday-playoff weekends and the Masters are filling quickly so don’t wait.

Talamore and Mid-South are located between the courses of Ross Resort and the Pinehurst Resort. So for more information please visit Talamoregolfresort.com.

  JIM MCWETHY in McWethy’s Tavern-sign up today for the September 14th’s McWethy Cup at Mistwood, raising money for America’s veterans. Congratulations to Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray (R) for a great run at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in Oregon. Mistwood Golf Club is located on Renwick Road Romeoville (815)-254-3333.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook and is home to Toptracer Golf and McWethy’s Sports Bar. Book a hitting bay, a club fitting or a lesson at MistwoodGolfdome.com or by calling (630)-739-7600.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram.

Mistwood Club Fitter Matt Carter shows off the Odyssey putter line.

PUTTING-the key to lower scores in 2024.

THIS YEAR GOLFERS ON GOLF will look at putters in depth, as the year progresses. New models, new styles, new grips, new strokes, the teachers and the fitters.

Matt Carter one of two club fitters at Mistwood along with Eric Russell, will tell you there are more reasons than ever, to get fit for your putter. So what will you have as your gamer in the bag this spring, or will that putter change by summer.

The new Odyssey Ai-one putters with inserts. Some of this new line is available already. Part two comes out in February.

Carter explains, there is more of a need to get fit for putters than ever before.

Because simply, there are so many more options on the type of putters now available.

The old saying of “different strokes for different folks” is so true here.

Because at one time, the blade was the style. Maybe a silver blade, or a golf blade. So back in the day Scotty Cameron would design blades like the Newport or another California town. But before long Cameron was building the “Kombi” which was a chip off of some big block of metal.

So with putting these days, there is a science to it. Because when Carter takes you into a SAM Putt Lab, you start to break down your putting stroke, and the putter you have. Which leaves the question, should you be putting with something else. More often these days, there is a better option.

The days of picking a putter off the rack, seeing how it feels and rolling a couple putts really is over. Were you a golfer that rolled one putt with a new putter, made the putt and  said I’ll take it. If so, well a new day is here.

Rory Spears putts in the Mistwood Golf SAM Putt lab.

What’s new is that there is Toe-Hang to figure in, loft of putter. Yes loft is not just a factor on your driver or your wedges.

So are you a flat zero- two degrees or four.

What about the grip, the days of just having a thin skin grip to pick from are also over. Super-Stroke makes a great variety of grips, pistol and so-forth that players have been using to win tournaments with all year long.

So how much do you know about swing-path. Inside out adding a push-cutting across bringing a pull stroke to the point of contact. Stance is important as well, is the ball too far back in the stance, too far forward. Because your favorite tour pro putts a certain way, does not mean you should too. Long neck “stick” putters can be great, but they are not for everyone.

MISWTOOD GOLF CLUB FITTER MATT CARTER speaks to putter fitting-Click here to hear the full interview.

Currently the Mistwood Pro Golf staffers are doing fittings in the Mistwood Golf Dome until April. So for more information on putter fittings see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME ON RT. 53 IN BOLINGBROOK open daily to 10Pm. So now is the time to get a lesson, a club fitting or play golf on Toptracer. If you have cash or a gift card, maybe it’s time to invest in clubs, or at least a club. Mistwood Golf club fitter Matt Carter joins us tomorrow to talk putter fitting, and why it’s not just about feel anymore. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome and get a hitting bay (630)-739-7600

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram

The Mistwood Golf Dome, your home for winter golf, in the shell or in the simulator. 2024 is here, start your golf season today.

2024 IS HERE…the clock is ticking.

No it’s not too early to start getting your game ready for the season.

So BTW the first golf outing of the year is coming up this weekend at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club. The Eskimo Open might even get played without snow and igloo’s.

THE ICE BOWL is on tap in the Mistwood Golf Dome, this weekend. So it’s already GAME ON!

So I’m already prepping to leave for the 2024 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Florida, the biggest golf show in the country. Golfers on Golf will be visiting properties new and old. But then checking out golf products, new and improved. Details and information on destinations for those of you heading South or West in the next three months.

LAST YEAR my handicap started at 12, it ended up at 13. So not again this year, it starts moving in the right direction-right away. Maybe even before the snow we will get melts away.

THE SHACK INDOOR GOLF CLUB is getting bigger. The new golf shack will have 7 simulators (4-new ones) and a new putting green, by later this month. Owner Nick Larkin is renovating the Glenview Shack (1717 Chestnut Avenue), but looking for more locations. So learn more at TheShackGolfClub.com #BookyourspecialeventToday.

2024 WILL BE AN INTERESTING ONE FOR CHICAGO AREA GOLF. The indoor season opens with two more golf domes, the Willow Hill Dome in Northbrook. But now a new dome has opened in Oswego and it’s operated by the people who own White Tail Ridge Golf. The Willow Hill Dome at over 150 yards long, is the largest indoor dome in Chicago history.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME has a new bar-in the dome and comfortable simulator bays in the former OTB area. McWethy’s Sports Bar is still serving up the best food and beverage at any dome around town. SIMULATOR GOLF is expanding it seems all over town. But as mentioned above, I can’t wait to see The Shack when things finish coming together later this month. So stay clicked in.

TOURNAMENTS IN TOWN… are lacking this year. So no PGA Tour, unless you drive out to the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities. No Western Amateur, but it’s at a great course Moraine Country Club in Dayton. Well worth the drive if you enjoy amateur golf. The WWGA plays here and so will the CDGA and the IPGA. The Korn Ferry will return to the Glen Club.

RICH HARVEST FARMS is still awaiting word from the LIV-Golf tour if LIV is returning in September.

WILLOW HILL LIGHTS the final week of the Light Show on Willow Hill. 1350 Willow Road in Northbrook. The Willow Hill Golf Dome has extended hours through Saturday. Willhilldome.com. 8am to 8pm.

WE ARE OPEN-WE ARE NOT plenty of Chicago Clubs are opening up from, or shutting because of a Renovation. The list as I have it now is, and plans are subject to change when it comes to course work.

Winnetka Park District-reopening in August. Canal Shores-reopening in August. Cog Hill Course #4 reopening in June. Medinah #3 reopening late June-early July. Cantigny Golf shuts down Hillside 9 in early June. Orchard Valley GC work beings in the fall. Mistwood is reworking it’s bunkers, but no shutdown is expected. Evanston Golf Club will be closed this year. Architect Ray Hearn tells Golfers on Golf his firm will announce a new Chicago area project in the upcoming weeks. Several clubs have announced projects for 2025, and more on those in the months ahead.

Hitting balls in the Willow Hill Dome-1350 Willow Road in Northbrook.

THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW is back in Rosemont at the end of February, details unfolding on the list of booths and special guest appearances.

PUTTING-PUTTING-PUTTING tis the season. I will provide as much coverage as possible about putting this year. New putters, prices, where to get them. Putter fitting, yes it’s important, and fitting is not just about your driver or irons.

THE U.S. OPEN returns to Pinehurst #2 on the 25th anniversary of Payne Stewarts amazing win, his last major championship victory.

THERE ARE COURSES opening around the Midwest this summer. At Sand Valley, in the Detroit Suburbs, at Boyne Resorts in Northern Michigan.

SO GET YOUR CLUBS READY-courses opening for outdoor play are 90 days out, they will open before the Masters tee’s off. The clock is ticking. So get moving-welcome to golf in 2024. RS

THE SHACK GOLF CLUB 1717 Chestnut Avenue Glenview. WILLOW HILL LIGHTS WILLOW HILL GOLF DOME 1350 Willow Road in Northbrook. check online for New Years Day hours.

                                                                      THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Enjoy winter golf at all three above locations-see online for New Years Day Hours.

HAPPY NEW YEAR-Here’s to a Great 2024, with more golf and fun on the golf course.

ENJOY THE DAY-THE FOOTBALL AND THE HOCKEY-Kapalua is coming up this week.

Happy New Year from Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger-Len Ziehm and Rory Spears. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow-looking ahead to 2024. RS